The rise and effects of first and second wave feminism

 

First wave feminism

 

First wave feminism occurred between the 19^th and 20^th century. It particularly affected the United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands and the United States. It focussed mainly on legal obligations and changing the law so that women had the right to vote.  In 1918 women over 30 with a property were allowed to vote, this meant that women had a say over political affairs and had the opportunity to have a say in how their country should be ran. One of the first laws passed was the right to property and children if a marriage was to break down and the men no longer had rights over their wives. This meant that for the first time ever women had the opportunity to be free and not have to stay in an abusive marriage just because they were scared to lose everything. The main victory for women was getting the vote and by 1928 women over 21 was allowed the vote so laws were being changed however women were still being treated very differently to men and that is why second wave feminism occurred.

 

Second wave feminism

 

Second wave feminism occurred between the 1960s and 1970s. It focussed on ending discrimination and was concerned about the inequalities that women were still facing. In the 1960s the pill was invented which opened up many opportunities for women as they were able to choose how many children they wanted and therefore this meant that women had the freedom and control of having a career. The divorce and marital rape law was founded during second wave feminism meaning that women no longer had to be abused by their husbands and even if a woman was  married rape was not going to be accepted anymore. This gave women a chance to rebuild their lives and ensure that they were being treated in the right way. Women also wanted the right to be equal in politics, social economics, education, jobs and pay for work. They wanted the same rights which men had and therefore to make men understand certain jobs were not ‘woman’s work’ they took a step back from their domestic duties and told people that everybody should take responsibility for the family unit. Even though new laws were passed between the 1960s and 1970s without a social revolution they will not be able to change everyone’s views of women in society.