THE RISE OF FEMINISM IN THE UNITED STATES IN THE 1960s
Introduction
The rise of feminism in the United States is one of the remarkable changes that the country has experienced throughout its history. Through feminism movements, American women have fought hard to win their freedom that they enjoy today. Feminism movements started in the United States as early as the 17th century. The American society then significantly underrated women with their role strictly being housewives. Since then, the United States has experienced different waves of female liberation movements which have shaped the current female developed witnessed in the country[1]. Among the notable feminism movements in the country are the first and second waves which took place in the late stages of the 19th century to the early stages of the 20th century and the 1960s to 1970s respectively. The first feminism wave primarily focused on women’s legal rights and freedoms especially the right to participate in electoral processes. More feminism waves have since then taken place with the third and the fourth waves taking place in the 1990s and 2010, respectively. The secondary wave, which took place in the 1960s and the early stages of 170s, primarily addressed every aspect of a woman’s life ranging from careers, family, sexual life, to political participation in the society. The success achieved in the second feminism wave in the country, influenced the rise of many other feminism movements in the world. The movement did not only lead to an increased female participation in the society, but also changed the general perceptions about women and their role in the society[2]. Multiple factors, such as the World War II and increased levels of educated women in the society, acted as primary catalysts to the success of feminism movements in American society. Today, American women enjoy a wide range of rights and freedoms, such as political participation, increased social interactions, as well as increased opportunities in economic developments. Based on this, therefore, this paper primarily focuses on discussing the social, political, and economic developments in the United States as a result of the feminism movements of the 1960s.
Factors leading to the rise of feminism in the United States in the 1960s
The second wave of feminism in the United was attributed to various factors affecting women in the country. The movement addressed all aspects of women’s lives, as discussed below.
World War II
World War II was one of the primary catalysts to the rise of feminism in the 1960s. The United did not join the war at the beginning but later joined after the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor. With the determination to win the war, the country put into use all its assets, including women[3]. After the army had left the country to join the war, women quickly moved in to fill the left gaps. Thus, women took leading roles in military, civil, and clerical jobs. The practice was the beginning of women’s empowerment in the country, which was to steer the rise of the second feminism wave in the country, almost two decades after the war. Through the Women Army Auxiliary Corps (WAACs), most American women joined the military to fill the gaps left by their men who joined the world war. Later, the group was to be named, which was later named the Navy Women’s Reserve (WAVES)[4]. Women also joined other various groups in the army, such as army nurses as well as military pilots. The changing roles profoundly empowered them to fight for equality after the war. During the war, most women also took over the office and clerical jobs left behind by men who joined the war[5]. However, after the war was over, the returning soldiers needed to get back to their former positions, which forced women out of their jobs. However, the move was not welcomed by women who wanted to keep their jobs. Thus, having already proved their abilities, the wormed steered the feminism moment of the 1960s to fight for gender equity. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Increased cases of female discrimination at work place as well as low pay compared to their male counterparts facilitated the momentum of the feminist movement of the 1960s. The women were unhappy with pay differences despite performing the same tasks. Prior success in various areas of specialization during the war also forced women to fight for equality in employment as well as in salaries and wages.
The expansion of women roles after the war also led to the increased feminist momentum in the country[6]. Women were only expected to perfume the various duties assigned to them for a given period and exit upon the end of the war. Thus, when the American military fighting in the war returned home, women lost their jobs. However, the experience had already equipped them with adequate skills as well as increased confidence needed to initiate changes in the society. Those that remained in their respective positions were demoted prompting a counter-attack reaction. The involvement of the women in various jobs also gave them the confidence to fight for their rights to work in non-traditional jobs. The war enabled women to attain personal and financial freedoms as they performed various duties, which enabled them to challenge men’s superiority in the society. Thus, women were more focused and determined to achieve equal working rights to men.
The Publication of the Betty Friedan’s Book “The Feminine Mystique”
In 1963, Betty Friedan, a female American author, published his book, The Feminine Mystique which was to influence the general female perception to her liberation in the society. In her book, the author addresses the problem “that lay buried unspoken in the mind of the housewife: utter boredom and lack of fulfillment…”[7]. The book challenged many women who only valued domesticity as the only solution to a fulfilled life. According to Betty, domestic roles among most American women had socially contained them to recognize their desperation. Thus, the author challenged women to fight for more roles in the society that would bring them fulfillments. Following that, most American women started approaching feminism in a different perception, a factor which facilitated their move to start and participate in the feminism movements of the 1960s.
The Availability of reformers and revolutionaries to steer Change in society
After the publication of Betty Friedan’s book, most women were profoundly motivated and joined multiple other revolutionaries who were seeking female empowerment in the federal government[8]. As a result, several feminist groups and movement such as National Organizational for Women were formed. These groups advocated for increased abolishment of female discriminations in workplace, low pay as well as employment in all sectors of the economy[9].
Enabling Economic Factors after the World War II
The United States attained high levels of economic growth than any other country in the world, after the end of the World War II. Since the end of the war in 1945 to the late stages of the 1970s, the country’s economy was significantly growing, thus prompting the need for manpower. With already acquired skills, the women demanded to be employed in various sectors of the economy.
Effects of Feminism Movements in the United States
The feminism movements in the United States of 1960s led to various political, social and economic effects in the American society.
