The Woman Question from the 19th Century - Research Paper Example

The “woman question” from the 19th Century The understanding of the woman question can be traced from the Darwin’s evolution theory that delegated women position as subordinate position to that of men. This understanding was pegged mainly on the production role of women. Women were considered inferior to men since nature had delegated them simple roles of bearing and taking care of children. They were only worth in their reproductive organs (Mandelker, 1993). Different and varied aspects of nature were used to draw to the occlusion of the questions that concerned women; however, all these aspects were based on nature including insect kingdom, the animal kingdom, and flora and fauna among other aspects (Brackett, Brackett, and Gaydosik, 2005). Darwin tried to use the laws of physics and craniological data to support the beliefs he had on the position of women. It should be noted the medical community accepted Dwain’s and other scientific ideas and adopted them in treating women thereby fixing the productive organs of women. Different contributors, scientific and non-scientific cited different evidences to support the inferiority of women. Most of the contributors argued that women of the 19th century could have never been politically active nor could they have been overly educated (Straus, 1994). Therefore, the “woman question” from the 19th Century revolved the inferiority of women to men. In the late 19th century, women were ever bothered with numerous concerns that sometimes men consider issues of less concern. Marriage was an issue not to be considered by women. The marriage decisions were pegged on some unjustified goals and objectives that never seek the opinion of the woman thereby endangering their family lives. Just as postulated by Darwin, women remained inferior and were never allowed to address concerns that they felt were of higher interest to them. In all aspects of life, men deliberated on these issues and drafted vital decisions on behalf of women (Vivian, 2008). Nonetheless, different social settings had different concerns on the issues related to women. The 19 century saw many societies reacting different to the social concerns of women. Notably, some regions of them started leaving women make their own decisions to certain issues especially marriages while other societies remain undermining the capability of women to make their own decisions. The western world fast tracked deliberation of women and viewed them as people who could depend or make sound decision. This notion was never and has never been accepted by some communities in the world especially those that are found in Asia and other parts of Africa. The main social aspect that is greatly affected is the concern or the decisions that relate to marriage. From the understanding above, the women question was in the 19 century was pegged mainly on the role of the women in the society (Mandelker, 1993). Some parts of the world especially Europe accepted some changes in the role of women, but with greater risk levels. Nonetheless, they remain less significant compared to their male counterparts. Women could never do some obligations that were considered men’s chores. During this era, men worked in the factories while women were left to take care of children. Until this time, insignificance of women that was based on the productive organs and children natural as was postulated by Charles Darwin was still apparent. Unlike in the contemporary world that women can marry, the nineteenth century saw women married to take care of men; more importantly, they were to take care of children and the house or home as men undertaken core responsibilities. In cases where women were to work, they were given obligations that were considered miniature and in cases where they had some financial income before marriage, they left their marriage families (Mandelker, 1993) to support the parental families. Nonetheless, they remained primary consumers of the households and with some little source of income; they were responsible for the education and nourishment of their families. Moreover, women who had sources of income changed from getting food from the garden, but changed to shopping from groceries and food stores (Straus, 1994). The unmarried women could work in factories and if they were educated, they could be domestic servants, clerks, or teachers. However, the married women who worked outside their home had double responsibilities since they were to undertake housekeeping other than the factory or outside home responsibilities (Brackett, Brackett, and Gaydosik, 2005). Despite the education acquired by some women, they still found difficulties in finding employment since many employers were never comfortable hiring them since at one point they will get pregnant and the home responsibilities were projected as factors that could hinder their performance at the work place. However, inventions of series of technologies have ease lives of women especially in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The industrialization and urbanization of the nineteenth century led to different ways of life as well as created new jobs and working conditions. These movement and changes made people to see the world as a highly isolating place. Home became places that people could seek comfort from harsh business world (Mandelker, 1993). More importantly, the urbanization made the community to view women as source of moral and the home that had women or men who were married became socially and morally superior. It was the role of the women to guard and guide children and the husband. During this period, families were regarded as economic units especially in the agricultural areas; however, later it was regarded as the basic or fundamental unit for the emotional support (Straus, 1994). Additionally, the industrialization and urbanizations also changed how marriages were viewed. In some parts of the world, particularly those that were intensively affected by the industrialization women were allowed to choose men of their own as their lifelong mates. Some of these decisions were seen to be pegged on emotions and romance and to some extent economic factors played a significant role. The change in marriage contribution by women led to a significant women question of the nineteenth century. The first concern that a woman must ask herself is why she is asking herself that question. Most women often get married because they are expecting children, others think it is financially sensible while others get married since they are the only ones standing after all of their friends have been married(Pastor, 2011). Most of these reasons seem stupid and baseless if a woman gets married under these circumstances. These form wrong reasons that most women often get married. Apparently, in most cases, persons who get married under these factors often divorce once their wrong reasons of marriage dawn on them. In some cases, women may get married due to the pressure pegged on them by the society, where legal and official servitude of women ends the public opinion forces. Public opinion emerges and is supported by the bourgeoisie that often aims at preserving marriage as a sacred institution or property. Additionally, women are also subjected to double morality. In most cases, women have subjected to low economic income especially in their labor (Malm, 1957). These challenges often deprive women of their interest thereby leading to the bondage of marriage or sometimes end up in prostitution (Brackett, Brackett, and Gaydosik, 2005). Thus, for some women, instead of moving to prostitution towards solving their financial problems, they usually end up in marriage. This often explains the dark side of most marriages where women are subjected to suffering due to the positions with the marriage life or structure. Some women concentrate on the love of their body when trying to ponder on when to get married. Media in most cases have played a role in convincing women and sometimes men that they can only feel beautiful in the arms of others or someone who loves and approves of them physically. The media sometimes states that when an individual is alone in front of unforgiving mirror, they are only they are left with their own thoughts to battle (Vivian, 2008). Notably, getting to any relationship feeling unlovable, ugly, and ashamed of your look is a major recipe for disaster in that marriage (Straus, 1994). Psychologically, no one or woman can be convinced of their look depending on what they feel about themselves; however, the media have in most cases convinced women that they are very beautiful the way they look and they should get certification of the same in the arms of men. Therefore, some women often get into the marriage institution for their beauty to be appreciated by their marriage partners. It is even worse for someone to get married since she has accomplished all that she intended to accomplish within a given frame of time. Some women usually think of getting married after graduating from school and they never want to face the challenging job situations alone. Women should evade these fears and prove to themselves that they can overcome such challenges alone (Pastor, 2011). In fact, the goals and obstacles posted in human life are scattered throughout our lives and they often come in different forms and shapes; therefore, the only thing that one should think of are the parameters towards successful accomplishment of their life goals and objectives amid obstacles and challenges. It is pointless for someone to hide in another person since they are afraid of their challenges. Nonetheless, it is vital for everyone to be and remain happy (Lapp, 2010). Notably, these statuses of extreme happiness are achievable when an individual goes through these challenges are achieving their goals through their own struggles and mights. Hiding in someone during difficulties only makes an individual a slave to that person. The factors or wrong reasons for marriage largely ended in the 19 century in most parts of the world’s social class. It has ever been appropriate for a woman to meet a man or partners who will transform them from their commitment into persons who are willing to tether themselves. For women to achieve these status and persons, they should ever be talking about the boring details of the life including debt and health. These aspects only became applicable in the 19th century before this time marriages were guarded as clan talk and women’s contributions were never required concerning the same. Regardless of both of you (the woman and the man she intends to marry) knowing the right and having the right ideas, the woman should never get into a legal contract with someone they hardly know. In addition, it is quite unfortunate for a woman to settle down or get married to persons they have hardly been in a relationship. If people get marriage under the same circumstances, it may be fine; however, the underlying point is that living together. Finally, another question that women asked was pegged on the education that was acquired by women as from the 19 century. Notably, women were never considered for education since it was left for men. After initiating education in the life of women, the woman’s life style changed significantly. However, different parts of the society criticized the move and saying it was contrary to the traditional customs. Different women questions emerged at different time with the 19th century. Many nations disregarded them and the nations and societies that adopted them help to enhance woman’s life and lifestyle significantly. References Vivian, M. M. (2008). "By a black woman of the south": Race, place, and gender in the work of annajulia cooper. Southern Quarterly, 45(3), 127-152. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/222245442?accountid=45049 Mandelker, A. (1993). Framing Anna Karenina: Tolstoy, the woman question, and the Victorian novel. Columbus, Ohio: Ohio State University Press. Brackett, M. V., Brackett, M. V., & Gaydosik, V. (2005). Companion to the British novel, 18th and 19th centuries. New York NY: Facts On File. Straus, N. P. (1994). Dostoevsky and the woman question: Rereadings at the end of a century. New York, NY: St. Martinś Press. Lapp, D. (2010, Feb 11). Did I get married too young? marriages of people in their early to mid-20s are not nearly as risky as you think. Wall Street Journal (Online). Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/237939845?accountid=45049 Pastor, P. (2011, Jan 02). The next person who asks me when I'm getting married will get punched. McClatchy - Tribune Business News. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/821895960?accountid=45049 Read More