The Western Feminist Equality Research

A large quantity of theoretical branches on feminism has flowed into the theoretical riverof feminism in western countries. As their origins and contents vary from one another，theidealistic impact occurred. Their ultimate objective，however，remain the same，which is thecommitment to realize the equality of men and women and the women libration. Liberalfeminism denies the distinction between men and women，emphasizes the equality of formfrom the perspective of natural reason; radical feminism gives prominence to the distinctionbetween men and women and claims that the inequality attributes to the existence ofpatriarchy; socialist feminism regards the combination of capitalism and patriarchy as the rootof women’s tribulation; while post-modern feminism，which seeks a dynamic equality ofvariances，is the combination of the previous two trends.Comparing Marxist outlook of woman and western feminism view of equality: on theone hand，the positive achievement of the latter serves as a supplement and development ofthe former，which can be the reference and enlightenment to the issue of equality betweenmen and women in China. For instance，equality outlook of liberal feminism performsmeritorious deeds for the enhance of Chinese women’s self-consciousness; that socialistfeminism applies Marxism to deal with female problems gives us the confidence; thatpost-modern feminism lays emphasis on individual diversities is a reference for enhancingChinese women’s social status. On the other hand，equality outlook of western feminism hasits own defects: liberal feminism takes on a strong character of idealism; equality outlook ofradical feminism is too extreme; equality outlook of socialist feminism is not comprehensiveenough; equality outlook of post-modern feminism ignores the universality.This thesis investigates the equality outlook of western feminism and explores theunequal situation of men and women in present China so as to realize the equal andharmonious development between men and women in the process of the construction ofharmonious socialist society.