The Condition of American Women - Essay Example

The women experienced economic restrictions. Despite the women’s little success in obtaining freedom in other ways such as controlling their fertility, they experienced sharp objections in economic activities. In the mid-nineteenth century, women increased their economic liberty, but most states implemented the patriarchal rule within homes that restrained women from engaging in economic processes beyond their homes. In some places such as Pennsylvania, women could not engage in business contracts without the consent of their husbands.

Other states such as Georgia provided that the woman’s salary belong to the husband since the woman had no title and perceived right of possession. The restriction of women’s economic and social liberty was extensive in some states for instance; a married woman in Louisiana had no legal rights to even the clothes on her body. In politics, women were regarded as powerless due to the dominance of women in leadership positions. The women also disregarded themselves since they had little objection to the decisions made by men.

The notions imparted to women discouraged their competitive activities with men and refusal of the propositions by males. The stipulations demanded that the females had no rights to contest for political positions, and had other roles to perform. The women were to depend on the conditions set by men in all situations. The women such as Abigail Adams who attempted to oppose men’s desires by enlightening women on their rights received strong opposition and threats. Instead, women were warned from associating with such activists who could land them into trouble (Macdonald p. 33). Women had limited job opportunities since many jobs were regarded as belonging to men.

The women were entitled to domestic chores and giving birth. The omen experience tighter conditions concerning economic empowerment since those who advocated for industrial employment were regarded as immoral. Women were held in inferior positions regarding their functionalities in American society. The women were entitled to work such as house works, nursing the younger family members, and depending on their husbands for all provisions. Men took advantage of the women’s inability to resist and spelled the qualities of the woman required in society.

The women were expected to be submissive and loyal to their husbands and the community. Religious demands also encouraged women’s loyalty and avoidance of questions about men’s decisions (Macdonald p.44). The women coped with the realities of their lives through submission to the conditions set by men and assuming them as the standards for imitation. There was a compulsion on women that prompted them to cope with life in spite of the conditions they experienced. The men denied the women of their freedom and suppressed the means through which they would attain liberty.

Conversely, the women seek comfort from the oppression they experienced. The women coped with the conditions by abiding by them and embracing their requirements. Such women upheld the obedience to manhood and joined in opposing the women who operated against the demands of men.