Second-wave feminism

Definition

Second-wave feminism refers to a period of feminist activism that emerged in the 1960s and continued into the 1980s, focusing on a broader range of issues beyond legal equality, including sexuality, reproductive rights, workplace discrimination, and social inequalities. This movement expanded the feminist agenda to address systemic inequalities and cultural attitudes towards women, emphasizing that personal experiences are often political.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Second-wave feminism emerged in the context of the civil rights movement and anti-war protests, influencing its focus on social justice issues.
2. Key publications during this time include Betty Friedan's 'The Feminine Mystique,' which critiqued the traditional roles of women in society.
3. The movement brought significant legal changes, such as the establishment of Title IX in 1972, which prohibited gender discrimination in education.
4. Activists fought for access to birth control and safe abortion services, culminating in landmark Supreme Court decisions like Roe v. Wade in 1973.
5. Second-wave feminism also highlighted issues like sexual harassment, domestic violence, and workplace inequalities, leading to broader societal awareness and legislative reforms.

Review Questions

• How did second-wave feminism build upon the achievements of first-wave feminism?
  • Second-wave feminism expanded upon first-wave feminism by addressing not just legal rights like suffrage but also a wider array of social issues affecting women's lives. While first-wave feminists focused primarily on voting rights and legal equality, second-wave feminists tackled problems such as reproductive rights, workplace discrimination, and sexual liberation. This movement recognized that legal equality alone was insufficient to achieve true gender equality, as systemic social inequalities continued to persist.
• Discuss the impact of key literature on the second-wave feminist movement and its goals.
  • Key literature played a crucial role in shaping the second-wave feminist movement by articulating women's experiences and critiquing societal norms. Works like 'The Feminine Mystique' by Betty Friedan challenged the notion that women's fulfillment was found solely in domesticity, awakening many women to their dissatisfaction with traditional roles. This literary discourse helped to mobilize women around common goals related to equality in various aspects of life, including work, education, and reproductive rights, ultimately pushing for legislative changes that reflected these aspirations.
• Evaluate the ways in which second-wave feminism addressed intersectionality and how it influenced subsequent feminist movements.
  • Second-wave feminism began to address intersectionality by recognizing that women's experiences are not monolithic but rather influenced by factors such as race, class, and sexuality. This acknowledgment paved the way for more inclusive feminist movements that sought to represent the voices of diverse groups of women who faced multiple layers of oppression. By incorporating intersectionality into its framework, second-wave feminism set the stage for third-wave feminism and later movements that would continue to challenge existing power structures and advocate for a broader understanding of women's rights.

Related terms

Feminist consciousness: An awareness of the social and political inequalities faced by women, often leading to collective action and advocacy for women's rights.

Reproductive rights: The legal rights and freedoms relating to reproduction and reproductive health, particularly concerning access to contraception and abortion.

Intersectionality: A framework for understanding how different aspects of a person's identity (such as race, gender, and class) interact and contribute to unique experiences of discrimination and privilege.