Feminism in the 1960s Flashcards
What was the main focus of the Feminist Movement in this period?
Dismantling workplace inequality via anti-discrimination laws.
What did JFK set up in 1960?
- Status Commission to report on women in the workplace
2. Found women earned 60% less than male counterparts
Who were three main figures during this movement?
- Betty Friedan
- Phyllis Schlafly
- Gloria Steinam
What impact did Betty Friedan have on the Feminist Movement?
- 1963: Wrote Feminine Mystique
- women treated as “second class citizens” - 1966: Established NOW which demanded legal equal rights and reproductive rights
- 400,000+ middle-aged members
What inspired the Feminist Movement?
Af-Am Civil Rights Movement
Give some key events of the Feminist Movement
- 1960: 2x as many working women than 1940
- 1963: Equal Pay Act
- 1966: NOW formed
- 1972: Supreme Court ruling gave unmarried women same contraceptive rights as married
- 1972: Educational Amendment Act - banned sexual discrimination in education
- 1972: ERA
- 1973: Roe v Wade - ensured rights to abortion
What was the “Women’s Liberation Movement”?
Younger, more extreme female feminists
What was ERA?
- Equal Rights Amendment
- Change to constitution outlawing inequality of rights based on sex
- Failed b/c of Stop ERA - based on assumption it’d lead to higher abortion rates
What impact did Phyllis Schlafly have on the Feminist Movement?
- Avid conservative, Republican, housewife and anti-feminist
- Led successful Stop ERA campaign
What impact did Gloria Steinem have on the Feminist Movement?
Was beautiful which contradicted stereotypes of feminists as undesirable
Why was there opposition to the Feminist Movement?
- Many women were happy with their position esp housewives
- Many working-class women weren’t interested in feminism but equal pay
- Used the Bible to justify male domination
