

After World War II, the United States’ cultural norms of females were suddenly shaken. The American labor force could not keep up with the supply and demand for America during the war, which lead to women breaking through the glass ceiling and allowed them to acquire men’s jobs. Although women were granted the right to vote in 1920, their societal positions remained antiquated. Women were expected to be the ideal mate, which landed them the expectation of picturesque housewife.  This had a lasting impact, as it unintentionally paved the way for the second wave of feminism in 1960.  During this tumultuous time period, Second Wave feminism was a direct response to the women way viewed themselves and each other. They were encouraged to seek fulfillment outside the home by pursuing a professional career.  The push for these changes was also reflected in women’s writing.  The poem Barbie Doll by Marge Piercy was a product of this movement, as she calls attention to the devastating gender stereotypes. 

The major victories of the Second Wave came in the form of legislation. New laws were enacted purposely formulated to give women more opportunities to be equals with men. Most importantly these new regulations allowed women autonomy over their own bodies. The major legal changes allowed for society to reshape a new cultural environment JKF Commissioned the Status of Women, The Equal Pay Act, Civil Rights Act of 1964, The Equal Opportunity Commission, Title XI, the passage of WIC in Roe V. Wade, the 1974 Equal Credit Opportunity Act. These laws were the direct reflection of authoritative women protesters. Women were able to accomplish great things in this culturally vibrant period. Although their actions caused positive change many received backlash for their actions.  In defense of the old ways, the devotees would attack protestors appearances. These enthusiasts would ridicule them for not following their predecessor’s footsteps of the weak-willed housewife. To demonstrate her stance on the movement Piercy’s writing reflected these new wave ideas. Her poem is a reflection of this maltreatment. Mirroring the social atmosphere, the fictional story line follows an unnamed girl, who is constantly being recognized for her lack outward beauty rather than inward ability. Real women faced similar problems as a result this time period. Due to the fact that a woman’s supposed identity was based on her appearance. Not only were their physical attributes called into question, but their importance was based on how well they were perceived in society and family life. In response, the courageous Betty Friedman challenged the façade surrounding women in her writing of the Feminine Mystique in 1963. 

Friedman much like Piercy, criticized the idea that women only belonged in the home as mothers and wives. She believed women were much more than someone whose main purpose was serving their family. For many women, the publication of Friedan’s book was one of those events which seemed to have divided the sixties from the fifties into one of black and the other white. According to Freidman, The Feminine Mystique was an idea that, “Millions of American women stand victim of ‘the feminine mystique,’ a philosophy that has convinced them that their only commitment is the fulfillment of a femininity found in "sexual passivity, male domination and nurturing maternal love"(Freeman). In response to Friedman’s powerful words, many women felt ignited. Illustrating their inner concerns for decades, that they should be credited for more. Due to her writings, the social fabric of the United States was perpetually altered (History of Feminism). Friedman’s ideas are rooted in the false social construction, which promotes women to find their identity and meaning through their husbands and children. Piercy and Freidman both allowed their pieces to be an outlet as well as examples to the public. Their writings allowed an enormous number of women to see themselves in the words of each author. Even further, many women wrote Friedan letters of gratitude communicating the importance of the book’s in their lives even stating: “I feel, today, as though I had been filled with helium and turned loose!” “Like light bulbs going off again and again. I understood what I was feeling and felt validated!!” (Menand). This period was crucial to the development of American culture, as well as the development of women.  Unbelievable strides were made for equality and over all wellbeing women. 

To emphasize this change, Piercy’s and Freidman had similar ideas regarding how women should find themselves. Friedman writes, “Our culture does not permit women to accept or gratify their basic need to grow and fulfill their potentialities as human beings, a need which is not solely defined by their sexual role” (Freidman).  Both women highlight in their writing the idea that women could not grow into themselves because of societal expectations. Women felt the need to apologize if they weren’t good enough, thus mentally causing them to not accept themselves. Barbie Doll reflects these ideas: “She was healthy, tested intelligent/possessed strong arms and back/ She went to and fro apologizing” (Line 7-9, 10). Society only saw her for her “a fat nose on thick legs.” This ideology ultimately leads to the girl’s downfall as she feels she cannot get out of the cycle. She feels the pressure to be what the world wants her to be. She falls victim to the Feminine Mystique. As a result, she ends up taking her own life. 

In the end, society is what kills the now grown-up women.  She gives everything of herself and yet it wasn’t good enough. That was the nature of this time period, the expectations mainly coming from men were unrealistic. The poem’s end expresses for the first time the women’s appearance in a positive light. Piercy’s story comes full circle: “Doesn't she look pretty? / everyone said/ Consummation at last/ To every woman a happy ending (Line 22-25). Her appearance was all that mattered and in the end it was too much. Specifically, this poem acts as an example of what women were fighting against in the 1960s.  Piercy wanted the world to see the same gender constructs are not made for men. Men do not have the same social expectations to uphold a certain appearance. Her writing shows how this effects a person very deeply. She created this as an example of what society should not do to women. Her work helped push protestors to fight and change stories like this one. Influenced by Piercy and Freidman’s work, women achieved so many historic gains during the 1960s. 

Second Wave feminism catapulted the nation into a time of development for women. It allowed them to be not only seen but heard. Powerful people listened and the laws passed were the forceful catalyst jumpstarting the equalization of society. As a result of the achievements of Betty Freidman and Marge Piercy, the world was introduced to the new age of powerful women. Her compelling poem of a “Girlchild” whose life, significantly influenced by other’s opinions, comes to an avoidable end. The voice of many stuck listening to the wrong people, her writing gave these ladies a voice. She echoed the cultural turmoil of a nameless face who is ridiculed by her appearance instead of her ability. Her words point out that many women were expected to fulfill this ideal image.  Specifically, the tragic ending depicts a metaphorical image of the 1960s, and gives the reader insight into the expectations and ideals that were challenged by bold and confident women. 
