Reading 'The Feminine Mystique'

I think I've gone way off topic guys, sorry, my mind always seems go off at a tangent. Haven't read The Fem Mystique but am going to track it down at the libary!

dittany I agree with the finding a decent man(tipsy writing last night, shouldn't be done as some of my writing is not the point I intended to make or if I was even making a point!)
My now(sort of) point was that Jane Austen and these other female writers often has a selfish female that undermines th milder more subservant character, making inaccurate choices for them all in the name womanhood (light gleams in nicwantsone's head - maybe that's the point these authors were trying to make!) However in the end they have to either reign it in a little bit or step up and grow a pair of balls (Fanny - Mans Park) - the message seemed to me to be that balance (being domestic and independent)is needed from both sexes.
Jo was also very critical of Meg wanting to be a good wife when it was what she wanted - which is quite interesting - to me anyway!Women sometimes really are very critical of each other.
On the serving men vs. being a mother - mothers and their sons, that to me is an area where women are often more than happy to serve them in a very different way to their girls. That to me is still serving men and gives the message from a very young age that that is what women do for boys/men? Or am I looking into it too much?! Very interesting discussion though!

To me it's a reaction of the times and the times will never change because women will always have a mothering streak. It's also the situation she's been brought up in. Marriage/work/motherhood isn't always like that for everyone.
When Jane Austen completely made Jane in Pride and Prejudice (one of the sisters) seem weak for wanting to be a mother and a good wife but she wasn't stupid by anymeans and not half as selfish and Little Women where Jo is supposedly better and more fiesty to the other main daughter (is it Meg? it's been a while) but again is so much more selfish. Don't even get me started on Mansfield Park and Wuthering Heights - they'd be locked away now. People look for perfection, I think it doesn't exist! I'm not a housewife before people start to critise but I wonder if it is just women are far too hard on each other, including Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte. They are both valid roles and you haven't failed if you prefer one to the other in my opinion or try to mix both.
Book Club fab idea, I love books if you hadn't notcied!
Wow what a long message I have written, time for me to get a life!!

I willl definitely join in, I have my friend's copy.

Those sentences are scaaaary.

I would join in with that- I still have my copy, I think.

I agree about the madmen link - I was thinking about that today.

I don't see that we are supposed to hate Betsy though - surely there are lots of hints to how trapped she is and how unfulfilling her life is - but that's another discussion. Could be interesting though if other people are watching/have watched mad men.

I started it a couple of months ago. At first found it v. slow and too much of a period piece but am finding food for thought there now, and the out and out sexism that the series seemed to be rejoicing in seems to have given way to more of an exposé of women's lack of choice.

Am now off to bed with Betty (Friedan)!

I have plenty of ammo in my arsenal already, but it's always good to have a reserve

I've never heard of this book, must have a look for it.

I'm guessing it's a study, rather than a novel? I bookmarked those links to the chapters dittany, will have a read of them.

I'm due to return to my degree in Jan after taking a year off on maternity leave with DS. Some older women have been scathing to me about my choices to 'leave' DS, so I'd like to read this book, learn more about what people think and have thought about a women's place.

Oooo, may have to join you in the December book club!!

Actually reading it at the time it seemed all a bit 1950s and a little dated, I think that now that kind of domesticity is back "in" and it is probably more terrifying now than when I read it.

Can we have it for a book-club discussion? I won't be able to read November's book, but I have read this one and still have my mum's copy.

I read it when I was 18 or so and it put me off being a housewife (well that and seeing my mum accountable to my dad because he was the one earning the money) for good.

I have read it a couple of times, must get it out again and re-read it as a mother.

I read it when i was 20, after breaking up with exf. I remember it having a big imoact in me. I went straight into reading the whole woman.

I cant remember much of the detail, can someone give me the jist?