A review by dorothy_gale
The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan
5.0
I believe this book saved lives!
Wow. 98% of this book makes total sense, and what remains she just hadn't figured out by publication in 1963. I truly believe that had Sylvia Plath (author of the Bell Jar) gotten to read this, she wouldn't have killed herself. Unfortunately it was at least a month too late. Being forced into unnatural, extremely limited, demeaning roles killed countless women throughout history. I appreciated being able to learn about the struggles of previous generations so I don't take their amazing work and sacrifices for granted. When I told my mom I was reading this, she said "you're reading about me." It was also insightful to learn about the psychological impacts of women who were not allowed to self-actualize, especially on parenting and children. And the impacts of Freud's craziness. I liked how Friedan leveraged Maslow's research, and also her experience with women's magazines of the day. I'm sure I would have loved her -- she just told it like it was. This book is credited with starting the "second wave" of feminism, and it is my favorite feminist book so far. I think it should be required reading for ALL women, and men who champion them.
Wow. 98% of this book makes total sense, and what remains she just hadn't figured out by publication in 1963. I truly believe that had Sylvia Plath (author of the Bell Jar) gotten to read this, she wouldn't have killed herself. Unfortunately it was at least a month too late. Being forced into unnatural, extremely limited, demeaning roles killed countless women throughout history. I appreciated being able to learn about the struggles of previous generations so I don't take their amazing work and sacrifices for granted. When I told my mom I was reading this, she said "you're reading about me." It was also insightful to learn about the psychological impacts of women who were not allowed to self-actualize, especially on parenting and children. And the impacts of Freud's craziness. I liked how Friedan leveraged Maslow's research, and also her experience with women's magazines of the day. I'm sure I would have loved her -- she just told it like it was. This book is credited with starting the "second wave" of feminism, and it is my favorite feminist book so far. I think it should be required reading for ALL women, and men who champion them.