Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions

In reading the "Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions" I was shocked. It's difficult to imagine a world where women are viewed and treated as the women mentioned in this passage. Stanton outlines the injustices that existed for women during her time period. In a sense, such injustices that existed back then, are today taken for granted by women. For instance, the ability to own vote. Everyone in this day and age is entitled to the right to vote. However during the mid-1800's it was unthinkable to permit a woman to vote. "He has compelled her to submit to laws, in the formation of which she had no voice" (Stanton 165). I found it even more degrading that a woman was permitted to work, but she had to give her earning to her husband, "he has taken from her all right in property, even to the wages she earns" (Stanton 165). The quote "he has made her, if married, in the eye of the law, civilly dead" (Stanton 165), made me question whether or not it was better to be married or single during this time period. Either way, one can easily see that women were not valued or respected. As a woman, you had no rights. You were the property of your father until you began the property of your husband. Even then, your father had to pay your husband for you possession. A woman was regarded as an appendage for the everyday man. A woman was inferior, plain and simple. This truly signifies the ignorance that existed for the women of the 19th century. This declaration was the first step in advocating for the equal rights of women everywhere. I wonder where would we be as women today if this declaration was never written?

Stanton, Elizabeth Cady. "Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions." A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers. Lee A. Jacobus. 7th ed. New York: Bedford/St. Martins. 2006. pp 164-168.