Question

The picture give above is that of the author of the book, The Feminine Mystique. Identify the author. Discuss how this book sparked off the Second Wave of American Feminism in the 20th century.

Answer 1

The picture given is that of Betty Friedan who was the author of the book, The Feminine Mystique.

1. Betty Friedan’s central thesis was based on the assumption/observation that American women as a class, suffered from various forms of subtle discrimination.
2. The book detailed the experiences of many women who were frustrated and deeply dissatisfied with their lives.
3. They suffered from a feeling of personal worthlessness.
4. They were expected to find personal happiness and fulfilment by focusing on their traditional roles of wives, mothers and house keepers.
5. Their role in society was restricted to performing of household chores and looking after their children and husbands.
6. They were dependent on their husbands for intellectual, economic and emotional support.
7. The National Organisation for Women (NOW) was founded by Betty Friedan.
8. It was a civil rights group dedicated to achieving gender equality and equal opportunities for women.
9. It was the largest and most effective organisation in the Feminist Movement.
10. Friedan helped to organise the Women’s Strike for Equality on the 50th anniversary of Woman Suffrage.
11. The campaign for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the US Constitution was led by her.
12. She championed several women-centric causes, for example, women’s education, equal pay for equal work, end to sexual harassment in the workplace, legalisation of abortion, ending gender based classified employment notices, greater representation of women in government etc.
13. Her book became an instant bestseller and inspired and impacted the lives of millions of American women.
14. It resonated powerfully with millions of American women and helped to spark widespread public activism for gender equality.