Daughters of 1968: Redefining French Feminism and the Women's Liberation Movement

Daughters of 1968 tells the story of French feminism from 1944 to 1981, a period when feminism played a central political role in France. Key women during this era were often leftists committed to a materialist critique of society and were part of a postwar tradition that produced widespread social change. The May 1968 events triggered a break from the past, and the womens movement split into two strands. This theoretical debate manifested itself in battles between women and organizations on the streets and in the courts. French feminism has been diverse and tensions have arisen between particularism and absolute equality, with few exceptions such as Simone de Beauvoir or the 1970s activists.

Format: Hardback
Length: 426 pages
Publication date: 01 January 2019
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

Between 1944 and 1981, a pivotal period in French feminism, feminism assumed a central political position in the country's history. During this era, the key figures were often leftist advocates of a materialist critique of society, deeply rooted in a postwar tradition that brought about significant social transformation. This transformation impacted the workplace and legal frameworks governing various aspects of life, including abortion and marriage.

The May 1968 events, characterized by their embrace of radical individualism and antiauthoritarianism, marked a departure from the past. As a result, the women's movement split into two distinct strands. One became universalist and highly activist, while the other took a particularist approach, distancing itself from contemporary feminism. This theoretical debate played out in public confrontations between women and organizations, as well as in legal battles.

The history of French feminism encompasses the struggle for women's claims to individualism and citizenship, which were, at least in principle, granted to their male counterparts in 1789. However, French women have often adopted a particularist stance, highlighting their contributions as mothers to establish their worth as citizens. In contrast, they have tended to shy away from embracing absolute equality. A few exceptional figures, such as Simone de Beauvoir and the activists of the 1970s, serve as examples of the diversity and tensions within French feminism as France transitioned from a corporatist and tradition-oriented society to one characterized by individualism and modernity.

Weight: 796g
Dimension: 236 x 160 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496207555