Imagine a man so smart that he is able to clearly observe and analyze major enlightenments and downfalls of a new nation. Now, imagine a man so shy that he rarely talks to women. These two men are one in the same: Alexis De Tocqueville. Tocqueville was a well-respected writer, philosopher and overall scholar of the 19th century, but he never could quite figure out one very important piece of the democratic puzzle: women. He spoke highly of the American woman; however, he took diminutive time truly getting to know her or gather her insight. Therefore, although he had the right intentions, he left America with observations on the female gender that were far from accurate. Tocqueville noted that women had the ultimate power to define household rules, but to have said women were equal to men was extremely misleading. Women have faced struggles throughout America’s history. The feminist movements, which began in the 1800s and still carry on today, show clear evidence that gender equality is still an issue. Tocqueville states in his observations of America that he believes women are the singular reason for growth and prosperity in America.
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He also believes mothers shape America’s social norms, more commonly known as “mores.” During his time spent in America he also observed a great deal of men and women’s interaction, duties and overall thoughts. “America, among the world’s countries, is the one where they have taken the most continual care to draw cleanly separated lines of action for the two sexes, and where they have wanted them both to march at an equal pace but on ever different paths.” (Page 574) Men have executed more labor intensive and business-minded jobs throughout the course of history in America. On the other hand, women have often been portrayed and seen as homemakers and in charge of domestic duties. This supports Tocqueville’s observation of “cleanly separated lines of action” and “different paths,” but it does not address the notion of “equal pace” and overall gender equality.
Throughout history, starting from the time when Tocqueville visited through today’s modern America, duties and expectations stayed fairly separate. Inequality among men and women was seen most through matters such as voting, education and salary. Women’s suffrage efforts began about a decade after Tocqueville visited America, but even so, women did not obtain the right to vote until 1920. It is interesting to note that, although women were deemed as equal, they could not fully participate in America’s democracy for roughly 145 years. When Tocqueville visited America, he noted that he understood men believed women to be of equal intelligence. In reality, at this time, women were second to men in school. Many women could only get an education if, after male enrollment was completed, the school had additional room. By the time of the Civil War, only five colleges accepted female applicants. Even in the early-to-mid 20th century, men and women’s schooling was vastly different. Coeducational institutions were highly controversial, and subject matters were limited for women; they studied what was seen as “women’s work,” keeping familiar with the domestic, housewife standard. Because of educational differences, women were often set (or stuck) in their traditional roles and therefore did not often readily seek salary advancements. In President Barack Obama’s 2014 State of the Union Address, Obama stated, “women make up about half our workforce, but they still make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns.” While this statistic varies depending on methodology, one thing remains constant: men always (in the past, and today) come out ahead in terms of salary. Tocqueville did not see these things as easily during his visit, but it is worth noting that he did not allude to these vast inequalities, which took foundation around the time of his visit to America. Tocqueville is often on the right track with his observations. Based on his writings, he undoubtedly thinks highly of women. With that being said, this raises an important question. Why is Tocqueville so off on the subject of equality between men and women? Perhaps the issue is that Tocqueville didn’t speak to a diverse group of people during his visit; he primarily talked to white men. While observing one gender and getting insight only from
He also believes mothers shape America’s social norms, more commonly known as “mores.” During his time spent in America he also observed a great deal of men and women’s interaction, duties and overall thoughts. “America, among the world’s countries, is the one where they have taken the most continual care to draw cleanly separated lines of action for the two sexes, and where they have wanted them both to march at an equal pace but on ever different paths.” (Page 574) Men have executed more labor intensive and business-minded jobs throughout the course of history in America. On the other hand, women have often been portrayed and seen as homemakers and in charge of domestic duties. This supports Tocqueville’s observation of “cleanly separated lines of action” and “different paths,” but it does not address the notion of “equal pace” and overall gender equality.
Throughout history, starting from the time when Tocqueville visited through today’s modern America, duties and expectations stayed fairly separate. Inequality among men and women was seen most through matters such as voting, education and salary. Women’s suffrage efforts began about a decade after Tocqueville visited America, but even so, women did not obtain the right to vote until 1920. It is interesting to note that, although women were deemed as equal, they could not fully participate in America’s democracy for roughly 145 years. When Tocqueville visited America, he noted that he understood men believed women to be of equal intelligence. In reality, at this time, women were second to men in school. Many women could only get an education if, after male enrollment was completed, the school had additional room. By the time of the Civil War, only five colleges accepted female applicants. Even in the early-to-mid 20th century, men and women’s schooling was vastly different. Coeducational institutions were highly controversial, and subject matters were limited for women; they studied what was seen as “women’s work,” keeping familiar with the domestic, housewife standard. Because of educational differences, women were often set (or stuck) in their traditional roles and therefore did not often readily seek salary advancements. In President Barack Obama’s 2014 State of the Union Address, Obama stated, “women make up about half our workforce, but they still make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns.” While this statistic varies depending on methodology, one thing remains constant: men always (in the past, and today) come out ahead in terms of salary. Tocqueville did not see these things as easily during his visit, but it is worth noting that he did not allude to these vast inequalities, which took foundation around the time of his visit to America. Tocqueville is often on the right track with his observations. Based on his writings, he undoubtedly thinks highly of women. With that being said, this raises an important question. Why is Tocqueville so off on the subject of equality between men and women? Perhaps the issue is that Tocqueville didn’t speak to a diverse group of people during his visit; he primarily talked to white men. While observing one gender and getting insight only from