Waves of Feminism
1) The first wave of feminism was established during the nineteenth and early twentieth
century. It can be described as a period for fulling women’s rights and is also an era that
challenged society views on women’s equality. Although it was not the first effort to
works towards women’s equality, it was the first record of a women’s political move-
ment. The first wave of feminism worked towards women’s suffrage, fair play within the
workforce and education system, and the right to vote. Conversely, this movement largely
focused on fulfilling the goals of white women. Black women were heavily discriminated
against and were not given a fair stance, making it even harder for black women to have
their voices heard.
2) The first wave splintered after the 1920s, because there was no longer a clear movement
established and the momentum associated with the movement began to dwindle down.
3) The second wave of feminism is closely associated with author Betty Friedan’s book,
“The Feminine Mystique.” The book argued that women were tired of being the “house-
wives”, whose only purpose was to cook, clean, and take care of the kids. She regards the
issue in her book as, “the problem that has no name.” She believed women are more than
just a housewife and should be given the opportunity for creative expression in their ev-
eryday lives.
4) The second wave of feminism can be described as a period for women to finally be
treated as equal individuals and the wave lasted from 1963 to the 1980s. The major goals
the era focused on showing were that women can do it all and be strong educated ladies
while doing so. This included equal pay, equal education opportunities, birth control
rights, sexual harassment awareness and the empowerment movement.
1) The first wave of feminism was established during the nineteenth and early twentieth
century. It can be described as a period for fulling women’s rights and is also an era that
challenged society views on women’s equality. Although it was not the first effort to
works towards women’s equality, it was the first record of a women’s political move-
ment. The first wave of feminism worked towards women’s suffrage, fair play within the
workforce and education system, and the right to vote. Conversely, this movement largely
focused on fulfilling the goals of white women. Black women were heavily discriminated
against and were not given a fair stance, making it even harder for black women to have
their voices heard.
2) The first wave splintered after the 1920s, because there was no longer a clear movement
established and the momentum associated with the movement began to dwindle down.
3) The second wave of feminism is closely associated with author Betty Friedan’s book,
“The Feminine Mystique.” The book argued that women were tired of being the “house-
wives”, whose only purpose was to cook, clean, and take care of the kids. She regards the
issue in her book as, “the problem that has no name.” She believed women are more than
just a housewife and should be given the opportunity for creative expression in their ev-
eryday lives.
4) The second wave of feminism can be described as a period for women to finally be
treated as equal individuals and the wave lasted from 1963 to the 1980s. The major goals
the era focused on showing were that women can do it all and be strong educated ladies
while doing so. This included equal pay, equal education opportunities, birth control
rights, sexual harassment awareness and the empowerment movement.
