Women’s Rights: A Seamstress’ Analysis
Keywords:
women’s rights, equality of opportunity, gender stereotypes, sex roles, gender and languageAbstract
This paper examines correlative distinctions between the normative and factual senses of rights and the formal and substantive senses of equality of opportunity. Although women frequently have access to formal equality of opportunity, they seldom enjoy substantive equality. This is due to stereotypes which have deep cultural roots in our attitudes, our behaviour, and even our language and which manifest themselves ultimately in low-income jobs and low-status roles for women. The involvement of women in marriage and child-rearing continues to make it difficult for them to leave these inequitable situations. The role of education as an agent of reform is explored.
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