Assignment: Forces of Oppression

Discussion Question

After reading the materials for this module, reflect on the forces that were used to prevent women from achieving full citizenship in America for most of its history.

Think, for instance, about the kinds of things that the young women in our readings said and thought about the life around them. How did they describe or think about their place in society? How-if at all-were they able to struggle against the social and cultural forces that constrained them?

For this discussion, name one cultural, social, or economic force you think might have played a role in preventing women from achieving equal citizenship. Why do you think this prevented equal citizenship? How did it affect or operate on women? How do you think this force made it difficult for women to work toward their equal citizenship?

Submit your responses to the appropriate Discussion Area. Start reviewing and responding to your peers' posts as early in the module as possible. Expand on your classmates' posts to critically engage in the discussion. You can ask a question, post a comment, or add a point to expand the discussion. Write your initial response in 3-4 paragraphs.