FEMININE MYSTIQUE - REPORT BY GROUP ONE

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1. What topic or event that is relevant or impactful to your life and why?

2. “HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE FEMINIST MOVEMENT”

3. The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan The Feminine Mystique (1963) by Betty Friedan was a groundbreaking feminist book that exposed the dissatisfaction many women felt in the 1950s and early 1960s. Friedan argued that society promoted the idea that women should find fulfillment in housework, marriage, and child-rearing alone, ignoring their personal ambitions.

4. She coined the term "feminine mystique" to describe the false belief that a "truly feminine" woman had no desire for education, a career, or political involvement. Women who felt unfulfilled by these roles often struggled to articulate their unhappiness, which Friedan called the "problem that has no name."

5. Friedan's Critique Friedan was influenced by human-potential psychologists like Abraham Maslow, who believed humans have a basic need for personal growth. She argued that : Friedan's Critique •Women were unhappy because they were denied personal growth. •Children suffered because their mothers felt unfulfilled and emotionally unstable. • A career was essential for both men and women to build their identity and self-worth

6. Historical Context After World War II, many women had worked in jobs traditionally held by men. However, when soldiers returned home, society pressured women to leave the workforce and retum to the domestic sphere.

7. This expectation was reinforced by: •The Cold War: The American nuclear family was seen as a symbol of capitalist superiority over Soviet Russia

8. •The Media: Magazines and advertisements glorified the housewife as the ideal role for women

9. Statistics Supporting the Feminine Mystique Friedan used statistics to illustrate how women were pushed into domestic roles: •By the late 1950s, 14 million girls were engaged by age 17. •The average marriage age dropped to 20. •Women in college decreased from 47% in 1920 to 35% in 1958. •60% of female students dropped out of college to marry

10. "Women are more than just wives and mothers; they are individuals with dreams."

11. Unrealistic Expectations and Their Effects

12. Magazines and textbooks taught women how to please their husbands by:

13. 1. Cooking dinner on time

14. 2. Taking off their husband's shoes

15. 3. Making him comfortable with a drink

16. Many women found these roles unfulfilling. As a result:

17. 1. Many sought therapy to adjust to their "feminine role."

18. 2. Tranquilizers and alcohol were often used to cope with their unhappiness.

19. 3. By the 1960s, even the media acknowledged that suburban housewives were often unhappy.

20. Friedan’s Solution •Housework should not be a "career"—it should be finished quickly. •Women could have both a career and a family. •Education should empower women, not reinforce outdated roles.

21. Impact and Criticism 1. By the 1980s, the workforce had doubled for women, making some arguments less relevant. 2. Feminists of color, like bell hooks, criticized the book for being focused on middle-class white women and ignoring working-class and Black women who had always worked out of necessity.

22. 3. Historian Daniel Horowitz revealed that Friedan had been a radical leftist activist, not just a suburban housewife, as she had claimed.

23. Despite these criticisms, the book inspired many women to challenge traditional roles and remains an important feminist work.

24. FEMINISM AND ITS WAVE

25. FEMINISM is the belief in the political , economic, and social equality of women. It has evolved through four waves:

26. Seneca Falls Convention (1848): Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott demanded the right to vote. Frederick Douglass supported women's voting rights, helping pass the resolution. Successes o 1893: New Zealand became the first country to grant women voting rights. 1920: The U.S. passed the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. FIRST WAVE FEMINISM (19TH - EARLY 20TH CENTURY) FOCUSED ON VOTING RIGHTS

27. Seneca Falls Convention (1848): Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott demanded the right to vote. The first wave of feminism happened around the late 1800s and early 1900s. It was a time when cities were growing and new ideas about equality were spreading. This movement focused on giving women more rights, especially the right to vote. At the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, a group of women, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Motto, wrote a document called the Declaration of Sentiments. It said that all men and women are created equal, and that women should have the right to vote.

28. Frederick Douglass supported women's voting rights, helping pass the resolution This was a controversial idea at the time, and many people thought it was too radical. But a famous abolitionist named Frederick Douglass spoke up and said that if Black men couldn't vote, then women shouldn't be able to either. His argument convinced many people, and the resolution for women's suffrage passed. This event marked the start of the women's suffrage movement, which fought for women's right to vote for many years.

29. The women's suffrage movement was a long and difficult fight that lasted for almost 100 years. Women all over the country worked hard to get the right to vote, and they faced many challenges along the way.

