Question

Which groups of women do you believe would be receptive to Friedan's message and why are you selecting these groups

Answer 1

Definitely housewives are more likely to be receptive of Friedan's message.

In her book, The Feminine Mystique, she focused on exploring and finding the real personality inside oneself. She wanted women to come out of their traditional roles and find their inner hidden abilities.

She is remembered as a pioneer of feminism and the woman rights movement.

Friedan encouraged woman to seek new opportunities for themselves.

Friedan gone through a situation in which she had to stay at home after higher studies and a good job, when she was pregnant. There she realized that all woman are not happy homemakers. Woman need to live a life of their choice. So she wrote a book in 1963, that became a sensation.

Answer 2

The groups would be housewives and women in 'feminine' jobs.

Betty Friedan was an American feminist, writer and activist. Her most famous book is 'The Feminine Mystique' which led to the second wave of American feminism in the 20th century.

Friedman believed that in the 1950's, a woman's life was completely centered around being a mother and housewife. She also believed that women were being held back from their full potential because they were limited to only a number of jobs that were 'acceptable' for women.

Friedman thought that being a housewife alone was stifling for a woman and not fulfilling at all. She believed that most housewives were unhappy being stuck at home all they long and not being able to educate themselves farther or to dedicate themselves to their passions. She believed women to be as capable as men for any type of work and career, and that women were forced into roles they didn't like.

Many housewives would find Friedan's theory appealing as it stresses the importance of personal development and growth outside of marriage and the traditional role of a woman. Women in so called 'feminine' jobs might have felt encouraged to pursue farther career paths or educate themselves more to be able to compete with men in the labor market. Friedan gave women a boost to their self esteem and made them see themselves as equal to men.