These Vital Years (01:51)

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Betty Friedan considers the vital years of old age and to what use they can be directed.

Women's Cultural Status (03:39)

Betty Friedan published "The Feminine Mystique" in 1963. It was instrumental in triggering the Women's Movement. She organized The National Organization of Women. Friedan understood the cultural pressures on women to "stay in their place."

Shifting Priorities (03:42)

What were once strictly "women's issues" have now become "society's issues." Women have more power than they recognize, and could cease focusing on little battles within the male model and focus on the transformation of that model.

What About Age? (01:10)

Reality is far ahead of its imagery. What images are there of vital engagement and involvement for people as they age. Basic human connections come through love and work.

Retirement? (03:07)

There exists no serious social policy thinking about what to do with the great human resource of the abilities older people who continue to grow and learn.

Old Brains, New Connections (01:26)

Animals and humans have similar experiences when taken from isolation into an environment full of challenging situations, things to look at, and others to interact with--nerve dendrites grow.

Elder Care (02:40)

Betty Friedan speaks her mind about nursing homes and other elder care facilities that do not foster growth and vitality. Society needs its older citizens to be engaged in the life of the community and to find new ways to be autonomous and vital.

Just Live the Question (01:28)

More is to be gained by giving up the need to find answers and instead to live the questions.

Beyond Gender (05:06)

Traditional definitions of woman focus on her reproductive years. After that, women have another half of their lives to live. Women define themselves to the degree they embrace life's dilemmas and complexities with creativity and wonder.

Credits: "These Vital Years: A Conversation with Betty Friedan at 76" (00:44)

Credits: "These Vital Years: A Conversation with Betty Friedan at 76"