The Second Wave Of Feminism: 1920-1980s

Imagine, the supposedly happiest day of your life was also the day that you signed all of your rights away. It is hard to imagine that as far back in history as we can remember, marriage was not even close to what it is today. Marriages use to be arranged and as a woman, you would have no say in your own future. Prior to the first wave of feminism (1792-1920) woman did not have many rights to beginning with. Woman were seen as being more of a piece of property rather than a human being. However, the little bit of rights that they had, would be taken away from her the minute she said “I do”. During the second wave of feminism (1920-1980s), there were slight changes made when it came to domestic laws for woman who were married. Throughout
While this wave also brought upon the beginning of awareness of domestic violence. In regards to woman’s right when married and domestic laws, not much changed from the first wave to the second. During this wave it was more so about bringing out awareness of what was happening, but not much change. The article that I focused on for the second wave was, “Statement of Purpose” by National organization for woman in 1966. There is the idea that throughout this movement that there needed to be a greater focus on laws that protect and give equality for woman. It was mentioned that “we seek to open a reexamination of laws and mores governing marriage and divorce, for we believe that the current state of “half-equality” between the sexes discriminates against both men and women, and is the cause of much unnecessary hostility between the sexes” (National Organization For Woman 187). This wave brought up the awareness of the issues and brought them to the light for reevaluation. This article also mentioned that “woman will develop confidence in their own ability to determine actively, in partnership with men, the conditions of their life, their choices, their future and their society” National Organization For Woman 187). This is saying that once there are more laws that will protect woman in marriage, they will grow as individuals. One will
Now the Violence Against Woman Act (VAWA) was not enacted in the United States till 1994. Now these law do help to protect woman against violence, yet it still happens today. I found an article “Should Homicide Laws Have a Domestic Violence Loophole?” By Robin L. Barton from 2016. Barton discusses the fact that in many cases of homicide when domestic violence is their cause, and it happens when they are not being abused, if it should be looked at as a domestic violence case. Barton mentions the fact that in 1970 the term Battered Woman Syndrome was introduced based on the abuse of woman by their spouses or their intimate partners. Barton mentions that “Domestic or intimate partner violence is clearly a serious issue. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, in the U.S., 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner—more than 12 million women and men over the course of a year.” So obviously even through there are laws in place today to protect woman, they are still being victims of domestic violence. Barton also mentions that in domestic violence cases “Killing an abusive partner is not the only option” that there are hotlines and shelters that once can go to. Yet, what if that is not an option and either way you know that you will be beaten or even worse for trying to do something about it. Barton says that “A