The Second Sex

Key Concepts and Strategies

«The Second Sex» is a foundational work by Simone de Beauvoir dedicated to studying and analyzing the status of women in society, their oppression, and paths to liberation. The author emphasizes the historical, philosophical, and social context of women's existence through detailed analysis of literature, mythology, psychoanalysis, economics, and biology. Beauvoir views women as the 'Second Sex,' subordinate and defined through their relation to men, which leads to their marginalization and exploitation. One of the main concepts is the idea that gender is a socially constructed category; 'one is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.' Beauvoir advocates for equal rights and opportunities for women, as well as their independence, education, and right to work. The work also includes an analysis of female sexuality, motherhood, and gender relations, critiquing patriarchal structures and their impact on women's identity and self-realization. The book proposes a strategy of liberation through awareness of one's individuality and rejection of accepted gender roles, calling for the creation of a new, egalitarian model of social relations.