Women’s liberation and feminist
movements in the 1960’s and 70’s
❖ The success in the civil rights movement encouraged other groups to fight
for their rights
❖ During WW2 two men took the place of mens in the workforce, however
when men came back from the war women were expected to go back their
old roles in society
❖ Many weren’t happy for this to happen and did not want to return to the
‘kitchen’
❖ In many cases women were successful doing the same jobs as men and
enjoyed the work
❖ Conservative women did not agree with theses new ideas of what women
could do and believed women did belong in the kitchen
❖ Due to women's experience in the workforce they began to develop a
strong sense of independence
❖ In the early 1960’s womens ideas of where and where they did not belong
began to change, many became more ambitious and wanted to fill in the
economy
❖ The women who were apart of this movement became labelled as
feminists
❖ Feminist- advocating social, political, legal and economic rights for women
equal those of men.
❖ Women in the 1950’s:
● Expected to stay home and raise families
● Careers were limited, many lost their jobs when they got
married or fell pregnant
● These circumstances could still be seen in the 1960’s
● Public image was for women to marry and raise a family
The women's liberation movement
❖ The phrase women's liberation was first used in the US in 1964
❖ The history of the women’s movement can be divided into 3 phases:
➢ Wave 1 which dealt with the suffrage movement
➢ Wave 2 which dealt with legislation and cultural inequalities
movements in the 1960’s and 70’s
❖ The success in the civil rights movement encouraged other groups to fight
for their rights
❖ During WW2 two men took the place of mens in the workforce, however
when men came back from the war women were expected to go back their
old roles in society
❖ Many weren’t happy for this to happen and did not want to return to the
‘kitchen’
❖ In many cases women were successful doing the same jobs as men and
enjoyed the work
❖ Conservative women did not agree with theses new ideas of what women
could do and believed women did belong in the kitchen
❖ Due to women's experience in the workforce they began to develop a
strong sense of independence
❖ In the early 1960’s womens ideas of where and where they did not belong
began to change, many became more ambitious and wanted to fill in the
economy
❖ The women who were apart of this movement became labelled as
feminists
❖ Feminist- advocating social, political, legal and economic rights for women
equal those of men.
❖ Women in the 1950’s:
● Expected to stay home and raise families
● Careers were limited, many lost their jobs when they got
married or fell pregnant
● These circumstances could still be seen in the 1960’s
● Public image was for women to marry and raise a family
The women's liberation movement
❖ The phrase women's liberation was first used in the US in 1964
❖ The history of the women’s movement can be divided into 3 phases:
➢ Wave 1 which dealt with the suffrage movement
➢ Wave 2 which dealt with legislation and cultural inequalities
