Women's Liberation Movement, Causes and Effects

Sine the middle of the century, women around the world have been seeking greater independence and recognition. No longer content with their traditional roles as housewives and mothers, women have joined together to create the so-called “women’s liberation movement”. While the forces behind this international movement vary from culture to culture and from individual to individual, the basic causes in the United States can be traced to three events: the development of effective birth-control methods, the invention of labor-saving devices for the home, and the advent of World War II.

The first cause of the liberation of women was the development of effective birth-control methods, freeing women from the endless cycle of childbearing and rearing. As a result of having a choice as to if and when to bear children, women acquired the freedom and the time to pursue interests outside the home. Because of the development of birth control, women could delay having children or avoid having them altogether; consequently, women had the opportunity to acquire an education and/ or pursue a career.

The second event was the development mechanized labor-saving devices for the home, resulting in more leisure time and freedom for women. For example, fifty years ago, a housewife spent an average of twelve to fifteen hours per day doing housework. Due to the invention of machines such as vacuum cleaners and dishwashers, a housewife can now take care of her daily housework in about five hours.

The third event that, at least in the United States, gave impetus to the liberation of women was World War II. During the war, most men were serving in the military. Consequently, women had to fill the vacancies in the labor force. Women by the thousands went to work in factories and even took over businesses for their absent husbands. This was a great change for the majority of American women, for they discovered that they could weld airplanes and manage a business as well as change diapers and bake cookies.

These three events planted the seeds of a great change in society, and the effects of this change are being felt at all levels: in the family, in business, and in government.

One of the biggest effects of the greater independence of women is being felt in the home. Because so many women are working, men are learning to share the household tasks of cooking, cleaning and even caring for children. In some families, husbands now stay at home while the wife earns the family in-come. It should be pointed out; however, that this is the exception, not the rule. In most families in the U. S., the husband still earns most of the money, and the wife still does most of the housework.

The effects of women’s liberation are also being felt on the job. More and more women are working, and they are demanding equal salaries and equally responsible positions. Many businesses encourage women to advance to management level, and every year, the nation’s schools produce more women doctors, lawyers and accountants.

Politics and government are still other areas that are feeling the effects of the women’s movement. Although the U. S. does not appear ready to accept a woman president as some countries of the world have, women are being elected to public office in increasing numbers. The U. S. currently has three women governors, which is the highest office in the state. In 1984, a woman was a vice-presidential candidate. A few years earlier, this would have been unthinkable.

In conclusion, women in the United States and Europe have been acquiring greater independence due to the development of effective birth-control methods, the invention of labour-saving devices for the home, and World War II. These liberties are causing sweeping changes in society: at home, at work, and in politics. While men may not be happy with these changes, they should always remember that it was they, the men, who created the conditions leading to the liberation of women. Men made war. Male scientists developed birth control, and businessmen earned a lot of money selling vacuum cleaners and dishwashers. Yet, women are thankful to these men as it was because of these men that women finally realized that their rights may not be ignored or suppressed by law, local custom, and behavior in a particular society.