Frida Stéenhoff och Anarkismen – Stéenhoffs feministiska idéer i ljuset av anarkistisk ideologi.

Abstract

Feminist and social critic Frida Stéenhoff (1865-1945) was groundbreaking in her frankness about free love, sexuality and birth control in early twentieth century Sweden. The interest in her works has despite extensive source material, been insufficient in contemporary research considering its rich material concerning the social and political impact of her work. The lack of analysis can be explained, as researchers point out, because her ideas do not correspond to traditional ways of understanding neither ideological/political classifications nor different ideological divides in the women's movement? The purpose of this master thesis has been to analyze and deepen the understanding of Stéenhoff's feministic ideas on the basis of a broader ideological framework than the women's movement and ideologies as liberalism and socialism in Sweden. The theoretical approach is based on philosophical and political anarchist theories, which in themselves are ideological multilayered. Inspired by poststructuralist and feminist critique the general methodological aim has been to counter the treatment of women as passive recipients of ideas, or at best as repeaters of other thinking. Following this I chose to read Stéenhoff's essays published 1903-1914 in line with international and Swedish male anarchists seen as privileged subjects within cannon. The study has shown that Stéenhoff has several similarities with the international anarchist views of society and humanity, and the political issues surrounding free love, sexuality and birth control in Sweden. The study argues that Stéenhoff's feminism can be anchored in the anarchist tradition and therefore her ideas should not be seen as uncategorizable, as previous research has suggested, in her contemporary ideological and political setting. The study has also shown that Stéenhoff, along with anarchist Emma Goldman (1869-1940), constitutes an independent type of anarchism, in relation to anarchist men because both combine anarchism with feminism.