FemResThe Living Review

Media index

Radical FeminismPapers

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Papers · Sep 2022

An Overview on the Feminism and Its Categories

Haradhan Kumar Mohajan

This paper offers a comprehensive overview of feminism’s historical development, ideological foundations, and categorical variants. Mohajan traces the evolution of feminist thought from early movements to contemporary debates, highlighting key challenges and future directions for global gender justice.

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Papers · Dec 2000

Pure tolerance revisited

Denise Thompson

This radical feminist theoretical article revisits the place of tolerance in feminist theory, critically responding to the pluralist stance advocated by the inaugural issue of Feminist Theory journal. Drawing on Herbert Marcuse's theory of 'repressive tolerance', Thompson argues that unlimited tolerance provides shelter for patriarchal and anti-feminist viewpoints, thereby undermining feminism's core as a liberatory politics. She contends that feminism must maintain intolerance toward male domination to preserve its theoretical coherence and political efficacy.

03

Papers · Apr 2000

Using Gender to Undo Gender: A Feminist Degendering Movement

Judith Lorber

This revolutionary article proposes a radical solution to persistent gender inequality: the complete elimination of gender categories. Lorber argues that despite significant improvements in women's status, true equality remains elusive because society continues to be organized around binary gender divisions. She calls for a 'feminist degendering movement' that would dismantle the very foundation of gender categorization rather than simply seeking equality within existing structures.

04

Papers · Jan 1980

Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence

Adrienne Rich

This paper challenges the assumption that heterosexuality is the 'natural' sexual orientation for women, arguing that heterosexuality is a political institution imposed upon women.

05

Papers · Jan 1975

The Laugh of the Medusa

Hélène Cixous

Hélène Cixous's 1975 classic feminist essay introduces the important concept of 'écriture féminine' (feminine writing), calling on women to reclaim their bodies and voices through writing, and remains one of the most influential texts of French feminist theory.