The Feminist Movement, 1960s-1970s

(“Second Wave Feminism”)

I. Intro: Two Reasons for Resurgence

A. Economic realities in tension with ‘Feminine Mystique’ ideals

B. Inspiration from Civil Rights Movement (and lesser degree, other 60s movements)

II. Two Main Groups of Feminists

(both mainly white, middle-class)

A. “Women’s Rights” feminists (liberals)

1. General Description

2. Betty Friedan and The Feminine Mystique (1963)

3. Women’s Rights Under Pres. Kennedy

a. Presidential Commission on Status of Women

b. Equal Pay Act ,1963

4. Women’s Rights in Mid-1960s

a. Title VII of Civil Rights Act 1964

b. NOW, 1966

B. “Women’s Liberation” feminists (radicals)

1. General Description

2. Origins in Civil Rights Movement (especially SNCC)

a. Positives

b. Negatives

c. Protest

3. Origins in the New Left (radical student movement, anti-war movement)

a. Positives

b. Negatives

c. Protest

4. Origins in Counterculture

5. Women’s Lib Groups (“consciousness raising” groups)

a. Purpose of “cr” groups

b. Main issues taken up by women’s lib

(contrasts to Women’s Rights feminists)

c. Other tactics

6. Debates & Factions

a. Question of relationship to The Left

- What caused oppression? (capitalism? Patriarchy?)

- Separatism?

b. Sexual Orientation

c. Race, Ethnicity, Class

d. Main point: universal sisterhood?

III. Intersections between two main groups by early 70s