• Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–1797) and Betty Friedan (1921–2006) contributed to feminist thought through liberal philosophy.

• Shared belief: Rights enjoyed by men should also extend to women, emphasizing equality + individualism.

Mary Wollstonecraft

1. Key Works:

   • A Vindication of the Rights of Men (1790)

   • A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792)

2. Main Ideas:

   • Advocated for liberty, equality, and education for women.

   • Criticized property laws and hereditary privilege for fostering inequality.

   • Believed education is essential for individual improvement and social equality.

3. Formal Equality:

   • Stressed the need for women to achieve self-fulfillment and better societal contributions.

   • Advocated for a coeducational school system.

4. Linked to John Locke:

   • Rights and duties were interdependent but only valid if institutions upheld natural rights.

5. Views on Gender Roles:

   • Saw marriage and motherhood as important but encouraged women to pursue professions.

Betty Friedan

1. Key Work:

   • The Feminine Mystique (1963)

2. Main Ideas:

   • Highlighted "the problem that has no name," addressing the dissatisfaction of suburban housewives.

   • Advocated for a "life plan" to help women balance home and career.

3. Equality of Opportunity:

   • Demanded legal reforms (e.g., equal pay, maternity leave, access to contraception).

   • Co-founded the National Organization for Women (NOW) in 1966.

4. Criticisms:

   • Focused mainly on middle-class, white, heterosexual women.

   • Dismissed issues affecting black women, lesbians, and women from minority groups.

5. Second-Wave Feminism:

   • Credited with energizing this movement but seen as less inclusive compared to later thinkers like bell hooks.

Comparison of Ideas

• Common Ground:

  • Advocacy for women’s rights and equality in public life.

  • Belief that liberal societies should cater to both men and women equally.

• Differences:

  • Wollstonecraft emphasized education and morality for women to fulfill rational potential.

  • Friedan focused on achieving societal reforms and addressing systemic barriers to women’s self-actualization.

Exam Tips and Applications

• Links to Liberalism:

  • Ideas align with liberal values of equality, individualism, and freedom.

  • Both thinkers believed societal progress depended on extending these rights to women.

• Critique Points:

  • Wollstonecraft’s limited focus on education may appear outdated.

  • Friedan’s neglect of intersectionality limits her appeal to modern feminism.