3. Explore how Mann defines “liberal feminisms” and the key ideas of Enlightenment thought upon which those feminisms are based. Discuss how the issues raised in the body of the chapter(such as sex & marriage analysis, race & class analysis, suffrage strategies, psychoanalysis, sex/gender analysis, ecofeminism) demonstrate Enlightenment roots.
Liberal feminisms in this chapter were described as post Enlightenment thinkers, but also post Enlightenment thinkers. Their views swayed between the eras. At the beginning of the era, majority of the Enlightenment views transfered to the liberal feminist perspective. Which continued to degrade women’s rights and those of people of color. The transfer of power was hard to understand. While liberal feminists used some of the core concepts from Enlightenment thinkers, their differed in a few ways. Liberal feminists were more supportive of reform instead of revolution aspect. With that …show more content…
Marriage was a contract that tied both men and women together. Men as the dominant figure in the home,while women were submissive.Once married the man controlled the property and income of the household. This system created a dependency for women and children. Only having one income and one controller of that income gave men all the power. This dynamic was evident in the letters between John Adams and Abigail Adams. John Adams was known for writing the Declaration of Independence. His wife took a stand revealing her feminist perspective hoping it could sway his opinion.She wanted him to “remember the ladies” while he wrote the Declaration of Independence. She said, “I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors” (pg. 35).Unfortunately nothing changed and he found it amusing of her request. Having women vote was unheard of because women did not own property, which was a
Liberal feminisms in this chapter were described as post Enlightenment thinkers, but also post Enlightenment thinkers. Their views swayed between the eras. At the beginning of the era, majority of the Enlightenment views transfered to the liberal feminist perspective. Which continued to degrade women’s rights and those of people of color. The transfer of power was hard to understand. While liberal feminists used some of the core concepts from Enlightenment thinkers, their differed in a few ways. Liberal feminists were more supportive of reform instead of revolution aspect. With that …show more content…
Marriage was a contract that tied both men and women together. Men as the dominant figure in the home,while women were submissive.Once married the man controlled the property and income of the household. This system created a dependency for women and children. Only having one income and one controller of that income gave men all the power. This dynamic was evident in the letters between John Adams and Abigail Adams. John Adams was known for writing the Declaration of Independence. His wife took a stand revealing her feminist perspective hoping it could sway his opinion.She wanted him to “remember the ladies” while he wrote the Declaration of Independence. She said, “I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors” (pg. 35).Unfortunately nothing changed and he found it amusing of her request. Having women vote was unheard of because women did not own property, which was a