Societal Stigma Of Women

The Societal Stigma of Women

Throughout the history of the United States, numerous groups have found themselves subject to harsh social injustices and discrimination. Beginning first with the Native Americans, who were prosecuted by various generations of European settlers, our nation’s early record of ‘equality for all’ is tenaciously dismal. Additional examples of prejudice can also be drawn from decades of societal hatred towards African Americans, in which millions of citizens were forced to perform hard labor for no wage. However, and perhaps least shockingly, no other group within the history of the United States has been more victimized than women. Commencing in 1848, when a convention concerning the progression of women’s rights
In a drawing by CW Guslin, entitled “Election Day!”, a man was depicted as the home’s caretaker. Standing over him in an imposing manner is a woman, who was presumably the caretaker just years before the women's rights movement. While this depiction might not appear scary in this modern era, during the early 20th century, nothing could’ve been more frightening to those of the once dominant male population. Accustomed to exerting dominance over their female spouse, any man viewing this drawing would likely feel his power being taken away. These types of sketches, instead of supporting women's right, increased the opposition to the growing women's right
Engrossed in heated debate, the topic of women's rights had split Congress into two distinct sides; those who supported progression, and those who were traditionalists. Congruent with the era in which women's rights began, the number of those in Congress who supported the classic role of women was far greater than the opposing faction. Evidence of this uneven balance of power can be seen in the 14th Amendment, in which solely men gained legal suffrage protections. This bill essentially guaranteed the suffrage of African Americans, yet completely disregarded the female population. In addition to the 14th Amendment was the famous Senate speech on women’s suffrage, presented by Senator George Williams. Stating his belief that “…[women] convert all the now harmonious elements of society into a state of war…” (Pappas 5), Senator Williams full heartedly disagreed with women's rights. And unsurprisingly, his viewpoint was supported by numerous other congressmen, as men were extremely frightened by the idea of gender equality. This led to the passing of the 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th Amendments, all of which established absolutely no women’s suffrage