Germaine Greer and her role in the Womens Liberation

After the Women’s First Liberation won with the victory of women gaining the right to vote, the Second Wave of Feminism focused on the injustices and the prejudice that women faced in the male dominated world in the late 60’s and the early 70’s, this period was also an era were women challenged their rights in a male dominated world. Germaine Greer, one of the better known Western personalities of this generation, made a big change with the publication of her book ‘The Female Eunuch’ almost thirty years ago. Exemplifying Greer's libertarian views on sexuality, the book had a big impact on young feminists at the time. Its call-for an aggressive, adventurous, exploring, unconventional and uncompromising female sexual practice-mirrored the sexual revolution that was intimately linked to the youth radicalisation of the 1960s and the emerging women's liberation movement in the West. However, Greer was also criticised for her book's somewhat elitist, sneering attitude towards those women who still hadn't "made it" and continued to live in conventional relationships. Germaine Greer was one of the most prominent figures of the Women’s Liberation Movement in Australia. She provided a voice and allowed for many people to hear about the cause and realise they are also part of it. Her outspoken views and intellectual ideas created great controversy and debate around the world while also giving the movement a focus. Her renowned book, The Female Eunuch, challenged the traditional roles of women and their role in society. The book argued that women were not treated fairly and equally due to men’s fear of their sexuality, she also argued that the differences between males and females were not natural but rather they were acquired, taught and learnt.

Greer was a strong headed woman as attempts to rebut her remarks proved futile. She greatly criticised women who remained passive and were weary of change. She herself was also critiqued by other feminists for being too hard on women who couldn’t change; she was also accused as being a man-hater and of challenging the traditional fabric of society.