Movements - 11 Modern History - The Second Wave of Feminism

A PowerPoint which can run for a few lessons which is about the Second Wave of Feminism. It begins with an explanation of feminist theory taken from a Sociology textbook. This is followed by information about the origins of the feminist movement in the 1960s (USA). The perspectives of Marxist feminists vs Radical feminists are explored. Some context of what was happening in the 1960s was provided (e.g. Civil Rights movement, Peace movement, Music revolution, Sexual revolution etc.) A source of feminist ideologies (Betty Friedan’s ‘The feminine mystique’) and its impact on women’s thinking is explored. This is followed by information about how Australian women’s movements were influenced and shaped by international developments. The goals of these women were explored. The methods used by the women’s liberation movement in the 60s and 70s are listed. Australia’s Bar Room Suffragettes (from Brisbane) are provided as an example. This is followed by an explanation of women’s quest for equal pay. The Women’s Action Committee (WAC) - a group of feminists from Melbourne - are introduced along with their specific goals. Information about a key goal (abortion law reform) is provided. This is followed by information about some key feminists: Germaine Greer, Anne Summers & Zelda D’Aprano. The slideshow concludes with things that improved the lives of women during this era (birth control - the contraceptive pill, equal pay for ‘work of equal value,’ more accessible childcare arrangements, shifting expectations of parenting so that fathers took on more responsibility in child rearing, more representation of women in politics & other legal achievements.)

Resources designed for the new senior Modern History syllabus (implemented in QLD in 2019). Designed as part of a unit entitled Women’s movements since 1893 which has the scope to span from when Women’s suffrage in New Zealand became law to the present. Our school decided to focus on the Second Wave of Feminism for our assessment (while briefly touching on the other waves of feminism).The other resources are also available in my store - Aussie_Resources. The end of term assessment for this unit was an essay under exam conditions.