Equal Rights for Women- Yes and No (1970)
Gloria Steinem

“If laws permit women equal work and pay opportunities, men will then be relieved of their role as sole breadwinner. Fewer ulcers, fewer hours of meaningless work, equal responsibility for his own children: these are a few of the reasons that Women’s Liberation is Women’s liberation too.”

This is an interesting position because Steinem points out that having more responsibilities is just as restrictive as having no responsibilities. And it is true. Economically speaking, having two paychecks provides more opportunities for the family. Most families would have benefited from two paychecks. It is basic economic sense. Also being able to diffuse the workload allows more time for the father to see his children. Social reality dictates that children need the influence of both parents to adjust properly. A shadow for a father isn’t much of a guiding figure. The stress would also be diffused. Being solely accountable for food, shelter and clothing is stressful. And if he loses his job, there is nothing for the family to fall back on. In terms of the family’s health, mentally and physically, it would be best if the mother could work as well.

Steinem’s position as a woman makes her comprehensive to these ideas. She has had firsthand experience. People expected her to follow in the footsteps of her predecessors and become a housewife. She saw how it affected the balance and health of the family. She was most likely discriminated against for being “biologically inferior”. Growing up in that society made her realize how unfairly and ridiculously women were treated. These factors obviously affected the way she thought and motivated her to protest against the absurd hegemonies of society.