Arguments for and against women's suffrage

Arguments for and against women's suffrage

In the 19th century, the role women were supposed to fill was to be a housewife, and to take care of the cooking, cleaning and childcare. Men and women were not seen as equal. Economically women were dependant on men, socially they were expected to be obedient to men, and legally they had fewer rights than men. The range of employment open to them was very limited, and in any case, married women were not expected to work. In 1901, only 10% of married women were in paid employment. By 1900, attitudes were beginning to change. Women could bring divorce cases against their husbands; they were allowed to keep their own property after they married; a woman no longer had to stay in her husband's home against her will; there was more freedom with how they dressed and there was also more opportunities available for them, for example they were able to go to university and get a job. However – domestic assault and marital **** were still legal, and wives couldn’t divorce a man for adultery unless cruelty was also proved. Women could not vote in general elections so they had not political representation and therefore there needs were generally ignored.

Against:

• It was claimed by some…