Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Practice Examination

Who wrote "The Feminine Mystique" in 1963, contributing to the feminist movement?

1. Simone de Beauvoir

2. Betty Friedan

3. Virginia Woolf

4. Gloria Steinem

The correct answer is: Betty Friedan

Betty Friedan authored "The Feminine Mystique," published in 1963, and this work is widely regarded as a pivotal text in the feminist movement. In it, Friedan critiques the societal expectations that confined women to domestic roles, arguing that women found themselves unfulfilled despite living in material comfort. The book brought attention to the issue of women's dissatisfaction and sparked widespread discussion about gender roles, ultimately helping to ignite second-wave feminism in the United States. Friedan's emphasis on personal accounts and the lived experiences of women resonated with many who had felt similar discontent, helping to mobilize a generation towards advocacy for women's rights, including access to education and the workforce. The book stands as a foundational piece that challenged conventional narratives around femininity and prompted significant social change, making Friedan a key figure in the feminist movement.