This book examines modern advances in gender equality and contemporary feminist discourse as a result of the American sexual revolution. It explains how and why the sexual revolution of the 1960s continues to have profound effects on modern views of femininity and what it means to be an American woman. Chapters cover how effective and available birth control affected women’s advancement, the breakdown of traditional gender roles, and women’s entrance into formerly male-dominated occupations.

Gerhard Falk is a professor of sociology at Buffalo State College, in Buffalo, New York. He is the author of 22 books and more than 45 journal articles.

Gerhard Falk
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 245
Bibliographic Info: notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2009
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4035-1
Imprint: McFarland

Preface      1

1. The Ascendancy of Women in American Life      3

2. Women and Change in the 20th Century—Education,

Emancipation, Work and the Law      25

3. The Families of Women Achievers      47

4. Women in the Military and the Police—Storming the Last Bastion      67

5. Women in American Religion—The Patriarchy Trembles      86

6. Women in Science      105

7. Women in Government and Politics      125

8. From Walter Cronkite to Katie Couric      144

9. The Sexual Revolution      164

10. The Sociology of Social Change      184

Chapter Notes      203

Bibliography      219

Index      235