The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir is a revolutionary progenitor of modern feminist thought. The book is appropriate for adults of all sexes and genders, be it men, women, or someone else. Younger age groups, however, may find the book difficult due to its philosophical nature. De Beauvoir’s texts are primarily concerned with inequality between men and women. The title of the book, The Second Sex, derives from the notion that women are defined exclusively in opposition to men. It stands to reason that this notion is condescending and manipulative of women, reducing their value to the mere opposite of a man.
De Beauvoir (1956) argues that women’s history was built entirely by men; thus, condescendence and discrimination are not women’s issues; it is men who are to blame. De Beauvoir (1956) compares women to other historically oppressed groups, like African Americans and Jewish people, yet she brings up several important nuances. The author states that women are neither a minority, comprising the larger part of the populace, nor have they ever been segregated from men (De Beauvoir, 1956). The path to eventual liberation is paved with numerous difficulties, among which de Beauvoir identifies women’s irresponsibility as the main one.
The Second Sex was chosen for this review due to its importance for the modern feminist movement. Simone de Beauvoir, although a controversial public figure, has inspired entire generations to fight for women’s liberation. The author approaches the problem of sex-based discrimination from various angles, such as historical, philosophical, scientific, and even mythological. Her work challenges the entrenched misogynistic attitudes, covert or not. She addresses possible ways out of the discriminatory status quo and women’s responsibility in this endeavor. For its cultural and philosophical significance, The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir deserves a short piece of recognition.
Reference
De Beauvoir, S. (1956). The Second Sex. Jonathan Cape.