Since the middle of this 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 women’s liberation in the United States can be traced to three events: the development of effective birth-control methods, the invention of labour-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. Birth-control methods freed women from the endless cycle of childbearing nd rearing. As a result of having a choice as to when and if to
bear children, women acquired the freedom and the time to pursue interests outside of 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 (Jameson 1995).
Another cause of women’s liberation was the development of mechanized Labour-saving devices for the home. This resulted in more leisure time and freedom for women. For example, fifty years ago, a housewife spent an average of twelve to fourteen hours per day doing housework. Due to the invention of machines such as vacuum cleaners, washing machines and dishwashers, a housewife can now take care of her daily housework in about five hours (The US Economy 2002).
The final event that, at least in the United States, gave impetus to the liberation of women was World War II (WW II). During the war, most men were serving in the military. Consequently, Women had to fill the vacancies in the labour force. Women by the thousands went to work in...
