About Women's Rights in Colonial America

Prior to the 20th century, women's rights in America suffered in comparison to their male counterparts. During colonial America, the period between 1492 and 1763, women in America essentially belonged to their husbands or fathers. For African-American women, rights were further diminished and they generally belonged to white slave owners. Women were not considered equal to men and were denied the right to vote based on the theory that they could not reason as effectively as men.

History

Religion played a crucial role in the oppression of women during colonial America. As many of the original founders of the country were devoutly religious, their laws often reflected these religious beliefs. These beliefs often placed women as lesser than men, useful as mates, but not as peers. This theory placed women in domesticated roles that reiterated their expectation as housewives.

Features

Due to women's image as the inferior sex, access to jobs was severely limited. For most women this consisted of occupations like seamstress or they managed boarding houses. There were, however, instances where women held medical professions, could practice law, and teach. This changed during the 19th century as more strict standards were put into place for holding certain positions. Because few women had access to higher education they were prevented from these occupations. Even the American Medical Association, which was founded in 1846, restricted women from being members. During the Industrial Revolution women gained access to a variety of different jobs; however their pay scale and working conditions continued to suffer.

Considerations

Despite these inequalities women still had some rights under the law. For instance, a minority of women owned property which often permitted them voting rights. Many of these woman lost these rights when they married. The common law doctrine of coverture, stated that women could not buy or sell property, make contracts, draft wills, sue or be sued.

Function

Women's major roles were in the home as caretakers and mothers. Despite their societal constraints some women fought against their confines to the home. Some women became involved in changing American laws and regulations. They fought for more women's rights, abolishing slavery, and reforming religious sects.

Significance

In 1848, the first United States women's rights convention was held in Seneca Falls in New York; 300 participants attended. During this convention, Elizabeth Cady Stanton created the Declaration of Sentiments. This declaration declared rights for women based on the Declaration of Independence. This declaration included women's right to vote, hold property, and not be restricted from their rights by men.