Betty Friedan

Definition

Betty Friedan was an American feminist writer and activist who played a pivotal role in the women's rights movement of the 1960s. She is best known for her groundbreaking book 'The Feminine Mystique', which challenged the prevailing societal norms and expectations of women at the time.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Friedan's 'The Feminine Mystique' challenged the prevailing societal notion that a woman's fulfillment should be solely found in her role as a homemaker and mother.
2. She argued that women were being trapped in a 'comfortable concentration camp' of domestic life, and that they needed to seek fulfillment beyond the home.
3. Friedan's work was instrumental in sparking the second-wave feminist movement, which sought to address a wide range of gender-based inequalities.
4. As a co-founder of the National Organization for Women (NOW), Friedan played a crucial role in advocating for legal and social reforms to improve women's status in society.
5. Friedan's activism and writings helped to empower women to question traditional gender roles and pursue their own personal and professional aspirations.

Review Questions

• Explain how Betty Friedan's 'The Feminine Mystique' challenged the prevailing societal expectations of women in the 1960s.
  • In 'The Feminine Mystique', Betty Friedan criticized the societal pressure on women to conform to the role of the 'happy housewife' and mother, arguing that this 'feminine mystique' was trapping women in a 'comfortable concentration camp' of domestic life. Friedan's work challenged the prevailing notion that a woman's fulfillment should be solely found in her role as a homemaker, and instead encouraged women to seek fulfillment beyond the home and pursue their own personal and professional aspirations.
• Describe the impact of Betty Friedan's activism on the second-wave feminist movement.
  • As a co-founder of the National Organization for Women (NOW), Betty Friedan played a pivotal role in the second-wave feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Her groundbreaking book 'The Feminine Mystique' helped to spark this movement, which sought to address a wide range of gender-based inequalities, including reproductive rights, workplace discrimination, and the societal status of women. Friedan's activism and writings empowered women to question traditional gender roles and pursue their own personal and professional goals, making her a key figure in the fight for women's rights and gender equality.
• Analyze how Betty Friedan's work and activism contributed to the broader societal changes regarding gender roles and expectations.
  • Betty Friedan's influential work, particularly her book 'The Feminine Mystique', played a crucial role in challenging the prevailing societal norms and expectations of women in the 1960s. By criticizing the idea of the 'happy housewife' and the societal pressure on women to conform to traditional gender roles, Friedan's writings and activism helped to empower women to question these constraints and pursue their own personal and professional aspirations. This, in turn, contributed to broader societal changes, as the second-wave feminist movement that Friedan helped to spark led to legal and social reforms that improved women's status and opportunities in various spheres of life. Friedan's work and activism were instrumental in reshaping societal attitudes and expectations regarding gender roles, ultimately paving the way for greater gender equality.

Related terms

The Feminine Mystique: Friedan's 1963 book that criticized the idea of the 'happy housewife' and the societal pressures on women to conform to traditional gender roles.

National Organization for Women (NOW): The feminist organization that Friedan co-founded in 1966 to advocate for women's rights and gender equality.

Second-Wave Feminism: The feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s that focused on issues such as reproductive rights, workplace discrimination, and the societal status of women.