1960s-1970s Feminist Growth: Impact Assessment
TITLE
Assess the impact of the growth of feminism in the 1960s and 1970s.
ESSAY
Title: The Impact of Second Wave Feminism in the 1960s and 1970s
Introduction:
The growth of feminism during the 1960s and 1970s, often referred to as the second wave of feminism, had a significant impact on society. Inspired by the Civil Rights movement and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, it sought to address gender discrimination. This essay will assess the impact of second wave feminism, considering factors such as the influence of individual campaigners, the growth of feminist ideology, the role of organizations like the National Organization for Women (NOW), and the campaign for an Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). It will also discuss other social changes during the era and evaluate the long-term effects of feminism on women's empowerment, societal attitudes, and equal opportunities.
Main Body:
The feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s was shaped by various factors and individuals. Casey Haden and Mary King were influential campaigners who highlighted the importance of women's rights within the broader context of social justice movements. Additionally, Betty Friedan's book, "The Feminine Mystique," challenged the post-war notion of women as solely homemakers and gained widespread attention. These individual efforts, along with the growing feminist ideology, provided a foundation for the movement's impact.
The campaign for an Equal Rights Amendment represented a specific goal for feminism. Although the ERA did not achieve full ratification, the campaign itself drove discussions around gender equality. This galvanized many women and highlighted the need for legal protection against discrimination.
Social changes such as the availability of the birth control pill presented new opportunities and challenges. The pill allowed women to control their reproductive health, enabling them to pursue education, careers, and diverse activities. However, opposition to birth control in some states ignited radicalism within the feminist movement.
Various actions and protests also helped raise awareness about women's rights. For instance, the 1968 protest against the Miss America beauty pageant showcased the growing discontent with societal expectations placed on women. While these publicized events created visibility for feminism, the broader impact was seen through the growth of women's education during the period.
The impact of second wave feminism can be measured by assessing self-awareness, organization, and societal changes. Thousands of women attended the National Women's Conference in 1977, highlighting the increasing organizational strength of the feminist movement. Moreover, 35 states ratified the Equal Rights Amendment after a national campaign, reflecting the growing acceptance of women's rights and equality.
Time magazine in 1975 acknowledged the transformation taking place, noting the rise of women in various traditionally male-dominated fields. It heralded an erosion of traditional gender roles and an emerging sense of confidence among women. While it is essential to consider the broader social factors contributing to this change, the influence of feminism cannot be overlooked.
However, the extent of the impact varied among different groups. It is important to evaluate whether the changes extended to minorities and if it fostered genuine changes in male attitudes. Debates exist regarding whether the advancements made were a direct result of feminism or attributable to other factors such as education, economic prosperity, civil rights movements, technological advances, better communication, or urbanization.
Conclusion:
The growth of second wave feminism in the 1960s and 1970s left a lasting impact on society. Inspired by the Civil Rights movement, feminist activists fought for gender equality, bringing attention to issues of discrimination and traditional gender roles. The movement saw the emergence of individual campaigners, the establishment of influential organizations like NOW, and the push for an Equal Rights Amendment. While the full impact of feminism is still debated, its influence can be observed through increased women's education, changes in male attitudes, and progress in achieving equal access to higher-paid positions. However, further examination is needed to understand whether these changes were equally experienced by minority women.
SUBJECT
HISTORY
PAPER
A Level
NOTES
Assess the impact of the growth of feminism in the 1960s and 1970s. What is sometimes called second wave feminism could be seen to have been inspired by Civil Rights actions and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibited gender discrimination. Women had played an important role in Civil Rights campaigns but did not always see fellow campaigners as anxious about women’s rights. This linked with another element – the role of individual campaigners like Casey Haden and Mary King, and an appreciation of the importance of organisations as in the creation of NOW. Also significant was the growth of a distinct feminist ideology and the role of Betty Friedan and the highly influential Feminine Mystique which challenged post war assumptions about the role of women and unusually for a polemical work became a best seller. The campaign for an Equal Rights Amendment offered a distinct goal for feminism and the disappointment that after passing congress it failed to be ratified could be seen as a driving force. Other factors to consider could be the social changes resulting from the Pill, first approved in 1960 and being used by six million women within five years. That some states made this illegal was a spur to radicalism while control of family size was a way forward for many women to diversify activities and take up feminist causes. The publicity given to radical actions such as the 1968 protests against the Miss America beauty pageant may have raised awareness, but a more important long-term development was the growth of women’s education in the period. In terms of impact, responses might assess the relative importance of self-awareness, the extent of organisation – with 14 000 women attending the National Women’s Conference in 1977 and 35 states ratifying the EAR after a national campaign. Time magazine in 1975 saw women arriving like a new immigrant wave, as police, in the judiciary, in the armed forces, in traditional male occupations, in journalism and in higher roles in business. It saw an erosion of traditional attitudes and a new relationship between the sexes and above all a new confidence. Whether this was a direct result of feminism or of other social factors such as more education, relative prosperity, broader interest in civil rights and equality, new technology, better communications or ore urbanization might be debated and the actual extent of the impact in terms of equal access to higher paid positions, any radical change in male attitudes, and whether this was as true for minorities as for white women.