The Women’s Rights Movement

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Social movements refer to informal groups of people who focus on either political or social issues. The goal of the social movement is to change things in society, to refuse to go along with the norm, and to undo a social change. For example, the Women’s Rights Movement that began in the 1840s was geared towards getting women more equality in relation to political, social, and economic status in society (Foner). Along with this, women gained a louder voice to speak out about what they wanted to change and implemented the change. Prior to the Women’s Rights Movement, women were often timid, compliant, obedient, and mistreated. After the 1920s, a movement towards more equality was shifted in society views, however not all were convinced or changed by the new ideas of women. Although women began to get increased rights, the typical gender roles, which they were expected to follow did not loosely lesson. Women still found themselves doing the same gender roles, house roles, and family roles even after the 1920s. It was not until the 1960s when the Feminist movement began (Foner). The literary piece is “Why I Want a Wife” by Judy Brady and the goal of the Feminist Movement was to create new meanings and realities for women in terms of education, empowerment, occupation, sexual identity, art, and societal roles. In short, the Feminist Movement was aimed to gain women freedom, equal opportunity and be in control over their own life. In Judy Brady’s, “I Want A Wife” (1971) sarcasm or a humorous tone is expressed on the topic of what makes a wife. Brady repetitively states, “I want a wife” and begins to list what makes “a wife.” Brady defines a wife as someone who takes care of the children, cleans and cooks, gives up her ti... ... middle of paper ... ...29 Jul. 2008. eLibrary. Web. 05 Nov. 2013. Eckholm, Erik. “Theory on Pain is Driving Rules for Abortions.” New York Times. New York Times, 02 Aug. 2013: A1. eLibrary. Web. 03 Oct. 2013. Foner, Erik. Garraty, John A. (1991) “Feminist Movement.” The Reader’s Companion to American History. Houghton Miffin Company, 1991. eLibrary. Web. 03 Oct. 2013. Marshall, Heather. “ A Woman With a Cause: An Overview of Judy Brady’s Influential Essay ‘I Want a Wife.’” Yahoo Voices. Yahoo. 14 Dec. 2012. elibrary. Web. 05 Nov. 2013. Napikoski, Linda. “Legendary Feminist Satire.” About Women’s History. N.p., n.d., eLibrary. Web. 05 Nov. 2013. Ode, Kim. “When Women Started to Roar.” McClatchy-Tribune News Service. (Minneapolis), 23 Sep. 2013. eLibrary. Web. 03 Oct. 2013. “Women’s Rights.” Britannica Elementary Encyclopedia. Encyclopedia Britannica. 2003. eLibrary. Web. 03 Oct. 2013.

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