Q11: Discuss the way selected text(s) present(s) the condition of women in the context of second wave feminism. Flashcards
What was the text that started the second wave of feminism?
Betty Friedan’s “The Feminine Mystique” (1963)
How did second wave feminism differ from the first wave?
- first wave assumed that political equality (voting rights and property rights) will bring social, economic and educational equality but they were wrong
- so the second wave expanded the scope of demands to the social, econimic and educational spheres
- the second wave acknowledged the flaws of the patriarchal structure
What were the two approaches of second wave feminism?
- liberal: concerning education, economic, open spaces…
- radical: protests [started with a protest against Miss America Beauty Contest in 1968) –> radical approach shifted the focus from DISCRIMINATION to OPPRESSION
What are the three key features of second wave feminism?
- OPRESSION - the problem touches women all over the world, thus it connects them in sisterhood
- LIBERATION - revolution is needed in society’s mindset because legislations are not enough to change the position of women
- DIFFERENCE - women cannot be accommodated in a society which is based on proncipals made by men (i.e. women shoud celebrate their distinct nature from men)
What topics was second wave feminism preoccupied with?
- sexuality, reproductive rights
- domesticity and family, marital rape and domestic abuse
- legal inequalities (changes in custody and divorce law)
- critique of patriarchal (male-dominated) structures
What is the thesis of “The Second Sex” by Simone De Beauvoir (1949)?
- men fundamentally oppress women by characterising them as “other”, defining them exclusively in opposition to men
- femininity is not inherent: it is a construct that has been learned through socialisation to keep men dominant (-> “one is not born but rather BECOMS a woman”)
What is primordial differentiation?
The idea of separating “the self” and “the other”
What is the process behind De Beauvoir’s statement that “a girl is like a doll”?
- doll = object with no agency
- a girl learns to objectify herself
- she becomes submissive like a doll and allows to be dressed up, to listen and to comfort her owner
What solution does De Beauvoir suggest for improving the women’s position in society?
Women must recognize many of the “social norms” as constructions whihc will give them freedomto escape their context and create their own destiny.
What was “The Feminine Mystique” (1963) by Betty Friedan?
A landmark book which described the pervasive dissatisfaction among women in mainstream American society in the post-WW2 period.
What was the economical aspect of domestication of women post-WW2 (Friedan)?
Men returned from the war and took over the jobs of women that had to stay behind –> women lost their economic independence.
What is the “feminine mystique”?
A term introduced by Betty Freidan; a societal assumption that women could/should find fulfillment through housework. marriage, sexual passivity and childbearing alone.
What is the “problem that has no name”?
A term introduced by Betty Friedan; women were misunderstood and unfulfilled since the society dodn’t acknowledge the problem, therefore the women were not able to acknowledge and name the cause of their state as well.
What influencee did the consumer society and media have on the opression of woman post-WW2?
It reinforced the unattainable image of the perfect woman.
What suggestions did Betty Friedan introduce in “The Feminine Mystique”?
She advised that women should not treat being a housewife as a carrier and not to seek fulfillment in it. They should not resign from education and should seek to find a meaningful job/work/passion
