Feminism is a range of political movements, ideologies, and social movements

that share a common goal: to define, establish, and achieve the political, economic,
personal, and social equality of the genders

First Wave Feminism

First wave feminism began in the 1830s and focused mainly on women’s suffrage. During
this time, women were still regarded by society as the property of their father or husband.
Women recognized that, to gain equal status in society, they first must gain some level of
political power. This movement mainly consisted of well-educated middle class white
women, though in the early stages it was “interwoven with other reform movements, such
as abolition and temperance, and initially closely involved women of the working classes
(Kroløkke, 2006).”
Second Wave Feminism
Second wave feminism began right after World War II, and focused mainly on sexuality,
the workplace, and reproductive rights. Many women involved with this movement were
already involved in other civil rights movements, but felt that their voices weren’t being
heard because of their gender and felt gender equality issues needed to be addressed
before any real progress could be made. The
Third Wave Feminism
Third wave feminism began with women who were born with the privileges that first and
second wave feminists fought for. Third wave feminists continue fighting for equality for
women. Primary issues that third wave feminists are concerned with include closing the
pay gap between male and female workers, reproductive rights, and ending violence
against women in the United States and abroad (Dorey-Stein, 2015).

Radical feminism is a movement that believes sexism is so deeply rooted in society that
the only cure is to eliminate the concept of gender completely.
In fact, radical feminists would argue that the entire traditional family system
should be rejected.Men are expected to work outside the home while women are
expected to care for children and clean the house. Radical feminists note that this
traditional dichotomy maintains men as economically in power over women, and
therefore, the traditional family structure should be rejected.
Socialist feminism is a movement that calls for an end to capitalism through a socialist
reformation of our economy. Basically, socialist feminism argues that capitalism
strengthens and supports the sexist status quo because men are the ones who currently
have power and money. Those men are more willing to share their power and money with
other men, which means that women are continually given fewer opportunities and
resources. This keeps women under the control of men.
In short, socialist feminism focuses on economics and politics.
Cultural feminism is a movement that points out how modern society is hurt by
encouraging masculine behavior, but society would benefit by encouraging feminine
behavior instead. they belive that the only way to end the oppression of women is to
overthrow the capitalist system
Eco-Feminism

This branch of feminism is much more spiritual than political or theoretical in nature.