Donovan Alger
16 July 2019
WG101
The Feminine Mystique: The Problem That Has No Name
In my opinion, there are several ways to look at this problem. From a
media/advertisement point of view, I would say that the advertisements today are not
perpetuating the same message that they were during that time period. While we still have a
problem with some advertisements objectifying women, the message of the “happy housewife”
is not as pervasive as it once was. From my experience, I have seen advertisements of women
performing many of the same roles that men would do. Advertisements such as women playing
professional sports, in the medical field, and in military combat roles are some of the examples I
have seen. These advertisements inspire young girls to pursue goals and ambitions outside of
being a “happy housewife.”
There was a stark difference between the lives of individuals back then compared to
today. As stated in the reading, while the war was going on and the men were out fighting,
someone had to take over the manufacturing jobs that they left behind. This is where we see a
surge of women performing in roles typically filled by men. We also see advertisements such as
Rosie the Riveter urging more women to take on these jobs. When the war ended is when “the
problem that has no name” reared it’s head. From then on, job markets have evolved to be more
inclusive of women. My mother for example is in the military and has been for last 20 years.
During this time period that would have been impossible. There have been significant strides
made to be more inclusive, specifically in the job market.
Another point of view to analyze is from academic institutions. Unfortunately, schools
were also guilty of putting the idea into girls’ heads to marry young and to try and fit into this
stereotypical feminine image. Fortunately, schools have also come a long way from this time.
Females make up a greater percentage of the student population at most universities, while the
Donovan Alger
16 July 2019
WG101
creation of women and gender programs at universities across the nation has helped drown out
this message.
Besides a few isolated instances, I would say that the idea that women are only able to
pursue a career in being a housewife and nothing else does not exist today. There are no barriers
of entry against women in any industry today. Women have the ability to get educated and do
any job that a man could do. What matters is that the opportunity is there for women to succeed.