Different types of feminism:
- Amazon - "emphasizes female physical prowess as a means to achieve the goal of gender equality" particularly among atheletes.
- Analytical - "Analytical feminism holds that the best way to counter sexism and androcentrism is through forming a clear conception of, and pursuing, truth, logical consistency, objectivity, rationality, justice and the good, while recognizing that these notions have often been perverted by androcentrism throughout the history of philosophy."
- Anarchist - Combines feminism with anarchy. "Anarcha-feminists believe that the struggle against patriarchy is an essential part of class struggle and of the anarchist struggle against the state."
- Asian - "During the Second Wave of feminism, Asian American women provided services for battered women, worked as advocates for refugees and recent immigrants, produced events spotlighting Asian women’s cultural and political diversity, and organized with other women of color."
- Atheist - "Atheist feminists also oppose religion as a main source of female oppression and inequality, believing that the majority of the religions are sexist and oppressive to women."
- Black - "sexism, class oppression, and racism are inextricably bound together." Black feminism states that feminism needs to be inclusive for all, not just middle-class white women, similar to Womanism.
- Chicana - "Chicana feminism focuses on Mexican American, Chicana, and Hispanic women in the United States."
- Christian - "Christian feminism is an aspect of feminist theology which seeks to advance and understand the equality of men and women morally, socially, spiritually, and in leadership from a Christian perspective. Christian feminists argue that contributions by women in that direction are necessary for a complete understanding of Christianity."
- Conservative - Includes right-wing feminism ("balance"), new conservative feminism ("backlash"), old conservative feminism ("domestic"), etc. Some conservative feminist women "criticize the [modern feminist] movement for seeking to eliminate gender differences, devaluing motherhood and homemaking, and being led by extremists who do not represent ordinary American women." Some conservative feminists have expressed a desire to return to more first-wave feminist beliefs.
- Cultural - Emphasizes and celebrates the differences between women and men but considers that difference to be psychological, and to be culturally constructed rather than biologically innate. (Note: this isn't always true and many studies have shown this.)
- Cyber - "The dominant cyberfeminist perspective takes a utopian view of cyberspace and the Internet as a means of freedom from social constructs like gender and sex difference." "The term was coined in the early 1990s to describe the work of feminists interested in theorizing, critiquing, and exploiting the Internet, cyberspace, and new-media technologies in general."
- Difference - "despite the equal moral status of men and women as persons, there are genuine differences between the sexes and those differences need not all be considered equal." This can go any way: believing that women are superior to men, that men are superior to women, or that both sexes have advantages/disadvantages compared to the other.
- Eco - "Ecofeminism connects the exploitation and domination of women with that of the environment, and argues that there is historical connection between women and nature. Ecofeminists believe that this connection is illustrated through the traditionally 'female' values of reciprocity, nurturing and cooperation, which are present both among women and in nature. Additionally, ecofeminists draw connections between menstruation and moon cycles, childbirth and creation etc. Women and nature are also united through their shared history of oppression by a patriarchal Western society."
- Equality - "focuses on the basic similarities between men and women, and whose ultimate goal is the equality of the sexes in all domains. This includes economic and political equality, equal access within the workplace, freedom from oppressive gender stereotyping, and an androgynous worldview. Feminist theory seeks to promote the status of women as equal and undifferentiated from men. While equality feminists largely agree that men and women have basic biological differences in anatomy and frame, they argue that on a psychological level, the use of ration or reason is androgynous. For equality feminists, men and women are equal in terms of their ability to reason, achieve goals, and prosper in both the work and home front."
- Equity - "Having the ideological objective of equal legal rights for men and women."
- Fat - "Fat feminism, or fat-positive feminism, is a form of feminism that merges with fat activism and specifically addresses how misogyny and sexism intersect with sizism and anti-fat bias. Fat-positive feminists promote acceptance for women of all sizes." Often believes society idealizes an unhealthy physical image for women, and thus promotes "health at every size" (HAES). Some of the extremists believe obesity is healthy, doctors don't know how to be doctors, mock skinny people with eating disorders, label things thin privilege, etc.
