This book explores how women have been portrayed in various forms of American popular culture over the years. In an introductory section, it is suggested that popular culture has generally used women to represent a social mythology that is built around women's subordinate status, a position that current feminists reject. Chapter 1 reviews books and printed materials that provide general histories of American women and historical accounts of womens' rights, social policy, and women's participation in the professions. Chapters 2 to 6 examine the role and image of women as portrayed in popular literature; magazines and magazine fiction; film; television; and advertising, fashion, sports, and comics. Chapter 7 reviews theoretical studies concerning women in popular literature. Appendices include bibliographies, biographies, and information guides related to women in popular culture, a chronology of significant dates and events, and a list of research centers and institutions involved in women's studies. (MJL)