Anarcha-feminism

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Anarcha-feminism combines anarchism with feminism. The term was coined, and the philosophy originated, during second-wave feminism in the 1960s.

Anarcha-feminists view patriarchy as a manifestation of hierarchy and thus as a fundamental problem of society. Anarcha-feminists believe that the struggle against patriarchy is an integral part of class struggle and the anarchist struggle against the state. In essence, then, the philosophy sees anarchism as a necessary component of feminism and vice-versa.

Anarcha-feminism was inspired by early 20th-century authors and theorists such as Emma Goldman and Voltairine de Cleyre. First-wave feminist Mary Wollstonecraft held proto-anarchist views, and William Godwin is often considered an important precursor to anarchist feminism. In the Spanish Civil War, an anarchist and feminist group, Mujeres Libres ("Free Women"), organized to defend both anarchist and feminist ideas.

Anarcha-feminists criticize the views of many of the traditional anarchist theorists like Pierre-Joseph Proudhon or Mikhail Bakunin. These often viewed patriarchy as a minor problem that is integral only to capitalism and would disappear along with capitalism, or, as in the case of Proudhon, even supported patriarchy. 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.

[edit] Criticisms

The term "anarcha-feminism" incorrectly uses the suffix "a" to denote femininity. The prefix Anarcho- stems from the Greek, and is not gendered male. Some critics argue that the use of "anarcha-" rather than "anarcho-" implies that feminism is a movement for women rather than a struggle against patriarchy, an institution which negatively affects both men and women. Others point out that the substitution of "a" for "o" would suggest that all other anarchisms using the prefix "anarcho-" are masculine, and set apart from the one form of "anarcha-feminism", which is feminine.

As a defense, however, feminine terminology is sometimes seen as a counter to pervasive androcentric thinking, with the use of a feminine suffix highlighting a marginalized group that would be otherwise overlooked rather than suggesting a feminine dominance. This logic is followed not only in feminism, but also in some academic departments, which prohibit the use of generalizing individuals as male, but see doing so as female as acceptable.

In reality, the different spellings of the term are a result of years of the anarchist press using both spellings.