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Second-wave feminism

Definition

Second-wave feminism is a period of feminist activity and thought that began in the United States in the early 1960s and lasted roughly two decades. It quickly spread across the 'developed' world, with an aim to increase equality for women by gaining more than just enfranchisement.

Analogy

Think of second-wave feminism as a sequel to a blockbuster movie. The first wave got us hooked with its groundbreaking ideas about women's suffrage (voting rights). But like any good sequel, the second wave went bigger and broader, tackling issues like workplace inequality, reproductive rights, and legal inequalities.

Related terms

Enfranchisement: Enfranchisement is granting someone the right to vote in public elections. Historically, many groups have had to fight for their enfranchisement including women and racial minorities.

Equal Pay Act: Passed in 1963 in America as part of second-wave feminism's efforts, this law aimed at abolishing wage disparity based on sex.

Betty Friedan: An American feminist writer and activist who is often credited for sparking the start of second-wave feminism with her book "The Feminine Mystique".