The Rise of the Womens Rights Movement - Essay Example

The Rise of the Women’s Rights Movement The seventy-two years in American history beginning from 1848 way up to 1920 marked a significant period for women. It is during these years that the struggle for emancipation from the “cult of domesticity” was at its peak. It was believed, especially for married women, that the woman’s place is the home. They were meant to contribute to the progeny of men by bearing their children. Traditional values demand that women nurture their families and care for all the home needs, thereby not giving them the time nor opportunity to seek work outside the home. Young ladies were groomed not for successful careers but to be wives of eligible and economically stable men, so they are not encouraged to pursue their education, as this will not be of benefit to them anyway. This cult of domesticity has been practiced for ages, so it was already something that most women accepted and became accustomed to. However, a growing number of women felt they were too constrained to be anything more than a housewife and longed to maximize their potentials as women. In raising these concerns, feuding groups of women fought for opposite beliefs. Those who yearned for freedom and equal rights with their male counterparts, led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, staged a convention to launch the women’s rights movement. For two days in July in 1848, they convened in the low-key town of Seneca Falls in New York. This small group of people were instrumental in uplifting the position of women in society. In the convention, they argued for equality with men and fought for greater legal rights, especially the right of suffrage. They also voiced out their need for more professional and education opportunities (McMillen, 2008). These women were courageous to fight for reform that was considered radical at that time, especially since their opponents were also women who embraced domesticity. Out of that convention came the Declaration of Rights and Sentiments as drafted by Elizabeth Cady Stanton. The document demanded women’s voting and property rights as well as equal economic and educational opportunities with men. Eventually, in 1920, after more than seventy years, women got what they fought for with the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which reads: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.” This amendment empowered women with certain rights and privileges that allows them to pursue an education, vote, and seek employment outside the home, and even work alongside men. It was a long wait, but it was truly worth it! Work Cited McMillen, Sally. Seneca Falls and the Origins of the Women's Rights Movement., Oxford University Press, 2008. 2. Institutionalized Heterosexism From time immemorial, the belief that there are only two genders: male and female, has been propagated by society. This meant that each gender was endowed with its own roles, rights and privileges. Over the years, the fact that some people have differing sexual orientations that did not conform to the two that are upheld, was not welcomed, as discomfort in even accepting such differences prevailed. Although homophobia, or the “irrational fear of, aversion or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals” (Merriam Webster Online, 1969) has been viewed negatively, it has somehow persisted albeit in a more subtle manner. Individuals who pursued their sexual preferences as lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) usually suffer discrimination in many facets of society. They are seen as those who go against the norm, and certain rights, opportunities and privileges that heterosexuals enjoy are usually not extended to these LGBTs. This kind of prejudice against LGBTs has been labelled heterosexism. It deprives many of society’s privileges from those who “fall outside mainstream notions of gender and sexuality” (GLSEN, 2002: 2). Such privileges and advantages are enjoyed by “normal” heterosexual beings, who probably take it for granted, as it has always been available to them for simply complying to societal expectations of gender roles. Heterosexism triggers dual processes of denial and denigration (GLSEN, 2002:2) among people who feel uncomfortable in the presence of LGBTs. This is palpable in schools, churches and places of work among others. Schools, which are considered custodial settings that protect all students regardless of their race, socio-economic status, religion, abilities, family and cultural background and sexual orientation, are likewise besieged by students who endorse heterosexism and express this by bullying peers who are LGBTs in various ways. They may be called names such as “fags, queers, fairies, etc. or rejected in auditions to plays, membership in certain school clubs or try-outs in some sports activities by reason of their sexual orientation. When such prejudice stains the educational system, it disillusions LGBT’s expectations of the school being their source of protection and refuge and are left defenseless against oppression (GLSEN, 2002:3). Heterosexism, like other prejudices such as racism and classism, has become ingrained in societal laws, customs and institutions and exists in every societal level, from the most basic unit of families to federal policy. The message it sends to the public is that heterosexual beings are normal and socially acceptable as opposed to homosexuals or bisexuals. This is emphasized in the social, cultural and political areas of American society. It is not unusual to hear of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) exclusion of gay men who have engaged in homosexual behaviour since 1977 from donating blood even if the donated blood undergoes screening for HIV or other diseases (Dornin, 2000). The military also has a policy forcing LGBT service members to keep their sexual orientations to themselves. However, harassment cases of LGBTs continue to rise (Robert Crown Law Library). Also, despite the existence of equal opportunity laws that stress non-discrimination, LGBT employees are not fully protected and continue to be discriminated (Burrell, 1996; Leland, 2000). The nonchalance of society in listening to the plight of LGBTs further exacerbates the situation and hence, strengthens institutionalized heterosexism. The greatest challenge in dismantling such heterosexism entails making people recognize that it even exists and encourage understanding of how it affects everyone in general. Such enlightenment is the first step in dealing with the issue, which hopefully, leads to more actionable steps to acknowledgement, acceptance, respect and provision of equal rights to LGBTs and to finally renounce heterosexism. Works Cited Burrell, Cassandra, Gays Remain Hopeful Congress Will Pass Bill Outlawing Job Discrimination. Associated Press,1996. Dormin, Rusty, FDA Ban on Blood Donations from Gay Men Challenged. CNN. Web. January 13, 2000. GLSEN Educational Department Resource, Institutionalized Heterosexism in ou Schools: A Guide to Understanding and Undoing it., Web. < http://www.professorreed.com/GLBT_- E_institutionalized_heterosexism_in_our_schools__a_guide_to_understanding_ and_undoing_it.pdf, 2002 Leland, John. Shades of Gay. Newsweek. March 20, 2000. Merriam Webster Online, Web. < http://www.m-w.com/dictionary.htm> 1969 Robert Crown Law Library at Stanford Law School. Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue Database: http://dont.stanford.edu/ Read More