Equity feminism
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Equity feminism and gender feminism are terms coined by Christina Hoff Sommers in her book Who Stole Feminism?.[1]
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[edit] Equity feminism
Hoff Sommers describes Equity feminism as an ideology that aims for full civil and legal equality and distinguish it from the term gender feminism, which she uses to describe the idea of much of modern academic feminist theory and the feminist movement which aims at the total abolition of gender roles and structure of the society which they claim is still dominated by patriarchal structures. Hoff Sommers considers this as gynocentrism and misandry that she feels is dominant in the contemporary feminist movement. Christina Hoff Sommers argues, "Most American women subscribe philosophically to the older 'First Wave' kind of feminism whose main goal is equity, especially in politics and education".[1] Although she realizes that her views are not mainstream in academia or the feminist movement in general, she considers them mainstream among the US population of women [1]
Feminists who Steven Pinker identifies with equity feminism include Jean Bethke Elshtain, Elizabeth Fox-Genovese, Noretta Koertge, Donna Laframboise, Mary Lefkowitz, Wendy McElroy, Camille Paglia, Daphne Patai, Virginia Postrel, Alice Rossi, Sally Satel, Nadine Strossen, Joan Kennedy Taylor, and Cathy Young.[2]
[edit] Gender feminism
Hoff Sommers coined the term, "Gender feminism", in her book Who Stole Feminism? (Simon & Schuster, 1994). She uses the phrase to describe feminism which criticizes contemporary gender roles and aims to eliminate them altogether.[1] In current usage, gender feminism may also describe feminism which seeks to use legal means to give preference to women in such areas as spousal abuse, child custody, sexual harassment, divorce proceedings, and pay equity. Supporters assert that such activity leads to further equality among the sexes, while critics argue that this amounts only to reverse discrimination and encourages political, legal, social and economic rent-seeking activity based on gender.[citation needed]
Hoff Sommers claims that gender feminism characterizes most of the body of modern feminist theory. Hoff Sommers prefers what she calls equity feminism. She argues that while the feminists she designates as gender feminists advocate preferential treatment and portraying women as victims, equity feminism provides a viable alternative form of feminism. She uses the terms to critique the contemporary academic and middle-class feminist movement, which she felt was obsessively gynocentric and misandric.[1]
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