Essay
Topic: Florence Kelley makes an argument for a mimimum wage in her 1912 article in the Journal of Political Economy. How does she argue that mimimum wage laws are especially relevant to women? Compare Kelley’s advocacy to Helen Keller’s arguments in “Why Men Need Woman Suffrage.” How do Kelley and Keller each suggest that women be “protected”?
“History doesn’t repeat itself, it rhythms”- Mark Twain
Today, the world we live is better than it was in the past. As we look back into the past, one must remember and acknowledge what many have gone thru to help structure and establish the world we live in today. Throughout history, women have been consistently mistreated and had fewer rights than men. The laws and rights that are contemporaneous today are a result of groups of courageous proactive social activists in the past who strives for a much needed change. For generations, women and children have been categorized as an inferior race with limited rights. Men, who were often looked at as the head of the household shepherded and supported the family with all their means: “It is the American tradition that men support their families, the wives …show more content…
Traditional works days were 12-14 hours long and the working condition were terrible. The work itself was arduous however they did not receive the respective compensation. Women were exploited for cheap labor and were paid unfairly, often getting paid a meager 8 dollars a week. Many didn’t know what their wages were and succumb to accept anything that was given to aid their families: “At present, no consumer however enlightened and conscientious can know the varying wages paid” (Florence Kelly, Journal of the Political Economy). Florence Kelley believe women had to get paid an adequate wages as they had children to look