by Jaye Green

Created on: April 16, 2009   Last Updated: April 19, 2009

The problem with American women's equality issues, is that they were rarely given the respect that they necessitated, and most women were encouraged to see the suffragettes or the later feminists as women who had a 'problem' with themselves; i.e. not having a man.

Many women were raised, as late as the 1950s, (and the concept still exists) to find a man who will 'help them in life'; that is, who will support them financially and give them a life and identity. College was seen as a place to find a better quality husband than work place. Women attended college not to gain an education or career but a husband.

This husband was to work and support them, insure they had everything money could buy, and in return they would engage in sex with him, and bear his children, for him to support.

In a way it seemed rather idyllic to leave the support of a father for the support of a husband, and never need to do more than concentrate on ones appearance, manners, and enjoy the fruits of his labour. On the other, the prolonged childhood of women had its drawback when the husband found other women to support, treated her with scant regard, and behaved as if she were a slave he had purchased somewhere.

Although women had, in America, especially on the frontier, lived quite rugged lives, and there was very little courtesy paid to their status as 'weaker' sex, they nevertheless rarely saw themselves as deserving of rights.

Women were very active in the anti-slavery movements, and learned how secondary they actually were. Having their political consciousness raised in re one issue they would now wish to gain rights for themselves that they had advocated for others. This was not an easy task, and some of the most virulent enemies of women's rights were other women who enjoyed their prolonged childhood.

When Woodrow Wilson was virtually forced to support the Amendment granting women the right to vote, this did not mean woman had the right to run for office. This right, though not denied in law was discouraged in practice. That the vast majority of elected officials in 2009 are male is an example of how very difficult it is for women to run as candidates.

Women are often discouraged from concentrating too much on career. They are to marry and bring forth children. They are to mother these children. If society demands breast feeding they are to use breast pumps before they go to work, at work, and then come home to look after the baby. They are to cook, clean, wash and iron, as well as prepare their work for tomorrow, then sexually satisfy their husbands before gaining sleep. Being unable to do these things means she is a failure and must chose, home or office.

That it is perfectly possible for her to be mother and career woman if she could forgo the breast pump and the housework, (as did those who went before her) is not suggested. That the new option of leaving a career to stay home and raise children is mooted suggests that the brainwashing which had made her grandmother believe herself incapable of a career, has been repackaged for the 21st century.

In every list of the most successful, the richest, the brightest, women are tokens is used as 'proof' that men are superior. Only when political power is shared, when C.E.O.s are as likely to be female as male, when the 'stay at home father' is not an aberration, only then will equality be possible.

Learn more about this author, Jaye Green.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.