Individual and Society: The Womens Movement Essay -- Essays Papers

Individual and Society: The Women's Movement The role of women is like any other factor that determines the advancement of society as a whole; it is continually changing and affecting its surroundings at the same time. From beginning as unimportant citizens, to creating a strong feminist movement, to the "picture-perfect," subservient housewife, and finally to an opinionated, self-sufficient human being who has a variety of options, women have drastically changed their role in a male-dominated society. It is through these several stages of history that the significance of women's rights has progressed and presently placed them in positions with power. As a group, women have survived tremendous variations in lifestyles, showing their importance as individuals in society. Historically, women have moved from being one of the lowest statures in culture to a dignified class of people who are now nearly equivalent to men. It is the nature of human beings, though, to not always defend and follow the laws of society and thus discrimination against women still exists. However, the development of women's rights has come a long way since the limited views held by those in power in the Old Regime. The basic philosophy of earlier times showed no consideration for the female sex and little concern for their well-being. Not until the women's movement, which began around the mid-nineteenth century, did women start to progress as an individual group demanding rights and privileges. The Seneca Falls Convention of 1848 met "to consider the social, civil, and religious condition and rights of women."(1) Beginnings of a stage of realization for the need for improvement were starting to appear and a willingness to attempt to better their st... ...le River: Prentince Hall, 1997), 493. 8. Betty Friedan, "The Feminine Mystique (1963)" in Perry M. Rogers, ed., Aspects of Western Civilization: Problems and Sources in History. (Upper Saddle River: Prentince Hall, 1997), 508. 9. Betty Friedan, "The Feminine Mystique (1963)" in Perry M. Rogers, ed., Aspects of Western Civilization: Problems and Sources in History. (Upper Saddle River: Prentince Hall, 1997), 509. 10. "United Nations Declaration of Women's Rights (1967)" in Perry M. Rogers, ed., Aspects of Western Civilization: Problems and Sources in History. (Upper Saddle River: Prentince Hall, 1997), 510. 11. "United Nations Declaration of Women's Rights (1967)" in Perry M. Rogers, ed., Aspects of Western Civilization: Problems and Sources in History. (Upper Saddle River: Prentince Hall, 1997), 511-512.