- Freedom - "Freedom feminism stands for the moral, social, and legal equality of the sexes—and the freedom of women (and men) to employ their equal status to pursue happiness as they choose."
- French (structuralist) - "The term 'French feminism' refers to a branch of feminist theories and philosophies that emerged in the 1970s to the 1990s. French feminist theory, compared to Anglophone feminisms, is distinguished by an approach which is more philosophical and literary. Its writings tend to be effusive and metaphorical being less concerned with political doctrine and generally focused on theories of 'the body'."
- Gender - Gynocentric branch opposing the mythical Patriarchy and all gender roles, whether they be good and bad.
- Gender complementarity - A form of difference feminism. Has two subgroups. "Fractional gender complementarity argues that men and women complement one another as separate parts that together make up a composite whole." and "Integral gender complementarity argues that men and women are each integral, whole beings unto themselves whose result when put together is greater than the sum of their parts."
- Global - "Global Feminism is a feminist theory closely aligned with post-colonial theory and postcolonial feminism. It concerns itself primarily with the forward movement of women's rights on a global scale. Using different historical lenses from the legacy of colonialism, Global Feminists adopt global causes and start movements which seek to dismantle what they argue are the currently predominant structures of global patriarchy. Global Feminism is also known as, World Feminism, and International Feminism."
- Individualist - Works to eliminate class/gender privileges, ensuring all individuals have equal rights, and opposes government interference with things like bodily autonomy. "Individualist feminism encourages women to take full responsibility for their own lives."
- Islamic - "a form of feminism concerned with the role of women in Islam. It aims for the full equality of all Muslims, regardless of gender, in public and private life. Islamic feminists advocate women's rights, gender equality, and social justice grounded in an Islamic framework. Although rooted in Islam, the movement's pioneers have also utilised secular, Western, or otherwise non-Muslim feminist discourses, and have recognized the role of Islamic feminism as part of an integrated global feminist movement." An interesting statistic: a study of nearly 600 British women revealed that women who wore hijabs had more positive body image than non-wearers. Some Muslim feminists (and LGBT people) have attempted to "reclaim" the hijab.
- Jewish - "a movement that seeks to improve the religious, legal, and social status of women within Judaism and to open up new opportunities for religious experience and leadership for Jewish women."
- Lesbian - Anti-heteronormativity subset of feminism for lesbians. Often holds the toxic homophobic belief that lesbianism is a choice rather than a sexual orientation, and occasionally dehumanizes women by calling them womyn.
- Liberal - "Classical liberal or libertarian feminism conceives of freedom as freedom from coercive interference. It holds that women, as well as men, have a right to such freedom due to their status as self-owners." Liberal feminists tend to believe there's discrimination and sexism in the USA but "primarily focus on women’s ability to show and maintain their equality through their own actions and choices." Liberal feminism is one of the most popular branches, but is often criticized for neglecting the plights of anyone who isn't a middle-class college-educated cisgendered heterosexual white woman. The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest Liberal Feminist organization in the United States. Popular talking points include the debunked wage gap, violence against women (but not violence against men), reproductive rights, etc.
- Lipstick - Sseeks to empower women by "reclaiming aspects of femininity that had earlier been seen as disempowering, like make-up or stilettos." Lipstick/stiletto feminists want to reclaim the word "slut," are sex-positive, and rail against the negative stereotype of "feminists are ugly." Embraces traditional concepts of femininity (such as make-up) and the sexual power of women (like wearing 'sexy' clothes), alongside feminist ideas. Some feminists claim this is illogical and objectification, but lipstick feminists say that because the woman is in charge of herself and making conscious choices about her own body, it's empowerment instead of objectification.
