The Feminine Mystique - Betty Friedan

I opened this book expecting it to be a relic - a piece of historical interest. What was interesting was how it applies today as well as ever. True - everyone isn't expected to be a housewife anymore. Women with PhDs aren't worrying about making homemade bread. And yet there's still an enormous gender gap. The movement went the other way - in the need for equality with men, women now do too much. Again, you have to chose between having a family or a career - and most end up choosing family. Most high-level work environments don't provide childcare, or even flex-time or part-time work. To be a scientist, you have to sacrifice ever seeing your child to succeed - or not work at all. There is no compromise - no time off. The loss of strong women due to this problem is society's loss.