I need 1-2 pages peer review for this essay

This paper will discuss the theme of American Dreams with main focus being women. We will explore the history of women struggle for their rights and the challenges passed through. Further the paper analyses the opportunities and possibilities for women attaining their dreams and living to their full potential. The paper will borrow findings from literature review of researches and studies done concerning women rights and freedom.

The outcome for the call for equality for women will be productive if race, gender and class issues are scrutinized and measures put in place to bar adverse social effects resulting from inequality.

The struggle for women rights and freedom can be trace from 1800s. There are three historical developments that had a lot of significance in this struggle: Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions of 1848, speech On Women’s Right to Vote by Susan B. Anthony in 1872 and 1966 Statement of Purpose by National Organization for Women (NOW).

Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions was a document written in 1848 by Elizabeth Cady Stanton. During this era, women were denied same rights as their counterpart men. Particularly, women were not allowed to run for any public office or vote. Further they were not allowed to go to college. Stanton, who was an ancient leader of suffrage movement for women, along with others organized a women conference in Seneca New York in year 1948. This convection was a major corner stone in fight for women’s rights. She, along with others, published History of Women Suffrage in 1881.

However, Stanton key contribution in fighting women’s rights is seen in “The Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions” which was embraced in1848, July 19 at Seneca Falls convection. This is a document that listed the grievances that women suffering from. Both men and women who had attended the convection signed this declaration. However, the relation to allow women to vote was not unanimously adopted as the attendees wanted to concentrate on more realistic issues. The document was a bit controversial but it was major starting point for women’s rights movement. This document contains both grievances of women and the resolutions made Taormina (2015).

We start by looking at the sentiments or grievances presented in this document at the convection. The document argues that man has presumed a position of superiority as compared to a woman and has over the years degraded, disrespected and exploited her. The initial plan of Creator was that man and women should have equal rights. The document lists that women were denied rights to vote, right to own property, right to education or to earn wages.

In marriage, a woman is compiled to be a servant to her man whereas the man is the master who administers chastisement and has power to deprive her rights. The man enjoys the right o tree-marry and divorce at will.

The confidence of a woman has been destroyed by the man and her respected lessened. In church, the woman is not allowed to lead as the man assumes apostolic authority; hence the woman occupies subordinate position. In other words, the woman has been denied any public participation.

Second, let’s look at the resolutions made at the convection. It was resolved that the laws giving the man superior position were contrary to precept of nature and denied women of happiness. It was resolved that the laws denying woman rights in society were not worthy any force or authority.

It was further resolved that woman was an equal of man as intended initially by Creator and therefore she should be recognized as such. However, as part of resolution woman were to be enlightened about laws, under which they live, that they should live in ignorance by declaring themselves satisfied under degradation of their rights Taormina (2015).

Women were to be allowed to speak and teach and have opportunity in religious gatherings or assemblies. Further, the demands placed on women in terms of refinement and delicacy of behavior should be demand from the man as well. Similarly, both man and woman should face same severity for any transgression committed.

In addition, it was resolved that women had a duty to secure their sacred rights to elective franchise. It is right and duty for a woman as equally as a man to promote righteousness with regard to morals and religion.

In conclusion, it was resolved that the speedy success of a society will depend on zealous efforts of both men and women for ensuring there is equal participation in trade, professions and other social, religious and political aspects.

On the other hand, let’s focus on the 1966 Statement of Purpose of The National Organization for Women (NOW). It is important to note at this juncture that the 1848 Declaration by Stanton served as a list of grievances which highlighted the extensive inequality of women rights as compared to men. However, the 1966 Statement of Purpose by Betty Friedan offered a combination of beliefs, overview of history and strict reflections of specific social ideologies.

The document aimed at bringing women into full participation in American society mainstream. This is in extent that women should enjoy full privileges and duties in equal partnership with their counterpart men. Friedan argued that time had come to confront the status quo that had prevented women from enjoying equal rights, opportunities and freedom of choice as men.

The statement argued that women are human beings and like any other person in the society, must have chance to develop to fullest human potential. She believed that women have chance to achieve such equality if at all they will accept full challenges facing them in the society. The statement urged women to be convened to childbearing in cost of pursuing careers and professions especially the lifespan for human beings has been lengthened by improved medicines.

It further stated that technology has reduced most work that women were doing in homes as well as reducing muscular jobs done by men. As such women, equally as men, have right to seek jobs which they can comfortably do.

There have been many talks about good status of American women. However, the actual sense is that the status for American women in United States has declined or declining to a worse degree during 1960s. Reports show that 46% of women in US work outside homes. However, about 75% of women in US are in simple clerical jobs or are house girls, cleaning jobs among other lowly jobs. Further Negro women are in worst position with two-thirds of them being in lowly paid jobs.

This statement further argued that even the full time employed women were just earning barely 60% of what men were earning. Again, there were too few women who were joining graduate schools. Moreover, women are losing grounds with regard to important professions in industry and government. There are just token presented in industry and government.

Finally let’s focus on the struggle for women’s right to vote in United States. Susan B. Anthony fought for female teachers’ pay and girls training in college at the age of 17. She used to lecture about women rights in US and Europe. She is remembered for her speech “On Women’s Right to Vote” in 1872. She was arrested for voting in 1872 and led a group of women to protest this action. Her case was heard in Supreme Court and ruled against her favor. She was fined $100 which she refused to pay (Free 2015).

In her speech, she insisted that she exercised her rightful constitutional duty to vote. Anthony argued that Americans had interpreted the constitution to men that only white men had constitutional right to vote. Further she argued that exercising voting right was so fundamental to every American citizen as it was only way of securing the liberty they were enjoying.

