Manifesto

A manifesto is a written declaration, which defines the author's beliefs. In the beginning of The Feminine Mystique Friedan declares her belief that "the problem that has no name"—the widespread unhappiness of women—has a very definite cause. Says Friedan, "It is my thesis that the core of the problem for women today is not sexual but a problem of identity—a stunting or evasion of growth that is perpetuated by the feminine mystique." Manifestos are often political in nature, and Friedan's manifesto is no different. As she demonstrates in her book, powerful forces in education, media, and the corporate world benefited from restricting women to the narrow roles of housewife and mother. Says Friedan: "A great many people have, or think they have, a vested interest in 'Occupation: housewife."' As a result, she notes that, if women follow her advice, they will...