The 1960s A Decade of Protest
Discussion What about that commercial would you consider sexist? Would that commercial be applicable to today? Why or why not?
Reasons for the Movement Dissatisfaction with common gender roles. Wanted to express themselves in careers and work. Influence of the civil rights movement. Social scientists began to see women’s low status as the creation of a male-dominated power structure. Sex education taught in schools, birth control protected women from pregnancy, women objected to being treated as sex objects. Highly educated and talented women provided leadership for the movement.
Betty Friedan (1921-2006) Wrote “The Feminine Mystique” Challenged the notion that women enjoyed being housewives and doing nothing else. She wrote that women were as capable as men and should be permitted to compete for the same jobs. Helped form the National Organization for Women (NOW) in 1966
New Attitudes Feminists objected to beauty contests Introduced the title “Ms” to replace “Miss” and “Mrs” Opposed sexist language like “policeman” and “fireman”, the use of women as sex objects in advertising, or the idea that men cannot do housework. Opposed sexual discrimination in textbooks that ignored women’s contributions. Lobbied for more funds to research women’s disease, like breast cancer. Feminists believed that a woman should have the right to decide for herself whether or not to get an abortion.
Title IX Part of the Educational Amendments Act (1972) Banned sex discrimination in educational institutions. Guaranteed girls in school the same opportunities as boys. Federal $$$ incentive Impact of Title IX More women pursuing higher degrees, competing in sports, and entering jobs and educational fields previously dominated by women. Today, more women than men are in college.
Equal Pay Act Passed in 1963, it required companies to pay women the same wages as men for the same work.
Cesar Chavez
American Indian Movement Identify “Red Power” What was the goal of the American Indian Movement? In what ways did Native Americans bring about respect for their heritage?