How far do you agree that women had made significant gains in their fight for equality by 1980?
Equality is ensuring individuals or groups of individuals are treated fairly and equally on the grounds of their race, gender, religion, disability, age or sexual orientation. One such group of individuals who are in an unremitting fight for equality in context of gender and race are woman within the United States exemplified by the World economic forum global gender gap report of 2015, ranking the country 28th in terms of equality between men and woman. Although in terms of the global demographic the ranking appears adequate – impressive even by some accounts, the unwavering determination of the feminist movement leading up the 1980’s,
…show more content…
However due to the disproportionality among the number of female voters especially among Black, Hispanic and Native Americans most of whom remained in a fixed position on the lower demographic of the class table as well as resolute same sex opposition, most notably from anti-suffragist Alice Hay Wadsworth, whether or not these gains were significant is highly debatable.
Six decades later in 1980, and America has experienced a deceptively lucrative economic boom, the most devastating financial crisis in world history and two World Wars and through it all, females and males alike have campaigned tirelessly for and against the advancement and equality of women, which posses the figurative million dollar question - How significant have woman’s gains been in their fight for equality by 1980?
At the forefront of the argument is the societal ideology of the American people during the era, most of whom were trapped in a traditionalist mind-set, one that required them to disregard generations of social norms, which had been subconsciously spoon-fed to them through media advertisements such as billboards and magazines most notably Cosmopolitan and Woman’s Journal, that had set a psychologically restrictive standard about what was acceptable. Following the baby boom of the 1960’s with the birth of a massive seventy-six million children, the American people were clearly in a mind-set of traditional family
Women’s rights and equalities have always been an issue. Women first began their fight for equality in 1776, when the Congress was working on the Declaration of Independence. During the late 1840s, women set up the first women’s rights convention, which was the starting point of the women’s rights movement. In 1861, men were getting called off to war, leaving their wives and kids at home to wait patiently and care for the house and children. Women did not take too well to that idea, and they began to take action. Women have always fought for their right to stand alongside men. The three major events for the fight to gain rights and equality for women were the “Remembering the Ladies” declaration, the Civil War, and the Women’s Rights Movement.
The American family has changed throughout history and has brought along gender and sexual norms. However, some parts of the family and these gender norms have been fairly constant as America has progressed and may even be seen today. These changes and similarities can be seen through the families during the colonial times, the 1800s, and the 1950s.
Not only have women won the right to vote, but women are now are being elected to public office at all levels of government. People used think that women could never work in an area as such because women were seen as ignorant. Women have been able to attainment professions and businesses of every kind. Women have been able to gain the levels of the clergy, the military, and becoming anchor women in the newsroom. Occupations that were considered “nontraditional” are now being worked by women. I believe women have accomplished so much, but yet a lot still remains to be done. Significant barriers to the full equality of women in America and across the world, still remain before our freedom as a Nation can be called complete. The Women’s Rights Movement has clearly been successful in permanently changing the circumstances and hopes of women. Women and young girls today are living the legacy of women’s rights that many generations of women before us have given their best to achieve. We should be proud of the women’s legacy that these heroic women had fought for, after being mistreated and beaten. I now have more respect after learning the history of the Women’s Movement to honor those who conquered our rights as
Most people think that the fight for women's equality stopped years ago when in reality it still remains a national issue. Legally it appears as though women have the same freedoms as men, for example the right to vote, freedom of speech, etc. But due to the fact that women still don't obtain equal pay or have nationwide paid maternity leave, it's still an ongoing fight. Fair and equal rights for women are still a large problem in the U.S. and we need to take action against these injustices.
