Feminine Mystique (Betty Friedan)

"The Feminine Mystique," by Betty Friedan, is a groundbreaking book published in 1963 that critiques the idealized view of women as primarily homemakers and caregivers. Friedan argued that many women felt unfulfilled despite societal expectations, experiencing a sense of dissatisfaction or "mystique" about traditional roles. The book highlighted how this restrictive view limited women's opportunities for personal growth and independence. It played a key role in sparking the second wave of feminism by encouraging women to pursue education, careers, and equality, challenging cultural norms that kept women confined to domestic life.