Assess The Achievements Of The Women's Movement From The 1960's To The 1990's

The roles of women in modern day society have undergone tremendous change since the emergence of the Women's Liberation Movement in the 1960's. After decades of gradual progression, the assemblage of Australian women to unite under a common cause has led to liberation. Their resorts to often desperate measures has ensured unparalleled achievements.

The Women's Liberation Movement was a direct result of Feminism.(1) Sparked by various feminist organisations at the time, the movement aimed to create freedom and equality for women in a well-informed society. The movement encouraged women to question and recognize their true value in society but also, to redefine societal values. It challenged the sexist beliefs held at the time, gradually compelling society to perceive women with a different attitude.

Initially, the Women's Movement of the 1960's saw an equality struggle between men and women. This led to the emergence of various social groups which campaigned for women's rights.

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Women at work on bomber, Douglas Aircraft Company,...

Woman aircraft worker, Vega Aircraft Corporation, ...

These Women's "libbers" (liberationists) marked the beginning of the Women's Liberation Movement. It was to be the largest social movement in this second wave of feminist activities.

The movement changed women's views by allowing them to stand up for what they believed in. As a result, the 1960's saw women entering the workforce, with recognition of the value of education. As in Source 1, many women recognized their value and self worth. They were passionate and ambitious in their unified goal - to create equality. The push for self-education and self-expression was paramount. By the 1970s, many women broke from the traditional moral views of the church (concerning sex before marriage), contraception, the sanctity of marriage and male authority.

The movement throughout the 1960's and 1970's revolved around the need to equalize men and women, as equally classed citizens. They demanded equal education opportunities, equal pay for...