Reading response week 24

John Stuart Mill-The Subjection of Women

Already being familiarized with Mills work, this week we explore his The
Subjection of Women writing. While being a member of the parliament,
Mill fought for the emancipation of women (presenting, for example, a
petition for womens suffrage) and this writing comes as a support for his
views regarding gender equality in his periods society.

Throughout the writing, Mill powerfully argues that the concept of

womens subordination to men should be replaced with the concept of
gender equality. He bonds the concept of subordination with all of the
dishonorable things that the society approves. To support his claim, he
brings arguments to show that the inferior status of women only exists
within society; he equates slavery with marriage (he sees wife as the
slave, while the husband as a master since men try to have a great
influence over the minds of women as well as their bodies). He provides
historical evidence of what women can achieve and also brings some
benefits upfront, both for the individual and society (the most important
being the human progress). His claim is important since it was arisen in a
period where women had no value in mens eyes more than child-bearers
and, although unpopular in that time, I believe it provides a great analysis
about the discrimination in that society.

Although I agree with Mills visions about the emancipation of women, I

identified a flaw in his thinking which made me doubt the power of his
arguments. Some of the contradictions about what women could or not do
(in terms of marriage or social interaction) made me question the validity
of his speech. Nevertheless, he presented the double standards of the
society and raised awareness of the subject and, if I were to compare this
text with his other work On Liberty, it is clear that he was more profound
and passionate in writing this piece.