Essay On The Second Wave Of Feminism

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Women have been fighting for equal rights for centuries. The second wave of feminism was a time where women thought their fight for equality was not over, and there were more issues that needed to be addressed and pushed further. In response to the statement “Many women active in the mainstream Second Wave women’s movement believed that they were contributing to changes that would fundamentally revolutionize American society. By the end of the Second Wave, however, some of these women felt that they had failed.” Some feminist activists think they have failed due to limitations and abuse alongside of obtaining the rights focused on in the 1960’s-1970’s. By the time the second wave of feminism began it was already acknowledged that women may have taken a step back into their private spheres up until the 1960’s. From earning the right to vote and fighting for education and property rights, to being brainwashed into thinking their only role in life is to stay at home and be a housewife, led women to be unhappy. “Women wanted more than their husbands, their children and their home.” (Friedan, pp. 279) They wanted more job and career opportunities and to fight for the inequality of women who were employed outside of the home. They also wanted more control in their reproduction so …show more content…

There was much needed attention regarding women becoming more involved in the public sphere and to remove the housewife ideal. This includes women being able to work the same jobs as well as earning equal pay like men. Also achieving reproductive rights such as birth control and safe, legal abortions to support their higher education and careers. Along with these major successes, came with obstacles that have tried to slow the progression of both issues. In the end, although some activists consider these issues failures, they were important for the feminist movement to continue fighting for women's

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