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The Feminine Mystique

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Betty Friedan's 'The Feminine Mystique' delves into the societal expectations and pressures faced by women in the 1950s and 1960s, particularly focusing on the concept of the ideal housewife and mother. Friedan critiques the limitations imposed on women, highlighting the lack of fulfillment and identity crisis experienced by many women in that era. Through a blend of historical analysis and personal anecdotes, the book sheds light on the struggles of women in a male-dominated society, challenging traditional gender roles and advocating for women's liberation and empowerment.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style combines personal narratives with extensive research, making complex themes accessible to a broad readership.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative focuses on the struggles and discontent of women confined to traditional roles in the 1950s and 1960s, advocating for a broader understanding of women's fulfillment and identity.

Setting:

Set against the backdrop of 1950s and 1960s America, the book examines the middle-class suburban life that shaped women's identities during that era.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, with certain chapters engaging and thought-provoking while others may feel lengthy or repetitive.
The problem lay buried, unspoken, for many years in the minds of American women. It was a strange stirring, a sense of dissatisfaction, a yearning that women suffered in the middle of the twentieth ce...

Notes:

The Feminine Mystique was published in 1963 and is credited with starting the second wave of feminism.
The book highlights the issue of gender inequality that persists even today.
Friedan argued that solely living through husband and children leads to frustration and loss of identity.
The book controversially compares the experience of housewives to that of people in concentration camps, sparking debate.
Many stay-at-home moms in the 1950s struggled with addiction to tranquilizers and alcohol due to dissatisfaction.
The book discusses the changing roles of women, highlighting the growing acceptance of women in the workforce.
Friedan points out that societal expectations still pressure women regarding motherhood and career choices.
Friedan emphasized the importance of women maintaining their own interests outside of domestic duties.
The connection between women's sexual enjoyment and their societal roles is a key theme in the book.
Friedan asserts that working mothers can often complete household tasks in half the time compared to stay-at-home moms.
The book uses historical and contemporary studies, including those by Kinsey and media analysis, to support its arguments.
Friedan's work was seen as a powerful critique of the domesticity ideal prevalent in mid-20th century America.
Despite its impact, some critiques of the book point out its focus on middle-class white women's issues, neglecting broader intersectional perspectives.
Friedan describes a 'problem that has no name' which refers to the unhappiness felt by many American housewives.
The book's relevance is noted even decades later, reflecting ongoing struggles around gender roles today.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for The Feminine Mystique may include discussions on mental health issues, depression, and the historical context of sexism and homophobia.

From The Publisher:

Landmark, groundbreaking, classic these adjectives barely describe the earthshaking and long-lasting effects of Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique. This is the book that defined "the problem that has no name," that launched the Second Wave of the feminist movement, and has been awakening women and men with its insights into social relations, which still remain fresh, ever since. A national bestseller, with over 1 million copies sold.

Ratings (6)

Loved It (4)
It Was OK (1)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (20):

Read It (8)
Want To Read (9)
Not Interested (3)

1 comment(s)

Did Not Like
5 months

could not finish because it was so mind numbingly repetitive and boring. will rant more later

 

About the Author:

Betty Friedan (1921-2006), a transformational leader of the women's movement, founded the National Organization for Women (NOW) and authored many works, including The Second Stage, The Fountain of Age, and Life So Far.

Gail Collins, the best-selling author of When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present, is a national columnist for the New York Times. She lives in New York City.

Anna Quindlen is an award-winning columnist and novelist. She left journalism in 1995 to write fiction full time and has published three bestsellers. She lives in New York City.

 
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