The term "feminism" suggests a single ideology, but in fact, the movement has many subgroups. Due to historical precedents, the current legal status of women in certain countries, and other factors, feminist ideology has been made to move in different directions to achieve its aims. As a result, there are many different kinds of feminism.

 

One subtype of feminism, radical feminism, considers patriarchy to be the root cause of the most serious social problems. It is not very prominent today. However, many still equate the word "feminism" to mean solely the ideas proposed by radical feminism. Some find that the prioritization of oppression and the universalization of the idea of "Woman", which was part of traditional Radical feminist thinking, too generic, and that women in other countries would never experience the same experience of being "woman" than women in Western countries did. Western women may find gender oppression to be the root oppression that they face, but women in other parts of the world may be able to trace their oppression to their race or economic status, rather than their status as females.

 

Some radical feminists advocate separatism, a complete separation of male and female in society and culture, while others question not only the relationship between men and women, but the very meaning of "man" and "woman" as well. Some argue that gender roles, gender identity, and sexuality are themselves social constructs. For these feminists, feminism is a primary means to human liberation.