From the first realization that men were physically stronger than women, gender equality had slowly deteriorated, leaving women with next to no respect by the 19th century. Their roles in society compared to that of men, were seen as insignificant. They stayed at home with housework and children to care for, while men worked in the production of goods or services. It was believed that families could be supported solely by the work of men. They belonged in what is known as “the public sphere,” the outside world filled with trouble and violence; no place for the weak creatures women were known to be. The home, where they belongs, is seen as “the private sphere.” “The cult of domesticity” was the public image of middle class women of this time, where their proper role in the world was to care for the house and children, to provide comfort to men and to always stay out of the public eye. Along with these strongly enforced and encouraged roles, women also had set expectations to follow; expectations which made the ideal woman. These expectations were piety, purity,domesticity, and submissiveness. Women with piety were good christian women. It was considered disgusting for women to not be religious. Women were also expected to be completely pure, and without their sexual purity they were seen as unfit for company and repulsive. This was so stressed and important during the 1800s, that a “purity fetish” came about, where skirts were put on beds,all limbs of furniture were decorated, and any possible sexual appearing objects, like legs of furniture, were covered with euphemisms. Women were also meant to be submissive bystanders in the world, falling under man, fate, and God’s roles. Their domestic role came about as a result of the cottage system becoming extinct, leaving them with only their purity and piety to maintain at home. These extreme and unfortunate standards set by society were obediently followed by women for much too long, until finally they realized society’s biggest mistake. The middle of the century at last brought the first changes, and the fight for suffrage began.
The Seneca Falls Convention was the first real step towards suffrage, one taken by both men and women. It was a meeting to discuss what problems existed regarding views of women, and what steps were to be followed to fix these issues. The Declaration of Rights and Sentiments was established at this meeting, which brought about new standards for women, and new standards for men in regards to treating women. After many male and female representatives spoke to all attending the meeting about what changes they wanted, this document expressed 12 compromised resolutions along with a formal introduction mimicking that of the Declaration of Independence only modified. The introduction is changed to speak of both men and women as equals, and expresses rights to both genders unlike the declaration of independence; which has a beginning copied word for word except for the mentioning of women. The resolutions stated that women be regarded as man’s equal, that they have right to happiness, they must be given information regarding law and government, they shall be encouraged to speak, good behavior is required of both genders, they shall be treated well during public speaking, equal right to jobs and equal responsibilities, and equal right to vote. Voting was the only resolution that most disagreed with.
Although Seneca Falls was considered a success, and in many ways was, the voiced opinions only belonged to white and fairly wealthy females.Those impoverished as well as indians,New Mexicans and several other groups of women remained unheard; and their rights did vary based on background and culture. In class, different groups were assigned to different peoples looking for rights during the same time as the Seneca Falls convention, and we then came up with a list of five resolutions they would have created if their voices had actually been heard. The group I studied was New Mexicans. We resolved that taxes should be more lenient on the poor, old Mexican womens rights restored, education for languages, equality among race and no physical abuse of women. The activity was a good way to see how rights for women were not the only rights needed, and we learned that there were a lot of unresolved problems that affected many different groups. Racial injustice and miscommunication for example, plagued not only New Mexicans but also many other peoples.
What I believe to be the most important resolution discussed, is no abuse whatsoever. This is not a resolution that I think should be only directed towards women but all genders. No one should ever have right to hurt another; although it can never be fully prevented this right should at least be taken away, since it was not considered wrong for men to hurt women. Our society has improved in this way so much. Hurting people is not expected or common. However, rape does still occur, and there is no permanent solution to the issue. All we have done is improve though, not only in this aspect, but in all characteristics of womens rights. Nowhere near perfect; yet we are the farthest we have ever been from complete failure.