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 achieving social, political, and economic equality for women, building upon the progress made during the First Wave of feminism in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
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Second Wave Feminism challenged the notion of the traditional domestic role of women and advocated for their increased participation in the workforce and political sphere.
Key issues addressed by Second Wave Feminists included reproductive rights, sexual liberation, workplace discrimination, and the objectification of women in media and popular culture.
The publication of Betty Friedan's 'The Feminine Mystique' in 1963 is often credited with igniting the Second Wave Feminist movement by exposing the dissatisfaction many women felt with their limited roles in society.
Prominent Second Wave Feminist organizations included the National Organization for Women (NOW), the Women's Liberation Movement, and the National Women's Political Caucus.
Second Wave Feminism also gave rise to the concept of 'consciousness-raising,' where women would gather in small groups to discuss their personal experiences and collectively analyze the systemic nature of gender-based oppression.
Review Questions
Describe the key goals and focus areas of the Second Wave Feminist movement.
The Second Wave Feminist movement sought to achieve social, political, and economic equality for women. Key focus areas included challenging the traditional domestic roles of women, advocating for reproductive rights and sexual liberation, addressing workplace discrimination, and combating the objectification of women in media and popular culture. The movement also emphasized the importance of consciousness-raising, where women would gather in small groups to share their personal experiences and collectively analyze the systemic nature of gender-based oppression.
Explain how the Second Wave Feminist movement built upon the progress made during the First Wave of feminism.
The Second Wave Feminist movement built upon the foundational work of the First Wave, which had primarily focused on securing women's suffrage and other legal rights. While the First Wave made significant strides in achieving formal political equality, the Second Wave recognized that true gender equality required addressing deeper social, cultural, and economic structures that perpetuated the subordination of women. By challenging the patriarchal norms and institutions that limited women's opportunities and autonomy, the Second Wave Feminists sought to transform the broader social fabric and create a more equitable society.
Analyze the role of intersectionality within the Second Wave Feminist movement and how it shaped the movement's goals and strategies.
The Second Wave Feminist movement gradually incorporated the concept of intersectionality, which recognizes that different forms of discrimination, such as those based on race, class, and sexuality, intersect and compound the challenges faced by certain groups of women. This understanding led to a more nuanced and inclusive approach, where the movement sought to address the unique experiences and needs of diverse women, rather than focusing solely on the concerns of white, middle-class women. Intersectionality shaped the movement's goals and strategies, pushing for the inclusion of marginalized voices and the recognition that the fight for gender equality must be intertwined with the struggle against other forms of oppression.
The recognition that different forms of discrimination, such as those based on race, class, and sexuality, intersect and compound the challenges faced by certain groups of women.