- Marxist - "Socialist feminism connects the oppression of women to Marxist ideas about exploitation, oppression and labor. Socialist feminists see prostitution, domestic work, childcare, and marriage as ways in which women are exploited by a patriarchal system that devalues women and the substantial work they do."
- Material - "Material feminism highlights capitalism and patriarchy as central in understanding women’s oppression. The theory centers on social change rather than seeking transformation within the capitalist system." However it usually fails to include women of different classes, sexuality, and ethnicity.
- Maternal - "Maternal feminism is the belief of many early feminists that women as mothers and caregivers had an important but distinctive role to play in society and in politics. It incorporates reform ideas from social feminism, and combines the concepts of maternalism and feminism. It was a widespread philosophy among well-to-do women in the British Empire, particularly Canada, from the last 19th century until after World War I (1914–18). The concept was attacked by later feminists as 'accepting' the 'paternalist' view of society."
- Mormon - "a movement concerned with the role of women within the Mormonism. Mormon feminists advocate for ordination of women, gender equality, and social justice grounded in Mormonism."
- Multiracial - "The perspective of Multiracial Feminism attempts to go beyond a mere recognition of diversity and difference among women, to examine structures of domination, specifically the importance of race in understanding the social construction of gender."
- Native American - Focuses on injustices suffered by Native American women and men.
- Neo - Similar to Lipstick feminism. "Women do and should realize their autonomy through their femininity. Neofeminism champions the free choice of women in appearance, lifestyle, and sexuality. This consumerist orientation retains the advances of legal equality in political space but urges women to celebrate their femininity in their personal lives, a category that includes careers, clothing, and sexuality."
- New - "New feminism, as a form of difference feminism, supports the idea that men and women have different strengths, perspectives, and roles, while advocating for the equal worth and dignity of both sexes. Among its basic concepts are that the most important differences are those that are biological rather than cultural."
- Postcolonial - "Postcolonial feminism centers on racism, ethnic issues, and the long-lasting economic, political, and cultural effects of colonialism, inextricably bound up with the unique gendered realities of non-White non-Western women."
- Post - "the belief that feminism has succeeded in its goal of ameliorating sexism, making it fundamentally opposed to the third-wave intention of broadening feminist struggles." Tends to adhere to beliefs of the first/second waves, criticizing the third wave. Not always considered a branch of feminism, and some proponents of this belief (such as Joan Rivers) don't have a desire to be associated with modern feminists.
- Postmodern - "an approach to feminist theory that incorporates postmodern and post-structuralist theory, and thus sees itself as moving beyond the modernist polarities of liberal feminism and radical feminism."
- Poststructural - Anti-Patriarchy/Kyriarchy branch concerned with intersectionality and ideas in post-structuralist thought.
- Pro-life - Pro-life feminists believe that the legal option of abortion "supports anti-motherhood social attitudes and policies and limits respect for women's citizenship." Tend to be more pro-fetus than pro-woman, but can be concerned with the view of women solely as mothers/homemakers.
- Proto - Usually refers to feminist ideas that existed before the feminist movement, for example the Middle Ages and ancient Greece.
- Radical - "Radical feminists feel that there is a male-based authority and power structure and that it is responsible for oppression and inequality. Some radical feminists see no alternatives other than the total uprooting and reconstruction of society in order to achieve their goals." This can include the elimination of gender roles. Radical feminists tend to believe all female problems stem from men, that all sex work harms women, and that sexism is worse than classism/racism.
- Separatist - "Separatist feminists generally do not feel that men can make positive contributions to the feminist movement and that even well-intentioned men replicate patriarchal dynamics." They seek to divide men and women in all aspects of life, often discouraging heterosexual relationships.
- Sex-positive - "a movement that began in the early 1980s that centers on the idea that sexual freedom is an essential component of women's freedom. Some became involved in the sex-positive feminist movement in response to efforts by anti-pornography feminists to put pornography at the center of a feminist explanation of women's oppression." This period of intense debate and acrimony between sex-positive and anti-pornography feminists during the early 1980s is often referred to as the feminist sex wars.
