Often accredited for having helped begin the women's movement after the publication of her first book, The Feminine Mystique, Betty (Goldstein) Friedan became the object of both appraisal and criticism. Her fiery attitude and infamous temper often overshadowed the passion for her deep-rooted feminist beliefs. Though frequently misconstrued by the media and by radical feminists with opposing views, Friedan encouraged women to fight for equal rights in both the workplace and at home. The books that followed The Feminine Mystique not only strengthened her initial ideas and gave new focus to the women's movement, but helped clarify some of her perceived faults and introduced intimate details about her own life that gave her a more compassionate persona. In order to understand Friedan's involvement in the women's movement, one must consider her personal struggles that surround the era, which can be found in her major writings:.
1. The Feminine Mystique.
2. The Second Stage.
3. The Fountain of Age and.
4. Life So Far: A Memoir by Betty Friedan.
This research of her participation in the movement focuses on these four works.
The Feminine Mystique (1963).
After graduating from Smith College with top honors in 1942 and working for a short period of time, Betty Goldstein got married to Carl Friedan and the couple quickly had three children. She settled into the typical housewife/mother role, which she would later call "the feminine mystique" and became increasingly uncomfortable with what her life had become. In 1957, after speaking with some of her fellow graduates from Smith, Friedan realized that other women were unsatisfied with their roles at home (C-Span 2002). She began to research this topic and ultimately wrote The Feminine Mystique, which was published in 1963. Friedan wrote what every other woman was afraid to say. According to Alan Wolfe (1999), with this book, Friedan was "credited with launching the contemporary feminist movement.
