The Feminine Mystique In Todays Society by Riley Edwards

The Feminine Mystique In Todays Society

by: Riley Edwards

Comparing the women of the mid twentieth century, and hearing their aspirations for their life, to the women we live with now could be quite surprising. The leaps and bounds they've made from the stereotypes that were implemented in their time is insane. Just in the sense of writing have the women in our generation evolved. From women not wanting to speak up in the mid twentieth century to envying the suburban housewife, there has been a lot of things that have changed since "The Feminine Mystique" was written by Betty Friedan. She made it clear from the start what she wanted to dress. The problems of the thoughts of society that were affecting the role that women were taking in society. I think that even though in some ways, it seems like women and men are not all equal, I think since the Friedan's work things have picked up and have opened up new opportunities for women. I think the way we considered women and their role in society was unacceptable.

Throughout the course of Friedan's work, she talks about how in the 50's and 60's women lost the ability to want what THEY wanted. It seemed like society was putting the images in many of the young women's head of what they were supposed to be. To the point where 17 to 20 year old women wanted to be the woman lucky enough to be a suburban house-wife. By the end of the 1950's the average age of a women getting married was 20. It seemed to be dropping as 14 million girls were married by the age of 17. Women were getting married so quickly that women's magazines were urging high schools to implement counselors and marriage counselors in their schools. Their aspirations were to get married quickly, and start a family. The expectations, in my opinion, just weren't fair and didn't let them express themselves. It wasn't just about most being expected to skip the chance at a good college education, but their life was planned out from the start. As Frieden says on page 16, "... from the earliest girlhood to finding a husband and bearing a child." That was almost the whole societies mind set during this time period. It seemed as though they had no sense of the potential and the good that could be done in getting a secondary education and joining the workforce. Women weren't even really given a chance for the to prove themselves.

In my generation, there are movies, songs, and about anything you could imagine about a women being independent and doing their own things. Some women have even directed these movies and wrote these songs that have blown up and inspired so many women now. Beyoncé has had multiple songs and quotes that have contributed to the inspiration of women. She has multiple songs, including one that is specifically named "Single Ladies," that in my eyes can really plant a lot of inspiration and confidence in a young woman's mind. Especially in a society that ours has evolved in, to where social media has taken over the communication in our lives. A lot of people post about having a best friend, or significant other, when some women haven't found somebody like that yet. It has a different vibe that says that it is ok to be a single woman in our generation. Compared to people thinking they have to get married before they even graduate high school.

 The link between "Single Ladies" and Friedan's work are pretty much opposites. Like I stated earlier, Friedan talked about almost expectations for women's lives. In "Single Ladies" by Beyoncé, if you thoroughly read through the lyrics and really analyze what they mean, you will see that it is mostly about a woman taking matters of men in her own hands. In modern terms, she is in a club, after a break up, and basically states that she is her own person and she can do what she wants. Where as in Friedan's writings, it was odd if they weren't in a married relationship after the age of 20. All of this is besides the whole fact of that, THE LADIE  IN THIS SONG IS SINGLE. From the experiences and actions of society that Friedan explained, it seems like that wouldn't even be acceptable. It sounds as almost people who failed to get married at a young age would be frowned upon in society and would be looked at like they haven't fulfilled their duties. Out of all the things I've stated so far, I think the thing that stuck out to me the most is that women have the freedom to do what they want. Beyoncé really made that clear through the course of her lyrics. Even through the lyrics, she is also a powerful business women. She is empowering to young women in so many different ways.

Listen to the song and read the lyrics here:  Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" with lyrics

The times have changed. The thoughts of society have changed. In general, the role of women have changed. They have gained some much overdue, well deserved freedoms. With the help of figures like Beyoncé and some of the works she has made, I think women will continue to better themselves in our society. They have the freedom to determine their future. If men can say that they don't want to be married and don't want kids, so can women. They are now able to say wether they want a college education, or if they want to start a family. Women control their own destiny now more than ever. The amount of courage and grit they have showed overcoming the oppression that had been put on them, and breaking out of the chains and handcuffs that society had put on them is one of the biggest things that has happened to America. "Because if you liked it then you should've put a ring on it."