Introduction
Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1792) is one of the first notable advocators of women’s rights, and whose theories established in A Vindication of the Rights of Woman with Structures on Political and Moral Subjects played a critical role in changing societal perceptions. At the time, most nations followed a deeply patriarchal perspective, where men dominated politics and science while women focused on housekeeping and raising children. Wollstonecraft’s theory challenged this conventional view on gender roles and advocated for women’s education and more active participation in societal matters.
Discussion
Wollstonecraft uses several reasonable premises to support advancing women’s rights in her fundamental work. The theory is relatively simple, summarized by the author’s statement, “If a woman isn’t fitted by education to become man’s companion, she will stop the progress of knowledge” (Wollstonecraft 2). In other words, she implies that people should perceive men and women equally in terms of academics because it will benefit society and advance moral and scientific progress. On the contrary, if women do not get a proper education, they might not understand why they should follow societal rules, be their husbands’ companions, or strive for a better future (Wollstonecraft 17). Hence, the first argument of the theory is that changing the perception of gender roles will benefit people and society in general.
Wollstonecraft provides several other premises and perspectives that advocate for the advancement of women’s rights. First, human rights violations regarding women hurt the credibility of the society that attempts to present itself as free-thinking and open-minded, which was the case for the United Kingdom in the 18th century. That is why the author criticizes the system: “The bulk of the people of Europe are only very partially civilized” (Wollstonecraft 8). She also denounces the traditional upbringing of women, calling it degradation due to excessive focus on obedience, a lack of free will, and the active participation of the church in state affairs. According to Wollstonecraft, all these elements of a patriarchal society violate human rights, prevent critical thinking, and obstruct the development of philosophy and morality.
Lastly, it is critical to note that while Wollstonecraft can be considered a feminist, she does not state that men and women should be equal in all areas of life, even including morality. This opinion can be summarized as “Women may have different duties to fulfill, but they are human duties” (Wollstonecraft 35). Hence, she recognizes some benefits of strict gender role regulation, which might sound contradictory to modern feminism beliefs. However, in the 18th century in the United Kingdom, Wollstonecraft’s theory on women’s rights was highly controversial, affecting how people perceive men and women. It was a crucial first step to changing the gender role of women from exclusive housekeepers to active members of society who can receive proper education and participate in a wider variety of societal matters.
Conclusion
Mary Wollstonecraft’s contribution to the advancement of women’s rights was immensely significant in the 18th century. Her theory, in general, is relatively simple, suggesting that women should have human rights similar to men’s (in most areas of life) and that this change will benefit the nation. On the other hand, if the patriarchal system persists, it will further degrade women’s capability to obtain free will and prevent them from becoming valuable members of society. Hence, Wollstonecraft argued that it was critical to advance women’s rights to achieve a brighter future for everyone.
Work Cited
Wollstonecraft, Mary. A Vindication of the Rights of Woman with Structures on Political and Moral Subjects. 1792. Revised ed., Jonathan Bennett, 2017.