This work aims to investigate the relevance of feminist approaches to social work in today's society. First it will examine the different types of feminism present in society. It will therefore trace and highlight the emergence of feminism in society. This essay will then delve into the different types of approaches adopted by feminists in the field of social work. We will discuss the effects these approaches have had on society, particularly women. According to Hooks (2000), cited in Considine and Dukelow (2009:141), “feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression”. It is necessary to first explain the different types of feminism present in society. Freedman (2001:5) states that there are many different strands of feminism present in society, but the three most commonly recognized are liberal feminism, Marxist feminism and radical feminism; his explanation of these is as follows. Liberal feminism is based on the idea that within a state everyone should have the same rights and that women should be treated equally with men. Marxist feminism is based on the belief that the mistreatment of women is linked to capitalism. Radical feminists believe that men's authority over women has a connection to patriarchy. The above explanation was a brief introduction to the different types of feminism present in society. In a later stage of this work we will examine what effects feminism has had on social work and society as a whole. Now that the meaning of feminism has been ascertained and the different types of feminism present in today's society have been highlighted, it is necessary to examine the emergence of feminism. Considine and Dukelow (2009:141) argue that, halfway through the document, marriage, employment and welfare agencies should relinquish power (ibid: 257). It is quite evident that unless there is a reduction in the power that men still exercise over women in today's society, feminist theory will not be accepted and recognized. Millet (1971), cited in Slattery (2003:157), states that “the main institution of patriarchy is the family”. For many decades the Catholic Church in Ireland has exercised tight control over people in society. Both men and women conformed to what they preached. Women in society were denied their rights due to the creation of reformatories and institutions by the Catholic Church. When a woman became pregnant and was not married she was sent to one of these institutions. Society was only recently made aware of the terrible ordeals to which these women had to succumb through the publication of numerous reports made.