The Feminine Mystique

Definition

The Feminine Mystique is a term coined by Betty Friedan in her groundbreaking 1963 book, describing the widespread dissatisfaction among women in the mid-20th century who felt trapped in a limited role as housewives and mothers. This concept highlights the societal expectations that confined women to domestic spheres, reflecting broader issues of gender roles and identity.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Betty Friedan's book, The Feminine Mystique, is often credited with sparking the second wave of feminism in the United States during the 1960s.
2. The term describes the discontent of women who were expected to find fulfillment solely through homemaking and child-rearing.
3. Friedan's work highlighted how media and culture perpetuated the myth that women could only achieve happiness through traditional domestic roles.
4. The Feminine Mystique prompted many women to question their roles in society and inspired activism for gender equality.
5. Friedan's findings indicated that many women experienced feelings of unfulfillment and depression despite living in material comfort.

Review Questions

• How did The Feminine Mystique challenge the existing perceptions of women's roles in society during its time?
  • The Feminine Mystique challenged the perception that women's primary purpose was to be housewives and mothers by exposing the dissatisfaction many felt within these roles. Betty Friedan highlighted how societal expectations limited women's identities, leading to feelings of emptiness and frustration. By articulating these experiences, Friedan sparked a broader conversation about women's rights and gender equality, laying the groundwork for second wave feminism.
• Discuss the connections between The Feminine Mystique and the cult of domesticity, highlighting how Friedan's work redefined women's identities.
  • The Feminine Mystique directly critiques the cult of domesticity, which idealized women as self-sacrificing homemakers. Friedan argued that this narrow view denied women their individuality and potential outside the home. She redefined women's identities by promoting the idea that fulfillment could be found in careers, education, and personal aspirations, rather than solely through domestic roles. This redefinition contributed to shifting perceptions about what it meant to be a woman in American society.
• Evaluate the impact of The Feminine Mystique on the second wave feminist movement and its broader social implications.
  • The Feminine Mystique had a profound impact on the second wave feminist movement by providing a framework for understanding women's dissatisfaction with traditional roles. Friedan's analysis resonated with many women who felt similarly confined, inspiring them to advocate for change in various areas such as workplace equality and reproductive rights. The book not only energized activists but also contributed to a cultural shift that questioned longstanding gender norms, ultimately influencing policy changes and leading to increased awareness of women's rights across multiple spheres of life.

Related terms

Cult of Domesticity: A prevailing value system in the 19th century that glorified women's roles as homemakers and moral guardians, emphasizing domesticity as a woman's primary sphere.

Second Wave Feminism: A feminist movement that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, focusing on issues such as equality in the workplace, reproductive rights, and challenging traditional gender roles.

Contraceptive Pill: A form of birth control introduced in the 1960s that allowed women greater control over their reproductive choices and contributed to the sexual liberation movement.