The Research On The Liberal Feminism In 1960s-1980s' American Feminist Movement

Liberal feminism is one of the main schools of feminism. It has made great contribution to women's education, election and employment rights. Many American's reform of regime and law should be attributed to liberal feminism. Without liberal feminism's struggle, many of the rights will not be owned by today's American women. Its struggle experience is worthy for our reference.In this paper, liberal feminism is the main line. The paper is focus on the 60-80 s of the 20 th century American feminist movement. To explain liberal feminism theory and explore the campaigning for women's freedom and equality rights is an important part of this paper. The paper will list the hardships and outstanding contributions of liberal feminism. At the same time, radical feminism, socialist feminism will be compared with liberal feminism. A comprehensive evaluation will be made to the liberal feminism. And the research will helpful for Chinese women's equality development.The paper is divided into three parts, including preface, main body and epilogue. The paper main body has four chapters.The first chapter mainly expounds the overview of early liberal feminism. First briefly introduces the early liberal feminism thought's context and theoretical perspectives and representative. The progressive significance and limitations of its thoughts were analyzed. In addition, this chapter discusses the early practice of liberal feminism in the United States, and highlights its main function of the first feminist movement in the United States.The second chapter is the important content of this article. It discusses the 60-80 s of the 20 th century American liberal feminism theory and practice. Simone de Beauvoir ‘s "the second sex ”and Betty Friedan's the “feminine mystique" prompted the awakening of a new generation of American women. It played the role of the thinking enlighten in the second feminist movement of the United States. The establishment of "The National Organization for Women"(NOW) marks the revival of the liberal feminism. Under NOW's leadership, liberal feminism by its unique struggle strategy conducted a series of activities, including for Equal Rights Amendment(ERA), launched a large-scale movement, etc. The national organization for women absorb the other factions' progressive ideas, put forward a wide range of targets and growing their own strength. In the struggle NOW become America's most influential women's organizations, and made a great contribution to get women equal rights.The third chapter mainly discusses the 60-80 s in the 20 th century American liberal feminism achievements and influence. Liberal feminism focuses on legal ways to ensure women to gain equal rights with men in all fields. The law reform improved women's education and employment situation. The NOW and the National Women's Political Caucus(NWPC) as a liberal feminist organization made many efforts to improve women's political participation, American women marks a new era in politics. Liberal feminism advocates the concept of equality between men and women also impact the traditional family structure and social culture of the United States.Chapter four is the innovation of this article. First, liberal feminism compare with the same period of radical feminism and socialist feminism. Then summarizes and analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of liberal feminism, especially emphasizes on the advantages of its inclusive. According to the experience of the liberal feminism theory and practice to explore the path of the Chinese women's career development.