Radicaal maar toch redelijk. Het ontstaan van de Aktiegroep Man Vrouw Maatschappij (MVM)

Samenvatting

Radical Though Fair. The Making of the Activist Group ‘Man Vrouw Maatschappij (MVM)’ (Man Woman Society). October 1968 ‘Man Vrouw Maatschappij’ (Man Woman Society) was founded, the first Dutch organization representing the so-called ‘second wave’ of women’s emancipation. Compared to other European countries (e.g. Great Britain, Western-Germany, France), discontent among young, educated women was more widespread than elsewhere. Existing informal networks helped the start of the new activist organization, propagating the ‘new feminism’ which promised a solution for women’s discontent. Both the program and the solidness of the organization proved the key to success for MVM. Rather traditional in their modus operandi, though radical as far as their ideas and ideals were concerned, the men and women of MVM succeeded in reaching the mainstream of Dutch culture, pretty much old-fashioned and not too much interested in women’s lib at that time. As it goes, every generation of activists tries to out-do its forerunners. MVM has, quite unjustified, been branded as dull and conformist. High time to acknowledge their pioneering in feminism, twenty years ago.