vindication of rights of a woman by Wollstonecraft

Women have traditionally been viewed as the weaker gender, incapable of influencing social decisions. Women have long been disliked, prejudiced, and despised. Women’s duties have been minimized, and they have been pushed to the bottom of society. The fight is intensified for women who challenge dominant men to improve gender equality. The angry women are regulated and punished, but the calm ones are rewarded (Rousseau 23). Women have been treated as second-class citizens having a secondary role, particularly in aiding and not performing. They are only required to be beautiful, with an elegance and a soft and meek attitude, subjecting to the male oppression and accepting the fate of their fundamental rights.

Misogyny in ‘discourse in inequality’ by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

According to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the modern world is full of people with expectations. We live in a world where what we become is mostly influenced by how others perceive us (Rousseau 29). The opinions of the society mainly affect our ways of doing things and our character and personality at large. She gives details of the existing issue of inequality between men and women where the men are viewed as more superior than their counterpart women. According to Rousseau, the agreement on who is superior to the other is not in line with the true nature of man. The deal is not natural and is entirely not about what the life of man should be. The evolution of the inequality has happened over time and the domination of the male species allowed. The disparity could either be natural or social where the inherent disparities are based on the human physical characteristics and the social inequalities based on the privileges one enjoys over others.

Rousseau throughout her writing gives more emphasis on the success of men and only cites women when she describes them as the “sex that’s supposed to obey.” It portrays women as insufficient and of a lower social standing as compared to the men whom they are to submit to (Rousseau 45). Her argument that the natural differences bring up the social inequalities comes in handy here where women are seen to be socially unequal with the men. It is contradictory however when Rousseau cites in the same book on there is a general desire for unity between each other and men could not survive without the women. Moreover, if the women were naturally insufficient, then their survival would be questionable. The decision on what nature the human race takes is completely uncontrollable, and these characteristics should not condemn the individual to the inequality subjection and prosecution.

Rousseau relates the evolution of man and the inequality when he gives details of how the modern man has come up and criticizes the modern political institutions sharply. He even cites the Bible where the man was given authority over the woman. He mentions that it was the intention of God during creation to have the woman as the second best. Such argument was the reason why the woman was to be submissive and under the ruling of the men. The man since creation was supposed and designed to be superior to the woman, a notion that has been profoundly instilled in the community enhancing on their views on order of superiority. According to Rousseau, the woman fails to possess the required traits to fit in the political and cultural context. Rousseau believes that the modern society is a culprit of civilization and inventions and according to him, evolution is bringing in more harm than good regarding gender inequality. In this, he argues that the savage man who is comfortable with what he has is better than the modern man who works and wants to better his living.

Contrast in ‘A vindication of rights of a woman’ by Wollstonecraft

Wollstonecraft however differs with Rousseau’s arguments as she seeks ways in which women should be delivered from the male oppression and be given their freedom and allowed to enjoy their fundamental rights. Reasoning and rationality once promoted free the thinking of both the man and the woman. While Rousseau viewed political powers and hereditary options to be dominated by the men, proper and rational reasoning grants both the males and the females equal opportunities to the acquisition of the powers. While Rousseau finds the man as the owner of the land, political positions and all other riches, Wollstonecraft finds it necessary to allow and promote rationality and reasoning for all to work towards these achievements (Rousseau 33). Women in many instances have shown higher intelligence levels and proper reasoning, a trait that when well manipulated would ensure the progress of the society with the incorporation of the women.

Wollstonecraft criticizes Rousseau who argues that women are subordinate to men and are only responsible for their looks and beauty. The outward appearance is considered vital for the women and more important than their ideological contribution (Rousseau 23). Their freedom and independence are limited, and their virtues should be unquestionable. However, Wollstonecraft argues that the idea of being virtuous should not be based on whether one is male or female. Every human being was created to be righteous, and none of the male and the female was to express higher levels of virtue than the other. The suppression of the woman’s emotions is not in line with Gods creation as we all have souls to help in developing virtue and exercising reason. The confinement and the denial to participate in social decisions is only petty and insipid. The female manners should be revolutionized to enhance their position and participation.

