Women’s Rights in Europe (1828-1906)

1. Women’s Rights in Europe (1828-1906) By: Jodi & Navneet

2. Household Rights & Responsibilities • Women were strongly encouraged to marry a man as early as possible. • As soon as a woman married a man, all of her possessions became the man’s property. • A man could force a woman to have sex with him and bear children even if the woman did not wish to. • Usually, women were required to stay at home and were expected to cook, clean, and take care of the children.

3. Educational and Employment Rights • Girls obtained very little education compared to boys. • Women were not permitted to attend university or any type of secondary education. • High-paying jobs were not available to women. • Most women who had jobs worked in factories, as seamstresses, or as a domestic servant. Of course, these were quite low income jobs.

4. Political and Legal Rights • Women were not allowed to vote until the 20th century. • It was against the law for a woman to divorce her husband. • If a woman attempted to leave her husband, she would be found and returned to her husband by the authorities.

5. Sources http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/womensrights.htm http://www.hastingspress.co.uk/history/19/overview.htm http://www.enotes.com/topics/feminism/critical-essays/women-19th-century