Feminism Views Essays - Womens Rights, Free Essays, Term Papers

Feminism Views Essays - Womens Rights, Free Essays, Term Papers Feminism Views Feminism Views Women have always been a mans dependent. These two sexes have never shared the world in equality. Even in our day and age women are still heavily suppressed. I would have to say that things have certainly changed since the 1700s, 1800s, and early 1900s. Women today are progressing into the world with freedom. They have the power to be who they want to be and are no longer told who they should be. Women are getting better jobs, higher political status, and more importantly, a role in society to which they have no boundaries. Women are no longer stuck in the house. Instead they are providing for their families not only emotionally, but also financially. Today gender identity is becoming less important. This issue is central not only to public policy, but also too private relationships as well. We wouldnt be where we are today if it wasnt for the hard work and determination of people like Mary Wollstonecraft, John Stuart Mill, Emmiline Pankhurst, and Simone de Beauvoir. Most women are n o longer facing the hardships of the 1700s, 1800s, and early 1900s. With limited education, economic rights, or social respect, women were excluded of having a voice in society. As they grew older a womans intellect gave way to beauty and social graces. At this time the only way they could succeed in the world was by marriage. Women were thought as only existing for men. Men respected women, because they were their servants, made their clothes and food, and took care of their family. In their struggle for equal rights, women faced strong opposition. Opponents argued that feminist demands would threaten society by undermining marriage and family. The Government went to great lengths to suppress women by refusing them an education. Mock2 Keeping them in ignorance would subdue them. When feminism first began the only demands made by women were a better education and a respectful position in society. One of the first women to touch base on feminism was Mary Wollstonecraft. Mary first stated her opinion of feminism in her book, Vindiction of the Rights of Women. Mary was one of the few career women of that time. She made her living as a prolific writer. Mary wanted all women to have equal citizenship, economic independence, and most importantly an education. She believed that without these things women wouldnt survive. Her main argument was the simple principle of having an education. She argued that a woman would have no idea why she has to do the things she does or cooperate with societies laws without an education. Mary thought, and I agree, that education holds the key to achieving a sense of self-respect and anew self-image that would enable women to put their capacities to good use. One of the first men to take part in feminism was John Stuart Mill. He was a British philosopher and liberal. He believed that women should be able to vote and have access to an equal education as well as the professions. He stated that this equality wouldnt be just humane, it would have the advantage of doubling the mass of mental faculties available for the higher service of humanity. Which seemed like a reasonable idea, but it wasnt accepted. Mills interest in feminism greatened when he met Harriet Taylor, who herself was a feminist. Taylor helped him shape his ideas on the urgent need for reform in womens rights. In 1867, Mill, as Member of Parliament, proposed that suffrage be extended to women. He was rejected with a 194 to 74 vote. After being turned down, his persistence never stopped. He won a broader audience after he wrote, The Subjection Mock3 of Women. In that book, Mill argued that women should be able to participate in political life and should not be barred from the workforce. When womens suffrage began to reach its peak Emmeline Pankhurst came into play. She and her daughter Christabel formed the Womens Party. These women engaged in demonstrations, disrupted political meetings, and went to jail. If they went to jail they resorted to hunger strikes. Emmeline went through ten of those hunger strikes herself. They got so out of hand that they had to be force-fed.