Betty Friedan Flashcards
(16 cards)
what book is Friedan famous for?
The Feminine Mystique (1963)
when was The Feminine Mystique published
1963
what type of feminist was Friedan
liberal feminist
what key value did Friedan promote
equality of opportunity
what did she believe all individuals should be free to do
control their own lives and achieve their full potential
what did Friedan say hindered women
gender and cultural attitudes, not human nature
what did she blame for female underachievement
illiberal attitudes passed through cultural channels
name some cultural channels Friedan criticised
- schools
-religion - media
- literature
- theatre
- cinema
what is ‘cultural conditioning’ according to Friedan
teaching women their role is natural and unchangeable
how did Friedan want change to happen
through legal, liberal, non-violent means
what did she think of the US Constitution
supported it - saw it as a tool for progress and individual improvement
did she agree with radical feminists on the state
no - rejected the view of the state as permanently patriarchal
Friedan’s views on the state
- supported a liberal state that promotes legal equality
- believed the state can enable individual improvement
- rejected radical feminist view of the state as permanently patriarchal
- favoured constitutional reform over revolution
- saw the US Constitution as a tool for progressive change
Friedan’s views on the economy
- believed women’s exclusion from work led to wasted talent and economic underperformance
- advocated for equal access to employment and economic opportunity
- saw economic independence as key to female empowerment
- criticised social norms that pushed women into domestic roles, limiting their economic potential
Friedan’s views on society
Friedan’s views on human nature
