| Women In History Essay, Research Paper
Equality has been a controversial issue ever since time began. Whether it be race, sex, or
religion, it has always been an unsettled topic of concern. Equality between men and
women is often brought into society. I think men and women should be treated equal
from all perspectives. Gender is what makes women different from men, but does not
make women incapable of compiling valuable choices. Women and men have the ability
to make decisions that will benefit all people in a fair way. As it is, men are most often
voted into our government for their ability to make law abiding decisions. It is my
personnel belief that women have the intelligence to do the same. The views of John and
Abigail Adams, as well as Benjamin Rush, illustrate the different opinions regarding
equality.
John and Abigail Adams have animosity relating to the subject of equality. My
interpretation is that Abigail Adams believes that women should be recognized in the
republican society. Abigail threatens a rebellion if herself and other women are not given
the attention and care they so desire. She speaks of the neglect in education to the
daughters whereas John thinks the sons are being deprived of education. John Adams
plainly laughs at his wife s remarks. He explains the turbulence that has broken out
among governments everywhere, due to the absolute power of husbands over their wives.
It is brought to me that John Adams believes, and will forever believe, in the absolute
power of men in the republican society. Abigail Adams feels that women should have
more of an opportunity in the republican society. John Adams believes that the
masculine system is fine as it is.
According to Benjamin Rush, women s education is extremely important. He
believes that female education should be accommodated to the welfare of society,
manner, and the government of the country. As I understand it, Rush wants women to be
educated in these things so that they can intelligently instruct their children in the same
way. He ensures that learning vocal music will make domestic life more soothing and
possibly easier. It will take away the distress of noisy children and a husband. Benjamin
Rush looks highly upon novels and believes that reading them will make a young lady
more of a humanitarian. He states that some men think of a woman that is educated in
morals, physical and religious truth, is unfriendly to the domestic character of a women.
He goes on to say that this statement is the prejudice of men with little minds.
Primarily, Rush concludes that if females were better educated, they would be
more useful in domestic life. Children would learn wisdom in all aspects if their mothers
were better educated. Benjamin Rush is a smart man and I agree with a lot of his writing.
Men and women should always be treated as equals. John and Abigail had a
different opinion on that. She believed they should and he believed they shouldn t. Rush
believed that if women were educated on the same things as men, life all together would
have been better.
Equality has long been a major issue in society. As for myself, there is no reason
that any one person should be treated better or worse than the next. Everyone should
receive an equal education, male or female. Women are just as capable as men to be
apart of the republican society.
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