BETTY FRIEDAN Flashcards
What was Friedan’s key work?
‘The Feminist Mystique’ (1963)
According to Friedan what was a serious hindrance to all those individuals who were female?
gender
What did Friedan argue we’re condemning most women to underachieve?
illiberal attitudes in society
Who did Friedan think these sexist views arose?
natured and transmitted via societies various ‘cultural channels’ like school, religion, media etc.
what did Friedan think these ‘cultural conditioning’ made many women think?
that their lot in life was determined by human nature rather than their own rationality and enterprise
What did Friedan Distain as a method of pursing change?
violence or illegal methods
What did Friedan acknowledge and endorse its improvements to individuals lives?
US Constitution
What Feminist argument about the state did Friedan reject?
the state was ‘Patriarchal’
Betty Friedan’s summary of ideas
She argued that individuals should be free to seek control over their own lives, but saw gender as a hindrance
She said it was il-liberal attitudes in society, rather than human nature that made women underachieve, spread through the media
These channels of “cultural conditioning” left many women convinced that their life was determined by human nature rather than their rationality and enterprise
Betty Friedan’s view of human nature
Human nature has evolved in a way that discourages self-advancement among women
Betty Friedan’s view of the state
The sate should legislate to prevent continued discrimination against female individuals
Betty Friedan’s view of society
Society remained chauvinistic towards women, though women were complicit in their repression
Betty Friedan’s view of the economy
free-market capitalism could be an ally of female emancipation if allied to legislation precluding sexual discrimination
