Liberal Feminism

Individualism, reform, choice and nature, and equal rights

A liberal belief that every individual is of equal moral worth and therefore we can only judge individuals on rational grounds

JS Mill, Mary Wollstonecraft

They seek to open up public life to equal opportunities and competition but they don't want to challenge the patriarchal nature of society itself. Liberal feminists don't want to abolish the public private divide as The state cannot legislate on the private life

Equal pay act, divorce reform

The Liberal belief that because of autonomy and that individuals are rational women and men have different inclinations and therefore liberal feminists accept women's leaning towards motherhood as a willing choice

Liberal feminists believe that not all male-female relationships are aggressive

They reflect the interests of white middle-class women and the ideology attracts women whose background equip them for educational attainment and and career opportunities

As Liberals believe that all individuals are of equal worth and therefore deserve equal rights, liberal eminists believe that women should be able to have an education career vote and be involved in politics

Mary Wollstonecraft