Second-wave feminism

Definition

Second-wave feminism refers to the period of feminist activism that began in the early 1960s and continued into the 1980s, focusing on issues beyond just suffrage, including equality in the workplace, reproductive rights, and sexuality. This wave sought to address systemic inequalities and challenged the traditional roles of women in society, leading to significant changes in both cultural perceptions and legal rights.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Second-wave feminism expanded the feminist agenda to include issues such as workplace discrimination, sexual liberation, reproductive rights, and the critique of patriarchal structures.
2. Key texts from this era include Betty Friedan's 'The Feminine Mystique,' which highlighted the dissatisfaction of many women with domestic roles.
3. The establishment of organizations like the National Organization for Women (NOW) played a crucial role in advocating for women's rights during this time.
4. Second-wave feminism also intersected with civil rights movements, emphasizing the importance of addressing racial inequalities alongside gender issues.
5. This wave saw the rise of consciousness-raising groups that encouraged women to share their experiences, fostering a sense of solidarity and empowerment.

Review Questions

• How did second-wave feminism differ from first-wave feminism in terms of goals and focus?
  • Second-wave feminism shifted the focus from primarily legal issues, like voting rights that were central to first-wave feminism, to a broader range of social issues affecting women’s lives. This included workplace equality, reproductive rights, sexuality, and challenging traditional gender roles. While first-wave feminism laid the groundwork for legal advancements, second-wave feminism aimed at transforming societal norms and addressing systemic inequalities.
• Discuss the impact of key texts and organizations that emerged during second-wave feminism on societal attitudes toward women's roles.
  • Key texts like 'The Feminine Mystique' by Betty Friedan raised awareness about women's dissatisfaction with domestic life and challenged traditional gender roles. Organizations such as the National Organization for Women (NOW) mobilized women to advocate for equal rights in various sectors. Together, these texts and organizations played a significant role in shifting societal attitudes, leading to greater acceptance of women pursuing careers and demanding equal treatment in all areas of life.
• Evaluate how second-wave feminism has influenced contemporary feminist movements and discussions around intersectionality.
  • Second-wave feminism laid the foundation for contemporary feminist movements by broadening the scope of feminist issues beyond just legal equality to include a variety of social justice concerns. Its emphasis on personal experiences as political helped foster a culture where individual narratives are valued. This wave also opened up discussions on intersectionality, recognizing that women's experiences are shaped not only by gender but also by race, class, and sexuality. This shift has led to a more inclusive feminist movement today that seeks to address the complexities of identity and oppression.

Related terms

first-wave feminism: The initial movement for women's rights that occurred primarily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, focused mainly on legal issues like suffrage.

intersectionality: A concept introduced by Kimberlé Crenshaw that examines how various social identities, such as race, gender, and class, intersect and create unique experiences of oppression.

gender roles: Socially constructed roles and behaviors that society considers appropriate for men and women, which second-wave feminism sought to challenge and redefine.