Chapter 8, The Mistaken Choice Summary

In order for the mystique to have such power over women for fifteen years, it had to fill needs. The needs varied among women and those spreading the mystique. The needs were many at this time in American history. The war and the loneliness associated with the war, the threat of the bomb, and the Cold War all made both men and women yearn for the comforts of home. Men returning from war were too old to go home to Mom and marriage and children filled the need for family in these returning soldiers.

Women felt the loneliness resulting from the men being away and many joined the rush into marriage after the war. Women were told the price of a career was loneliness similar to that felt after the war. Fear of loneliness made these women...