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The Declaration of Sentiments
Stanton’s experiences influenced the declaration of sentiments and resolutions speech in the 1840s world anti-slavery convention in London. Stanton had been subjected to discrimination with other women when slavery was common in the region. In the United States, slavery was far from being abolished. There was no balance of rights since most of the human rights favoured the white men. Women were not valued much; therefore, they had limited rights compared to men despite their colour. The Stanton intended to assert the rights of women and demand for equal treatment before the law, in suffrage and employment.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s Declaration of Sentiments argues that both married and single women have been denied equal rights and protections under the laws of the United States. However, Stanton made a clear variance between married women and single women. This is because they were treated differently under the law of the United States. Marriage changed woman’s legal status, which made it challenging for women to rise and claim their rights. Single women had more independence compared to married women. Once a woman was married, most of her rights were taken away as the husband dictated the rights of the marriage. A married woman was required to submit to the laws, to the covenant of marriage and obedience to her husband. Also, a married woman could not own property since her rights were limited to ownership of property (Stanton). However, this was different for single women since they were allowed to own property. Nevertheless, single women owning property were highly taxed to support the government. According to Stanton, single women were only variable if they owned the property since they were likely to pay high taxes.
Education was one of the factors that Stanton focused on in her sentiments. Education privileges were given to men, while women were limited to education rights. The prohibition of women from entering professional’s limited them in all ways. Without adequate education, women could not get anyone to represent them in the legislative. Also, women could not prove themselves to the society that they were also capable of working in the professionals that were perceived to be for men only. Women were not allowed to access colleges and other education institutions, thus limiting their knowledge (Stanton). Not only did education limit women from becoming leaders in a political field but also in a religious background. Education was also regulated by different code of morals which regulated other aspects of a women existence. According to Stanton, women had been limited in various ways that destroyed her confidence in her own powers and self-respect. As a result of these factors, women would only have to depend on men and obey since they controlled almost every aspect of society.
One of the grievances that Stanton argues most is about suffrage. Stanton begins her speech with the question of suffrage and goes ahead to explain how the right to vote is connected to other rights. Stanton used the adjective inalienable to describe this right and stresses that women already have the right just that they are limited to their own rights. Stanton second and fourth grievances are also connected to the issue of suffrage. In the second grievances, Stanton stated that since women do not have the right to vote; they do not have the voice in the laws that govern them. In the fourth grievances, she stresses that women right to vote is already available to them since they are citizens; thus, their status guarantees them to vote. The argument is also echoed by the country’s independence, thus giving it citizens the right to choose its representatives based on its freedom (Stanton). The issue of suffrage can be described as the issue that was well delivered since it the issue that raised more debate in the convection. Also, delegates voted on resolutions that regarded women’s rights and status more than any other grievances that were presented in the convection. The resolution of suffrage was the only issues that passed unanimously even though most of the delegates considered the issue to be controversial.
In conclusion, the declaration of sentiments and resolutions end with a call for action and vision for the future of women. The declaration aims to have a future where all rights and privileges belonging to women and all citizens in the United States are respected. Station also does not fail to state that the future is also filled with uncertainties; this is because the goals that women aim to the archive are more likely to face opposition. Therefore, there will be a need to ask help from religious leaders, submit petitions and get support from the press. Stanton’s sentiments were incredible as she managed to convince delegates to consider women rights. Through her clear distinction between married women and single women, she was able to state how women rights are devalued despite the social status they hold. Also, through her sentiments in education, Stanton was able to show how women are limited to societal roles and left with the option to depend on men. Stanton clearly archived her objectives in the declaration of sentiments.
Work Cited
Stanton, Elizabeth Cady. “The Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions.” (1889).