First Wave Feminism
The 1960s brought the pill and the sexual revolution but as the 1970s dawned equality of the sexes was still a long way off. Women could be paid less than a man for doing the same job, posts were advertised by gender and 'sexual harassment' was an unknown term. The first wave of feminism took place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, emerging out of an environment of urban industrialism and liberal, socialist politics. It focused on legal issues, primarily on gaining women's suffrage, for example having the right to vote. It was largely women from the upper class who were concerned with women not being equal in politics and having the right to vote.
Second Wave Feminism
Second wave feminism broadened the debate to a wide range of issues: sexuality, family, the workplace, reproductive rights and official legal inequalities. At a time when mainstream women were making job gains in the professions, the military, the media, and sports, second wave feminism also drew attention to domestic violence and rape issues and changes in custody and divorce law.