Change in the Economic Set up
One of the notable effects of the feminism revolution in the United States was the change in the economic set up in the country. After the movement, more women got employed and joined in economic activities that traditionally were left for men to do. Employed women started becoming breadwinner for their families as they could also receive salaries just like their men[10]. Moreover, women gained more rights in engaging in trading activities, which influenced their contributions towards economic growth of the country[11]
Men Superiority in the society was reduced
Prior to the revolution, women were profoundly underrated as they were only allowed to participate in domestic roles. On the other hand, men were allowed to do office work, clerical work as well as the military among other roles, which made them superior over their women. However, the situation was reversed after the revolution as women shared equal rights as that of men in areas such as the military and workplaces. Their discrimination in work place as well as low pay was reversed allowing them to freely work and carry out duties previously done by men only. The move threatened men’s superiority and dominance in the society[12].
Increased women rights and freedoms – Feminism movements led to the legalization of daycares as well as the end of sex discrimination in employment as women were to enjoy the same pay and promotion as men for an equal work done[13]. The right for unmarried women to have equal rights to the married in birth control enabled unmarried women to carry out abortions where possible.
Increased number of women representations in the government
The movement encouraged many women to seek leadership roles in the government. Female voters also realized the importance of supporting women in leadership roles in creating societal change[14]. Consequently, most women were either elected or appointed in the government as various changes were made in the constitutions to allow more women in the government.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the rise of feminism in the United States is one of the remarkable changes that the country has experienced throughout its history. Through feminism movements, American women have fought hard to win their freedom that they enjoy today. Different feminism movements have taken place in the United States in different periods such as the first, second, third and the fourth revolutions which have taken place in the from the 19th century to 21st century. Multiple factors facilitated the feminist movement of 1960s in the United States. For example, World War II increased women’s participations in office and military jobs, which increased their demand for more roles. Betty Friedan also contributed to the rise of the movement through her book which encouraged women to seek more freedom beyond domestic roles. Its existence led to changed roles in the society between men and women, increased women representation in the government as well as their rights and freedoms.
References
Jones, Amelia. “Feminist Subjects versus Feminist Effects: The Curating of Feminist Art (or is it the Feminist Curating of Art?).” OnCurating 29 (2016): 5-20.
O’Neill, W. L. (2013). The woman movement: feminism in the United States and England. Routledge.
Federici, S. (2012). Revolution at point zero: Housework, reproduction, and feminist struggle. PM press.
Bruley, Sue. “‘It didn’t just come out of nowhere did it?’: the origins of the women’s liberation movement in 1960s Britain.” Oral History (2017): 67-78.
Connell, Raewyn. “New maps of struggle for gender justice: Rethinking feminist research on organizations and work.” Gender, Work & Organization 26, no. 1 (2019): 54-63.
Eagly, Alice H. “The shaping of science by ideology: How feminism inspired, led, and constrained scientific understanding of sex and gender.” Journal of Social Issues 74, no. 4 (2018): 871-888.
Forster, Laurel, and Sue Bruley, eds. Historicizing the Women’s Liberation Movement in the Western World: 1960-1999. Routledge, 2019.
History at a glance: Women in World War II. (n.d.). The National WWII Museum | New Orleans. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/students-teachers/student-resources/research-starters/women-wwii
Taylor, Anthea. “Betty Friedan: The ‘Mother ‘of Feminism, Self-fashioning, and the Celebrity Mystique.” In Celebrity and the Feminist Blockbuster, pp. 93-125. Palgrave Macmillan, London, 2016.
[1] Bruley, Sue. “‘It didn’t just come out of nowhere did it?’: the origins of the women’s liberation movement in 1960s Britain.” Oral History (2017): 67-78
[2] Connell, Raewyn. “New maps of struggle for gender justice: Rethinking feminist research on organizations and work.” Gender, Work & Organization 26, no. 1 (2019): 54-63.
[3] Eagly, Alice H. “The shaping of science by ideology: How feminism inspired, led, and constrained scientific understanding of sex and gender.” Journal of Social Issues 74, no. 4 (2018): 871-888.
[4] History at a glance: Women in World War II. (n.d.). The National WWII Museum | New Orleans. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/students-teachers/student-resources/research-starters/women-wwii
[5] Forster, Laurel, and Sue Bruley, eds. Historicising the Women’s Liberation Movement in the Western World: 1960-1999. Routledge, 2019.
[6] Eagly, Alice H. “The shaping of science by ideology: How feminism inspired, led, and constrained scientific understanding of sex and gender.” Journal of Social Issues 74, no. 4 (2018): 871-888.
[7] Taylor, Anthea. “Betty Friedan: The ‘Mother ‘of Feminism, Self-fashioning, and the Celebrity Mystique.” In Celebrity and the Feminist Blockbuster, pp. 93-125. Palgrave Macmillan, London, 2016.
[8] History at a glance: Women in World War II. (n.d.). The National WWII Museum | New Orleans. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/students-teachers/student-resources/research-starters/women-wwii
[9] Taylor, Anthea. “Betty Friedan: The ‘Mother ‘of Feminism, Self-fashioning, and the Celebrity Mystique.” In Celebrity and the Feminist Blockbuster, pp. 93-125. Palgrave Macmillan, London, 2016.
[10] Federici, S. (2012). Revolution at point zero: Housework, reproduction, and feminist struggle. PM press.
[11] Jones, Amelia. “Feminist Subjects versus Feminist Effects: The Curating of Feminist Art (or is it the Feminist Curating of Art?).” On Curating 29 (2016): 5-20.
[12] History at a glance: Women in World War II. (n.d.). The National WWII Museum | New Orleans. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/students-teachers/student-resources/research-starters/women-wwii
[13] O’Neill, W. L. (2013). The woman movement: feminism in the United States and England. Routledge.
[14] Eagly, Alice H. “The shaping of science by ideology: How feminism inspired, led, and constrained scientific understanding of sex and gender.” Journal of Social Issues 74, no. 4 (2018): 871-888.