Women's Rights In The 1800s

Upon looking back in history, as early as the late 1800’s, living life as a woman was difficult due to the strict rules or limits on what she was or was not allowed to do. Women were considered second class citizens that could not vote, could not speak in public, own no property, maintain no wages, and existence was for attending to the home and the families needs (Powerpoint). To live a life of constant submission to men in a world that is ever changing, was bound to change and provide women the rights they deserve. By the turn of the mid 1800’s to today, the women’s rights movements have fought, and continue to fight, for control over our own voices to ensure women are granted the same rights as men. Upon two women, Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth

Two branches of movement developed; women’s rights branch, and the women’s liberation branch. The women’s right branch was for equal rights, which extended equal rights to women through legal reform and philosophy of anti-discrimination policies (Andersen, p. 350). Those against women’s rights, were afraid that if this movement was successful, women would be seen in military combat, or even eliminating separate bathrooms for men and women. Whereas, those in the women’s liberation branch, sought that change not just happen legally and politically, but also radically in the basic social institutions, such as family, sexuality, religion, and education (Andersen, p. 350). Furthermore, the social institutions which oppress women as women, are also oppressing people as people and can be altered to make a more humane existence for all. Therefore, with much of society being hung up on sex role stereotypes, by dismantling this structure will provide an opportunity for a more viable life for everyone

Liberal feminism, focuses on social and legal reforms to create equality for women (PowerPoint). Additionally, it emphasizes gender socialization as the source of gender differences, in which socialization can help bring more egalitarian gender relations (Andersen, p. 360). However, society tends to support patriarchy keeping women out of power positions (PowerPoint). Liberal Feminism was born out of the Enlightenment. This era was a time in which liberal ideas challenged the power of the elites and assumed the future would be ran by the people (Andersen, p. 362). Overtime, influential liberal feminist came about, particularly, John Stuart Mill and Harriet Taylor Mill. Their work, “ The Subjection of Women” brought about inspiration for the British suffrage movement. In which, their work related to women’s oppression to a systematic critique on liberty, as well as the relationship between men and women (Andersen, p. 371). Despite the influential figures, and movements that have resulted from this, but liberal feminism presents some weaknesses. For instance, it does not address what became institutionalized and accepted, nor does it look at how inequality originated