S3 E9. From 1963 to Today: How “The Feminine Mystique” Lives On

Betty Friedan's "The Feminine Mystique," published in 1963, is often recognized as a catalyst for the second wave of feminism. How far have we come since then in terms of women's role in society, and specifically women's maternal and domestic role? In this episode of The Story of Woman, host Anna Stoecklein dives deep into a conversation with writer and scholar, Monica Cardenas, about the parallels between the issues faced by women in the 1960s and the challenges that persist in the present. Reflecting on the enduring mystique, the conversation explores what the original “feminine mystique” was and how, despite societal evolution, the cultural expectations of women to be mothers persists. Acknowledging the limited perspective of "The Feminine Mystique," the conversation highlights its concentration on the experiences of mainly white, straight, middle-class women, and emphasizes the need for a more inclusive dialogue on women's diverse experiences. Join Anna and Monica as they explore the enduring impact of domestic and maternal expectations, and the evolving concept of the "motherhood mandate." Some topics we cover include: How "The Feminine Mystique" shed light on societal expectations for women in the 1960s Ways in which, despite societal progress, expectations around women and motherhood persist today The impact these societal exceptions have on reproductive freedoms The book's limitations in addressing the experiences of women from diverse backgrounds Literature's role in shaping culture Transcription is available here Buy The Feminine Mystique -- Become a Patron for access to bonus content and to support the podcast, or buy me a (metaphorical) coffee Follow us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Tik Tok | Youtube | LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of all things WOMAN We need more women’s stories in the world!. If you’ve enjoyed this episode,  please share, subscribe, rate and review on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts Explore The Story of Woman book recommendations in the US and the UK - purchases support the podcast AND local bookstores 🤩 www.thestoryofwomanpodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Om Podcasten

They say it’s a man’s world... so what does that mean for the rest of us? This podcast is on a mission to find out.  The consequences of woman's exclusion from our world are so deeply embedded that they are all but impossible to see... unless you are looking. Featuring interviews with those who explore our world through the female gaze, The Story of Woman looks at everything from the economy, healthcare, gender roles, and more. Each episode dives deep into where we are, how we got here, and what still needs to be changed in order to (finally) rewrite the story of mankind to become the story of humankind. To us, ‘woman’ means all those who presently identify as such - regardless of which body they were born with. This includes other marginalized genders such as those who identify as non-binary, gender fluid, or anywhere else on the spectrum of gender.