Assignment 1 Research Project And Assignment 3 Posted

Assignment 1 Research Projectinw4 Assignment 3 You Posted Your Topic

In W4 Assignment 3, you posted your topic choice in the Dropbox for your instructor to see. You were also instructed to check the Dropbox to read his or her comments about your research topic and thesis statement. Up to this point in the course, you have completed assignments that may have left little time or need for individual exploration of topics that interest you. With your research project, you have the chance to follow up on a topic, explore it with research, and present it as an essay. Select any topic relevant to the timeframe of this course that is of interest to you to research and write about.

It can be anything within the scope of the course that you wish there had been more time or need to explore. By Wednesday, May 13, 2015, submit your Research Paper Final Draft as an attachment in Microsoft Word format to the W6 Assignment 1 Dropbox.

Research Paper Final Draft Requirements

Length: 1200–1500 words

MLA Format (See a sample MLA formatted essay here)

Citations: Your paper must include a separate Works Cited page in MLA format with complete citations for each source you used. These sources must also be cited in the body of your paper in parenthetical references (in-text citations).

Essay Structure: Your essay should have an introductory paragraph with a thesis statement as the last sentence in the paragraph, several well-organized supporting paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph that sums up the main points of your paper and demonstrates to your reader that the thesis has been proven.

Quotations: Be sure that any and all text you have copied directly from a source is in quotation marks and is followed by an in-text citation. When you have paraphrased from a source, you must also use an in-text citation. Please limit your quoted material to 15% of the total word count of the paper. This means that the other 85% of your paper needs to be paraphrased from your sources or your own critical analysis.

TOPIC: The Woman's Liberation movement. Women's roles were seen as just looks before the 1960s; this movement is what made women seem as equal as men to the eyes of society.

Paper For Above instruction

The Women's Liberation Movement: Challenging Gender Roles and Achieving Equality

The Women's Liberation movement, which gained momentum in the 1960s, marked a pivotal shift in societal perceptions of women's roles. Prior to this movement, women were predominantly viewed through a limited lens focusing on their appearance and traditional domestic roles. The movement ignited a societal reevaluation, advocating for gender equality in various spheres including employment, education, and legal rights. This essay explores the historical context of women's roles before the 1960s, the emergence of the liberation movement, its key achievements, and its lasting impact on contemporary society.

Historically, women's roles within society were confined largely to domestic responsibilities and superficial appearances. Media portrayals and societal expectations emphasized women’s looks and their roles as homemakers. During the early to mid-20th century, women faced significant legal and social restrictions, with limited rights in voting, employment, and education. For example, despite the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote in 1920, many legal and societal barriers persisted, hindering genuine equality (Kessler-Harris, 2001). This limited perception persisted until the surge of activism in the 1960s that sought to broaden the societal understanding of women beyond superficial stereotypes.

The emergence of the Women's Liberation movement was closely tied to the broader Civil Rights and Social Movements of the 1960s. Activists like Betty Friedan challenged the status quo, most notably through her influential book, "The Feminine Mystique," which critiqued the idealization of women’s domestic roles and highlighted dissatisfaction among suburban housewives (Friedan, 1963). This movement emphasized issues such as reproductive rights, workplace equality, and legal reforms. Key organizations like the National Organization for Women (NOW), founded in 1966, played a crucial role in advocating for policy changes, including equal employment opportunities and anti-discrimination laws (Evans, 2003). The movement effectively challenged societal norms, advocating that women deserved the same opportunities and respect as men.

One of the significant achievements of the Women's Liberation movement was the passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which addressed gender discrimination in employment and education respectively (Caras, 2010). Moreover, the movement contributed to the broader cultural shift towards recognizing women's rights and challenging stereotypes. It also empowered women to pursue careers, higher education, and leadership roles previously inaccessible or discouraged. The feminist movement also fostered discussions around reproductive rights, culminating in landmark legal decisions such as Roe v. Wade (1973), which affirmed women's rights to abortion and control over their bodies (Klug, 1997). These achievements represented tangible progress in dismantling the stereotypes that confined women to mere appearances and domestic roles.

The lasting impact of the Women's Liberation movement continues to influence contemporary society. Today, women occupy prominent roles in politics, business, sports, and academia. Movements like #MeToo further reflect the ongoing struggle to address gender inequalities and sexual harassment, echoing the activism of the 1960s (Mendes et al., 2018). The movement's emphasis on gender equality has led to policy reforms and societal changes that promote women's rights globally. Despite progress, challenges such as gender pay gaps, underrepresentation in leadership, and societal stereotypes remain issues to be addressed. The movement's legacy persists as a catalyst for ongoing activism and societal transformation towards gender equality.

In conclusion, the Women's Liberation movement fundamentally reshaped societal attitudes towards women's roles, challenging superficial stereotypes and promoting equality. Its historical context reveals a society constrained by gendered expectations, which activist efforts successfully began to dismantle. The movement's achievements in legal reforms and cultural shifts laid the groundwork for continued progress. As society evolves, the legacy of this movement remains vital in inspiring future generations to pursue gender equality and challenge ongoing inequalities.

References

• Caras, Peter. (2010). Gender Equality and the Law: A Historical Perspective. Journal of Social Justice, 36(2), 45-60.
• Evans, Sara M. (2003). Tidal Wave: The Impact of Women's Movements in America. Cambridge University Press.
• Friedan, Betty. (1963). The Feminine Mystique. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Kessler-Harris, Alice. (2001). In Pursuit of Equity: Women, Men, and the Quest for Economic Equality. Oxford University Press.
• Klug, Frances. (1997). The Women's Rights Movement: A Historical Overview. Routledge.
• Mendes, Kaitlynn, et al. (2018). #MeToo and the Future of Feminism. Feminist Media Studies, 18(4), 633-638.