Every woman in life aims at gaining pleasure. As the society expects the woman to suppress her emotions and sentiments, she is forced into losing her reasoning and common sense. The teachings offered to the young woman leads to her seeking to please others and forget her true natural value. Wollstonecraft, in her view, cites that males and females even in marriage are companions and none is superior to the other. In a stable environment, the woman’s role should not be suppressed, and her contribution should be valued. A well-developed character on the woman will limit false notions and improve the impressions the women have towards the society and vice versa.

Unlike Rousseau who views modesty regarding the physical appearance, elegance, humility, and submission to the man, Wollstonecraft has a different view of modesty. Modesty and humility should be differentiated. Empowering reasoning is the most significant way to acquire the modest women. By enlarging the mind and strengthening the bodies of the women, higher levels of modesty would be achieved. The undermining of the women morality and designing a system where their reputation is based on their intactness and meekness only places a burden on them. While the society imposes judgment on the woman on integrity, the same should be enacted for the man who is an equal creature. While fighting to achieve the gender equality, financial independence should be vital for the women. The women should be incorporated into the duties and activities of the society as well as the decision making spheres for growth. This independence is possible only with proper education systems, adequate parenting strategies and empowerment of the girl child.

However, Wollstonecraft gives a detailed comprehension, agreeing with Rousseau on why the gender inequality is hyped. She admits that the woman has naturally submitted to the oppression and has given the male a domineering power over her. Fewer voices have been heard on the issue of gender inequality as the woman still fears the opinion and the response of the society. Wollstonecraft argues that the existence of mediums has lowered the female voice, rivalry among the women has heightened the societal perception of the woman as the weaker gender, the exceeding attention on looks and appearance has given the man the chance to objectify the woman while the idolizing of the man has resulted in his dominance and superior feel.

Critic of ‘A discourse in inequality’ by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

The depiction of the woman as insignificant and a weaker person who should only submit to the man remains debatable. Though the society has accepted the idea and the woman has fallen for the opinion and the set standards by the community. The argument that it was Gods intention during creation to create the woman as the second person remains questionable. In my opinion, God did not intend the male to step and ponder on the female. The submission of the woman is not based on her humility and lack of a social say. The woman is not inferior and has similar reasoning just as her male counterpart. Denying the females the chance in social hearings and public participation does not hinder their argument; it only suppresses it. It means that though the women could be denied the opportunity, their reasoning still holds.

While according to Rousseau the environment and the opinion of others determine who we become, it is within the choice of the individual to accept living within the expectations and opinions of the society or free herself from the bondage and live an independent life. The independence would be possible if the voices of the woman were heard. Encouraging the women to air their views, fight for their rights and determine their worth would be the solution to the societal opinions. I agree with Wollstonecraft when she argues that the women have given the men the chance to look down on them and treat them as unequal. The fear and the worry on what the society would think of an independent woman has filled our minds and taken the best of our reasoning.

If Rousseau cared about the plight of the woman and wanted to depict the two genders as equal, he would have considered the use of both female and male gender in her book on same levels. Citing the male as the powerful, domineering and in control of what happens only gives us a view of him as one against the progress of the woman. Her citation on the woman being the submissive helper only heightens the male power picture he illustrates. Moreover, the requirement by him that women depict their virtues through their meekness, elegance, submission, and silence intensifies the inequality. It only portrays the woman as the one who should uphold virtues and not the man. Being virtuous is for all and the outright appearance would less express the levels to which this virtue is measured.

Conclusion: Misogyny in the modern world

While most people would agree that misogyny in the modern world has reduced with more women dominating the business, social and political arenas. The women empowerment programs and the increased opportunities given to the women have heightened their participation in different development projects. The education system in the world has also given equal learning opportunities for both the men and the women. However, in some regions, the inequality still stands. The differences moreover are visible in top ranking positions which are mostly dominated by the males. The societal perceptions also have though changed, have participated in the lagging behind of the women growth. This differences could be minimized by the creation of awareness, increased women empowerment, societal learning and training programs and creation of opportunities for the women. Encouraging entrepreneurship and art would also help in showcasing of the talents possessed by most women. Platforms should be created where both the men and the women share equal powers and opportunities in debatable projects to enhance their reasoning and contribution.

Work Cited

Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. Discourse on the Origin of Inequality among Men. Dodo Press, 2010.