Oh, I'm crying. A wonderful woman whose work helped define that we as women have the right to choose our lives.
I feel confident and secure in my choice to be a stay at home parent and partner at this stage in my life, in part because she taught me it was mine to choose. posted by padraigin at 7:30 PM on February 4, 2006
I feel confident and secure in my choice to be a stay at home parent and partner at this stage in my life, in part because she taught me it was mine to choose.
Her work is unfinished. Women have come a long way in the West thanks to courageous pioneers like Friedan, but for the majority of women living in the world today, her ideas remain either unheard-of, or exist as fantasies beyond any hope of attainment. The world needs a thousand Betty Friedans. posted by slatternus at 7:45 PM on February 4, 2006
Even though I'm a dirty bearded biker guy, I loved her. (love her) Any strong man loves and respects an equally strong woman. Betty was one of our great american women who helped set the stage for sexual equality.
Betty, a big kiss to you, and I'll see you when I get there! SHTMWWYGT!!!!!(secret message to Betty)
I've found it interesting over the years how profiles of her euphemistically or obliquely handle the issue of her difficult personality.
She was a person, who if her pencil point broke would throw it at someone and start screaming.
But my mother, a typical 50's suburban bride, credits her book with changing her life. posted by StickyCarpet at 10:47 PM on February 4, 2006
We share the same birthday, but my life was fundamentally improved because of her work. A great woman and a great beauty. posted by filament at 10:55 PM on February 4, 2006
This thread reminds me of the movie "Mona Lisa Smile." posted by obeygiant at 7:16 AM on February 5, 2006
Interesting that Google News has her obit as a small side link under the heading "In The News" but Grandpa Munster's death got a large mention. In light of the pioneering, global impact Betty Friedan had on the planet over the last half a century that seems odd. Yeah, it's true she may have been a 'difficult' person with a volatile temper while making major historic changes, she's in good (or bad) company there with many others of either gender.
Loved your post snsranch.
Thank you lupus_yonderboy for the informative and constructive encouragement to help edit Wikipedia! Liked your changes.
Happy Birthday Filament! :)
You're right slatternus, literally billions of women don't have it so lucky with the choices we have -and are trying to hang onto- in the USA, some of Western Europe and Oz. Guess the changes have to start someplace. I'm just grateful somebody changed the Stepford Wife mold I was supposed to fit into in the mid-1960's USA, so I and other women here could possibly go out into the world and have a real life, choices and all. posted by nickyskye at 7:24 AM on February 5, 2006
padragian: "[V]acuuming the living room floor -- with or without makeup -- is not work that takes enough thought or energy to challenge any woman's full capacity. … Down through the ages man has known that he was set apart from other animals by his mind's power to have an idea, a vision, and shape the future to it … when he discovers and creates and shapes a future different from his past, he is a man, a human being." posted by null terminated at 8:55 AM on February 5, 2006
As someone who's actually read the book, I just thought I'd warn you all before you go and read it just because the author kicked the bucket. It's awful. Just really poorly written and definitely showing its age. While it was a great revelation at the time it was written, most of the points in it have become common knowledge and wisdom. If you're interested in the history of the feminist movement, go for it. If you're looking for something to read, stay the hell away. posted by Brockstar at 11:52 AM on February 5, 2006
While it was a great revelation at the time it was written, most of the points in it have become common knowledge and wisdom.
I have read the book, and this to me was the measure of her achievement. She radically changed North American society's perception of a woman's role. posted by orange swan at 2:41 PM on February 5, 2006
Exactly. But to all the people who are going "Oh, she died, I should read her book," I'm recommending against it. posted by Brockstar at 4:44 PM on February 5, 2006
It's not a poorly written book. Read it, if only for the history it made.
I read it because it was seminal. Sometimes you hear some book referred to again and again, often by people who haven't read it. And very often such people misconstrue the material and mischaracterize the author — like Friedan, or Marx, or whomever. So I wanted to know what the book said.
I found it a historical document rather than anything revelatory. And Friedan's comparison of housewives to concentration camp inmates left me grinding my teeth. But I'm glad I read it. posted by orange swan at 6:02 AM on February 6, 2006
I kind of agree with Greer, or at least defer to her, but then I usually do. She's a lot smarter and better-informed than me. posted by Grangousier at 6:30 AM on February 7, 2006
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i really ought to read that.
posted by salad spork at 7:05 PM on February 4, 2006