With over half the U.S. population being female, achieving equality should be more encouraged. Even in 2015, women are underpaid - only earning seventy cents to every dollar a man makes. On the national level, through SDG 5, the federal government should impose harsh fines on companies who don't pay women equal to men. On the local level, more authorities should be hired to eliminate violence against women, as they are more likely to be the victims of violent crimes. When women are finally looked at as equals, we will be able to put aside our differences and work together like we should have been able to from the
The early 1900s for women weren’t perfect. They were treated as second class citizens, forced into unhappy marriages, paid way less than men and looked down upon for being independant. However, we can slowly see some baby steps towards real rights for women starting to form. We can see both women and men fighting for these rights in an effort to make the world a more equal
During this period several women including Betty Friedan stood out to establish safeguards against discrimination of sex.Women were gaining their rights along with African Americans. Betty Friedan established the National Women’s Caucus half of a million women fought so they can have equality toward men they took part in the women’s strike on August 26,1976. In 1961, President Kennedy established issues related to women he established an important step for women’s rights.Women weren’t treated fairly in the workplace and the EEOC was unable to enforce they were discriminated in the workplace. By 1972, the equal rights amendment had been approved everyone is now equal including women. This shows how women were able to overcome the stereotypes that were put upon them and how they were able to fight to make themselves equal like men for many centuries.Also, how Acts were established for women’s rights. Today, women are finally able to work and vote without being discriminated upon by society.Women have more opportunity today than in the 19th century, today women have equality toward men and they are treated equally in society.The movement made it possible for women to gain equality toward men and have more opportunities that they never got in the 19th
In the mid-1900s, women had to fight to be treated equally. Many women marched, publically spoke, petitioned and performed other non-violent actions in protest. One serious issue was not being able to vote. “When the U.S. was founded, its female citizens did not share all of the same rights as men, including the right to vote.” (History.com Staff 2010). In 1920, the 19th amendment had been ratified and women now had the right to vote.
The past 50 years in America have seen incredible reformation and progress for women’s rights and their role in
When looking back to several decades ago in comparison to now, it is quite obvious how far America has come in certain areas and issues. Two of the major areas of change that have occurred here in America pertain to the issues related to women’s right and racial inequality. In modern times, the women here in America have copious rights and privileges due to the passing of laws and acts. In addition, African American citizens now have rights equal to white people due to the Civil Rights Act and the impact of certain leaders. While our country has made significant progress in these areas, there are still inequalities present in our nation that could use attention. There are ways to overcome these issues and inequalities, but it takes the care and consideration of those willing to help make a change.
While “the United States seems to be ranked as one of the top nations in terms of its military, technology,and GDP, it struggles with its social issues in terms of race, economic disparity, and gender equality”(Frazer). The world of politics is over run by males, “Only 34 women have ever served as governors. Compare to 2319 men” (Newsom). In the 1920’s women received the right to vote, women's suffrage has come a long way. Women are more independent now, but this does not mean they have equal rights.
If the Women's Rights Convention was being written today some items that should still be included is employment inequality. In some cases, men are more likely to receive job opportunities over women. This idea can relate to the complaint in the Declaration of Sentiments, it stated, "He has monopolized nearly all the profitable employments, and from those she is permitted to follow, she receives but a scanty remuneration." (Stanton 398) I believe a lot of the complaints that were stated in the Declaration of Sentiments has been resolved. Thus, women now have just as equal rights as men, with the president's elections being this year, we have a women candidate running. Therefore, we can say a lot has changed for women since the 1800s.
From reading the selection entitled “The Second Shift” Women have pushed forward in the struggle for equality in society. Whether it be in the work field or at home today women are front runners in the professional world. More women are going to college than men as proved in recent studies. Women have outnumbered men on college campuses since 1979, and on graduate school campuses since 1984. More American women than men have received bachelor 's degrees every year since 1982. Even on most campus, the Admissions Offices have received more applications from women for early decision candidacy than men for the eighth straight year. The wage gap is slowly decreasing and the fight for proper day care services along with insurance are passionate issues for women across America. From the outside, it seems we have come a long way. But step closer. Stop looking at the fights we have won and are continuing to fight as measures of our success in both aspects. Look deeper. Look into the everyday life of a working woman today in the United States. What you will find there tells a very different story of a woman 's world today. I know I have as a working mother and coming home to do homework and other household duties as well.
The American family has continuously been changing over the years and has been shaped by changing ideas about gender, sexuality, race, and class. The institution of the family has changed but it has also remained the same in some aspects. Society’s acceptance of changes in gender and sexual norms have reshaped representations of the family. Betty Friedan, Barbara Ehrenreich, and Dorothy Sue Cobble have written articles that pertain to the changing of the institution. As the American society changes its views on gender and sexual norms, sometimes through movements, it has informed representations of the family.
weren’t equal as men, the women’s movement helped lead them to equality because they wanted