Published in 1963, the Feminine Mystique, written by Betty Friedan, described a dissatisfaction of women after WWII. She states that after the men returned from the war, the women were excepted to return home. Women had fewer opportunities, less education, and limited career choices, which causes an unfulfilling feeling. This expectation inspired the feminine mystique. Society assumed women were supposed to do domestic work and nurture their children, and women had trouble formulating their unsatisfied feelings.
Friedan interviewed women and used statistics to show the "emptiness" women feel by living up to ideal feminine behavior. The landmark book sparked the feminine movement and encouraged women to develop a new plan which allows them to choose when they want to marry when they want to have a baby and what work they want to do.
1 comment:
Interesting article! I agree with you that the Feminine Mystique appealed to women who were living up to their standard, but it also was a spark for change for women. Also, the birth control pill gave women power to control when they had baby, giving them control over the men. These two acts were very important for women's increased rights.
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