Zhanna Nagorna
04/28/16
P: 3
US History Report
Betty Friedan and Feminine Mystique
Betty Friedan’s decision to write the book “The Feminine Mystique” changed the way that women viewed themselves. Women became more outspoken, empowered, and they finally became able to choose what they wanted to do with their lives, go to college, get a job, and or something other than being a housewife. Through the book Betty showed women that there were others that that felt like them by describing the feelings that other women have faced through life. Until the book came out no one knew about what women were feeling. The book “Feminine Mystique” gave many women the option and confidence to be more involved in life than they were before. The book also, changed…show more content… It changed in many geographical regions. But the movement did start in the European countries and went to the United States. Since the war took all the men away women were supposed to work in factories to keep the economy going. Since Betty wrote the book, the social perspective of women changed rapidly. “The Feminine Mystique” gave women a boost of confidence to start another feminist revolution for the equality of women in Unites States. Since different countries viewed United States as a powerful and peaceful country, the United States was scared that the feminist revolution would become a big issue and the perspective of other countries towards the United States would change. So the United States passed the Equality Act that gave men and women equality in anything including the work hours and wages. Also American’s attitudes toward women’s roles in society changed, now people saw women as being able to become whomever they want with no complications of sexism. Society called this the “Second wave” of feminism. The view of women before the “The Feminine Mystique” was published was unconditional. Women were feeling alone and were becoming more depressed everyday further into their lives. Women were feeling like they were not unique or had any personality at all. They felt empty, incomplete, nonexistent, and, emotional for no reason. Feeling this way they felt ashamed and thought that the problems came…show more content… Women hadn’t felt like they belonged for a long time in their lives. They always had a feeling that they could do something other than be housekeepers and mothers. When the book came out it gave women a spark of hope and happiness. Just the transition from being a housewife to a businesswoman was a very big step. Some women didn’t actually want to got to work because, it was hard to learn and then still be able to take care of kids. Some women felt like the husband is the money finder in the family. He should be working and finding ways to support the family. It may also depend on the situation, if you are single you have to learn and find a way to earn money to support yourself. On the other hand women didn’t know how to switch from being a housekeeper to becoming a working women. This change is hard to achieve because, it’s super dramatic. “The problem that has no name” says it all. The problem can’t just be one exact problem it’s many problems that combine together. Since, women couldn't just describe only one. Since in 1950’s middle class was growing because, the population increased. All girls were required to get married right when they got out of high school. Many of the women that wanted change were from the middle class. No one spoke out about it because, in the 1950’s everyone was the same and also had the same thoughts about life.
