Betty Friedman

• Freedom

  Ability for women to choose their paths in life whether in the workplace or at home

  Emphasis need for both negative ( freedom from oppression ) and positive freedom ( ability to pursue one's ambitions )
• Freedom: Counterpoints

  Traditional Conservative thinkers: true freedom for women lies within confines of family and traditional roles

  Marxists: critique concept of freedom is meaningless without addressing systemic economic inequalitites
• Important Work

  The Feminine Mystique 1963
• Examples

  Title IX 1972 = prohibits gender discrimination in education

  Equal Pay Act 1963 = aims to eliminate wage disparity based on gender , supporting her ideas about economic independence
• Human nature

  • sees women as rational and capable individuals with diverse aspirations
  • societal norms can stifle their potential and that liberation is essential for personal fulfilment
• Human nature: Counterpoints

  1. traditional conservatives: women are naturally suited for domestic roles and that society should reinforce these roles
  2. marxists: her focus on individual rights overlooks the need to address class struggled faced by women
  3. new right: claim that her views undermine traditional family structures which they see as essential for societal stability
• Society

  • critiques the traditional roles assigned to women in society, arguing that these roles limit their potential
  • advocates for a society that recognises and supports women's contributions beyond domestic spheres
• Society: Counterpoints

  1. collectivist anarchists: societal structures must be dismantled entirely to achieve true equality
  2. gradualist socialists: gradual reforms are more effective than immediate change
  3. social democrats: might argue that while her ideas are valuable, they must be integrated into broader social reforms
• State

  • state intervention to promote gender equality and protect women's rights
  • legislation is necessary to dismantle systemic barriers
• State: Counterpoints

  1. anarcho-communist: reject need for state
  2. libertarians: any form of state intervention infringes on individual liberties and autonomy
  3. new right: state intervention can lead to unnecessary government overreach into personal lives
• Economy

  • emphasises need for economic opportunities for women, advocating for equal pay and employment rights
  • economic independence is crucial for women's liberation
• Economy: Counterpoints

  1. marxists: economic independence is not feasible under capitalist structures, which exploit labour
  2. collectivist anarchists: abolition of capitalism in favour of communal ownership and direct worker control
  3. gradual socialist: advocate for a more gradual approach to economic reform that considers the complexities of class dynamics
• Property

  • emphasises that economic independence for women is crucial for their freedom
  • access to property and economic resources allows women to escape oppressive circumstances
• Property: Counterpoints

  1. traditional conservatives: property ownership should align with traditional family structures
  2. marxists: critique the notion of property as inherently tied to class oppression and exploitation
  3. new right: property rights should be limited to maintain family integrity and traditional roles