Introduction
The essay “On the Equality of the Sexes” by Judith Sargent Murray was released in 1790, immediately following the passage of the US Constitution. Murray was a prominent player in the history of women’s rights movements in the United States because she was a writer, essayist, and supporter of women’s rights (“Judith Sargent Murray”). This essay aimed to promote gender equality and disprove the notion that politics was only for men. This paper will examine Murray’s audience, the essay’s central premise, and the supporting details she provided, and highlight the reasoning as the main argument Murray used to prove her point.
Audience
Murray’s target audience for his essay was the American populace, particularly women. Her audience was crucial since, at the time, women were not allowed to participate in politics and were viewed as less important than men (Pizzetta 4). Murray’s essay encouraged women to participate actively in society and work toward gender equality. In her essay, Murray advocated for women’s equality with men in all spheres of life, including politics and education.
Arguments
Murray’s essay argued that women were just as capable as men and deserved equal opportunities in education, politics, and society. First, she used a biological explanation of the incoherence of the belief in the inequality between men and women. Her statement, “Will it be said that the judgment of a male of two years old is more sage than that of a female of the same age?” is significant (Murray 1). It addresses a common concern that women had been denied equal education and opportunities due to societal expectations based on their intellectual inferiority – a biologically unfounded assumption.
Second, Murray criticized unequal access to education between men and women. This sentence summarizes her criticism: “If she were permitted the same instructors as her brother, for the employment of a rational mind, an ample field would be opened” (Murray 2). She continues with a list of subjects in which women could express themselves—astronomy, geography, and natural philosophy. Yet, the biased perception prevents education from recognizing the power of the female mind and allowing it to flourish.
Murray thought educating women would produce educated and moral individuals, benefiting them and society. Murray’s essay aimed to advance gender equality and refute the belief that women were less valuable than men. This detail was enlightening: “there hath been as many females, as males, who, by the mere force of natural powers, have merited the crown of applause; who, thus unassisted, have seized the wreath of fame” (Murray 3).
According to Murray, women’s education was crucial because it enhanced their understanding of family and society, thus improving their roles as wives. As a result, not only would they not neglect their family responsibilities, but they would also be motivated to do them. The women’s rights movement in the United States benefited greatly from Murray’s essay, which promoted gender equality and questioned social conventions that discriminated against women.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the article “On the Equality of the Sexes” by Judith Sargent Murray significantly contributed to the American struggle for women’s rights. Murray’s essay promoted the idea that women were equally capable of and deserving of equal opportunities in school, politics, and society, which questioned the social norms that kept women back. Using historical and biblical characters, Enlightenment thinkers, and personal tales supported Murray’s ideas. In her essay, she encouraged women to actively participate in public life and strive for equal rights between genders. Future generations of women could fight for their rights and bring about gender equality in the US thanks to Murray’s work.
Works Cited
“Judith Sargent Murray.” National Women’s History Museum.
Murray, Judith Sargent. On the Equality of the Sexes. Isaiah Thomas and Company, 1789.
Pizzetta, Candis. “A Darwinian Approach to Judith Sargent Murray’s “On the Equality of the Sexes”.” International Journal, vol. 6, no.1, 2018, pp. 1-9.