Is the capacity to choose always liberating?
Medium | 20.01.2026 22:03
Is the capacity to choose always liberating?
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“May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right”.
–Peter Marshall
Feminism was born as a wake-up call to an regressive and archaic society, proposing a new perspective that had not been taken into account for several centuries: that of women.
Women with these ideals were considered idealistic and unrealistic, but it was precisely this that yielded results: not accepting the proposed reality and going beyond, believing in something different and new.
Today, despite the early feminist indications centuries ago, we can see that the work is still not done. We live in a constantly evolving world. Therefore,ideas, beliefs, and actions must
change in parallel with this evolution.
DEFINITION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF CHOICE FEMINISM
And that brings us to "choice feminism." "Choice feminism" is an adaptation of feminism that has an individualistic focus and is related to the idea of neoliberal feminism. Neoliberal feminism focuses on individual opportunities within the economy and politics.
"Choice feminism" asserts that a woman’s individual choices are inherently feminist because she made them for herself. It is characterized by emphasizing individual agency, defending autonomy, and proposing not to judge women’s decisions. Essentially, it combines neoliberalism with a feminist perspective.
However, this adaptation has been subject to criticism due to its individualistic focus, as it does not take into account feminism at a collective level and may have biases of segregation and polarization.
CRITICISM PERSPECTIVE
Choice arguments are fundamentally flawed because they assume a level of unconditional freedom for women that simply does not exist. Yes, we make choices, but these choices are shaped and limited by the unequal conditions which we live in.
The choice focus has a detrimental impact on women’s economic status and areas of
discrimination. It disregards the limitations imposed by issues of race, sexual orientation, identity, ability, and/or social class. Women in less privileged situations cannot selectively choose all aspects of their lives and instead must work within the constraints of their social
and economic contexts.
"The rhetoric of choice only serves to distract from the pursuit of equality and justifies internalized misogyny."
Objectification is the new empowerment.
SUPPORTIVE PERSPECTIVE
The pro-choice feminism approach highlights that it defends autonomy and free choice, allowing women to make decisions in regard to their bodies, sexuality, motherhood, and other aspects of their lives. It recognizes the agency and capacity of women to make decisions autonomously, individually, and informedly.
Those who support this perspective argue that women are capable of assessing their own circumstances and making decisions consistent with their values and individual needs.
"Like if the real issue for women’s progress is whether we can meet some legendary feminist ideal.”
-Meagan Tyler.
Emma Watson, British actress, model, and activist, is a clear representation of choice feminism. In an interview with Vanity Fair, she stated, “Feminism is about giving women choice. Feminism is not a stick with which to beat other women with. It’s about freedom, it’s about liberation, it’s about equality”.
INTERSECTIONAL PERSPECTIVES
The intersections between gender, race, social class, sexual orientation, and other axes of oppression can influence the available choices and constraints faced by women. For example, during the upcoming elections in the UK, a candidate from the Liberal Democrat Party tried to justify images of himself receiving a lap dance in a strip club as part of his
feminist mission to "empower women to make legal choices, without judging the legal choices they make."
"Choice feminism" is also reflected in how certain aspects are perceived, such as labiaplasty being seen as a useful cosmetic improvement or how pornography is renamed as sexual
empowerment.
However, it is important to recognize that the focus of "choice feminism" may not address the realities of all women. For example, a pro-choice feminist may argue that a woman’s decision to be a stay-at-home mother or a "career woman" is feminist either way because she chose freely. However, this does not consider women who do not have enough wealth to
choose between those two options and instead opt for both. These women do not actively choose to work full-time and have children; they do it to survive, not to make a feminist statement or any other political statement.
The intersections between gender, race, social class, sexual orientation, and other axes of oppression influence the available choices and constraints faced by women. If rejecting a deeply rooted social norm rooted in misogyny results in social exclusion and shame, the option of not following that norm becomes nearly impossible. In this sense, the word "choice" becomes an inaccurate term, as for those in a particular society, most options are limited and predefined by existing power structures.
IMPACT ON FEMINIST POLITICS
Michaele L. Ferguson wrote a journal article titled "Choice Feminism and the Fear of Politics," in which she highlights that "choice feminism" arises as a response to three common criticisms of feminism: that it is too radical, too exclusive, and too prescriptive.
However, Ferguson argues that this individualistic focus of "choice feminism" can lead to a depoliticization of feminist goals. By framing feminism solely as a matter of personal choice, it diverts attention from the systemic inequalities and structural barriers that need to be
addressed for gender equality to be achieved at a larger scale.
Furthermore, the emphasis on choice can sometimes undermine collective feminist action and solidarity. It can create divisions among women by suggesting that one’s personal choices are the ultimate measure of feminist commitment, leading to judgment and criticism of women who make different choices.
CONCLUSION
Often, addressing controversial topics requires a significant capacity for resilience. It is not enough to acquire knowledge about a concept and make a hasty decision; it is necessary to delve into the individual biases and nuances that may exist in those topics, such as abortion.
It is essential for "choice feminism" to take into account the segregation that non-Western women may experience, as well as women from different races, cultures, ethnicities, sexual orientations, among other aspects. Feminism must be inclusive and encompass all possible
experiences. Therefore, we must rethink the concept of "choice feminism" and promote women’s freedom, regardless of their individual contexts.
SOURCES/RESOURCES:
Feminism 101: What is Choice Feminism?
Choice Feminism: Time to 'Choose' Another Argument
A Guide to Neoliberal Feminism
Emma Watson on Vanity Fair Cover: 'Feminism is about giving women choice'
