Radical feminism has invaded our society and most of Western culture. What may have been seen as well-intentioned by some—giving women the right to vote and equal pay for equal work—has morphed into a movement to abandon the God-ordained patriarchal family in favor of family structures defined by human imaginations. One of the goals of feminism is “fighting against gender stereotypes and performative behaviors” (“Feminism | Definition, Types & Purpose,” Study.com, accessed March 13, 2025). In other words, feminists want to do away with traditional roles and responsibilities for both men and women.
We see the results of this social experiment in a society with growing gender identity confusion, broken marriages, fewer commitments to marry, increased crime and poverty, and children without proper parental oversight—to name just a few of its many ills. Our society certainly fits the description of people doing what is right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). And it is obvious that most women in God’s Church vehemently oppose the radical feminism that has contributed to these ills. But while we disagree with the radical feminists, do we, as Christian women, truly embrace the God-given gift they reject? Do we really embrace femininity?
Many feminists adopt the view that femininity involves being vain, shallow, empty-headed, and powerless. While some women who appear feminine may possess such characteristics, true femininity is not about these things. Femininity can be thought of as behaviors and qualities that are traditionally characteristics of women.
Traits such as nurturance, sensitivity, supportiveness, gentleness, warmth, cooperativeness, expressiveness, modesty, humility, empathy, affection, tenderness, kindness, helpfulness, devotion, and understanding have been cited as stereotypically feminine. You may recognize many of these traits as what God expects from all Christians, male and female. Yet God has given women a special capacity to embody these qualities because of the roles and responsibilities He has given us. Let’s compare the radical feminists’ views to the feminine traits God has revealed in the Bible.
Feminine Responsibilities
Feminists and their allies believe that the traditional feminine role of wife and mother has less value than work outside the home. But God created woman to be a helper and complement to man (Genesis 2:18–22), having her primary responsibilities within the home (Titus 2:4–5). By definition, a helper is one who is supportive and cooperative. One would also expect a helper to be warm-hearted, to embody empathy and kindness, and to be devoted to those she helps (Proverbs 31:10–20).
God’s intent for women was made known from the beginning when He called us helpers. Contrary to what the feminists say, being a helper in our relationships, especially in our marriages, can bring us the most long-term satisfaction because God ordained it that way. Christian women can embrace their femininity by embracing their role as helpers.
Many feminists believe that to be feminine is to be vain and shallow, concerned with only our outward appearance. But it is not femininity that is vain and shallow; it is feminists who have labeled femininity as such. They may feel this way because feminine women do consider the state of our outward appearance.
While being overly concerned with outward appearance can be vanity, taking care to look presentable is a godly attribute. When we look at how He speaks of His relationship with Israel (Ezekiel 16:9–14), we can see God has no problem with women dressing well and wearing jewelry. God clothed Israel with silk and gave her a crown of gold.
Let’s be honest: It’s a lot easier to not bother about our appearance and just go along with the low standards of the crowd. However, dressing well is not vain or shallow. This aspect of femininity requires effort as we ensure that our outward appearance reflects the hope we have inside—our inner beauty. We as Christian women can embrace our femininity by taking care of our appearance and dressing well with godly modesty in mind (1 Timothy 2:9–10).
Radical feminists believe that embracing femininity involves “dumbing down” women. They believe femininity means women would pursue less education and fewer non-traditional jobs, ending up “just” being housewives raising children. To be candid, in those nations where traditional roles for women are still the rule, the women generally do pursue less education, and most of them become wives and mothers—but is this an evil thing?
In fact, as He made us comparable to men, God created women with great intellectual capacity. Women are not stupid—nor should we pretend to be in order to appease someone’s ego. We see throughout society that women are quite capable of performing many jobs that were once identified as within a man’s domain. Women have made considerable inroads in many occupations—including CEOs and heads of state—that once were considered “men-only.” The question, however, is whether women should seek these jobs just because we can do them. The simple answer is not politically correct; it is No (see 1 Corinthians 10:23).
God has given women the awesome responsibility of being homemakers—a noble profession requiring many skills on many levels that we do not have time to discuss in this brief article. And yes, women should pursue knowledge while keeping in mind the homemaker role that God has for us. Education can be a boost to your future family and can also give you a head start financially. Single women may desire to pursue a career path before marriage. Sadly, in Satan’s present society, some families may need two incomes to survive, in which case it can be beneficial to have an education that would allow you to earn a decent income from a suitable job.
A good foundation of knowledge can also equip women to teach their children—one of the primary duties of a mother—and we should also keep in mind a woman’s role as her husband’s primary intellectual companion and adviser. Far from being empty-headed, Christian women are clearly expected to exercise wisdom in their judgments (Proverbs 31:26). Christian women can embrace their femininity by using wisdom and by preparing to take their place in the family, through which they benefit society at large.
Godly Patriarchy
Radical feminists believe that femininity encourages a harmfully patriarchal society in which powerless women are at the mercy of abusive, domineering men. But let’s remember that God created the patriarchal system in family government (Ephesians 5:22–24). God created it, so it is good.
Do abuses occur in this system? Yes, at times. Mankind, under Satan’s influence, has perverted and often abused a system God created to be a supportive, protective family environment for women, children, the elderly, the poor, and all who are disadvantaged.
However, can we truthfully say that femininity causes the problem? No. Can we say that giving up femininity will solve the problem? No. The problem is with the people of this world under Satan’s influence; it is not with the system that God designed.
True femininity encourages the protective nature of men who have been properly trained in God’s ways (Ephesians 5:25–28). When Christian women stay within the government structure God has provided and willingly submit to those God has placed over us, we know we are standing with God, depending on Him to work through those in authority (1 Peter 3:5). We have examples of godly women such as Sarah (1 Peter 3:6), Ruth (Ruth 3:8–11), and Mary (Luke 1:38), to name a few.
As far as the perception of being powerless is concerned, most would agree that women exert enormous power through the influence we have in our marriages and other relationships. It takes great faith in God to let another human being lead you, but we can do this because we have the faith of Jesus Christ in us (Galatians 2:20). Christian women can embrace their femininity by appreciating the family structure that God has established.
When we think of women who exemplify femininity, we think of those whose demeanor is graceful, charming, and elegant. We expect to see in them a caring, genteel, and kind nature. These expectations agree with biblical principles concerning women and their behaviors. For example, God finds a gentle and quiet spirit a precious attribute in women (1 Peter 3:3–4), and a virtuous woman is described as being caring, honorable, and kind (Proverbs 31:20, 25–26). These attributes are fruits of the Holy Spirit that both men and women are to cultivate (Galatians 5:22–23). We can see that true femininity requires us to put into practice the godly virtues that God has prescribed for Christian women.
We live in a society in which many are trying to get rid of gender, masculine and feminine, in opposition to God, who says that He created us male and female. He designed men to be masculine and women to be feminine. Being female is a matter of anatomy, but being feminine is something that must be learned and cultivated. If you have not had this example in your life, as many have not, it will take time and concerted effort to develop that beautiful attribute called femininity. As most of us have heard, “Practice makes perfect.” God will help us to become more like the women He wants us to be—women after His own heart—if we call out to Him. If we appreciate God’s order of things, we will learn happiness as we embrace our femininity.