Mary Wollstonecraft, Vindication of the Rights of Women

Mary Wollstonecraft argues that equal education between sexes is morally required and would greatly benefit society.

1. Education
1. Men stifle women’s education in order to subjugate them further and make them “alluring mistresses rather than affectionate wives and rational mothers”
2. All humans are gifted with reason and so have a right to education
3. Elegance (what men impress upon women) is inferior to virtue and character
4. Women must be virtuous and rational in order to teach their children the same
5. In rebuttal to those who argue that education is against the “sexual character” of women, Wollstonecraft argues that education makes women pleasant, honest, sensible, and friendly people
2. Social Life
1. Women must devote their time to making themselves beautiful and talented, more attractive to men
2. Marriage is the only way women can move up in the world
3. Women should be able to hold occupations if they wish, such as nursing, politics, and business
4. Women would be a valuable asset to the working world.