[Logophile]

Well, there were also no laws protecting people from discrimination based on race before the Civil Rights Act, and I'd suspect that most people would agree that those laws were needed.

Even if most people would agree, it is intellectually sloppy to equate the treatment of blacks with the treatment of women. You cannot say that because laws against racial discrimination are needed, laws against sex discrimination are needed as well.

But that was not even my main point. You characterized the 1950s as a major step backwards for women because of choices those women themselves made. Why is that?

[Accygirl]

"Even if most people would agree, it is intellectually sloppy to equate the treatment of blacks with the treatment of women."

Because the same human principles apply... Some people are racist and need to be told this is not okay for society, just like some people are sexist and need to be told that's not okay. Gender discrimination laws protect women from getting fired because they get pregnant or getting paid less for men for the same work. They also protect both women and men from being victims of sexual harassment.

"You characterized the 1950s as a major step backwards for women because of choices those women themselves made."

Choices that were made for them. That's the difference. Women who chose to go to college and have a career would find it near impossible to get a job in the corporate world other than being a secretary.