Second-Wave Feminism: Liberal, Socialist, and Radical

This lesson examines second-wave feminism (c. 1960s–1980s) — a period of intense feminist activism and intellectual development that went far beyond the legal and political reforms of the first wave. Second-wave feminism addressed social equality, reproductive rights, workplace discrimination, domestic violence, and the underlying structures of patriarchy.

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Context

Second-wave feminism emerged in the context of broader social upheaval in the 1960s:

• The civil rights movement in the US inspired women to challenge their own subordination.
• Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique (1963) articulated the frustration of educated, middle-class American women confined to the domestic sphere.
• The development of the contraceptive pill (1960s) gave women greater control over reproduction.
• Growing numbers of women were entering the workforce, but faced discrimination, lower pay, and limited opportunities.
• The New Left and the anti-Vietnam War movement, while progressive, often excluded or marginalised women.

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Three Strands of Second-Wave Feminism

1. Liberal Feminism

Liberal feminism applies the principles of liberalism — individual rights, equal opportunity, legal reform — to the situation of women. It is the most moderate strand and focuses on achieving equality within existing structures.

Key ideas: