radical feminism is not so radical. the definition.

[seabeyond]

Radical feminism is a current theoretical perspective within feminism that focuses on the theory of patriarchy as a system of power that organizes society into a complex of relationships based on an assumption that male supremacy[1] oppresses women. Radical feminism aims to challenge and overthrow patriarchy by opposing standard gender roles and oppression of women and calls for a radical reordering of society.[1] Early radical feminism, arising within second-wave feminism in the 1960s,[2] typically viewed patriarchy as a "transhistorical phenomenon"[3] prior to or deeper than other sources of oppression, "not only the oldest and most universal form of domination but the primary form"[4] and the model for all others.[4] Later politics derived from radical feminism ranged from cultural feminism[1] to more syncretic politics that placed issues of class, economics, etc. on a par with patriarchy as sources of oppression.[5]

Radical feminists locate the root cause of women's oppression in patriarchal gender relations, as opposed to legal systems (as in liberal feminism) or class conflict (as in socialist feminism and Marxist feminism.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radical_feminism
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defang the word. not so scary, really

[WingDinger]

1. OK, that is what I guessed.

I hope radical feminists understand that a lot of patriarchy, is perpetuated by MOMS. And other women. It is not ALL mens oppression.

We need some radical masculinists, that dump some of our masculine baggage as well. I hate much of what gets called being a man.

[seabeyond]

2. couldnt agree with you more wingerdinger. and you could not be talking to a mom that gets it more

either, raising my two boys and having only boys and men around me.....

i hear ya. i truly do. you will never see me shrug my responsibility in this. further, there is a thread in this forum, this page or the second page, that discusses how the mom is THE most responsible for the sexism the son adopts. i have no problem at all accepting that responsibility with my own boys.

[Remember Me]

6. If given the chance, radical feminists (like moi) will actually commiserate with men

and their plight under Patriarchy -- all that masculine baggage.

The problem comes in, we can offer them a much freer existence, but the downside isn't t hat appealing to too many men: they have to give up some of that (usually white) male privilege. Too big a price to pay to live longer, be freer, be healthier, have more wonderful relationships not with their beloveds but with their children and everyone else, etc.

Oh, and "if given the chance," I mean -- if we're not fighting tooth and nail just to stay alive (literally and figuratively), or for our contraception and abortion rights, or for wages we're due, and so forth and so on, and for men to listen to us about the domestic violence that MUST STOP, so that we an finally get a few minutes of quiet discussion time with men who are willing and interested in the subject - that's what I mean. If we have men who will listen and the time and energy to explain it to them.

[seabeyond]

8. the secret, and i know you know, what they hold so tight to is really the weight of a cloak

Last edited Sun Feb 12, 2012, 01:11 AM - Edit history (1)

that keeps them down. if any are brave enough to take that cloak off, they would be able to breathe and see not only did they not "lose" anything, but gained ..... everything.

[Remember Me]

9. beautifully said, and SO true.

In fact, I'm going to put that in my Quotes notebook. Really.

[seabeyond]

3. i am liking me some radical feminisim. an lordy... i get to describe me as radical

how fun is that. i love the word anyway and now i get to use it without feeling like i am "too" much.

ah ha

this has been a fun morning for me.

[DCKit]

4. I'm ascared of women anyway.

Make me comfortable with women.

[seabeyond]

5. i am sorry you are ascared.

and none of us have the power to make another.... anything.

best of luck to you, though.

[Remember Me]

7. This is probably not the best place to ask for that

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particular assistance. Just sayin' .

Edited to add: though you might have a look here for a start: http://www.democraticunderground.com/11392087#post4