Cult of Domesticity

I enjoyed OC's talk about the Cult of Domesticity because as a young woman, it is easier for me to relate to these instances, verses young men being able to relate.  Alike these past times where women were not granted full citizenship following the Revolution, young women deal with similar instances today.  Obviously not as extreme seeing as we are allowed to vote, be a member of politics and do everything a male is able to do for the most part, there is still the understanding that women are supposed to cook and clean the house, and occasionally take care of the kids more often than the men.  However, most mothers like this job nowadays so that they can be home for their children to grow up, and not miss crucial aspects of their childhood.  As a young girl, my mother would stay home with my sisters and I, and to do this day she says she loves that she spent all that time with us when we were little and would not trade it for the world.

In Gloria Steinem's argument, she argues that she has felt as though she has been denied full citizenship rights.  "I have been refused service in public restaurants, ordered out of public gathering places, and turned away from apartment rentals; all for the clearly-stated, sole reason that I am a woman."  She discusses how she believes she has been denied her rights, and unfortunately, lives in a society where it is socially acceptable to exclude women from day to day tasks.

On the other hand, Phyllis Schlafly responds to the question "What's wrong with 'equal rights' for women?"  In Schlafly's argument, she argues that American women are the most privileged out of all people.  She says this for reasons such as "The fact that women, not men, have babies is not the fault of selfish and domineering men, or of the establishment, or of any clique of conspirators who want to oppress women."  She speaks about how having children is not the men's fault or any other person's fault, it is just the way the world is and women should be thankful to have been given this opportunity.  

While Steinem and Schlafly's arguments do not see eye to eye, I believe it is agreed upon that both arguments could be viewed as correct.  While I believe that in certain scenarios women are put down and not given equal rights, I also believe that women are given the opportunity to do things that men are not able to as well.  While men are raised up to be viewed as the tough, strong individual who works hard every day, women are also striving and working hard to achieve other goals.  While men might be tough and strong in the workplace, women set the stage for their children in hopes of raising them to be strong, beautiful young ladies.  This, in my opinion takes a lot more effort than going out for a few hours a day to work in an office, factory or whatever else.  Being home, nurturing many young children at one time seems just as difficult, if not more difficult than being able to leave the house ad experience social interaction and contact with other people.