by Kamille Pierog

Created on: October 05, 2008   Last Updated: December 03, 2008

Let us start by first providing a definition of feminism. I believe it is necessary to discover the meaning behind such widely controversial term. Dictionary.com defines feminism as "

1.

the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.

2.

(sometimes initial capital letter ) an organized movement for the attainment of such rights for women.

3.

feminine character.

" (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/feminism).

Wh at better way to describe something that has captivated newsprint, television, radio, school reports, teachers, men, and women. In essence it has captivated the world. Those women and men that have seen feminism in their surroundings tend to take it for granted, while those without it crave it.

Feminism began as a way for women to gain equal footing with men, be it socially, politically and morally. The movement that began in the late nineteenth century gained momentum and continued on despite incredible attempts to stop it. It is essential to remember that women were taken as property, be it their families, their fathers, their husbands or their sons. Women were not granted the same privileges as men.

Hence, the first definition given by Dictionary.com ties in closely with the second definition. The second was created by reasoning of the first. Simply meaning that because of this strive to create equality, a movement was born with a capital letter "F", although, this term "Feminism" really did not gain notoriety until well into the 1960's.

Frankly speaking, the word feminism will bring ugly thoughts to the minds of many men and women for that matter. Images of women burning their bras, becoming increasingly "male" and forcing men out of their traditional roles, tend to crop up. It would be false to say that a feminist is only one kind of woman. At one time, this may have been the case. Now there are many different types of feminism that have gained acknowledgement among the public eye. No two feminists are alike.

Yes there are still those that have their extremely radical ideas when it comes to feminism; radical feminism. But there are other types as well. Conservative feminism for example tends to take a much more relaxed view of the topic, believing that the radical feminism of complete equality will erode the family unit. Liberal feminism tends to lean more towards the social side of our society, with equality for both men and women.

I believe that there is a new category of feminism which should be added to

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