- Sex-negative (2) - aka anti-porn feminism. Believes there is nothing intrisically good about sex, that all sex is for men, and that sex workers are slaves for the Patriarchy. There are a few problems with this. The more extreme adherents of sex-negative feminism will attack and demean any woman who uses her body to attain money, even if the woman chooses (and enjoys) her job; these are known as SWERFs (sex worker exclusionary radical feminism).
- Social - "Social Feminism is a term used to describe members of the women's suffrage movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries who were concerned with social problems that affected women and children. They saw obtaining the vote mainly as a means to achieve their reform goals rather than a primary goal in itself. "
- Socialist - "Socialist feminism is a branch of feminism that focuses upon both the public and private spheres of a woman's life and argues that liberation can only be achieved by working to end both the economic and cultural sources of women's oppression. Socialist feminism is a two-pronged theory that broadens Marxist feminism's argument for the role of capitalism in the oppression of women and radical feminism's theory of the role of gender and the patriarchy." Socialist feminsts tend to believe that women are oppressed and are unable to be free due to Patriarchy and an unequal distribution of wealth that allegedly favors men.
- Standpoint - Standpoint feminists argue that feminism should examine how women's experience of inequality relates to that of racism, homophobia, classism and colonization. In the late 1980s and the 1990s, postmodern feminists argued that gender roles are socially constructed, and that it is impossible to generalize women's experiences across cultures and histories.
- State - Feminism created or approved by the government of a state or nation.
- Third world - Criticizes Western feminism on the grounds that it is ethnocentric and does not take into account the unique experiences of women from third-world countries or the existence of feminisms indigenous to third-world countries. Some women in the third world feel that Western feminism bases its understanding of women on Western ideas of racism, classism and homophobia - which can be inaccurate or otherwise non-global.
- Trans - Defined by scholar and activist Emi Koyama as "a movement by and for trans women who view their liberation to be intrinsically linked to the liberation of all women and beyond.... [It is] open to other queers, intersex people, trans men, non-trans women, non-trans men and others who are sympathetic toward needs of trans women and consider their alliance with trans women to be essential for their own liberation."
- Trans-exclusionary - Anti-transgender feminism, often a form of radical feminism (TERFs). Generally believe trans women "are entitled asshole men who think they can be women better than women" and trans men are "women with internalized misogyny and/or want to be a part of the Patriarchy."
- Transnational - "Transnational feminists inquire into the social, political and economic conditions comprising imperialism; their connections to colonialism and nationalism; the role of gender, the state, race, class, and sexuality in the organization of resistance to hegemonies in the making and unmaking of nation and nation-state. Transnational feminist practice is attentive to feminism as both a liberatory formation and one with longstanding ties to colonialism, racism and imperialism. As such, it resists utopic ideas about "global sisterhood" while simultaneously working to lay the groundwork for more productive and equitable social relations among women across borders and cultural contexts."
- Womanism - "a social change perspective based upon the everyday problems and experiences of black women and other women of minority demographics, but more broadly seeks methods to eradicate inequalities not just for black women, but for all people." "the Feminist Movement has been experienced by many as intrinsically racist. While feminism can be alienating to minorities, womanism allows black women to affirm and celebrate their color and culture in a way that feminism does not."
- Women For Men - a branch of feminism which has a heavy focus on inequalities suffered by men/boys, instead of a pure focus on women (or general support for all genders) like most branches. There is no official name for this, and some of its members (despite clearly identifying as feminists) have been labeled as "anti-feminist" or "MRAs" by critics. Related organizations tend to be egalitarian and include Women For Men, the National Coalition for Men, etc.
As you can see, only about 17 branches actually work toward gender equality, although some of these branches are inconsistent about it. 15 hold toxic or incorrect core beliefs. 2 are defunct. The others are neutral in nature or focus primarily on female empowerment.
A bit on my personal thoughts here.