feminism
n. any of a number of perspectives that take as their subject matter the problems and perspectives of women or the nature of biological and social phenomena related to gender. Feminism has evolved from a largely political movement in the 19th century, focused (in the United States) on women’s suffrage and political and economic opportunities, into broader and more comprehensive academic, philosophical, and social movements. Although some feminist perspectives continue to focus on issues of fairness and equal rights, other approaches emphasize what are taken to be inherent and systematic gender inequities in Western society (see patriarchy). In psychology, feminism has focused attention on the nature and origin of gender differences in psychological processes. See women’s liberation movement. See also ecofeminism; erotic feminism; individualist feminism; lesbian feminism; Marxist
feminism; material feminism; radical feminism. —feminist
adj., n.