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Radical feminism views women's oppression as a fundamental
element in human society and seeks to challenge that standard by broadly rejecting standard gender roles. The traditional Radical
feminist standpoint may be expressed as eliminating male values in favour of female values and in viewing the
division in all societies as that between men and women and stating that men are the oppressors of women[1]
. These concepts were first developed in
the late sixties as a significant part of Second-wave
feminism.
Many radical feminists believe that society forces an oppressive patriarchy
on women (some masculists claim that patriarchy oppresses men also) and seek to
abolish this patriarchal influence. Because of this, some observers believe that radical feminism focuses on the gender
oppression of patriarchy as the first and foremost fundamental oppression that women face. However, critiques of the above view
have resulted in a different perspective on radical feminism held by some which acknowledges the simultaneity or
intersectionality of different types of oppression which may include, but are not limited to the following: gender, race, class, sexuality, ability, whilst still affirming the recognition of patriarchy.
See also: bell hooks, Mary Daly, Andrea Dworkin, Womyn, List of feminism topics
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