Gilman and Her Philosophy on Women and Work
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- Category: Politics: Philosophy
- Date Submitted: 07/14/2012 12:23 PM
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Gilman’s Humanist Philosophy And How IT Challenged Women’s Roles In Society
Charlotte Perkins Gilman was a writer, economist, lecturer, and an early theorist of the feminist movement. She was a supporter of causes such as women's suffrage and social and political independence for women. Gilman argued that the long-established sexual and maternal roles of women had been over-emphasized to the detriment of humanity’s social and economical potential. Her message emphasized the need for modern women to become economically independent, since that was the only way they could experience true freedom. Women could gain this state of independence by way of education and self-development, and by challenging the societal and religious views that marginalized their roles and prevented them from growing beyond the positions that male-dominated society had outlined for them. True freedom could only be attained when women could contribute and, more importantly, benefit equally in a relationship with male counterparts and husbands. Gilman argued for the equal value of women and their feminine roles and encouraged them to pursue interests outside of the home. Her philosophy influenced women to challenge their undervalued domestic roles in society in order to change the cultural environment, which she believed had become an institution that tacitly oppressed women through the patriarchal beliefs upheld by society. Although Gilman saw herself as more of a humanist, her writings were a call to arms for women and portrayed a utopian society in which long-established gender roles were challenged. Gilman did not believe that the roles of wife and mother should necessarily preclude the opportunities to develop their gifts and interests outside of the home. Varied interests and opportunities would enable women to lead more unrestricted lifestyles and provide them with more autonomy, and in so doing, women would feel less oppressed and become a fully acknowledged contributing...
Charlotte Perkins Gilman was a writer, economist, lecturer, and an early theorist of the feminist movement. She was a supporter of causes such as women's suffrage and social and political independence for women. Gilman argued that the long-established sexual and maternal roles of women had been over-emphasized to the detriment of humanity’s social and economical potential. Her message emphasized the need for modern women to become economically independent, since that was the only way they could experience true freedom. Women could gain this state of independence by way of education and self-development, and by challenging the societal and religious views that marginalized their roles and prevented them from growing beyond the positions that male-dominated society had outlined for them. True freedom could only be attained when women could contribute and, more importantly, benefit equally in a relationship with male counterparts and husbands. Gilman argued for the equal value of women and their feminine roles and encouraged them to pursue interests outside of the home. Her philosophy influenced women to challenge their undervalued domestic roles in society in order to change the cultural environment, which she believed had become an institution that tacitly oppressed women through the patriarchal beliefs upheld by society. Although Gilman saw herself as more of a humanist, her writings were a call to arms for women and portrayed a utopian society in which long-established gender roles were challenged. Gilman did not believe that the roles of wife and mother should necessarily preclude the opportunities to develop their gifts and interests outside of the home. Varied interests and opportunities would enable women to lead more unrestricted lifestyles and provide them with more autonomy, and in so doing, women would feel less oppressed and become a fully acknowledged contributing...