Liberal Feminism

Liberalism began as a rejection of patriarchal political theory: the view that certain people—the monarchs—were inherently superior to others—the subjects—who were to be their subordinates. In opposition to partiarchalism, liberals advanced a belief in the natural equality and freedom of human beings and advocated the creation of a social structure that would recognize the uniqueness of individuals and provide them with equality of opportunity. The core values of liberalism:

• the intrinsic and ultimate value of the human individual (individualism) • the value of individual autonomy, self-determination, and self-fulfillment • liberty: freedom from interference either by other individuals or by the state. • natural equality of all human beings • emphasis on equality of opportunity • equality before the law and protection of individual rights • emphasis on reason (the rational, self-determining individual)

Liberals advocate the development of social, economic, and political institutions that optimize the autonomy of individual citizens. The fundamental problem for the liberal theorist is to devise social institutions that will protect each individual’s right to a fair share of the available resources while simultaneously allowing him or her the maximum opportunity for autonomy and self-fulfillment. Liberals can be divided into two subgroups:

1. Classical Liberals: focus on civil liberties such as voting rights, freedom of speech, and property rights;

2. Welfare Liberals: focus on economic justice by supporting such programs as Social Security, food stamps, Medicaid and Medicare, and low-cost housing.

Liberal feminism accepts the traditional liberal conception of human nature and the characteristic liberal values of individual dignity, equality, autonomy and self-fulfillment. Along with these, it accepts the liberal ideal of creating a society which maximizes individual autonomy and in which all individuals have an equal opportunity to pursue their own interests as they perceive them. Liberal feminism emphasizes the full implications of liberal political theory of the position of women in society, pursuing liberalism to its logical conclusion by demanding the natural and equal rights of women.

Contemporary liberal feminism focused primarily on gender justice by working to eradicate oppressive gender roles. They fought to eliminate legislation and social conventions that limit women’s and men’s opportunities to compete for certain professions because of their gender. In order to do this, liberal feminists supported:

• affirmative action programs • equal pay • pregnancy benefits for female workers • abortion rights • maternity leaves • establishment of childcare centers • Equal Rights Amendment: “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” (Approved by the US Congress in 1972 but failed to get the 38 states necessary to ratify it.)

Liberal feminists believe that the treatment of women in contemporary society violates, in one way or another, all of liberalism’s political values, the values of equality, liberty, and justice. Their most frequent complaint is that women in contemporary society suffer discrimination on the basis of sex. Certain restrictions are placed on women as a group, without regard to their individual wishes, interests, abilities, or merits.