The Subjection of Women and Slavery

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Recommended: Society influence on gender roles

In this first unit, one of the readings that really caught my attention was John Stuart Mill’s The Subjection of Women. In his essay, Mill’s presents a very compelling argument that the subordination of one sex to another is wrong and that there should be instead, perfect equality amongst the sexes. Having previously studied about gender inequality issues from another class, I have a broad understanding of how and why gender inequality has been perpetuated through various historical, political, and social contexts. Incorporating this knowledge as well as information learned through the readings and lectures, I hope to share my thoughts on the subjection of women and its relationship to slavery in this personal response paper.

As an advocate for women’s rights and suffrage, the Utilitarianism view of Mill had a profound influence in his writing and it is very much evident in this essay. Mill felt that the oppressions of people of any kind cannot possibly bring about the greatest benefit to society (which is the central point to the Utilitarianism theory). The subordination of the weaker sex to the stronger rests upon theory only. There is no evidence to support the idea that one sex is superior over another as Mill expresses in the quote below.

The adoption of this system of inequality never was the result of deliberation, or forethought, or any social ideas, or any notion whatever of what conduced to the benefits of humanity or the good order of society (Mill, 1995, pg.11).

This idea of gender superiority/inferiority is just a social construct of oppression. There are no significant differences between man and women (besides biologically) that signifies their superiority/inferiority other than what only society believes them ...

... middle of paper ...

... issues of oppression in which classifications such as race, class, and gender are all interconnected. Because of historical discrimination, societies have operated in a way that favors certain individuals over another. In this case, it would be that of men over women because of their supposed superiority in physical strength (overlooking other attributes such as moral values and intelligence). This made me reflect on how the perspectives of sex and love have really changed over time as well as how influential both strength and power were in the shaping of the roles of men and women throughout history.

Works Cited

Mill, J. S. (1995). The subjection of women. In R. Stewart (Ed.), Philosophical Perspectives on Sex and Love (pp. 11-17). New York, New York: Oxford University Press, Inc.

Soble, A. A history of the philosophy of sex and love. (p. 22).

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