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The Theory Of The Political, Economic, And Social Equality

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Webster defines feminism as both "the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes" and "organized activity on the behalf of women 's rights and interests" (Webster 418). Equality between men and women, in terms of rights, and the adding of women 's rights appear to be positive hopes and dreams; but, so far, people tend to describe feminism while using bad terms, and feminism today has gained a bad reputation. "Radical" and "extremists" are adjectives when mostly claimed to feminism, when, really, feminists who take on hard and difficult positions or jobs add up to the minority. Moreover, these "gender feminists," or "militant feminists," although they get the most public attention because of their agressive strategies, divide people in showing their views. Their goal, to create a "sentimental priesthood" that will reach a combined power and punishment as abused "victims" of a male dominance, seems unhelpful (Himmelfarb 20). On the contrary, "equity feminists," or "academic feminists," take in the basic principles of feminism. They remember women 's achievements, work for the independent rights of all women, and, as Christina Hoff Sommers rightly says, "want for women what they want for everyone, equal protection under the law" (Himmelfarb 20). But not all feminists agree on how to reach this goal, most argue for a sensible, logical, practical, and positive process. By conflicting the disagreeing feminist ideas of writers like Adrienne Rich,

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