The Evolution of Gender Equality

In class recently, we have been learning about the women’s reform of the mid-19th century. In this period, women became more vocal with their demands for equality. However, society’s reactions to these demands were mixed in their acceptance level. In order to gain understanding on what a woman was expected of in this period, we examined the picture to the right. In it, a mother is shown taking care of her children, with her husband absent and presumably at work. Some of the roles shown in this picture that a woman was expected to fulfill were entertaining the children, educating them, making clothing, taking care of and training animals, and mending various household items. In addition to these roles, the curtain symbolizes the hidden nature of the woman’s job, and the little recognition she received.

In addition to this picture, we also examined the laws and practices of 1848 which related to women’s rights. A couple of these were: “It is improper for a woman to speak in public”, “In almost every state, the father can legally make a will appointing a guardian for his children in the event of his death”, and “In most states, it is legal for a man to beat his wife. New York courts ruled that, in order to keep his wife from nagging, a man could beat her with a horsewhip every few weeks”. As can be seen in just three of many laws and practices, a woman in those times had few to no rights in basically every aspect of life. Due to this, women began to stand up for themselves and give themselves a voice, both literally and figuratively. At the Seneca Falls Convention of July 1848, women finally began a movement, with the “Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions”. In this document were such resolutions as, “Women is man’s equal - was intended to be so by the Creator, and the highest good of the race demands that she should be recognized as such”, and “The same amount of virtue, delicacy and refinement of behavior that is required if women - should also be required of men, and the same transgressions should be viewed with equal severity on both man and woman”. With these fairly modest requests, however, came both support and criticism.

The reactions to this demand for women’s rights ranged from supportive to disapproving. One disapproving newspaper, the “Oneida Whig”, wrote, "They should recollect however, the illustrious member of their bolting sisterhood who had not long worn the nether garments before she found it in her heart to disgrace her man's apparel and to cry like a woman." This shows that some thought that it was not possible for a woman to complete the role of a man. Other newspapers, one being “The Recorder”, mocked the movement. In “The Recorder”, it was written that, “The ‘Declaration’ adapts the language of that of “Independence” to the grievous bondage of woman in the nineteenth century. We need not say that we think the movement excessively silly; nevertheless many of our readers will have a curiosity..” This shows that some never gave the movement a chance, and wrote off the women without giving them a chance. Even with all of the negativity, however, there were supporters of the reform as well. One supportive newspaper, the “North Star”, wrote, “... there can be no reason in the world for denying to women the exercise of the elective franchise, or a hand in making and administering the laws of the land. Our doctrine is, that ‘Right is of no sex.’”. This newspaper may have had an unpopular opinion in supporting the reform, but it shows that the movement still had its support from some members of society.

The United States has come a long way in gender equality, and women and men mostly have the same rights now, contrary to the time of the reform. However, it can’t be said that men and women have equal opportunity and are judged equally. Even today, some men who work in the same positions as women are paid higher, and there are still stereotypes for what fields women should and shouldn’t start a career in. A video that shows these fairly common judgments made by many is a Pantene commercial from the Philippines. In the video, men and women are shown doing the same things, with the man’s actions championed while the female is judged and labeled. For example, while a man can be seen as a “boss”, a woman in the same position can be seen as “bossy”. In all, today’s society still reacts differently to men and women, just in a different, more subtle manner.

Works Cited:

The North Star. July 28, 1848. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/images/vc006197.jpg. Feb. 2, 2015.

Rev. G.H. Hulin, Rev. J.A. Avery, The Recorder. August 3, 1848. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/images/vc006198.jpg. Feb. 2, 2015.

Oneida Whig. August 1, 1848. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/images/vc006199.jpg. Feb. 2, 2015.