The Feminine Mystique Critiques

"The Feminine Mystique," written by Betty Friedan in 1963, critiques the post-World War II ideal of domesticity, which suggested that women were fulfilled solely through homemaking and motherhood. Friedan argues that this societal expectation trapped women, causing dissatisfaction and a loss of identity. She highlights the psychological struggles many women faced while realizing they wanted more than traditional roles. The book spurred the second-wave feminist movement, challenging the notion that a woman's place was only in the home and advocating for equality and opportunities in education and the workforce. Its impact continues to resonate in discussions about gender roles today.