Feminist theory

Patriarchy: The societal system where men hold power and dominate women.

Sexism: Discrimination against people on the basis of their gender.

Male privilege: Unearned advantages or benefits that men have because of their gender.

Femininity: Socially constructed traits, behaviors, and roles associated with being female.

Masculinity: Socially constructed traits, behaviors, and roles associated with being male.

Intersectionality: The interrelated nature of different forms of oppression, such as racism, sexism, and classism.

Gender identity: A person's sense of themselves as male, female, or somewhere in between.

Transgender: A person whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth.

Queer theory: An academic field of study focused on challenging norms related to gender and sexuality.

Feminist activism: Organized efforts to promote gender equality and challenge systems of oppression.

Reproductive rights: The right to control one's own body and make decisions about pregnancy and childbirth.

Sexuality: The way people experience and express themselves sexually.

Objectification: Treating a person as an object, usually for sexual pleasure.

Misogyny: Hatred or dislike of women.

Feminist literature: Writings that explore feminist themes and ideas.

Intersectional feminism: A brand of feminism that considers the interrelated nature of different forms of oppression and advocates for intersectional approaches to activism.

Body positivity: A movement aimed at promoting acceptance and appreciation of diverse body types.

Men's role in feminism: Discussions about how men can support gender equality and be allies to women.

Rape culture: A societal system that normalizes and excuses sexual violence.

Gender expression: The way people present themselves to the world through their appearance, behavior, and speech.

Black Feminism: This theory highlights the experiences of Black women and the intersectional oppression they face from sexism, racism, and classism in society.

Chicana Feminism: This theory focuses on the experiences of Mexican-American women and the intersectional oppression they face from sexism, racism, and classism in the United States.

Postcolonial Feminism: This theory explores how colonialism, imperialism, and globalization have impacted women's experiences in the Global South and highlights how the intersections of gender, race, and class create unique forms of oppression and resistance.

Disability Feminism: This theory examines how disability intersects with gender, race, class, and other identities and how disabled women experience unique forms of oppression and ableism in society.

Ecofeminism: This theory explores the intersections between feminism and ecology and how the exploitation of nature and women are interconnected. It emphasizes the importance of environmental justice, non-human animal rights, and sustainability.

Transnational Feminism: This theory emphasizes the interconnectedness of women's experiences across national borders and highlights how globalization, immigration, and the exploitation of labor have impacted women globally.

Intersectional Queer Feminism: This theory highlights the experiences of LGBTQ+ people and the intersectional oppressions they face from homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination.