Women's Rights In The 19th Century
Were you engaged with women’s rights in the nineteenth century? Or do you ever wonder what it was like to be a woman back in the days? The term women’s rights are rights and freedom that are set for women and girls of all kind. In which is now formed into women’s rights and the feminist movement which was around the 20th century. In some countries, these rights are supported by law, but in others, women’s rights are being ignored and they, are being oppressed on the regular basis. In the following report called, Stepping Through History, it highlights a timeline with some of the popular issues associated with the movement of women’s rights which consist of; right to vote, to work, to fair wages or equal pay, to own property, the right of education,
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and parental and religious rights. Some of which the following philosopher mentions in their philosophy theory to change women’s rights. Most of them agreed on wanting women to be free and be equal to men. Those philosophers are Locke’s, Mill and Wollstonecraft. In the following essay, I will provide information and evidence on how women began to gain more control over certain situations, and their rights overall. I will be backing up my argument with the following philosophy of Locke, Mill, and Wollstonecraft theory. In order to help my audience understand the impact, it took on women to hold a better understanding of how women used to live.
Women have won some rights, but the majority of what they were really striving for led to a loss, but the progress they have achieved throughout the year’s women created a great path for women’s rights.
In John Locke’s writing, the Second Treatise of Government, he explained the important status of women. Some of his arguments were, women are not property, if a father isn’t around the kids life then the women remain power over children, as well as if women aren’t happy in their marriage they were able to make a choice to abandon the marriage, also kids are supposed to respect the mother and the father the same. Locke addresses the point where children are supposed to respect their parents the same in chapter 6, “The phrase ‘paternal power’ is probably an example of this. It seems so to place the power of parents over their children wholly in the father, as though the mother had no share in it” (John Locke). By having children respect their mother Locke is given women power because he does it without the limitation of men. Locke said, “The child’s duty of honour gives the parents a perpetual right to respect, reverence, support and compliance too, in proportion to how much care, cost, and kindness the father has put into the child’s upbringing” (Locke). If the children honor their father it will not affect how much they honor their mother. The children are caring and honoring both parents the same. It is clear that this argument confronts limitation. Although Locke’s view …show more content…
would be seen as traditional because he believed the man should be in charge of his family, no one but the man should be the household. He briefly acknowledges that women were able to work with a man. Which this argument is taking women into consideration and their rights are freely being expressed. The roles of women were beginning to change, but they still have not achieved their goal, full equality. Women are not seen as “weak”, they can take decisions just as men.
There’s a long list of struggles women face that ranged from freedom, equality, happiness, and justice. Women were not able to take any sort of action towards gaining any power. During John Stuart Mill era, women were subordinate to men by law. Most women were set to marry certain men, carry children, women were not allowed an education because they're only responsibility was to care for their kids and husband. Women weren’t able to own any property nor have any money. Also, women didn’t have the right to vote, again, until later. Women lived under their husband manipulation, the husbands were their master and they must obey everything they say. Mill’s argument for women’s rights reflects on his Utilitarian roots. He argues, “one of the chief hindrances to human improvement” (John Stuart Mill). Women who don’t have the same opportunities as men are being denied the opportunity to develop their talents. Mill questions why does this happen, and it happens because we have laws and the laws are stronger than a woman who has talent. In other words, the fact that it is said that men are stronger than women makes people believe that men are superior to women in every aspect. Therefore men are portrayed as stronger in strength, smarter than women, and overall with the power. Mill makes a connection on how women are portraying to the world and say they are being portrayed as slaves. Another argument he argues is, “the progress of society requires that all people, men, and women, not be imprisoned in the “fixing social position” in which they are born but instead be given the opportunities to develop their talents and to pursue their desire as long as they pose no threat to the right of others” (Mill). I feel like this is vague because society is allowing men and women to act in their best interest but society doesn't want neither to “threat” other people’s rights. The only rights they are taking away here are women. The only way to see the full potential of a woman is to free her from all oppression, give them the same opportunities as men and they will see the results are good. Concerning those who think the liberation of women cause their marriage to be destroyed, but Mill response that in this case, it is not true the only reason why relationships don't work is that the husband is really controlling. The only result women’s liberation will bring is positivity to the society. The society will improve with having the knowledge of women in different fields, also benefiting women with happiness.
Women in the 1970’s are dramatically changing their role. The reason they are changing their role is due to the Feminist movement. The Feminist movement began in the 1960’s but carried over to the 1970’s gaining a larger audience. The feminist movement focused on dismantling workplace inequality, such as denial of access to better jobs and salary inequity, and anti-discrimination laws. Women were beginning to stand up for what they believe in; they are demonstrating this by protesting. They wanted to change the “traditional” role of women and change the image of gender roles. Small things like that helped them increase their chances to gain power. Mary Wollstonecraft stated that both women and men were human beings with the same rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. She wanted women to pursue education because it will open more opportunities for them. Wollstonecraft argues,
“So the most perfect education, in my opinion, is the use of the understanding in the way that is most likely to strengthen the body and form the heart—i.e. to enable the individual to attain such habits of virtue as will render him or her independent. To describe as ‘virtuous’ anyone whose whose virtues don’t result from the exercise of his or her own reason is a farce. This was Rousseau’s opinion regarding men: I extend it to women. . . ” (Mary Wollstonecraft).
If women are educated they won’t lose any power they will actually become independent.
As said in his quote, “In these arguments, sir, I am not trying to get anything for myself; I plead not for myself but for my for my sex. My own personal wants, anyway, amount to very little. For many years I have regarded independence as the great blessing of life” (Wollstonecraft). The main point she aims to get across is women don’t need to have power over men, they should have power over themselves. Which is important because it shows how women are independent. She didn’t propose women to have better education, she wanted men and women to both be educated the same. She said, “Fighting for the rights of women, my main argument is built on this simple principle: If woman isn’t fitted by education to become man’s companion, she will stop the progress of knowledge, because truth must be common to all; if it isn’t it won’t be able to influence how people in general behave” (Wollstonecraft). Women should have the same rights as men and they should be allowed to work in the same job field. Wollstonecraft argues that those who think women are rational creatures and are slaves to their passions should prove it. For instance, women gained power with the following; the right to vote, and the advantage of working. Women are now receiving more rights than they had in the past. Moreover, with the smallest gain of rights for women comes with an exchange of a new role in society. A lot of women in
the 1970s were striving for a footprint in society and wanted to achieve more than just the standard housewife position. Women were fighting for the right of equality as men. The equality, women were fighting for would allow them to work in a law firm, office, and etc. A handful of powerful women supported this movement with all force and were attempting to gain women’s equality. Strikes were the most popular form of demonstrating what women want. Majority of the strikes were directly aimed towards sexist laws and social equality. The movement was getting wide which in turn was giving women more opportunities to equality. For example, women were able to see job listing and finally read in the jobs for both women and men.
In conclusion, women had to face a lot of struggles to survive and achieve equality. It took women a lot of effort, tears, protest, and a lot of hard work to fight for women’s rights. Getting certain benefits were almost hardly impossible for women. Women struggled with not having any power to making any sort of decisions, they were not able to work in certain work fields or earn the same amount of money as men. It was said that women were only to take care of their households. For example, women had to stay at home and clean the house and take care of the kids at all times. While men had the privilege to go out and enjoy life doing what they enjoyed doing. Men were set to take care of the family, and the only ones who were allowed to provide everything for the family to survive. Women were not allowed to be famous by any means. It took a while for the first woman, actress, writer, singer, etc. to gain equality, it was beyond hard, but never impossible. It seems that society was conflicted about what women should be, what roles they should play, and how they should be valued. Some progress was made, and women took steps forward. But in other cases, society appeared to hold on tightly to the old ways and views. It is interesting that some of the issues I mentioned above are still the same problems we talk about today, 40 years later. These social changes have been unfolding slowly over time, although women have come a long way, still, have far to go. Women have greater independence but are still viewed as the homemakers. Women all over the world are being oppressed. Oppression in the United States highly affects women the most because they are seen as “weak” they are being portrayed as the sensitive target. On the other side, men are being portrayed as a “strong independent soul”. Which in today’s world, it is the opposite, women have proven how strong and independent they can be by working harder than men in the industry, women are very independent nowadays.
and parental and religious rights. Some of which the following philosopher mentions in their philosophy theory to change women’s rights. Most of them agreed on wanting women to be free and be equal to men. Those philosophers are Locke’s, Mill and Wollstonecraft. In the following essay, I will provide information and evidence on how women began to gain more control over certain situations, and their rights overall. I will be backing up my argument with the following philosophy of Locke, Mill, and Wollstonecraft theory. In order to help my audience understand the impact, it took on women to hold a better understanding of how women used to live.
Women have won some rights, but the majority of what they were really striving for led to a loss, but the progress they have achieved throughout the year’s women created a great path for women’s rights.
In John Locke’s writing, the Second Treatise of Government, he explained the important status of women. Some of his arguments were, women are not property, if a father isn’t around the kids life then the women remain power over children, as well as if women aren’t happy in their marriage they were able to make a choice to abandon the marriage, also kids are supposed to respect the mother and the father the same. Locke addresses the point where children are supposed to respect their parents the same in chapter 6, “The phrase ‘paternal power’ is probably an example of this. It seems so to place the power of parents over their children wholly in the father, as though the mother had no share in it” (John Locke). By having children respect their mother Locke is given women power because he does it without the limitation of men. Locke said, “The child’s duty of honour gives the parents a perpetual right to respect, reverence, support and compliance too, in proportion to how much care, cost, and kindness the father has put into the child’s upbringing” (Locke). If the children honor their father it will not affect how much they honor their mother. The children are caring and honoring both parents the same. It is clear that this argument confronts limitation. Although Locke’s view …show more content…
would be seen as traditional because he believed the man should be in charge of his family, no one but the man should be the household. He briefly acknowledges that women were able to work with a man. Which this argument is taking women into consideration and their rights are freely being expressed. The roles of women were beginning to change, but they still have not achieved their goal, full equality. Women are not seen as “weak”, they can take decisions just as men.
There’s a long list of struggles women face that ranged from freedom, equality, happiness, and justice. Women were not able to take any sort of action towards gaining any power. During John Stuart Mill era, women were subordinate to men by law. Most women were set to marry certain men, carry children, women were not allowed an education because they're only responsibility was to care for their kids and husband. Women weren’t able to own any property nor have any money. Also, women didn’t have the right to vote, again, until later. Women lived under their husband manipulation, the husbands were their master and they must obey everything they say. Mill’s argument for women’s rights reflects on his Utilitarian roots. He argues, “one of the chief hindrances to human improvement” (John Stuart Mill). Women who don’t have the same opportunities as men are being denied the opportunity to develop their talents. Mill questions why does this happen, and it happens because we have laws and the laws are stronger than a woman who has talent. In other words, the fact that it is said that men are stronger than women makes people believe that men are superior to women in every aspect. Therefore men are portrayed as stronger in strength, smarter than women, and overall with the power. Mill makes a connection on how women are portraying to the world and say they are being portrayed as slaves. Another argument he argues is, “the progress of society requires that all people, men, and women, not be imprisoned in the “fixing social position” in which they are born but instead be given the opportunities to develop their talents and to pursue their desire as long as they pose no threat to the right of others” (Mill). I feel like this is vague because society is allowing men and women to act in their best interest but society doesn't want neither to “threat” other people’s rights. The only rights they are taking away here are women. The only way to see the full potential of a woman is to free her from all oppression, give them the same opportunities as men and they will see the results are good. Concerning those who think the liberation of women cause their marriage to be destroyed, but Mill response that in this case, it is not true the only reason why relationships don't work is that the husband is really controlling. The only result women’s liberation will bring is positivity to the society. The society will improve with having the knowledge of women in different fields, also benefiting women with happiness.
Women in the 1970’s are dramatically changing their role. The reason they are changing their role is due to the Feminist movement. The Feminist movement began in the 1960’s but carried over to the 1970’s gaining a larger audience. The feminist movement focused on dismantling workplace inequality, such as denial of access to better jobs and salary inequity, and anti-discrimination laws. Women were beginning to stand up for what they believe in; they are demonstrating this by protesting. They wanted to change the “traditional” role of women and change the image of gender roles. Small things like that helped them increase their chances to gain power. Mary Wollstonecraft stated that both women and men were human beings with the same rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. She wanted women to pursue education because it will open more opportunities for them. Wollstonecraft argues,
“So the most perfect education, in my opinion, is the use of the understanding in the way that is most likely to strengthen the body and form the heart—i.e. to enable the individual to attain such habits of virtue as will render him or her independent. To describe as ‘virtuous’ anyone whose whose virtues don’t result from the exercise of his or her own reason is a farce. This was Rousseau’s opinion regarding men: I extend it to women. . . ” (Mary Wollstonecraft).
If women are educated they won’t lose any power they will actually become independent.
As said in his quote, “In these arguments, sir, I am not trying to get anything for myself; I plead not for myself but for my for my sex. My own personal wants, anyway, amount to very little. For many years I have regarded independence as the great blessing of life” (Wollstonecraft). The main point she aims to get across is women don’t need to have power over men, they should have power over themselves. Which is important because it shows how women are independent. She didn’t propose women to have better education, she wanted men and women to both be educated the same. She said, “Fighting for the rights of women, my main argument is built on this simple principle: If woman isn’t fitted by education to become man’s companion, she will stop the progress of knowledge, because truth must be common to all; if it isn’t it won’t be able to influence how people in general behave” (Wollstonecraft). Women should have the same rights as men and they should be allowed to work in the same job field. Wollstonecraft argues that those who think women are rational creatures and are slaves to their passions should prove it. For instance, women gained power with the following; the right to vote, and the advantage of working. Women are now receiving more rights than they had in the past. Moreover, with the smallest gain of rights for women comes with an exchange of a new role in society. A lot of women in
the 1970s were striving for a footprint in society and wanted to achieve more than just the standard housewife position. Women were fighting for the right of equality as men. The equality, women were fighting for would allow them to work in a law firm, office, and etc. A handful of powerful women supported this movement with all force and were attempting to gain women’s equality. Strikes were the most popular form of demonstrating what women want. Majority of the strikes were directly aimed towards sexist laws and social equality. The movement was getting wide which in turn was giving women more opportunities to equality. For example, women were able to see job listing and finally read in the jobs for both women and men.
In conclusion, women had to face a lot of struggles to survive and achieve equality. It took women a lot of effort, tears, protest, and a lot of hard work to fight for women’s rights. Getting certain benefits were almost hardly impossible for women. Women struggled with not having any power to making any sort of decisions, they were not able to work in certain work fields or earn the same amount of money as men. It was said that women were only to take care of their households. For example, women had to stay at home and clean the house and take care of the kids at all times. While men had the privilege to go out and enjoy life doing what they enjoyed doing. Men were set to take care of the family, and the only ones who were allowed to provide everything for the family to survive. Women were not allowed to be famous by any means. It took a while for the first woman, actress, writer, singer, etc. to gain equality, it was beyond hard, but never impossible. It seems that society was conflicted about what women should be, what roles they should play, and how they should be valued. Some progress was made, and women took steps forward. But in other cases, society appeared to hold on tightly to the old ways and views. It is interesting that some of the issues I mentioned above are still the same problems we talk about today, 40 years later. These social changes have been unfolding slowly over time, although women have come a long way, still, have far to go. Women have greater independence but are still viewed as the homemakers. Women all over the world are being oppressed. Oppression in the United States highly affects women the most because they are seen as “weak” they are being portrayed as the sensitive target. On the other side, men are being portrayed as a “strong independent soul”. Which in today’s world, it is the opposite, women have proven how strong and independent they can be by working harder than men in the industry, women are very independent nowadays.