The extension of the field for the employment of women

Abstract

In order to bring out clearly the results of the teachings of reason and of experience on the question of extending the field of women's industry, I shall place before you a brief summary of the arguments on both sides, and examine how far they are borne out by the facts alluded to. To a candid thinker, with no preconceived notions on the subject, it could scarcely appear otherwise than a hardship and an injustice to make an accidental circumstance, such as that of colour, birth, age, or religion, the ground of conferring any peculiar privileges or withholding any generally conceded rights. The accident of sex stands on the same footing as that of colour, or birth, or religion; and, prima facie, therefore, it is as unjust to exclude a woman from any employment which she might be disposed to enter, as to deny to a Negro his liberty, to a Jew the right of sitting in parliament, or to a man of humble origin the opportunity of becoming a lawyer or a physician.