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Feminism

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Individualist feminism (also known as libertarian feminism or ifeminism) is a term for feminist ideas which seek to celebrate or protect the individual woman.

Contents 1 History 2 Principle 3 Abortion 4 Individualist feminism contra other feminisms 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

An "individualist" feminism was expressed in 19th century individualist anarchist publications such as Liberty and Lucifer the Lightbearer as well as by individualists highly critical of "capitalism" such as Voltairine de Cleyre and Ezra Heywood.^[1]

Today, individualist feminism is marked by minarchist or individualist anarchist perspectives, such as those of Wendy McElroy, Sharon Presley and Cathy Young (individualist anarchist feminism has the most adherents in the United States, while in Europe anarcha-feminism as has more emphasis on collectivism.^[2]).

An approach to individualist feminism, with views often different than McElroy and Young, is promoted by the Association of Libertarian Feminists, founded by Tonie Nathan. Individualist feminists who have promoted this point of view include Joan Kennedy Taylor and Sharon Presley. A book which discusses the history of individualist feminism is Reclaiming the Mainstream: Individualist Feminism Rediscovered by Joan Kennedy Taylor.

A core principle of individualist feminism is that all human beings have a moral and/or legal claim to their own persons and property, not to any sort of affirmative action policies or privileges.^[3] In most parts of Europe it is viewed as postmodern feminism because of its pluralistic view of female nature.^{[citation needed]} While other schools often stress that women in general are living under similar circumstances, individualist feminists stress that all women are unique and have unique goals.^{[citation needed]}

Because of this approach to self-ownership, individualist feminists also tend to support legalising or decriminalizing voluntary prostitution, pornography, stripping, and lap dancing; a position often challenged by radical feminists and by the religious right. Indivdualist feminists view the criminalization of prostitution (et. al.) to be a legislative act rooted in patriarchal control over the personal and business affairs of women, and thus repressive.

Despite this, it would be a mistake to misclassify individualist feminism as a "form" of sex-positive feminism. Individualist feminism does not take the position that appreciation for such things as pornography and sex is "good," or for that matter "bad"; rather, individualist feminists contend that sexual decisions must be left up to each individual women, and makes no attempt to sway these women in any direction. Any attempt to prevent women from having this choice is deemed by individualist feminists to constitute a coercive hierarchy.

Like anarcha-feminists, individualist feminists tend to view the state as a leading source of patriarchy and other forms of coercive hierarchy. But whereas anarcha-feminism and individualist feminism are not mutually exclusive, not all individualist feminists go so far as to advocate the complete abolition of the state. Some individualist feminists believe that a state strictly limited to protecting equal rights will go farther to the promotion of individuality and the abolition of patriarchy.

Individualist feminism does not hold a unified stance on abortion. Rather, it acknowedges that there is much debate, even among opponents of patriarchy, as to when life begins, and whether or not the foetus constitutes an individual or person.

The Association of Libertarian Feminists, however, have openly taken the pro-choice position.

Some individualist feminists have applied the label gender feminism to describe feminists they see as holding that an animosity exists between genders and calling for statist measures to intervene in gender relations.^[4] Thus individualist feminism is distinct from both mainstream and radical feminist movements.

In their rhetoric, individualist feminists emphasize individual empowerment, responsibility, and equality of rights.

• Dora Marsden
• Wendy McElroy
• Carol Moore
• Ezra Heywood
• Cathy Young
• Sharon Presley
• Heidi Wyss
• Methodological individualism

• iFeminists
• Association of Libertarian Feminists
• Women's Freedom Network
• Uncivil Liberty: An Essay to Show the Injustice and Impolicy of Ruling Woman Without Her Consent (1873) by Ezra Heywood one of first individualist feminist essays, by Ezra Heywood
• Dora Marsden and The New Freewoman archives
• Dora Marsden - "Stirner of Feminism ?"
• Free On-Line Books Includes Individualist Feminist titles
• Voltairine de Cleyre: The Exquisite Rebel
• "Feminism in Liberty"
• Pro Choice Libertarians
• Libertarian Feminism: Can This Marriage Be Saved?
• Libertarianism: To Women