Final answer:
Betty Friedan co-founded NOW and wrote 'The Feminine Mystique' to address and combat the widespread dissatisfaction among women confined to domestic roles, sparking second-wave feminism and promoting gender equality in various aspects of life.
Step-by-step explanation:
Betty Friedan co-founded the National Organization for Women (NOW) and wrote The Feminine Mystique to challenge the post-World War II societal norms that relegated women to the roles of housewife and mother as their sole purpose. She was motivated by the belief that this narrow definition of women's roles was unjust and led to widespread unhappiness and lack of fulfillment among women. Through her work, Friedan aimed to promote equality and encourage women to seek opportunities beyond domesticity. The publication of The Feminine Mystique in 1963 sparked a social revolution by highlighting "the problem that has no name," referring to the dissatisfaction of women who were confined to their roles as homemakers.
Second-wave feminism was significantly influenced by Friedan's advocacy, and her role in founding NOW was pivotal in setting the agenda for the feminist movement. NOW worked to improve women's lives and aimed for comprehensive change, ensuring women's rights in various aspects of life, including the right to equal pay for the same work. The organization highlighted issues such as the "second shift" faced by employed women, who were still primarily responsible for domestic chores, thus limiting their potential for wider participation in society.