the feminine mystique 50th anniversary edition betty friedan

Written by Leah Smith and other people who wish to remain anonymous

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This book helped to establish many of the basic principles of the feminist movement and gave Betty Friedan a platform to encourage and initiate change in ways.These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. The first paperback edition, sold 1.4 million copies and there have been many more editions and versions published. An interesting fact about The Feminine Mystique is that it was published during a 4 month newspaper strike in New York City, so had to get the attention of the people without the help of the media. The first chapter is titled “The Problem With No Name” because at the time, they was no such word as “sexism.” This book did more than talk about gender issues, but rather encouraged action and enforced change. The Feminine Mystique is regarded as sparking second-wave in the United States. It was a social revolution by proving that many women were not satisfied with not having a career. The Feminine Mystique was published in 1963 and quickly became a sensation. Friedan originally wished to publish her findings as an article however when no magazines would accept her request, she took matters into her own hands and wrote the novel. After 5 years of collecting information, material and interviews, the foundations of The Feminine Mystique were formed. The results she collected formed the basis of The Feminine Mystique. At a school reunion, she surveyed other women who graduated the same year as she did, to see how satisfied with the way their lives had panned out. She felt restless and began to wonder whether many other women felt the same way – like they were both willing and capable of being more than a stay-at-home mother. The idea of the book came around when she was a stay at home mother after losing her job after her second child was born. Friedan broke new ground with her book although it was incredibly controversial, with many not agreeing with the ideas expressed for various reasons. “The Feminine Mystique” is the first book written by Betty Friedan and addresses the topic of feminism and fulfilment beyond traditional roles for women.

The feminine mystique 50th anniversary edition betty friedan