Second-wave feminism

Eleanor Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy (President's Commission on the Status of Women) - NARA cropped

American Association of University Women members with President John F. Kennedy as he signs the Equal Pay Act into law

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Betty Naomi Goldstein Friedan

Second-wave feminism refers to a period of feminist activity that began in the early 1960s in the United States and spread to other countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. This wave extended into the 1980s and focused on issues of equality and discrimination, moving beyond the first wave's emphasis on suffrage and political rights. Second-wave feminism sought to address a wider range of issues, including sexuality, family, the workplace, and reproductive rights, with the slogan "the personal is political" encapsulating the movement's ideology.

Origins and Key Issues

The origins of second-wave feminism can be traced back to the dissatisfaction with the limited achievements of the first wave, which primarily benefited white, middle-class women. The second wave was more inclusive, addressing the needs of women of different races, classes, and cultural backgrounds. Key issues included the fight for legal and social equality, the right to abortion, access to contraception, challenging gender stereotypes, and advocating for changes in laws to prevent discrimination against women in the workplace and in education.

Notable Movements and Legislation

One of the most significant achievements of the second wave was the establishment of Title IX in the United States, which prohibited sex-based discrimination in any school or any other education program that receives funding from the federal government. Additionally, the movement saw the formation of various women's organizations, such as the National Organization for Women (NOW), which played a crucial role in advocating for women's rights.

The second wave also gave rise to radical feminism, which sought to challenge and overthrow patriarchy by opposing standard gender roles and advocating for the liberation of women in all aspects of society. This period also saw the emergence of lesbian feminism, which argued that lesbianism was a political choice to resist male dominance.

Criticism and Legacy

Second-wave feminism faced criticism for its lack of attention to the experiences and issues of women of color, working-class women, and LGBTQ+ women. This critique led to the emergence of third-wave feminism in the 1990s, which focused on diversity and the inclusion of all women's experiences.

Despite its shortcomings, the legacy of second-wave feminism is significant. It brought about profound changes in laws and societal attitudes, contributing to greater gender equality. The movement also laid the groundwork for subsequent feminist waves, expanding the feminist discourse to include a wider range of issues related to gender, race, and sexuality.

See Also

• First-wave feminism
• Third-wave feminism
• Feminist movements and ideologies
• Women's rights