Second-wave feminism was a period of feminist activity and thought that began in the early 1960s and lasted through the late 1970s. It focused on issues of equality, such as ending gender discrimination, gaining reproductive rights, and achieving workplace equality for women.
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Second-wave feminism emerged in response to the perceived failures of the first wave of feminism, which focused primarily on securing women's right to vote.
Key issues addressed by second-wave feminists included reproductive rights, workplace discrimination, and the objectification of women in media and popular culture.
The second wave of feminism was influenced by the civil rights movement and other social justice movements of the 1960s and 1970s.
Second-wave feminists advocated for the Equal Rights Amendment, which failed to be ratified by the required number of states.
The second wave of feminism laid the groundwork for the emergence of third-wave feminism, which focused on intersectionality and the diversity of women's experiences.
Review Questions
Explain how the second wave of feminism built upon the goals and achievements of the first wave.
The second wave of feminism emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, building upon the foundational work of the first wave, which had focused primarily on securing women's right to vote. While the first wave addressed legal and political inequalities, the second wave sought to address deeper social, economic, and cultural forms of gender-based oppression. Second-wave feminists expanded the movement's focus to include issues such as reproductive rights, workplace discrimination, and the objectification of women in media and popular culture. They also recognized the need to address the intersections of gender with other forms of identity and oppression, laying the groundwork for the emergence of third-wave feminism.
Describe the role of consciousness-raising in the second-wave feminist movement.
Consciousness-raising was a key strategy employed by second-wave feminists to foster a collective understanding of women's oppression and the need for social change. Through small group discussions, women shared their personal experiences and recognized the systemic nature of gender-based discrimination. This process of collectively reflecting on and validating their individual experiences was crucial in developing a shared feminist consciousness and mobilizing women to advocate for their rights. Consciousness-raising groups provided a platform for women to challenge the dominant narratives and societal norms that had previously kept them isolated and disempowered, laying the foundation for more coordinated political and social action.
Analyze the significance of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as a key goal of the second-wave feminist movement and explain why it ultimately failed to be ratified.
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was a proposed constitutional amendment that would have guaranteed equal rights for all citizens regardless of sex, making it a central goal of the second-wave feminist movement. Feminists saw the ERA as a critical step in enshrining legal protections for women's rights and achieving true gender equality. However, the ERA faced significant opposition from conservative and anti-feminist groups who feared it would undermine traditional gender roles and family structures. Despite passing in Congress, the amendment failed to be ratified by the required number of states, largely due to a well-organized campaign against it. The inability to secure the ERA's ratification was a significant setback for the second-wave feminist movement, highlighting the entrenched resistance to advancing women's rights and the challenges of enacting lasting constitutional change. The failure of the ERA also demonstrated the need for continued activism and the pursuit of alternative strategies to achieve gender equality.
The recognition that people can experience multiple, overlapping forms of discrimination and disadvantage based on their race, class, gender, sexuality, and other identities.
Consciousness-raising: The process of sharing personal experiences in small groups to develop a collective understanding of women's oppression and the need for social change.
Equal Rights Amendment (ERA): A proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would have guaranteed equal rights for all citizens regardless of sex, which was a key goal of the second-wave feminist movement.