Liberal feminism

Liberal feminism is a major branch of feminist thought focused on achieving gender equality. This movement seeks to reach its goals through political and legal reform. It operates within the framework of liberal democracy and uses a human rights perspective. Many people call it "mainstream feminism" or "reformist feminism." It is also sometimes known as "egalitarian feminism." Unlike other schools of thought, it does not seek a revolution. Instead, it works to integrate women into the existing structures of society.

The mechanism of liberal feminism relies on changing the rules of the public world. This includes laws, political institutions, education, and professional life. Liberal feminists believe that denying equal legal and political rights is the main obstacle to equality. They focus on how social resources are allocated to women and girls. According to sociologist Anthony Giddens, inequality happens when women have reduced access to civil rights and employment. To fix this, they use constructive cooperation with governments. They participate in parliamentary and legislative processes to pursue specific reforms.

Liberal feminism is one of the "Big Three" schools of feminist thought. It is often contrasted with socialist or Marxist feminism and radical feminism. While radical feminism might seek a complete reordering of society, liberal feminism seeks gradual progress. It is a very broad tradition that includes many different sub-groups. Some branches are known as equality feminism or social feminism. Others include care-ethical liberal feminism, equity feminism, and difference feminism. There are even more specific types like conservative liberal feminism and liberal socialist feminism. Some modern forms are described as "neoliberal feminism" or "boardroom feminism."

The history of this movement began in the 19th century. It is rooted in the first wave of feminism and classical liberalism. Early pioneers fought for women to be recognized as full citizens with individual liberty. Mary Wollstonecraft was a key figure in these early efforts. Other important pioneers included Judith Sargent Murray and Frances Wright. In Norway, Gina Krog led the first wave of feminism and founded the Norwegian Association for Women's Rights.

In the United States, the movement saw intense activism for nearly 50 years. This struggle focused heavily on women's suffrage, or the right to vote. In 1920, women finally won the right to vote and hold public office. After this victory, the movement was relatively quiet for four decades. However, the 1960s brought a new wave of activity during the civil rights movement. Groups like the National Organization for Women (NOW) were created during this time.

A major part of this history involves the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Alice Paul, a leader of the National Woman's Party, authored this amendment. It stated that civil rights cannot be denied based on sex. The ERA was approved by the full U.S. Senate in March 1972 with an 84–8 vote. However, it failed to be ratified by enough states to become law. It missed the required number of states by only 38 approvals. Many feminists believe the failure was due to racial and gender imbalances in state legislatures.

Today, liberal feminism is a diverse and evolving field. In the 21st century, it has moved toward an intersectional understanding of equality. This means it looks at how different identities overlap. Modern liberal feminists also support LGBT rights as a core issue. They advocate for many specific causes, such as reproductive rights and fair compensation for work. They also work to address sexual harassment and domestic violence. Since the 1860s, the sunflower and the color gold have served as symbols of this movement. These symbols represent enlightenment and the struggle for suffrage.