Rights of Women in Two Papers - Essay Example

Women’s Rights Table of Contents I. Introduction II. Women’s Emancipation- Analysis III. Women’s Enfranchisement- Analysis IV. Connections V. Reaction Works Cited 1 I. Introduction Fuller, Margaret. “On the Emancipation of Women”. Women in the Nineteenth Century Arthur B. Fuller (Ed)/ Annals of American History. 1855. Web. 21 April 2014. May, Samuel. “The Enfranchisement of Women”. The Rights and Conditions of Women/Annals of American History. 1846. Web. 21 April 2014. I chose the two papers for the high mindedness of the writers and for the subject matters relating to aspects of the empowerment of women and the advancement of women’s causes. An underlying theme or thread in the two works is that women are both intellectually and morally capable to secure an equal place in society with men, not only in matters of economics and such things as the right to property as well as relations with men, but also in important political aspects, such as suffrage. In other words both argue for the securing of the various rights of women, as they pertain to being equal to men in those fundamental huiman rights. The thinking of course is that at the time of their writing the two works reflect imbalances and injustices in the way these rights are recognized along gender rights, with women’s rights not recognized in the same degree as men’s rights, if at all (Fuller; May). 2 II. Women’s Emancipation- Analysis This document was written by Margaret Fuller, who was considered a feminist, and bright and intellectual enough to be in the company of the Transcendentalists. In a way she was writing the piece for both the Transcendalists and the general society, in hopes of addressing the systemic discrimination against women in society and the denial of their inherent rights as human beings, in parity with the men (Fuller).. The first major point in the article is with regard to the conditions that women found themselves in, which is basically akin to slavery, in that they are unable to hold property, and are dependent on their husbands for whatever they get even when widowed. This, even as women are abused by vicious men, and made to suffer while the men live off their labors and their love like parasites. Fuller asserts too, that she is a slave in other ways, but this first point sets the stage for the airing of grievances so to speak, and by way of arguing for the recognition of the wider human rights of women: “It may well be an antislavery party that pleads for Woman, if we consider merely that she does not hold property on equal terms with men, We will not speak of the innumerable instances in which profligate and idle men live upon the earnings of industrious wives” (Fuller). The second major point has to do with the argument for women being recognized as equals to men in matters of intellect and morals, of women being capable in matters of high thinking and in other spiritual and moral pursuits, and therefore worthy of the same level of respect as men. “As to the possibility of her filling with grace and dignity any such position, we should think those who had seen the great actresses, and heard the Quaker preachers of modern times, would not doubt that Woman can express publicly the fullness of thought and creation” (Fuller). The third major point has to do with the obvious inequalities between the sexes in the matters explored above, and how the world itself will change for the better, and advance further, if women’s rights were recognized: “Yet, then and only then will mankind be ripe for this, when inward and outward freedom for Woman as much as for Man shall be acknowledged as a right, not yielded as a concession” (Fuller). III. Women’s Enfranchisement- Analysis The second document was written by Samuel May. An abolitionist whose basic stance is for the elimination of the practice of slavery, the writer in this sermon also argued for the granting of voting or suffrage rights to women, The intended audience is the writer’s congregation, and also no doubt the larger society, including not just people from the writer’s on faith but all Americans of every religious and political affiliation (May). The first major point has to do with how women are not given the right to participate in discussions and decision-making in things that affect them greatly, such as the crafting of the fundamental law, the regulation of alcohol, and discussions on any war effort, because they are not granted the right to vote. The argument is that while women make up half the population, their voice is disregarded in important matters that have great consequences for their lives and well-being: “This entire disfranchisement of females is as unjust as the disfranchisement of the males would be; for there is nothing in their moral, mental, or physical nature that disqualifies them to understand correctly the true interests of the community or to act wisely in reference to them” (May). The second major point relates to the recognition of the superior virtues of femininity in matters of great social import, which is something that happens in societies that are increasingly enlightened. Feminine qualities are worthy of respect, and are of great use in more refined societies that are ablet to make use of them: “ Civilization implies the subordination of the physical in man to the mental and moral; and the progress of the melioration of the condition of our race has been everywhere marked by the elevation of the female sex” (May). The third major point relates to the way women’s powers are not properly developed, and their inherent physical weaknesses leave them at disadvantageous social positions relative to men, not by natural design but basically by social convention. A change in social convention can lead to the empowerment of women, and giving them the right to vote is essentially a step in that direction: “These circumstances operate powerfully to depress and oppress women, to make them too dependent, to leave them at the mercy of men. And I do not believe their condition will be essentially improved until their rights are recognized as equal every way, nor until these are secured in the very framework of society” (May). IV. Connections One connection between the two articles is with regard to the imbalance between male and female relations. May notes this inequality in owning and keeping property: “even as it respects property, women are nowhere allowed the same opportunities to acquire it, nor have they the same securities for its preservation” (May). Fuller makes a similar point: “...if a husband dies without making a will, the wife, instead of taking at once his place as head of the family, inherits only a part of his fortune, often brought him by herself, as if she were a child, or ward only, not an equal partner” (Fuller). A second connection has to do with the way men abuse their power over women. Fuller note thus: “Knowing that there exists in the minds of men a tone of feeling toward women as toward slaves, such as is expressed in the common phrase, “Tell that to women and children”” (Fuller). May makes a similar observation: “Women are too dependent upon men. We have too much power over them; and they are often cruelly oppressed” (May). V. Reaction The two articles in essence describe and analyze gender inequalities and the dynamics of the exploitation of women and the denial of their human and civil rights. The result is economic and social deprivation, and women being continually and systematically disadvantaged. In this light the articles push for the greater recognition, not granting but recognition of their inherent rights and abilities, and their equality with men in all spheres of life. I have learned just how disadvantaged women are and how the laws and society perpetuate their position of inferiority. I have also learned that there is much merit in women’s rights movements and that their demands for greater equality in work and in other aspects of life are legitimate and urgent (May; Fuller). 3 Works Cited Fuller, Margaret. “On the Emancipation of Women”. Women in the Nineteenth Century Arthur B. Fuller (Ed)/ Annals of American History. 1855. Web. 21 April 2014. May, Samuel. “The Enfranchisement of Women”. The Rights and Conditions of Women/Annals of American History. 1846. Web. 21 April 2014. Read More