The history of feminism and of feminist theory has many possible origins. However the most plausible explanation for the origins of feminism and of feminist theory can be connected with the desire for social and political reforms .

It is therefore necessary to focus on these social and political reforms, by doing so it becomes possible to highlight the evolution of feminism ( as a form of ideology and a type of activism ). This evolution has not been without intense criticism, the most important critique of all feminist ideology states that due to the origins of feminism it is not an all encompassing political and social movement . Instead however to is an exclusive conservative white suburban theory , that blatantly excludes "minority" groups, such as black women, lesbians and the lower working class.

If the primary goal of the feminist movement is to unite women in order to change a woman's position in society, then surely this goal would fail if "minority" groups are excluded ? To answer this question it is of fundamental importance to understand the origins of the feminist movement and hence the rise of feminist theory.

Gaarder,J.: Sophie's World.Phoenix, London, 1996.0

Wolf, N.: Fire with fire.Vintage, London, 1994.

Similarly to the first wave who's origins were in the abolitionist movement; second wave feminism has its origins in the civil rights movement. Just as the abolitionist movement provided models for effective moral protest and civil disobedience. Likewise the civil rights movement in the late 1950's and early 1960's provided an example of non-violent resistance and civil disobedience.18

Many of the "recruits" found feminism (and feminist theory) unresponsive to their lived experiences. Primarily because the issues, responses, methods, ways of talking, that had been classified as "feminism" were dominated by white middle class college educated, straight women, they did not portray the experiences of non-white women or women of the lower class.

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