This conversational overview, created using AI, provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary feminist theories within sociology based on the following source:
Ritzer, G. & Stepnisky, J. (2022) Chapter 8 - Contemporary Feminist Theories in Contemporary Sociological Theory and Its Classical Roots: The Basics, Los Angeles: SAGE. (pp. 217-255)
It begins by outlining fundamental questions driving feminist inquiry and traces the historical roots of these theories back to early feminist activism and foundational female sociologists, often overlooked in traditional accounts. The text then categorizes feminist thought into key areas: gender difference, gender inequality, gender oppression, and structural oppression. Within each category, it examines various theoretical perspectives, such as cultural feminism, liberal feminism, radical feminism, socialist feminism, hegemonic masculinity, and intersectionality theory. Finally, the chapter discusses contemporary challenges to feminist theory posed by postmodernism and neoliberalism.