Second+Wave+Of+Women's+Movement

=﻿Second Wave Of Women's Movement =

__Article__
From the beginning of the 1960s to the end of the 1970s, women have been fighting for the rights that they deserve. The second period of time that women were battling for rights was called the Second Wave. The Second Wave was mainly trying to get equality voting rights, property rights, workplace rights, reproductive rights, sexuality rights and family rights. Throughout the fight, many organizations were created such as the National Organization for Women. Also many women such as Betty Friedan made women open their eyes and start wanting their freedom.

__ Table of Contents: __

1. Challenges Women Faced 2. Victories 3. National Organization for Women

1. Challenges Women Faced

Women in the 1960s to the 1970s faced many challenges. In the 50s they were given an image that they were supposed to stay at home. They were supposed to cook, clean, and not work. The men were the ones who supported the family with money. As the 50s faded, so did those desires of the females. They no longer wanted to stay at home and do nothing. So they tried to go find a job. But no company would hire the women. They were forced to stay at home. Also they wanted to be able to own their own property. They weren’t allowing women to own large amount of land. Another thing they had no control over was their body. They believed that the men should decide everything on what goes on with their body such as abortion or pregnancy. The women were not allowed to do anything and that’s why they went and started a fight for their rights. They wanted to prove that they could do it.

2. Victories

Though it was difficult, those women gave it their all and came out of the battle with many victories to be proud of. In 1963, the United States passed The Equal Pay Act of 1963. This act basically explains that they can’t wage disparity based on gender. It was signed on June 10, 1963 by President Kennedy. Also the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was established. It explains that no employee can be discriminated for gender or race. After that, the Title XV of the Education Amendments of 1972 was passed on June 23, 1972. This act was to help mainly high school and collegiate athletics. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act was a law in 1974. It explains that it is unlawful for any creditor to discriminate against any applicant on the basis of color, race, religion, national origin, gender, or age. Lastly, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act in 1978 was passed. It stated that no employer can fire, not hire, or be discriminated due to pregnancy or expecting pregnancy. The women had many more victories but those were just a few.

3. National Organization for Women

The National Organization for Women started in 1966. It is the largest organization of feminist activists. Some of the founders were Betty Friedan and Dr. Murray. In the beginning, there were 28 women in the organization but quickly grew more and more. Today they have more then 500,000 contributing members. The National Organization for Women’s goal is to bring equality for all women. They want to eliminate all harassment and discrimination in the workplace, school, and the justice system. They also want to be able to secure abortion, birth control, and reproductive rights for all women. The National Organization for Women also wants to stop all violence towards women and to be able to say that all women are safe. They support all sexuality and all races. Over all The National Organization for Women have done great things for women all over the country.

__**Analysis**__

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The women’s act for their freedom was a great impact on the United States during that time period and also to the present. It moved so many people both women and men to express their view points and to act on them. During the battle, many women saw that they could be equal to men and they came together to get the rights they deserve. They worked hard and were able to get many acts based on discrimination and harassment cleared and passed. After the first wave of women’s rights went by, the second wave came in and began their battle. They were the ones who wanted their rights to work in the workplaces and to have equal pay, not to be discriminated because of race or gender in the workplace, and also to be able to do what the men were able to do. Before the feminist movements, women were to believe that they should stay in the house and do chores such as cleaning, laundry, cooking, and looking after the children. They weren’t really important in society. The men believed that they should be the ones who provides for the family and bring the food on the table. Soon after the first wave of women’s movement, more and more women were realizing that they had just as much as right to work and to provide for their family. They began working more outside of the house and began owning property and own houses. When women began owning property, it made a difference in the society. Women were treated differently and were given more opportunities. After they began owning property, they began owning their own houses and shops. They were making a step up in the society. After many acts were passed about discrimination for women, men and non-believer women were getting convinced that women should have more freedom and rights. This movement was a special time period and influenced the rest of time from then on. It proved that when something isn’t right, that they shouldn’t give up but they should stand up for what they believe in. From the beginning, women have been treated as though men were superior. After the movements, both the first and second wave, both women and men have changed their outlook on women and their place here in society. Also during those movements, the women made an organization called The National Organization for Women. This organization was for women who were fighting for their freedom. They worked hard to stop discrimination and harassment towards women. The National Organization for Women was so powerful that it is still going on today with more then 500,000 members. It has affected the nation because it has given women a place where they can express their feelings and views towards anything. I believe that because of The National Organization for Women, women now have the freedom that they should have had many years before that. Today women are just as important as men in the workplace and at home too. Women are finally accepted in society as strong and brave individuals. They have worked hard to be where they are today. The Women’s Second Wave of Movements has effected today’s time because the women’s movement showed courage and bravery. Since the movement, women have been treated differently and have been acting differently. They believe in themselves and have shown that they are just as good as men. Us women came together and became a union. Those women fought for what they believed in and their dreams became are our reality today. Today women are respected and taken seriously in the nation because of what those strong women in the 70’s did for us. Now we have freedom. =====

Martin Luther King Jr.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">National Organization for Women (NOW)

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">. National Organization for Women. Web. 04 June <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">2011. <http://www.now.org/>.\

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">"The Founding of NOW." <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">National Organization for Women (NOW) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">. National Organization for

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Women. Web. 04 June 2011. [].

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