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Second Wave Feminism (1960s-1970s)

The Second Wave Context

The Second Wave Context (1960s-1970s)

The 1960s and 1970s witnessed a powerful resurgence of feminism, manifested in multiple campaigns for gender equality in education, employment, legal rights, and reproductive freedoms. This era is often called the second wave of feminism, focusing beyond suffrage to addressing systemic inequality in all areas of life.

Foundational Figures & Organizations

1

The Feminine Mystique (1963)

Betty Friedan critiqued the limited role prescribed for women in postwar America—the "problem that has no name"—highlighting how many suburban housewives suffered from unhappiness due to societal expectations.
2

Formation of NOW (1966)

Friedan and other activists founded the National Organization for Women (NOW) aiming to secure equal rights and opportunities for women and end sex discrimination through political pressure and legal action.

Landmark Law: Title IX

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Title IX of the Education Amendments (1972): This landmark federal legislation forbade sex discrimination in any federally funded education program. Title IX transformed education by opening sporting and academic opportunities to women and girls.

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

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The Goal of the ERA The amendment aimed to guarantee equal rights regardless of sex, legally prohibiting discrimination, and gained momentum in the 1970s.
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Failure to Ratify Despite initial strong support, the amendment failed to be ratified by the required number of states due to conservative opposition.

Key Supreme Court Precedents (Workplace & Family)

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Phillips v. Martin Marietta (1971)

Found it illegal for employers to refuse to hire women with young children when hiring men with similar family responsibilities, challenging gender-based hiring discrimination.
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Reed v. Reed (1971)

The first Supreme Court case to declare a gender-based law unconstitutional, ruling that laws arbitrarily favoring men violated the Equal Protection Clause.

Equal Pay Principle

Equal Pay Act Enforcement
Corning Glass Works v. Brennan (1974) ruled that paying women less than men for the same work violated the Equal Pay Act, advancing workplace fairness.

The Roe v. Wade Decision (1973)

The ruling on Roe v. Wade was one of the most significant and defining legal victories of the movement, centering on fundamental privacy rights.

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What was the immediate impact of Roe v. Wade?
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It was a watershed decision that legalized abortion nationwide, affirming women’s right to privacy and reproductive choice.

Consolidating Legal Advances

These major legislative changes and court victories challenged traditional gender roles and set the foundation for greater equality in American society.

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Challenging Gender Roles

Court rulings (Reed, Phillips) established legal boundaries against arbitrary gender discrimination.
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Foundation for Equality

Legal victories set the foundation for greater equality, particularly in education (Title IX) and employment.
Second Wave Feminism Flashcards
Term
Years Associated with Second Wave Feminism

What years are primarily associated with the second wave of feminism?

Answer
1960s and 1970s

The 1960s and 1970s.

Term
Author of The Feminine Mystique

Who authored The Feminine Mystique?

Answer
Betty Friedan

Betty Friedan.

Term
Main Issue in The Feminine Mystique

What was the main issue addressed in The Feminine Mystique?

Answer
The Problem That Has No Name

The "problem that has no name," or the unhappiness of suburban housewives due to limited roles.

Term
Organization Founded by Betty Friedan

What organization did Betty Friedan help found in 1966?

Answer
National Organization for Women (NOW)

The National Organization for Women (NOW).

Term
Goal of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

What key feminist goal did the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) seek to achieve?

Answer
Guarantee Equal Rights

To guarantee equal rights regardless of sex and prohibit sex discrimination by law.

Term
Supreme Court Case Advancing Gender Equality

Name one Supreme Court case that advanced gender equality in the 1970s.

Answer
Roe v. Wade or Reed v. Reed

Roe v. Wade (1973) or Reed v. Reed (1971).

Term
Effect of Title IX of 1972

What did Title IX of 1972 accomplish?

Answer
Ban on Sex Discrimination in Education

It banned sex discrimination in federally funded education programs.

Term
Phillips v. Martin Marietta (1971) Ruling

What did the ruling in Phillips v. Martin Marietta (1971) address?

Answer
Job Discrimination Due to Children

It ruled against denying women jobs due to having young children when men were not similarly discriminated against.

Term
Corning Glass Works v. Brennan (1974)

Which ruling declared gender-based pay discrimination illegal?

Answer
Equal Pay Ruling

Corning Glass Works v. Brennan (1974).

Term
Women’s Liberation Movement Activities

How did the women’s liberation movement in the 1960s and 1970s express their goals?

Answer
Methods of Expression

Through speak-outs, protests, and consciousness-raising groups.

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🌸 Women’s Rights Movement Quiz

1. What major social issue did The Feminine Mystique address?

Friedan discussed how societal expectations confined women to domesticity, causing dissatisfaction.

2. Which organization was founded in 1966 to promote women’s rights?

The National Organization for Women was established to secure equal rights.

3. True or False: The Equal Rights Amendment was successfully ratified in the 1970s.

Despite strong support, ERA failed due to conservative opposition.

4. Title IX prohibits discrimination based on:

Title IX aimed to ensure equal opportunities for women in education.

5. Which Supreme Court case legalized abortion nationwide?

This landmark 1973 decision affirmed women’s right to choose abortion.

📊 Results

  • Notes and Quiz
  • US History since 1877
  • AS Level
  • Social & Cultural Change
  • CAIE