Women have always been denied of their basic rights. Also they have been majorly exploited and discriminated considering them the “weaker sex”. But history tells us that women have started their fight against the patriarchal society with fighting for right of vote or for women suffrage. Mary Wollstonecraft wrote a book called “A Vindication of the Rights of Women”, which is considered the first scripture of feminist text. When and how did women get right to vote? The 19th Amendment passed , in 1924 in the United States guarantees women’s suffrage.
History tracks that women were considered “weaker” and also weren’t smart enough to understand politics. Though this conception also is considered in modern world. Some of the historical justifications for not different feminism movements. And the growing demand for equal for equal rights. Here are some of the arguments put forward by men to justify why women were not allowed to vote?
If women Vote, The Human Race will End!
People have believed that, if women won the right to suffrage, then the entire human race would be doomed. This argument was often cited by the anti-suffrage leaders to stop women from becoming politically aware. They said that, “if women became involved in politics, they will stop marrying, having children, and the human race will die out”.
Women are too Emotional to be Responsible Voters
It is often thought that women are emotional “fools”. But “fools” during Shakespearean time were considered as intellectuals rather than dumb. Men considered women as emotional and thought that their brain were filled with emotions instead of intellect. If intellect is not there, then they were not considered responsible citizen for voting.
Women’s Sole responsibility is to Raise Sons!
Men considered that women’s only role was to give birth and raise sons. They had nothing to do with politics or voting. Sons raised by women should be politically aware not his mother. This were the opinion of the anti-suffrage opponents.
Women Don’t need to Vote Because Men vote in their Favor
Women are always represented by their husbands, sons, father and brothers. These were the opinion of not only men alone but many women who supported anti-suffrage movement. And also many run the Anti-suffrage groups.
