Historicising the Women's Liberation Movement in the Western World: 1960-1999

The late 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s saw the emergence of the Women's Liberation Movement (WLM), a movement that sought to address gender inequality and promote women's rights. The movement emerged from a specific set of economic and social circumstances in which women were treated unequally in the home, workplace, and culture. Women gathered in various groups and contexts to express their dissatisfaction with their role and position in society, using consciousness-raising and activism to make their concerns visible. This collection revisits the diversity of the WLM and explores how feminism of the time might be reconsidered and historicized. The contributions cover a range of important issues, including feminist art, local activism, class distinction, racial politics, perceptions of motherhood, girls' education, feminist print cultures, the recovery of feminist histories, and feminist heritage. Each contributor considers the impact of the WLM in a different context, reflecting the variety of issues faced by women and helping us to understand the problems of the second wave. The book broadens our understanding of the impact and implications of the WLM, explores the dynamism of women's activism and radicalism, and acknowledges the significance of this movement to ongoing contemporary feminisms.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Women's Liberation Movement (WLM) emerged as a powerful social and political force during the late 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, driven by a profound sense of injustice and inequality faced by women in various aspects of their lives. Stemming from a specific set of economic and social circumstances, women found themselves unfairly treated in the home, workplace, and culture, and in broader society as a whole. As part of the WLM, women came together in diverse groups and contexts, expressing their dissatisfaction with their roles and positions in society. Through consciousness-raising and activism, they sought to make their concerns visible and bring about change.

This pivotal period in women's history is explored in this collection, which offers a fresh perspective on the diversity and complexity of the WLM. The contributions herein cover a wide range of critical issues, including feminist art, local activism, class distinctions, racial politics, perceptions of motherhood, girls' education, feminist print cultures, the recovery of feminist histories, and feminist heritage. These chapters were originally published as a special issue of "Women's History Review," highlighting the significance of this movement to ongoing contemporary feminisms.

The chapters in this book delve into the impact and implications of the WLM from various perspectives, reflecting the diverse experiences and challenges faced by women during this time. Each contributor considers the WLM's influence in different contexts, shedding light on the complexities of the second wave of feminism. By broadening our understanding of the WLM, this book explores the dynamism of women's activism and radicalism, recognizing the profound significance of this movement to the ongoing struggle for gender equality.

In conclusion, the Women's Liberation Movement (WLM) of the late 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s was a transformative force in women's history, marking a significant milestone in the fight for gender equality. Through the collective efforts of women who came together to challenge oppressive norms and systems, the WLM paved the way for greater rights and opportunities for women. This collection serves as a valuable resource for scholars, activists, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities and significance of this movement.

Weight: 354g
Dimension: 174 x 244 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367530600