Denying women right to vote, according to Anthony, was violation of supreme law of the land. A state that prevents women or minority to vote does not promote democracy. It is state where learned govern the ignorant and rich exploit the poor. It is a state that does not consider women as persons.

Anthony is remembered all over United States for struggle for women’s right to vote. Her speech On Women Right to Vote was a wakening call to the developed nations to re-look on the position and status of a woman. In 1979, the United States honored her by issuing a dollar coin bearing her name.

Acker (2012) argues that there are problems and possibilities of gendered organizations. She discusses the gender inequalities in organizations present during 1970s. She examined key gendered processes in organizations to explain gender inequalities. It was found that despite organizational changes, there were inequality regimes with regard to gender.

For this theorizing of gender processes are still evident and persistent. This means that there are still roles preserved for men and other roles preserved for women in organizations. This is rather unfortunate status since with advance in education and technology both men and women can perform same task in an organization.

This article gives us an opportunity to reflect on theories of gender processes still present in some organizations. Government and civil societies have a long way to go in improving the situation and there are equal chances for both women and men in organizational jobs.

An article written by Foster (2015) explored lives of 31 American women in US. These women were activists during feminist movement of second wave. The study used social movement theory to understand how victories and shortcoming of struggle for gender justice can sensibly be made possible by aging activists.

It was found that aging activists hold important knowledge and experience about impact of today feminist movement. Older women have feelings of outrage in these movements. They further have anger on lack of procedural analyses among younger people. They also hold a sense of marginalization and interpersonal trauma they experienced as activists.

The findings above therefore give voice to people with unique focus in understanding social history of feminisms of America. It also contributes to knowledge and skills of how the human rights activists and freedom fighters would think and feel about social movements in mass mobilization and participation.

Mullings (2014) provides a picture of a woman who has dedicated her life to political struggles. Her story inspires young women in making valuable contribution in the society. The early chapters of her book show how inequalities of race and class can influence experiences of a woman in work, family and health.

She discusses transformations made by African American women in social aspects. She shows how black liberation movements succeeded in fighting for women rights. There are many examples given to show that women have opportunities and possibilities in America. Oprah Winfrey is a perfect example. Mary Kay Ash proved that women can become business magnates and compete very well in entrepreneurial world with men.

Susan B. Anthony, the author of On Women Rights to Vote is remembered all over United States for struggle for women’s right to vote. Her speech On Women Right to Vote was a wakening call to the developed nations to re-look on the position and status of a woman. In 1979, the United States honored her by issuing a dollar coin bearing her name.

In politics we have prominent women who made it to the powerful positions. Hilary Clinton is a good example. She is perceived as most powerful woman in America and is now running for presidency. For this case there are unlimited opportunities even in politics for women.

There are various things that can be done to improve on women situation. According to Betty Friedan, the author of 1966 Statement of Purpose, few things can be done to enhance woman status in the society. First, she believed that the nation had capacity to innovate new social ways or institutions to enable women enjoy better equality of freedom and opportunity in society. For this reason, American was not a good role model for other Western countries. She believed that women have the capacity to participate in nation building at the same time attending to her family and marriage issues.

Further, the old way of thinking that man is sole bread winner should be done away with. With the advancement in education and technology, women can equally acquire skills and comfortably do the jobs initially done by men. For this reason, women can as well support their families financially.

In conclusion this statement of purpose by Betty Friedan argued that women status in American society had been diminished at the time. It therefore put across convictions of beliefs that women have potential to compete with their counterparts, men. The old thinking and pre-perceptions should be done away with and women to be enlightened to rise to the challenges they face them.

The author believed that women can overcome the challenges facing themselves by speaking out concerning equality, freedom and human dignity. However, this should be done in self-respecting partnership with men. When this is done, women will regain confidence to believe in their abilities in partnership with men and their conditions of life and future in society will be felt positively.

The government needs to support women in various fields to empower them so as they can overcome challenges facing them. Gender based violence and sexual harassments are vices that are still evident in United States. Stiffer rules and laws should be enacted to punish those people who abuse the women rights and denying them opportunities.

The journey for American women enjoying same rights as men is yet to be reached fully. However, the struggle by feminist’s movements and other civil societies has made significant progress in this journey since 1800s. The status for women has significantly improved. Women are now enjoying social and political privileges as men but for a small proportion. However, there are still significant gender stereotyping in organizations and politics including sexual harassments at place of work and gender violence in homes. To overcome these challenges women need to be enlightened about their rights and work in partnership with men. Again the government needs to tighten its belt by enacting stiffer laws to protect women and ensure they have equal rights and opportunities as men.

Women should voice their grievances and let them known to enable the national and global communities assist them. Attainment of education is an important tool to ensure that women compete favorably in social and political areas with men. Further women need to work in partnership with men to overcome their challenges.

The old thinking had put women as lowly human beings and denied them many rights and privileges. However, the enlightenment through education made people to realize women should enjoy equal rights with men as both are human beings under the Creator.

Work Cited

Acker, Joan. "Gendered organizations and intersectionality: problems and possibilities." Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal 31.3 (2012): 214-224.

Free, Laura E. Suffrage Reconstructed: Gender, Race, and Voting Rights in the Civil War Era. Cornell University Press, 2015.

Foster, Johanna E. "Women of a certain age:“Second wave” feminists reflect back on 50years of struggle in the United States." Women's Studies International Forum. Vol. 50. Pergamon, 2015.

Mullings, Leith. On our own terms: Race, class, and gender in the lives of African-American Women. Routledge, 2014.

Taormina, Tricia. "NYC Launches Initiative Focused on Young Women of Color." EQUALITY/WOMEN’S RIGHTS [New York] 8 Oct. 2015: n. page. Print.