HUMN 303 Annotated Bibliography

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Chamberlain University

HUMN-303: Introduction to the Humanities

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Women’s Struggle for Rights: A Historical Overview

Women have fought through immense challenges to attain their rights, a battle that has continued since the 19th century. Historically, women were denied many basic rights, including control over their reproductive systems. The concept of women’s rights, according to Google, refers to “rights that promote a position of legal and social equality of women with men.” Over time, women have demonstrated that they deserve to be treated equally to men, both socially and in the workplace. In Universal Women’s Rights Since 1970: The Centrality of Autonomy and Agency, Howard-Hassmann (2011) explores how the women’s rights movement led to increased autonomy for women in both the family and public spheres. By the late 19th century, the movement sought greater equality, and women began to gain more opportunities in education and the workforce. Hassmann highlights that the question of whether human rights are truly universal or gender-specific has been a recurring debate, with many feminist scholars arguing that traditional human rights were framed from a male perspective, often ignoring women’s agency in political, economic, and social realms (Hassmann, 2011).

In the 19th century, the debate over women’s rights was also influenced by perceptions of women as “bad mothers” when they chose to undergo abortions. Abrams (2015), in The Bad Mother: Stigma, Abortion, and Surrogacy, discusses how women who sought abortions were often stigmatized, questioned for their emotional capacity to make rational decisions, and accused of undermining societal norms. This perspective reflected broader fears about women challenging traditional gender roles and controlling their own bodies. While some framed abortion as a moral issue, others saw it as a means to maintain control over women’s autonomy. Women’s roles, as defined by society, were predominantly limited to childbearing and homemaking, and any deviation from these norms was met with resistance.

The feminist movement gained significant traction in the 1960s, as women in the United States sought to address issues such as equal pay, reproductive rights, and social parity. Loveday (2009) in Feminism & the Women’s Rights Movement discusses how the movement, particularly after World War II, brought attention to the inequalities faced by women in the workforce. During the war, women filled roles left vacant by men who were fighting, but once the war ended, many women were forced out of their jobs to make way for returning soldiers. Despite this setback, the movement continued to grow, leading to significant advancements in gender equality, especially in terms of legal rights and access to work.

Women’s Progress in the 21st Century

Despite the many advances made by the women’s rights movement, women continue to face challenges, particularly in leadership and management roles. Zuzana and Pavel (2013) highlight the progress women have made in education and the workforce in developed countries, noting that women now outperform men in academic achievements and occupy a growing number of positions in the business world. Women’s influence on purchasing decisions and their increasing role as consumers, entrepreneurs, and investors are significant. However, discrimination persists, particularly in senior management positions, where women remain underrepresented. The European Union has begun addressing the unequal representation of women in management roles, recognizing it as a loss of untapped talent (Zuzana & Pavel, 2013).

Meanwhile, in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the situation is more complex. Haghighat (2013), in Social Status and Change: The Question of Access to Resources and Women’s Empowerment in the Middle East and North Africa, examines how women’s empowerment in the MENA region is often hindered by both political and religious factors. While Islam itself may not be the primary cause of women’s marginalization, it has been used by governing elites to justify restrictions on women’s rights and progress. The research suggests that women’s empowerment is a multidimensional process that must consider various social, political, and economic factors. True empowerment occurs when women are able to voice their needs and interests without external influences from religion, government, or societal norms.

Table: Key Events in Women’s Rights Movements

Time Period	Event/Development	Impact/Outcome
19th Century	Women’s rights movement begins	Women begin to demand autonomy and equality, especially in marriage and reproductive rights.
Late 19th Century	Shift towards greater rights and equality	Women gain more access to education and economic opportunities.
1960s-1970s	Women’s rights movement in the US	Focus on equal pay, reproductive rights, and political equality.
21st Century	Women’s increasing role in business and education	Women outperform men academically and take on greater roles in the economy.
Modern-Day	Women in MENA face complex barriers	Women struggle for empowerment amidst political and religious constraints.

References

Abrams, P. (2015). The Bad Mother: Stigma, Abortion and Surrogacy. The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 43(2), 179-191. https://doi.org/10.1111/jlme.12231

Haghighat, E. (2013). Social Status and Change: The Question of Access to Resources and Women’s Empowerment in the Middle East and North Africa. Journal of International Women’s Studies, 14(1), 273-299. Retrieved from http://vc.bridgew.edu/jiws/vol14/iss1/17

Howard-Hassmann, R. E. (2011). Universal Women’s Rights Since 1970: The Centrality of Autonomy and Agency. Journal of Human Rights, 10(4), 433-449. https://doi.org/10.1080/14754835.2011.619398