Stereotypes

During the mid 19th century, women began to speak out about how they were treated in society. Many things were expected from women during the mid 19th century. They were not only expected to take care of the home, but they were also expected to cook for their family and husband, clean the house, keep the children calm and obedient, mend clothes and educate the children, etc. There were also many laws and practices in effect that clearly prove that men were viewed as superior to women during and before the 19th century. By law, women weren’t allowed to own land, divorce their husbands, or vote or sign legal documents. All of a wife's possessions belonged to her husband and if a father were to die, his wife could have her children taken away from her by law. Men were also legally allowed to beat their wives in some states. Women teachers only got paid thirty to fifty percent of what male schoolteachers, men with the same job, did, and it was considered improper for a woman to speak in public. Woman began to take action in order to gain more rights. People reacted in many different ways to their demands for equality.

As women began to realize that there was a need for change, they created The Declaration of Rights and Sentiments. In this declaration, they addressed problems with the common laws and practices that gave men more rights than women. In this declaration, women addressed problems with mid 19th century society and possible resolutions to these problems concerning women's rights. The laws during the 19th century disrespected women, and The Declaration of Rights and Sentiments wanted to change the common view of women and their reputation. In reaction to The Declaration of Rights and Sentiments, the North Star newspaper supported the views of the women reformers. The newspaper article says, “Standing as we upon the watch-tower of human freedom, we cannot be deterred from our approbation of any movement, however, humble, to improve and elevate the character and condition of any member of the human family.” The North Star is saying that they are a newspaper that supports all people. They want all humans to have the same rights which includes the rights of slaves and all women. While the North Star favored women's rights, The Mechanic’s Advocate published an article that was completely against women's rights. The Mechanic's Advocate says,

“But there were two most potent reasons why women should be in subjection:
1st. Adam was made before Eve.
2nd. Eve sinned before Adam. Now, there is no escape for woman here, for if she is older than her husband, then of course she must be subject to him, because she must have sinned first. If on the contrary she be younger, she must be subject to him because he was made first."

Some people, such as those who published this article in The Mechanic's Advocate, did not agree that women should have the same rights as men. They didn't even want women to have any more rights that they already had. Some members of society reacted with support to women's demands for equality, others strongly opposed it.

 Society has come a long way from the 19th century belief that women should be caregivers and keepers of the home, but there is still a lot of work to be done in 2015. Society still reacts differently to men and women in the 21st century. In 2015, it is considered an insult to be called a girl. This shows how men are viewed to be superior than women still in the 21st century. There are still stereotypes for men and women in 2015 that have stemmed from the gender roles of the 19th century. Men are taught to be 'manly' and 'tough' and not to let their emotions show. Women are supposed to fit perfectly into society's image of beauty that is neither realistic or helping the reputation of women today. They are still supposed to be caregivers and homemakers too. In a commercial by Pantene, the way men and women are viewed while doing the same jobs is investigated. I definitely agree with this commercial and I know that not everyone feels the same way about feminism. I also believe that in 2015, more people need to address the issue of stereotypes for men in addition to the stereotypes for women. I don’t think that men’s stereotypes are getting enough attention. I believe that once men are able to live their lives without fitting into a stereotype, women will also be able to. 21st century society still reacts differently to men and women.

This is another video about how 'being a girl' is considered an insult in 2015.