20:2 The Feminist Movement

• Feminism: the belief that men and women should be equal politically, economically, and socially

• Some women worked outside the home to keep up their lifestyle

20:2 Origins of the Movement

• Women were becoming resentful of inequality – Banks could deny them credit– They were paid less in the workforce

• Equal Pay Act (1963)– Made it illegal to pay men more than women for

same job

20:2 Origins of the Movement

• “The Feminine Mystique”– Book by Betty Friedan in 1963– Tried to describe the reasons for women’s

discontent – Many women rallied around the book’s message

20:2 NOW

• NOW: National Organization for Women– Formed by Betty Friedan in 1966– Wanted an Equal Rights Amendment added to the

Constitution– Founded “Ms.” magazine (Gloria Steinem, editor)

20:2 Successes and Failures

• Equal Rights Amendment– Needed 38 of 50 states to ratify (accept)– Only 35 ratified

• Opponents of the ERA Amendment argued:– (Phyllis Schlafly, leader)– Right to alimony in divorce cases would end– No more single-gendered colleges– Women could be drafted into the military

20:2 Successes and Failures

• Title IX (9)– Prohibited schools from discriminating against

women in education and sports • Roe v Wade (1973)– Made abortion legal in all 50 states• Before “Roe”, each state decided if abortion was legal

or not – Constitution stated states had “police powers”, not federal

govt