Feminist Movement

I went to college in the early '60's. Betty Friedan's "The Feminine Mystique" published in 1963 describes the dissatisfaction felt by middle-class American housewives with the narrow role imposed on them by society. It became a best-seller, and laid the groundwork for the feminist movement. The National Organization for Women (NOW) was founded in 1966 by a group of feminists including Betty Friedan. The largest women's rights group in the U.S., NOW seeks to end sexual discrimination, especially in the workplace, by means of legislative lobbying, litigation, and public demonstrations.

In 1969, California adopted a "no fault" divorce law which allowed couples to divorce by mutual consent. It was the first state to do so; by 1985 every state had adopted a similar law. Couples who once might have wed and then divorced now are not marrying at all, according to The State of our Union 2005.


March 22, 1972, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. Originally drafted by Alice Paul in 1923, the amendment reads: "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." The amendment died in 1982 when it failed to achieve ratification by a minimum of 38 states.

Also in 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments bans sex discrimination in schools. As a result of Title IX, the enrollment of women in athletics programs and professional schools increases dramatically. While this was a good thing, it has gone too far in that it took funds away from the men's programs for programs in which few women participated.

As a result of Roe v. Wade, in 1973 the Supreme Court establishes a woman's right to safe and legal abortion, overriding the anti-abortion laws of many states. Today over 90% of all abortions occur for social reasons (i.e. the child is unwanted or inconvenient). If common sense were still alive in the U.S., abortions would only be permitted in the case of rape or health issues. Instead, over 3500 babies per day are aborted in the United States.

In 1976, the first marital rape law is enacted in Nebraska, making it illegal for a husband to rape his wife.

In 1984, EMILY's List (Early Money Is Like Yeast) is established as a financial network for pro-choice Democratic women running for national political office. The organization makes a significant impact on the increasing numbers of women elected to Congress.

In 2006, The ruling, 5–4, which upholds the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, a federal law passed in 2003, is the first to ban a specific type of abortion procedure. Writing in the majority opinion, Justice Anthony Kennedy said, "The act expresses respect for the dignity of human life." Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who dissents, called the decision "alarming"..." I agree with Justice Kennedy and do not understand how any sane adult can wish to legalize partial birth abortions, which can be done as late as the third trimester. They argue about the rights of the woman. What about the rights of the unborn? The woman made a choice to have intercourse while the baby made no choice. In the RARE CASE where the mother's life is in danger, then it might be considered.

There have been two waves of feminism. The first phase took place during the 19th century and early 20th century. Feminists focused mainly on political power, particularly the right to vote. While they also campaigned for women's sexual, reproductive and economic rights, they were hostile to abortion which is a big part of the second wave of feminism

This is a brief synposis of what the women's movement has done for American women. We've gone from June Cleaver on "Leave it to Beaver" to Brittany Spears, today's celebrity "mother." You decide which is best for the family. I prefer something in the middle. The feminist movement brought forth many changes with which I am very happy. They just went too far in their push for equality. I don't believe men and women were created equal by God. We were designed to complement each other and give balance to a relationship and to society.