Final answer:
The immediate, direct result of 'The Feminine Mystique' was the ignition of second-wave feminism, leading to greater public awareness of women's issues, the formation of the National Organization for Women (NOW), and an increased push for gender equality.
Step-by-step explanation:
One immediate, direct result of The Feminine Mystique was the energizing of the second-wave feminist movement. Written by Betty Friedan and published in 1963, the book challenged the prevailing notion that a woman's ultimate fulfillment came from homemaking and rearing children, thus sparking a social revolution. Friedan's work captured the unrest many American women felt and called for expanded opportunities and roles for women in society.
Friedan's bold critique led to a wave of increased awareness and the eventual formation of the National Organization for Women (NOW) in 1966, for which she became the first president. The organization worked to address issues such as systemic sexism and advocated for women's rights in the workforce, reproductive freedoms, and legal recognition of women's equality. The popularity and impact of Friedan's book also contributed to challenging other societal norms, including the promotion of the neutral title 'Ms.' and an increasing focus on gender equality across various international platforms, some of which culminated in the National Women's Conference in 1977. These developments provided a robust platform for the feminist agenda that evolved throughout the 1960s and 1970s, ushering in a new era of gender discourse.
The book's immediate influence included increased public discussion about women's roles, political activism among women, and a growing recognition of the systemic barriers to women's equality. By articulating 'the problem that has no name', Friedan gave voice to the dissatisfaction of countless women, effectively altering public perceptions and setting in motion a series of legislative and societal changes that would take root over the following decades.