Abstract
This paper seeks to take a critical look at feminist theory in light of the second wave of feminism by breaking down feminism into its various belief systems and foundations. A short section on feminist bioethics is also presented including its history and foundation. The next section of the paper focuses on abortion in light of feminist theory. The paper then concludes with a personal discussion on the author's agreement with the pro-choice feminist theory on abortion. While theory and foundations on feminism are presented for both pro-choice and pro-life feminist theory, this writer believes that the maintenance of a pro-choice feminist ideology is critical.

Outline:
Abstract
Feminist Theory and Feminism
Feminist Bioethics
Abortion in Light of Feminist Theory - US
Abortion in Light of Feminist Theory - International
This Writer as 'Pro-Choice' - Statement
This Writer as 'Pro-Choice' - Personal Ideology

From the Paper
"Stewart (2003) tells us that from the late 1960s into the 1970s, feminists started developing their own theory as to what feminism was, but by the 190s, there were conflicting opinions and viewpoints on the best way to challenge the patriarchy. Ermarth (2000) comments on the differing viewpoints of feminism that are all individual components of the "feminist umbrella" she refers to as 'identity politics.' To Ermarth (2000), how one identifies themselves determines their concept of feminism. Ermarth (2000) tells us that feminism can take on any meaning, although the most common refers to the social factors related to male supremacy and an opposition to any kind of domination. "

Tags:pro-choice, pro-life, bioethics

Abstract
In this article, the writer presents a discussion of the key assumptions inherent in contemporary feminist theory. The writer studies the applications of such theory in modern society. The historical framework of feminism is discussed in this paper. The writer makes the distinction between sex and gender.

From the Paper
"Feminist theory crosses the boundaries of genre to influence sociology, philosophy, theology and everything in between. Historically, the main expressions of feminist activity were seen by the general public as extremist and radical. Today, though feminist principals underpin all areas of modern life in an appropriately measured way. Radical feminism was certainly the main impetus for the birth of the cultural revolution, which we now know as contemporary feminist theory. A historical framework of feminism was established by pioneers of the movement including Simone de ... "

Tags:Feminist, theory, Feminism

Abstract
This paper examines the films "The Crying Game" and "My Beautiful Laundrette" in terms of feminist theory. The two major theories of feminism that are used to describe these two films are those of post- colonial and psychoanalytical thought. The implications present in these films is that there most certainly are aspects of each film that can be seen to accurately correspond to these distinctive theories, but that neither film directly correlates to either one of these theories perfectly.

Abstract
This essay considers the deeply complex roles that class and religion can play with regards to Indian women in Canadian academia, and the influence of elitism in developing feminist theory.

Abstract
The paper asserts that Adler's theory is perhaps the most revealing because it demonstrates a view of the feminine perspective from birth through life and also supplies evidence of the manner that women cope with existence in a male dominated society. The paper discusses how Adler suggests that women will be prevented from reaching their full potential as long as a male dominated society exists, which appears to indicate that women will always be oppressed. However, the paper also notes that Adler further suggests that it is the coping mechanism in people that will determine their fate, whether man or woman. The paper highlights how this evidence indicates that a feminist approach to thought must include both men and women as vehicles of their own destiny and as those who shape the environment.

Tags:feminist, thought, paper

Abstract
This paper explains that the feminist article by Charlotte is simply written and effective in its clarity. The author states the reader is encouraged to know that feminist theoretical material is not just philosophical but should promote greater interest and knowledge of the exterior world including varieties of women's experience and problems, which otherwise might not be known or considered..

Abstract
This paper examines the women's movement which is divided on the problems of existing inequalities among women particularly those of social class, ethnicity and skin color. This paper discusses why radical feminists believe that the elements of women's culture are preferable to their male analogs in a dominant culture. This writer of this paper also probes how feminist and post structuralist theories have distanced themselves from the category of nature.

From the Paper
"American women writers from the early nineteenth century to the present have rearticulated gendered ideologies of nature. A cultural studies approach enables me to reveal how women's texts transform the representations promoted by literary, popular, and political discourses. By analyzing environmental and feminist history I demonstrate how a diverse array of fiction transfigures the ideologies of nature for feminist, and sometimes environmentalist ends."

Tags:feminism, women, movement, rights, law, history, literature, nature, environment

Abstract
This paper summarizes a report by Cheshire Calhoun entitled "Separating Lesbian Theory from Feminist Theory" on differences between lesbianism and feminism and why these differences matter when discussing their problems. The report discusses the issue of male oppression and the various theoretical constructs used to examine these issues in society today, with reference to certain specific theorists.

From the Paper
"Cheshire Calhoun in her article "Separating Lesbian Theory from Feminist Theory" begins by citing Heidi Hartmann to the effect that Marxism and feminism had become conjoined, leading to a consideration of the nature of lesbian feminism and its relationship to Marxism and to other theoretical constructs. Many Marxist theorists have seen lesbianism as a feminist resistance to male dominance, while few lesbian theorists now see the issue in that light. Instead, they see the issue more and more in terms of women's relation to women and to a number of oppositions among lesbians as among others in society, addressing issues of ageism, racism, anti-Semitism and so on."

Tags:lesbian, feminist, theory

Abstract
This paper examines the politics of knowledge in feminist theory. The paper shows how feminist theory has been concerned with unraveling a long history of discrimination through the re-appropriation of knowledge by and about women. It suggests that the nature of knowledge for feminist theory is problematic on many levels, from linguistic and psychological to social and historical and the paper discusses these issues.

From the Paper
"A central concern of feminist theory is the importance of locating and tearing down the systems of knowledge that support patriarchy. Recognizing that it is through the unnatural constructs of what is considered inherently "female" that women have been politically repressed, feminist theory is faced with the formidable political challenge of breaking free of this male-dominated discourse. This project has meant denaturalizing and deconstructing the "objective knowledge" that has justified patriarchal oppression and attempting to regain control of the meanings and representations associated with "female." The manner in which this occurs, however, is very much disputed."

Tags:challenge, patriarchal, society, control, power

Abstract
This essay provides a detailed analysis of an article in feminist theory: Ann Russo. 1991. We Cannot Live without Our Lives, in Chandra T. Mohanty et al. (eds) Third World Women and the Politics of Feminism. Indianapolis: Indiana University Press. This essay critically evaluates the arguments raised by Russo concerning feminism and race, and the conflicted/conflicting role of white feminists in developing a feminist theory.