Women's Rights In The 1970s

As America’s domestic politics endured fundamental changes in the 1960s to the 1970s, women began to demand for gender equality, and equal rights. This rebellion influenced individuals to speak up for what they believed in, such as Phyllis Schlafly, and Betty Friedan. The movement also influenced the formation of groups like the National Organization for Women (NOW) to stand up for the women of America. These individuals and groups had different views on where the root of women’s oppression began, including economic, social, and political reasoning’s. Also, during this time the Cold War had come to an end, only to shortly be followed by the War on Terror. Many politicians, such as Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and Dick Cheney played an important role on the matters that were leading causes of the war, and other issues in America.

One main group that believed economics to be an aspect of women’s rights is NOW. This group believed that, “This nation has a capacity at least as great as other nations, to innovate new social institutions which will enable women to enjoy their equality of opportunity and responsibility in society, without conflict with their responsibilities as mothers and homemakers (NOW, Page 90).” NOW supported that women could equally provide for their families as their husbands did, and did not have to be housewives in order to do this. In their statement of purpose they explain, “We do not accept the traditional assumption that a women as to choose between marriage and motherhood, on the one hand, and serious participation in industry or the professions on the other (NOW, Page 90).” This group also believed in equal educational rights. By proclaiming NOW’s beliefs to America, they hoped to help women have a voice, and someone to stand up for their