Based on:

MacLean, The American Women’s Movement: A Brief History with Documents

Using at least two primary source documents from the book, describe some of the changes in the lives of American Women in the late twentieth century. Another way to think of it: using the words of women themselves, show how life as a woman in the U.S. was different in 1980 than in earlier generations. For example, in what ways were gender norms different in the 1970’s than in the 1950’s? In writing about these changes, be as specific as possible, and avoid overgeneralizing about all women’s history across time and space.

Your paper should also include something about women’s own agency –- focus on what women were choosing and doing, not just on what was done to them or what their circumstances were.

Hint: look for documents in which the primary source authors contrast the present with the past, or documents which focus on “how much things have changed since ____.” The documents dealing with school, the workplace, the political realm, and the home will be the most useful for this assignment. Also, look for parts in the documents where the authors talk about their daily lives: food, work, leisure, daily habits, religion, etc.

You must have a clearly articulated thesis for the paper by the end of the first paragraph, and make sure that the rest of the paper supports the thesis statement.

Be sure that all information from the book is cited properly in footnotes.