Why did a feminist movement emerge? Experience of world war two - greater independence and opportunities. Many not satisfied with a return to pre-war situation. The creation of the pill - gave women the opportunity to concentrate on a career and delay motherhood. The successes of the Civil Rights movement in the 1950’s and early 1960’s encouraged women to campaign for greater equality. 1963 - Betty Friedan published - ‘The Feminine Mystique’ it argued that men and women should raise children in equal relationship and women should work outside the home. 1966 Friedan and others created National Organization for Women
How were stereotypes challenged? 1) Important legislation - 1963 - Equal pay act - required employers to pay women same as men for same work but did not tackle discrimination that women faced. - 1964 - Civil Rights Act - illegal to discriminate on grounds of gender or race. 2) 1966 - National organization for Women (NOW) established. It’s members felt that progress towards equality was too slow. By the early 1970’s NOW had 40,000 members and inspired foundation of other women’s groups e.g. National Women’s Caucus and Women’s Campaign fund 3) Feminist magazine - Ms - published in July 1972 - its first issue sold 300,000 copies in 8 days. 4) Women’s studies courses appeared at university 5) US armed forces relaxed some restrictions against women - 1976 allowed women to train in academies at Annapolis and West point. 6) Education Amendment Act - 1972 - outlawed sex discrimination in education. Courses had to be rewritten to ensure that gender stereotyping did not occur. Positive image given by teaching.
Extreme Actions 1968 - Miss World contest ridiculed - in a parody a sheep was crowned as the winner Burning bras - this led to ridicule by others
