IB World- Feminism

Housewife Syndrome

Feeling of anxiety, sadness, tiredness that some housewives experienced due to unfulfilling domestic roles. It highlights the psychological impact of traditional gender expectations on women's mental health. This unhappiness led to women wanting more fulfilling lives outside the home, often sparking conversations about women's rights and roles in society.

Workplace challenges in the 1960s and 1970s

Discrimination, unequal pay, job segregation, pregnancy discrimination, sexual harassment, and limited opportunities for advancement. Women would also have to worry about childcare and household work. These inequalities fueled the feminist movement, which advocated for equal rights and workplace reforms. Women wanted equal oportunity.

Feminine Mystique

An influential book by Betty Friedan. The book put into words feelings of discontentment that many women at the time felt about their roles in society. It helped women name the source of their unhappiness and realize that their feelings were shared sparking the second-wave feminist movement.

The Pill

A contraceptive method that allows women to control their reproductive health. It played a significant role in the sexual revolution, providing women with greater autonomy over their bodies and family planning. This allowed women the freedom to pursue education and careers without the immediate pressure of motherhood. This allowed women to gain more power in the workforce and rights.

Equal Opportunity Act

U.S. federal law that amended the civil rights act of 1964. Created the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (good but got really backed up), and the power to file lawsuits for women. Strengthened legal protections against workplace discrimination. Was the result of feminist goals to prevent workplace discrimination.

Civil Rights Act

Outlawed legal discrimination. Served as a tool for feminist to fight discrimination. Was used by activist to challenge inequality.

Ms. Magazine

A feminist magazine launched in 1972 that addressed women's issues and promoted feminist activism. It played a crucial role in raising awareness about gender equality and women's rights.

The Comstock Act

Law that classified birth control and other information as obscene and outlawed the use of the postal service to distribute it. Enacted in 1873, it significantly restricted access to contraception and sex education. Second-wave feminists fought to dismantle the law as it restricted their rights.

Eugenics and Involuntary Sterilization

Eugenics refers to the belief that the genetic quality of the human population could be improved through selective breeding. Feminist’s complained for abortions and birth control however these technologies would be used to control certain populations and force involuntary sterilizations, particularly among marginalized groups.

First-Wave Feminism

A movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries focusing primarily on legal issues and inequalities, particularly women's suffrage. It sought to address issues such as voting rights, property rights, and educational opportunities for women. Layed the foundations for the second-wave feminist movement.

Second Wave Feminism

A period of feminist activity beginning in the 1960s, focusing on issues such as reproductive rights, workplace equality, and sexual liberation. It expanded the scope of feminism beyond suffrage to include diverse social and political challenges faced by women. Was the feminist movement in the U.S. from 1960s to 1980s

The Personal is Political

A feminist slogan expressing that personal experiences, particularly regarding gender, are linked to larger social and political structures. It highlights how personal issues, such as domestic life and sexuality, are inherently political in nature.

Equal Pay Act

A landmark law passed in 1963 aimed at abolishing wage disparity based on sex. It mandates that men and women be paid equally for equal work in the same establishment. Didn’t necessarily work because men would be hired for the hire paying jobs and women would be hired for the lower paying jobs so men and women often weren’t doing the same job. Step forward for the feminist movement and helped to accomplish one of the main goals of second wave feminism which was equality in the workplace.

Title VII

Made it illegal for employers to discriminate against job applicants. Protected (against) hiring and firing, pay and benefits, harassment, and retaliation for workers who reported their bosses. Accomplished (on a legal basis) one of the main goals of second wave feminism.

EEOC- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

A federal agency established under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to enforce laws against workplace discrimination. The EEOC investigates complaints, mediates disputes, and can sue employers on behalf of affected individuals. However it would get really backed up leading to long waiting periods for resolutions and justice for victims of discrimination. Tool for enforcing workplace gender equality.

Title IX

A federal law enacted in 1972 that prohibits gender discrimination in any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance, significantly expanding opportunities for women in sports and education. Helped achieve feminist goals.

Baby Boom

Period following WII with significant increase in U.S. birthrates. Created a large generation of women who faced strict suburban housewife expectation. This frustration led to a rise in feminist movements as many sought more autonomy and fulfillment beyond traditional roles.

The Second Sex

A foundational feminist text written by Simone de Beauvoir in 1949, exploring the construction of women's oppression and advocating for women's liberation through existential philosophy. It discusses the societal roles of women and critiques the patriarchy. Discusses how men are viewed as the norm while women are the different option. Foundational text of second-wave feminism, provided philosophical framework.

Mary Wollonstonecraft

An English writer and early advocate of women's rights, best known for her book "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman" (1792), which argues for women's education and equality. Wollstonecraft's ideas laid the groundwork for modern feminist thought.

Criticism of the Feminist Mystique

The Feminine Mystique, written by Betty Friedan in 1963, received criticism for not addressing the intersectionality of race, class, and sexuality in feminism. Critics argued that it primarily represented the experiences of middle-class white women, overlooking the diverse struggles faced by women from different backgrounds. Relates to critiques of the whole feminist movement.

Gloria Steinem

An American feminist, journalist, and social-political activist, known for her role in the women's liberation movement in the 1960s and 1970s. Steinem co-founded Ms. magazine and has advocated for issues like reproductive rights and gender equality. One of the leader of the feminist movement.

Our Bodies Ourselves

A landmark book published in 1971 that provides information about women's health, sexuality, and autonomy. It was created by a group of women in Boston to empower women with knowledge about their bodies and promote self-care. Helped to empower women furthering feminist goals.

Helen Gurley Brown

An American author and magazine editor, best known for her 1962 book "Sex and the Single Girl." Helen Gurley Brown advocated for women's sexual liberation and independence, serving as the editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine, where she transformed the publication into a platform for feminist ideas and modern womanhood. Helped to empower women.