During the 1960s and 1970s women struggled to gain the respect and power that men have always had. Women decided during the second wave of feminism that they too deserved the same level of respect that men were getting. Feminism was a dominant movement in this time period, which had an effect on all of America. It influenced the media, literature, and the ideals society expected from women. By looking at events and the ideals of society during the second wave of feminism during the 1960s/1970s, we can further understand the meaning behind Marge Piercy’s “Barbie Doll” and her view that women were viewed as less than men.      

Before the 1960s, the typical American women received limited respect in almost every aspect from family life to the work place. Women were never expected to be independent and make a life for themselves. The small majority of women that worked were routinely paid lower salaries than men and denied opportunities to advance, since their employers assumed they would soon become pregnant and quit their jobs, and that, unlike men, they did not have families to support (Tavanna). In the article Tavanna which discusses the second wave of feminism, they quote “One women from the time period said ‘The female doesn’t really expect a lot from life. She’s here as someone’s keeper – her husband’s or her children’s’”. However, by the 1960s women were fed up with this lifestyle and wanted to be equally treated. This lead to many famous feminism leaders to take action by writing books, articles, and journals. The main focus of the second wave of feminism was to create equal opportunities and for men to see women as more than “property” (Tavanna). Women during this time period were seen as someone’s wife, not their own person. Many feminist movement leaders started to express their frustration for this time and even creating organizations, one being National Organization for Women (NOW), which went on to lobby Congress for pro-equality laws and assist women seeking legal aid as they battled workplace discrimination in the courts (Tavanna). These organizations were founded by powerful and influential women of the time and their names went down in history. However, it is feared that the focus on only a few big names, does not do justice to all the working class people that played a role in the movement (Krahulik).

In Marge Piercy’s Barbie Doll, Piercy expresses how women were seen by society and the expectations of women during the 1960s/1970s. Piercy’s poem explains that women are born with an open mind, but when developing are given “GE stoves and irons and wee lipsticks the color of cherry candy” they will be taught to associate with these stereotypes (Harley 348). Proving that from an early age girls learn what their rolls are as a house wife and to worry about their image. Women in this time period were expected to be the caregiver and society worked to encourage women to understand that from a young age. These girls were not given toys for their dolls that supported independence and a future that compared to one of a man at the time. Once women decided that they too wanted to live a life of their own like men did they, started taking action leading to the feminism movements. This poem was written in 1973, which is right in the middle of the second wave of feminism. This piece of poetry shows the expectation of women prior to the movement and the issues women struggled to overcome. 

Women during this time period were expected to not only perform the duties that were set to woman, but maintain the proper image. In Piercy’s poem she explains the women in the poem as having a different image, “so she cut off her nose and her legs and offered them up” (Harley 349). Women during this time wanted to fit in and took drastic measures to assure they fit in with the norms of society. This poem, although a bit over exaggerated, exemplifies that if society did not approve of something women felt they needed to conform to fit those expectations. During the 1960s/1970s society gave woman an unrealistic image and woman had to struggle every day to fit in. Piercy says the that, “Everyone saw a fat nose on thick legs.” (Harley 348).  which lead the girl in the poem feel that she was not good enough for society. Piercy writes this to help women in this time relate and realize that society was wrong. It helped influence women to see that they deserved better, leading to the feminism movements. 

Not only were women seeking to live an equal life though image, but also strived to have an equal opportunity in jobs. Piercy writes, “She was healthy, tested intelligent, possessed strong arms and back, abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity” (Harley 348). Women always possessed the skills needed for jobs that society believed was only for men.  A main focus of the second wave of feminism was equal career and educational opportunities. There were marches in New York City, and in a photograph taken during one of these marches, two ladies hold a lager banner that reads , “Equal Jobs and Educational Opportunities” (Lane). Women put forth large efforts to get make their voice heard in society. It is clear in Piercy’s poem that she too believed women were fit for those jobs. Prior to the 1960’s women were not expected to hold high positon jobs and were always treated poorly in the workforce (Tavanna). Piercy’s poem demonstrates that women of this time are just as capable to do the jobs of men. She uses cultural and social issues going on to write this poem. She wanted her readers to know that women are qualified and there is no reason to restrict them or pay them any different. 

The poem “Barbie Doll” appeared in the book To Be of Use written by Marge Piercy, being one of the few literary works that displayed a majority of woman’s frustrations during this unequal time period. Books, articles, and all literary works were used to influence society to see the struggles of women and helped influence women to want to help be a part of the movement. In Krahulik review over Stephanie Gilmore’s work, Gilmore believes that, “historians have overlooked both the number of and the diversity of activist who fought, often in coalitions, to improve women’s lives at home and in the work place”. Proving the importance that every woman, no matter what social ranking she had, was impacted during this time. No matter if a woman just participated in a march, seen in Lane’s photograph, or wrote a best-selling novel such as Gilmore; all of these events helped lead to a more equal society in present day. Every women’s efforts during these hard times were rewarding in the end. 

Piercy’s work influenced the women at the time to take action, also Piercy used current issues of the time to influence her work. She wanted women to read her poem and realize that they too should be a part of the feminism movement going on at the time she published this piece. Piercy felt strongly that women were being mistreated and not receiving the respect they deserved. Both outside sources help explain the emotions and events going on that persuaded Piercy’s ideas. The poem confirms that women during the 1960s/1970s felt they were judged and not given the same respect as males. 