30. Finally, in 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed. This amendment gave women the right to vote, making them equal citizens with men. During the women's suffrage movement, only men could vote. The movement was specifically about changing that so women could also vote. It's important to remember that even after women gained the right to vote in 1920, there were still many barriers to voting for certain groups of people, like Black Americans and Native Americans. The fight for equal voting rights continues today. The 19th Amendment: Women’s Right to Vote

31. 1893: New Zealand became the first country to grant women voting rights. The fight for women's right to vote was happening around the world. New Zealand was the first country to allow women to vote in 1893, followed by Australia and Finland. Even in the United Kingdom, women over 30 years old were finally allowed to vote in 1918. These were small victories, but they showed that change was possible.

32. 2. SECOND WAVE FEMINISM (1960s - 1980S)- FOCUSED ON EQUALITY AND ANTI - DISCRIMINATION Women entered the workforce in greater numbers, especially during the Great Depression and World War || Rosie the Riveter became an icon of working women. The Equal Pay (1963 ) fought for wage equality. Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique (1963) helped launched the Women’s Liberation Movement.

33. Women And Work Women started working more in the 1930s when the Great Depression happened. Many men lost their jobs, so women had to find work to help their families. They usually got jobs that were considered "women's work," like cleaning, teaching, and being secretaries. During World War II, even more women went to work, even in jobs that were usually for men. This was because many men were away fighting in the war. Rosie the Riveter became a symbol of women working in factories.

34. Women And Work After the civil rights movement, women started fighting for equal pay. They wanted to be paid the same as men for doing the same jobs. In 1963, the Equal Pay Act was passed, which was a big step towards making this happen.

35. Rosie the Riveter: A Symbol of Women in the Workforce Rosie the Riveter became a powerful symbol of women's contributions during World War II as they filled traditionally male roles in factories and shipyards while men served in the military. The iconic image, particularly the 1942 "We Can Do It" poster by J. Howard Miller, rallied women to join the workforce. Beyond the war, Rosie represented women's strength and independence, inspiring future generations to pursue careers and challenge societal norms. Her legacy reflects the essential contributions of millions of women during the war, whose stories continue to inspire today.

36. Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique (1963) helped launched the Women’s Liberation Movement. Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique (1963) profoundly impacted the Women's Liberation Movement. The book exposed the widespread unhappiness of women confined by the "feminine mystique"—societal expectations limiting them to domesticity and motherhood. This resonated deeply, sparking national dialogue about women's rights and marking a turning point in the movement. Key themes included the pervasive dissatisfaction among women ("the problem that has no name"), the need for educational and economic opportunities, and a challenge to traditional gender roles. The Feminine Mystique remains a seminal work in feminist literature, raising awareness and fueling the modern women's rights movement.

37. Major Achievements : *Equal Rights Amendment (1972) - passed by Congress but not ratified *Roe v. Wade (1973) - secured abortion rights .

38. *Equal Rights Amendment (1972) - passed by Congress but not ratified The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), first proposed in 1923, finally passed Congress in 1972, aiming to guarantee sex equality. Despite initial momentum, conservative opposition, led by Phyllis Schlafly, and state rescissions of ratification votes prevented it from achieving the necessary three-fourths state approval by the 1982 deadline. Renewed interest in the 2010s, fueled by #MeToo, led to further ratifications, but its legal validity remains contested. Although unratified, the ERA significantly influenced legislative and judicial changes advancing women's rights in the US, highlighting the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the complexities of constitutional amendment.

39. *Roe v. Wade (1973) - secured abortion rights Roe v. Wade (1973) established a constitutional right to abortion based on the Fourteenth Amendment's right to privacy, using a trimester framework to balance individual rights with state interests in protecting potential life. This landmark decision legalized abortion nationwide, sparking intense pro-choice and pro-life movements and continuous legal challenges. However, in 2022, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade, returning abortion regulation to individual states, and significantly altering the landscape of reproductive rights in the US.

40. 3.Third-Wave Feminism (1990s-2010s) - Address Diversity & Intersectionality •Criticism of the Second Wave: It mainly benefited white, educated women. •Activits like bell hooks argued that feminism must include women of color, LGBTQ+ individuals,and working -class women. • Sojoumer Truth (1851): Her speech. " Ain't I a Woman?", highlighted how Black women faced both racism and sexism.

41. •Challenges addressed: °Workplace discrimination °Representation in media °Sexuality and body image 4.Fourth-Wave Feminism (2010s-Present)- Social Media • Driven by the internet and social media activism • Key issues : ° Sexual assaults (#MeToo movement) ° Wage gaps and maternity leave ° Gender identity and LGBTQ+ rights • The Women's March (2017) protested Donald Trump’s administration and its perceived threats to women's rights.

42. • Emphasizes intersectionality , recognieing how race,gender,sexuality, and class are interconnected. Conclusion The Feminine Mystique was a turning point in feminism,helping women question traditional roles and fight for grater opportunities . While feminism has through four waves , it's core goal remains the same: equality for all genders.

