Second Wave of Feminism
The second wave of feminism was mainly about women's reproductive rights. This movement was started in the 1960's and after the John F. Kennedy's commission. The movement focused on several issues such as gender inequality, reproductive rights, sexism and workplace discrimination. At the time, women were to become housewives and act all the parts to being a more feminine. Betty Friedan wrote a book called The Feminine Mystique which gave others a more perspective view of how women felt about how they are supposed to act and like. Women were often told that they must clean the house, always make their husbands happy, care for the children herself, and if they had a job, they didn't receive the same respect as men did nor the right pay. Women felt unhappy because of how empty they felt doing the things that they did not enjoy. This led to what the doctor called "the housewifes's syndrome" where mainly housewives felt a sort of emptiness inside and not satisfied with their life. Betty Friedan wanted to change society and fight for their rights. The movement was also characterized for it being included for all different races. Because of this movement, the Title lX law was accomplished, and women now have the right for equal pay, gave women an opportunity to work outside their home and do what they wanted to do for themselves, and legal protections for women under the law. How has the second wave of feminism impacted society today?
Women of the 1960s after the National Organization for Women (N.O.W.) was established and women of today’s society share a similar belief when it comes to the role description of women. Both parties believe that “we can no longer ignore that voice within women that says: ‘I want something more than my husband and my children and my home.”’ (Friedan). They feel that women are more than housewives and caretakers and they feel that women can set out goals and achieve them, just like a man. This second wave of feminism has impacted society today by giving women more availability to achieve their desired goals. According to the American Yawp, “The Democrats...nominated Hillary Clinton, who, after eight years as first lady in the 1990s, had served eight years in the Senate and four more as secretary of state.” This quote is an excellent example of the impact that the second wave of feminism has had on our society by demonstrating that women now run for senator, secretary of state, and president positions because they aspire to achieve more for themselves than becoming a simple housewife.
ReplyDeleteBetty Friedan's book, "The Feminine Mystique," published in 1963, was a foundational text of the second wave feminist movement in the United States. The second wave of feminism had a significant impact on society, and its effects can still be felt today. Here are some examples of how the second wave of feminism impacted society: Increased opportunities for women in the workforce, reproductive rights and access to healthcare, changes in cultural attitudes and norms, and advocacy for equal pay and equal rights.
ReplyDeleteSecond wave feminism has had many long lasting effects that can still be seen today. Second wave feminism focused on a myriad of problems that would still be relevant today had they not done something about them. Groups like the National Organization of Women and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission spearheaded second wave feminism. Their work to stop gender discrimination on college campuses proved to be effective with the passing of Title IX. Because of their work and the passing of Title IX, women started participating in professional schools at a much higher rate than the previous. During this time, most higher ups in companies were men, but thanks to the work the EEOC and NOW put in and the pressure they put on lawmakers, it is much more common to see women in powerful positions.
ReplyDeleteThe National Organization for Women's "statement of purpose" laid out the goals of the organization and the targets of its feminist vision. Betty Friedan’s "The Feminist Mystique" was also a big help for second wave feminism. After writing the book it became a bestseller and Betty received thousands of letters from grateful women. She would later help found National
ReplyDeleteOrganization for Women. One of the examples of second wave feminism is women working non-traditional jobs. Also there started to be more women's sports teams as second wave feminism progressed.
Second Wave feminism changed society as a whole. Second Wave feminism opened up a world of opportunities for women. Prior to the movement, women were greatly discriminated against for their biology. Women were constantly shunned from essential and even exciting careers due to the fact of just not being a man. Second Wave Feminism gave women the platform to even make many technological advancements. The movement affected women as individuals in their everyday lives. Second Wave feminism can be accredited with benefiting women mentally. women who sought more successful lives full of achievements were now offered that chance as a result of the movement. Society as a whole also witnessed changes from the movement. Movies saw a lot more primary female roles. Pop culture celebrated women and women's rights more often. The workplace of most jobs became more accommodating to women's rights. Second Wave feminism promoted the protection of women in the workplace against sexual harassment and sexual assault.
ReplyDeleteSecond wave feminism has impacted society drastically throughout the years. Women came together and demanded the rights that they deserved. This idea opened up new paths for women to take such as college or job opportunities. Some ways that this second wave of feminism has impacted the world today by changing the view of what value women have in society. The change in how we look at women determine what is and isn't socially acceptable to do. This allowed women that wanted to enter the work force, or to not have children if they wanted. In conclusion there are many ways that second wave feminism has impacted our society today, the different jobs and education that women have today is proof of just that.
ReplyDelete