The Feminine Mistique by Betty Friedan

This text discusses the issues women of the mid 20th century were faced with. Most importantly it discusses the plight of women that wish to branch out of the housewife position into strong independent figures that deserve respect. The author brings up the fact that many women of the time (when this was written) were satisfied with marrying earlier, bearing children, and being supportive to their dominant husbands. While others, wished to have an education, experience life and not be tied down by societies boundaries for women. Many times those who did not want a family, but instead opted out for an education were described as homely, unfeminine, and selfish. As if the only way to be feminine was to be a housewife, mother, and more concerned about the happiness of others than your own. Although many women of the time became housewives at early ages, the author addresses the point that many of them reached a point in their life where they questioned the decisions that they made, and were feeling unfulfilled by the life they chose. Although the excerpt of this book was written many years ago, these issues are still apparent in today's society. During college and even in high school (in some cases) girls look for fulfillment through starting a family at a relatively young age. Although now I believe this choice is more of a personal one than societal one, outsiders looking in don't condone the behavior as much because times have really changed. Today women have such great opportunities for educations and careers, and in some girls ruin their chance to achieve it before they even realize it.