Women in mid-19th century America were treated extremely different from men. They were treated as less than men, but were expected to do a lot more. Women of the time did not have many rights in society, and their demand for equality caused many different reactions.
Women were expected to maintain a clean and peaceful household, as well as take care of their children. They were in charge of maintaining. cleaning, and mending clothing, educating, entertaining, and disciplining their children, and cooking, cleaning, and keeping their house in order. All without recognition or help from anyone outside their household. But despite of all the work being done by women, they barely had any rights in their society. Women weren't recognized in the eyes of the law. Women were not allowed to own property, any possessions they had would become property of their husbands when they married. Women could not vote in any state in the Union, and they could legally have their children taken away from them when their husband died.
Women became fed up with their unfair treatment and attempted to reform their society. They created a list of grievances and reforms entitled "Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions." They modeled it after the Declaration of Independence and listed their demands. Howard Zinn wrote about the women's reform and this document in particular in History is a Weapon: Chapter 6 The Intimately Oppressed. He stated that "Then came the list of grievances: no right to vote, no right to her wages or to property, no rights in divorce cases, no equal opportunity in employment, no entrance to colleges, ending with: 'He had endeavored, in every way that he could, to destroy her confidence in her own powers, to lessen her self-respect and to make her willing to lead a dependent and abject life....'" The women felt that they were being oppressed and mistreated by men, and stood up for their rights.
Unfortunately, 21st century society still reacts differently to men and women. Of course, the inequality is nowhere near as extreme as it was in the mid-19th century, but it is still prevalent. This Pantene commercial shows exactly how women can be perceived differently than men. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K2kfgW7708&feature=youtu.be). Today women are still treated less than men, whether they are in a position of power or not. Women deserve to be treated as equals to men, and women's rights are still a huge topic in society today.
Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions: http://www.edline.net/files/_AIGpE_/e432b021f82b6ba03745a49013852ec4/Declarations_of_Sentiments_and_Resolutions.pdf
The Intimately Oppressed: http://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/zinnint6.html
No comments:
Post a Comment