They want a balance between paid and unpaid work, as well as financial independence through changes in the workplace. Hartmann (1981, P.29) points out that historically, "The sexual division of labour places women in low paying jobs, and in tasks thought to be appropriate to women's role". Much of this reform agenda is shared with other branches of feminism, however socialist feminists see the only way for true equality between men and women coming from an overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of a socialist country. This explains why they are sometimes described as radical.
"Radical feminism" came into existence in the late 1960's with the emergence of the civil rights and peace movements in America. There is an atmosphere of active participation and demonstration rather than theorising about the nature of inequality and other "women's problems". Liberal and socialist feminists devote a large amount of time in trying to understand the mechanisms at work in women's inequality. Radical feminists are seen to be emotive and active, leading to occasional criticism from other branches of feminism as well as the community at large, particularly when the nuclear family structure is threatened. The main "theory" behind radical feminism is that men dominate women in all circumstances; work, home, education, health. They see the problem as one of patriarchy; men's powerful and privileged position. .
The main difference between socialist feminism and radical feminism is that of who the "enemy" is perceived to be. Socialist feminists because of their association with Marxist theories, count the class system as the main oppressor of women. They see men and women as having an underlying "sameness", but capitalist hierarchy as forcing inequality upon women. They can foresee a future egalitarian existence with men. Radical feminists argue that the oppression and inequality directed at women is the result of men holding power over women in every facet of life, not just economic circumstances.