“The Feminine Mystique” is a feminist novel written by Betty Friedan. Mrs. Friedan was born the United States and she speaks English language. Furthermore, the author understands the American culture well since she grew up in America in an era when the women faced the problem of personal identity. The novel was published in 1963. A survey conducted by Mrs. Friedan at Smith College indicated that most homemakers were unhappy (WEE, 2003). The book focuses on the issue of sexual passivity; most women in the United States have become victims of feminine mystique. According to the novel, the role of the female individuals is to fulfill femininity and to nurture the maternal love. Betty reveals the existing gender imbalance in the society. Women have not identified their real selves; they are depressed and unable to satisfy the sexual desires of their husbands. The objective of the literary critique is to enable women to identify their personal identity as well as their roles in serving the nation apart from housewifery and marriage.
Women are presented as weak individuals. Notably, lives of most women are determined by culture. They are identified as mothers and house-helps. Females have no role to play towards national development. In 1950’s women were unhappy irrespective of the fact that they had material comfort. However, the novel portrays men as courageous and determined individuals. The male dominion has identified their selves, and they participate in both national and international affairs (Mary, 2009). Men are presented as the powerful people who determined the destiny of their families. The culture gives men more authority than their female counterparts do. Ideally, the American culture outlined that housewifery and marriage satisfied women’s requirements.
The novel focuses on the challenges facing women recently. Notably, the females face the problem of the identity crisis but not sexual. Culture does not gratify women with the basic needs that enable them to grow and realize their potentials as humans. Women’s need to grow is not defined solely by their sexual identity (Friedan, 2001). Mrs. Friedan suggests that the greatest obstacle that bars women from participating in global affairs is not culture but the women themselves. The female individuals have to take actions to grow and stop blaming culture. They have to be aggressive like their male counterparts. Middle-class women have to understand that their personal identity is not restricted to being mothers and homemakers. The women should strive to live meaningful lives.
According to the novel, the relationship between men and females is poor. Men are viewed more superior than women are because men suppress the female gender by not providing them with the opportunity to participate in issues of national importance (WEE, 2003). Furthermore, Mrs. Friedan noticed that few women were involved in career matters; this denied them access to information that could enable to rise to leadership positions. Women conformed to their societal expectations, which denied them a chance to more promising careers.
Friedan incorporates the ideas of characters such as Freud, who supported the patriarchal view of the word. According to Freud, women were like children and their destiny was already determined; women could be homemakers (Friedan, 2001). Furthermore, Freud argued that women’s destiny was determined by nature, their beauty, sweetness and charm made them to be perfect housewives. However, the author is against the societal view of women. She believes that women can serve their nation as their male counterparts.
Similarly, Friedan highlighted another social theme that seeks change in the women education. She notes that women's education changed as from the early 1940's. The key focus was on non-complex themes, for example, family, marriage and other topics have seen ideal for women. Ironically, the functionalist system felt that if women received too much education empowerment would spoil them (WEE, 2003). Friedan pushed for women rights to be respected; this included the role they play, for example, right to vote. Ideally, the feminine perspective indicates that women should be treated with respect. The view that women are good to be housewives and mothers is unfair.
Additionally, the social challenge women faced during World War II is critical. Women who had secured job position faced discrimination upon the return of men who were deemed suitable to handle the war (Mary, 2009). The patriarchal society depicted injustice being manifested in the society. Maladjusted children were raised by the women who were career focused women.
Based on Abraham Maslow, Friedan sees the fulfillment of hierarchy of need as being a challenge. She notes that women have been fixed to get satisfied only on basic needs. Arguably, they are expected to find their identity based on their sexual role alone (WEE, 2003). Needless to say, women have similar opportunities to focus on achieving self-actualization just like their male counterparts. The perception of viewing women as inferior is a sign of backwardness.
Further, to avoid being trapped in feminine mystique. The author sets the pace for women to overcome the plight. She notes various cases in which women have shown boldness in going against the feminine mystique (Mary, 2009). Various American women showed concern and readiness to endeavor to achieve the best and make their live meaningful. Notably, Friedan noted that women would face challenges as they try to achieve self-actualization status; this may include resistance, their fears, and discouragement from others. The author advises them to stand firm and preserve their journey as they realize their potential.
Conclusively, gender concerns should be addressed widely. It is apprehended that such biases lead to the lack of development. It should be noted that when both genders receive equity, then the standard of living is boosted. Sidelining one gender based on their sex roles leads to unbalanced society. The community is expected to accommodate everybody without seeing the other gender being inferior (Friedan, 2001). Further, the connotations laid in the novel by Friedan indicate that the realization of women potential should not be viewed as conflict rather as the success of modernization. American women were in solidarity in ending feminine mystique which is an excellent move in ensuring the rights of women are addressed amicably. The expression of the women being viewed as child bearers and housewives frustrated them and had to take action to end the plight and struggle to achieve equity. Women should proceed in developing their careers other than being housewives or mothers. As witnessed in the current world. It is deemed more advantageous educating a woman since women often plow back to the society compared to men.
References
Friedan, B. (2001). The feminine mystique. New York: Norton.
Mary C. Carruth. (2009). Feminists Intervene in Early American Studies, Part 2: New Directions. Early American Literature, 44(3), 639-640. doi:10.1353/eal.0.0072
WEE, C. (2003). Mencius, the Feminine Perspective and Impartiality. Asian Philosophy, 13(1), 3-13. doi:10.1080/09552360301663
