A classic feminist work that seeded my own feminist consciousness in my teens. This book gets into the social constructs in our society that are used to justify women's oppression, such as the idea that women are "naturally suited" to housework and other unpaid drudgery. This book clearly and methodically describes all the toxic mind-traps that have been harming women in the 20th and now 21st centuries.
My main complaint is that Ms. Friedan exposes her own profound homophobia and raging ignorance of the realities of homosexuality in a grotesque way in chapter 11, with such absurdities as "the homosexuality that is spreading like a murky smog over the American scene is no less ominous than..." or "Male homosexuality was and is far more common than female homosexuality" or "People who have a low self-esteem have a tendency to cling to their own sex because it is less frightening" or "The role of the mother in homosexuality was pinpointed by Freud...".
Any woman who trusts Freud as an "expert" on sexuality should have her opinions regarded with a big hunk of salt by other women. Freud was a notorious misogynist who excused and explained away all manner of horrific sexual abuses committed by men against women and children.
So, take chapter 11 with a whole lot of salt, but most of the book is right on target. Great read overall. 4.5/5 stars.
My main complaint is that Ms. Friedan exposes her own profound homophobia and raging ignorance of the realities of homosexuality in a grotesque way in chapter 11, with such absurdities as "the homosexuality that is spreading like a murky smog over the American scene is no less ominous than..." or "Male homosexuality was and is far more common than female homosexuality" or "People who have a low self-esteem have a tendency to cling to their own sex because it is less frightening" or "The role of the mother in homosexuality was pinpointed by Freud...".
Any woman who trusts Freud as an "expert" on sexuality should have her opinions regarded with a big hunk of salt by other women. Freud was a notorious misogynist who excused and explained away all manner of horrific sexual abuses committed by men against women and children.
So, take chapter 11 with a whole lot of salt, but most of the book is right on target. Great read overall. 4.5/5 stars.
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