How to Practice Radical Feminism

Radical feminism challenges and seeks to overthrow a patriarchal system that oppresses women through an extreme reordering of society. Developed as an extremist version of feminism in the 1960s, radical feminism attempts to locate the root of the oppression and overcome the gender relations that form the patriarchal order. In order to practice radical feminism, you must attempt to break down the patriarchal hierarchy and the components of society that support them.

Instructions

1. Use your voting power to support not only women, but all people oppressed by a patriarchal system. Vote for and promote gay rights, join organizations, demonstrations and protests that fight for the rights of minority groups, gays and lesbians and women. Radical feminism grew out of the Civil Rights Movement, and believes that the liberation of all those oppressed by a patriarchal system, such as racial minorities and non-dominant men and women, is necessary to topple a male-dominated world.

2. Break the mold of the middle-class nuclear family, a model created by a male-dominated society that oppresses the full potential of women. Practice radical feminism by seeking independence, strength, education and financial stability of your own means and desires. Being a radical feminist does not mean that you can never cook, clean or raise children; however, feminists seek an equal partnership with their lover that shares the joys and burdens of life including housework, income and child rearing. If you cannot find an equal partnership, embrace radical feminism by raising your children and keeping your home on your own.

3. Fight for pro-choice laws by voting to legalize abortion and promote alternative forms of birth control. Radical feminists believe that a woman's body, and choices which involve her body, are her own. Promote issues that revolve around reproductive freedom, such as male birth-control research, natural contraceptives, abortion and adoption.

4. Practice sexuality that does not perpetuate the fulfillment of male eroticism. Radical feminism believes that women have equal sexual needs and desires as men and should be allowed to freely express their sexuality. However, the exploitation of women through eroticized advertisements, pornography and pressure to fit a male-dominated society's view of beauty is a form of oppression. Rally against beauty pageants and Barbie-doll like images of women and promote natural beauty and sexuality of women in all colors, ages, shapes and sizes.