Second-wave feminism

Second-wave feminism refers to a period of feminist activity which began during the late 1960s and lasted through the late 1970s. Where first-wave feminism focused on overturning legal (de jure) obstacles to equality, second-wave feminism addressed unofficial (de facto) inequalities as well.

Overview

Second-wave feminism is generally identified with a period beginning in the early nineteen sixties. It is referred to as "second-wave" feminism as social changes tend to occur in waves. Its proponents ascribe its arrival to what they see as the failure of first wave feminism to achieve its aims.

The movement encouraged women to understand the psychological implications of sexist stereotypes, and to make them realize that they could achieve more in life than being a housewife. It is credited by someTemplate:Who as having opened up the eyes of American women to a world of careers and achievement. During the Second World War, many women experienced working life for the very first time. Women and men were working side by side, and achievements were being recognized. In the wake of the war, it is often argued that the short-lived affirmation of women's independence gave way to a pervasive endorsement of female subordination and domesticity, and it was not until the 1960s that the women's movement became successful.

References

• Wikipedia contributors, "Second-wave feminism," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Second-wave_feminism&oldid=202080536 (accessed March 30, 2008).