Various Theories & Methodologies on Feminism: A Study

Abstract

As the title suggests, this research paper provides an in-depth discussion of various theories and methodologies associated with feminism. The beginning of feminism can be traced back to the Bible, where God created woman after man. Since then, women have continually struggled for equality. The most ironic aspect of this struggle is that while inequality existed, it was not acknowledged as injustice; instead, it is considered natural, obvious and inevitable. For some, who perceive women as the weaker sex, feminism empowers women. For others, feminism creates an environment where every individual has equal opportunities to develop their personality without facing biased behavior based on gender, caste, social class, or any other factors. This paper discusses about the history and different methodologies / theories on feminism and at the same time deals various causes and conditions of women who are victim of conservative mentality. There is not a single type of feminist theory; instead, feminist theories in sociology reflect the rich diversity of general theoretical orientations in our discipline. In the past 25 years, these theories have only recently begun to influence the mainstream theoretical canon, which can benefit greatly from their insights. This paper demonstrates why mainstream sociological theory should more thoroughly integrate feminist versions of feminist theories.