Anarcha-feminism
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Anarcha-feminism (also called anarchist feminism and anarcho-feminism) combines anarchism with feminism. It generally views patriarchy as a manifestation of involuntary hierarchy. Anarcha-feminists believe that the struggle against patriarchy is an essential part of class struggle, and the anarchist struggle against the State. In essence, the philosophy sees anarchist struggle as a necessary component of feminist struggle and vice-versa. As Susan Brown puts it, "as anarchism is a political philosophy that opposes all relationships of power, it is inherently feminist". [1] Anarchist feminism appears in individualist and collectivist forms, with individualist forms having most adherents in the United States, while in Europe anarchist feminism has had more emphasis on collectivism.[2]
HistoryAnarcha-feminism was inspired by late 19th and early 20th century authors and theorists such as anarchist feminists Emma Goldman, Voltairine de Cleyre and Lucy Parsons.[3] In the Spanish Civil War, an anarchist and feminist group, Mujeres Libres ("Free Women"), organized to defend both anarchist and feminist ideas.[4] Anarcha-feminists criticize the views of some of the traditional anarchist theorists like Pierre-Joseph Proudhon or Mikhail Bakunin,[5] as these often viewed patriarchy as a minor problem that was integral only to capitalism and would disappear along with it.[6] Some even supported patriarchy.[7] Proudhon, for example, viewed the family as the most basic unit of society and of his morality and thought women had the responsibility of fulfilling a traditional role within the family.[8] ThemesAn important aspect of anarcha-feminism is its opposition to traditional conceptions of family, education and gender roles[9]. The institution of marriage is one of the most widely attacked[10]. De Cleyre argued that marriage stifled individual growth[11], and Goldman argued that it "is primarily an economic arrangement... [woman] pays for it with her name, her privacy, her self-respect, her very life."[12]. Anarcha-feminists have also argued for non-hierarchical family and educational structures,[13] and had a prominent role in the creation of the Modern School in New York City, based on the ideas of Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia.[14] In English-speaking anarcha-feminist circles in the United States, the term "Manarchist" has recently emerged as a pejorative label for male anarchists who are dismissive of feminist concerns, who are overtly antifeminist, or who behave in ways regarded as patriarchal and misogynistic.[15] The term was coined in a 2001 questionnaire, "Are You a Manarchist?".[16] There is some concern that Anarcha-feminist in the developed world can be dismissive of third world feminist concerns. This has been noted especially in the plight of Anarcha-feminist in the Middle East.[17] In modern times anarcha-feminism has been noted for its heavy influence on ecofeminism. "Ecofeminists rightly note that except for anarcha feminist, no feminist perspective has recognized the importance of healing the nature/culture division." [18] Contemporary anarcha-feminist groups include Bolivia's Mujeres Creando, Radical Cheerleaders, and the annual La Rivolta! conference in Boston. Recently, Wendy McElroy has defined a position (she describes it as "ifeminism" or "individualist feminism") that combines feminism with anarcho-capitalism or libertarianism, arguing that a pro-capitalist, anti-state position implies equal rights and empowerment for women.[19] Individualist anarchist feminism has grown from the US-based individualist anarchism movement. Anarcho-primitivism has been cited[attribution needed] as a form of anarchism that addresses feminist concerns. Anarcho-primitivists, inspired by the work of anthropologists such as Jared Diamond[20] and Eleanor Leacock - who describe a typically egalitarian relationship between men and women in foraging societies - believe that agriculture not only gave rise to forms of domination such as class distinctions but to patriarchy and sexism as well.[21] See also
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de:Anarchafeminismus et:Anarhofeminism el:Αναρχοφεμινισμός es:Anarquismo feminista eo:Anarki-feminismo fr:Anarcha-féminisme id:Anarko-Feminisme it:Anarco-femminismo he:אנרכו-פמיניזם no:Anarkafeminisme nn:Anarkafeminisme pl:Anarchofeminizm pt:Anarca-feminismo ru:Анархо-феминизм sr:Anarhofeminizam sh:Anarho-feminizam sv:Anarkafeminism tr:Anarka-feminizm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