43. First Wave Feminism (Late 19th - Early 20th Century) Presented by: Sierra shane

44. Main Focus: Legal and economic rights for women . • Right to Vote Although this is the most well- known aspect, first-wave feminism was about more than just voting rights. • Right to Own Property & Earn Wages - Married women had no legal identity under the doctrine of coverture, meaning their husbands controlled their wages and property. • Right to Education & Leadership Positions- Women fought for access to higher education and the ability to hold leadership roles, including in churches.

45. Key Event: Seneca Falls Convention (1848) • Marked the official start of first-wave feminism, bringing together activists demanding legal recognition of women's rights.

46. Exclusion & Controversy: • Racial Discrimination- Many white feminists, particularly in the National American Women's Suffrage Association (NAWSA), excluded Black women from the movement. • NAWSA appealed to white supremacy in the South to gain support for women's suffrage, reinforcing racial segregation.

47. Major Achievement: • 19th Amendment (1919)- Granted women the right to vote in the U.S.

48. SECOND Wave Feminism

49. Second Wave Feminism (1960s-1990s) Main Focus: Workplace rights, reproductive rights, and gender equality

50. • Job Discrimination -Women were often fired for becoming pregnant and were legally barred from high-paying jobs. • Sexual Harassment & Domestic Violence -Few legal protections existed, and many feminist activists sought laws against workplace harassment and abuse. • Reproductive Rights -Women fought for birth control access and the right to choose abortion.

51. Key Divisions in the Movement: • Liberal Feminists -Wanted to remove legal and social barriers to equality. • Social Justice Feminists -Argued that women needed additional protections (e.g. maternity leave) but often ignored the need for paternity leave , leading to further exclusion of men from feminist discourse. • Radical Feminists -Used political theater to push feminist ideas (e.g., bra burning , Miss America pageant protests).

52. Major Achievements: • Title IX (1972) -Prohibited sex-based discrimination in schools and universities. • Equal Employment Opportunity Act (1972) -Protected women from being fired for reasons related to sex or pregnancy.

53. Criticism & Stereotypes: •Some feminists equated makeup, high heels, and shaving with patriarchal oppression •Radical feminists were sometimes seen as anti-men , which alienated potential male allies.

54. THIRD WAVE FEMINISM ( 1990's - 2010) Presented by : Annie Taganile

55. Main Focus: Cultural Revolution and Redefining Feminism • Reclaimed derogatory terms - Some feminists sought to "take back" words like b*t** and sl** to remove their negative power. • Embraced femininity - Unlike second-wave feminists, third-wave feminists rejected the idea that makeup and fashion were inherently oppressive. • Celebrity Influence - Many public figures, like Lady Gaga , Shailene Woodley , and Taylor Swift , distanced themselves from the feminist label, seeing it as divisive.

56. CRITICISM AND CONTROVERSY : The movement lacked a clear political agenda, making it difficult to achieve concrete legislative change. Some third-wave feminists refused to use the label "feminist", further dividing the movement.

57. FOURTH WAVE FEMINISM (2010- PRESENT) Main Focus: Digital activism, inclusivity, and dismantling power structures Social Media Activism -Online campaigns like #MeToo have been instrumental in exposing sexual harassment and violence. Cancel Culture - A controversial tactic where individuals accused of sexam or misogyny are "called out" and socially punished ( eg ., fited from job, banned from public platforms). • Supporters argue it promotes accountability. • Critics say it has gone too far and unfairly ruins lives.

58. Major Divisions : Gender-Inclusive vs. Gender-Critical Feminists • Gender-Inclusive Feminists - support trans women as part of the feminist movement. • Gender-Critical Feminists -(sometimes called TERFx ) believe only biological women face true gender oppression and argue that trans women retain male privilege . Major Issues : • Trans Rights vs . Women's Spaces - The debate over whether trans women should have access to women-only spaces has been one of the biggest polars of contention. • Anti-Trans Discrimination -studies show that trans individuals face extreme discrimination , including job loss and high suicide rates.

59. Presented by Sandra Haro Key Takeaways & Questions to Consider 1. Has this changed your opinion on feminism? 2. Which wave or approach do you agree with most? Least? 3. Should feminists use cancel culture to hold people accountable? 4. How important is inclusivity in modern feminism? 5. Would feminism be more effective if it encouraged participation from all genders? This historical overview of feminism highlights how the movement has evolved, faced internal conflicts, and challenged society in different ways. Which aspects do you think should guide the future of feminism?

60. VERY MUCH! THANK YOU Presented by Sandra Haro