Radical feminism claims that women are oppressed by men in various ways due to patriarchal beliefs. They seek to eradicate misogyny by changing social and political systems. Radical feminists differ from liberal feminists in their willingness to actively campaign for change. They believe that women have been oppressed throughout history and that this oppression is harmful. Men can also be victims of sexist cultural ideas and political systems. Radical feminism has helped equalize women’s roles in Western societies and tighten laws to protect women.
A radical feminist is typically a follower of radical feminist philosophy. This philosophy usually claims that women are oppressed physically, sexually, economically, and in other ways by men, and that these patterns of oppression stem from deeply ingrained patriarchal beliefs within many human cultures. In general, a radical feminist believes that modern social and political systems tend to place men in positions of privilege and authority over women, and that many modern cultural and political constructs may therefore be flawed. Radical feminists generally believe that men and women are equal, and that the belief that men can be superior to women in some way probably stems from the perception that there are fundamental differences between the two sexes. Most radical feminists wish to eradicate the belief that women can be inferior to men by changing the social and political systems they believe foster misogynistic behavior.
The political philosophy referred to as radical feminism is believed to have its origins in the second wave feminist movement of North America and Europe. Radical feminists are said to differ from liberal feminists in that they are perceived as more willing to actively campaign for social and political changes in line with their philosophy. Many believe that radical feminism is largely responsible for helping equalize women’s roles in many Western societies in the decades following the inception of the second wave feminist movement in about 1960. Radical feminism is believed to be at least in part responsible for tightening laws to protect women from rape, domestic abuse, and other dangers believed to be rooted in sexism. It is also held responsible for the growing freedom of women in many Western societies since the beginning of the second wave feminist movement.
The typical radical feminist probably believes that women have been oppressed by men throughout history, in almost every society. Some radical feminists believe that the oppression of women by men is not only the oldest type of cultural oppression in existence, but also the most harmful to individuals, families and communities. Acts of oppression attributed to misogynistic beliefs include rape, abuse, prostitution and domestic abuse. Many radical feminists believe they also include such constructs as rigidly defined gender roles that dictate dress and behavior for both men and women. The idea that men and women are suited to different lifestyles, that women may be more fragile or more emotional than men, or that men may be stronger and more aggressive than women, are also thought to be part of the structure oppressive that radical feminists usually rally against.
Not all radical feminists are women. Philosophy generally does not claim to exclude or punish men. Many radical feminists believe that men too are victims of sexist cultural ideas and political systems and that they too suffer from female oppression. Most radical feminists believe that the systemic oppression of women can only end when all members of society are able to perceive the genders as equal.
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