Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique offers a comprehensive critique of the societal expectations placed upon American women, particularly the glorification of the "housewife" role in the post-World War II era. Friedan argues that this "feminine mystique" trapped educated women in a state of unfulfillment and personal identity crisis, leading to widespread, yet unspoken, dissatisfaction referred to as "the problem that has no name." The book analyzes how Freudian theory, functionalist sociology, consumer culture, and sex-directed education reinforced this limited identity, often equating genuine female intellectual pursuit with "masculinization." Ultimately, Friedan champions a "new life plan for women," urging them to reject passive dependency, pursue serious commitment outside the home, and achieve full human potential through self-actualization and equal participation in the mainstream of society.
