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Kealey Gill
POLS 1100-015
Summary Critique Paper: The Forgotten Woman
In The Forgotten Woman, various representatives of the womens movement, including
Abigail Adams, Angelina Grimke, Susan B. Anthony, Matilda Gage, and Elizabeth Stanton
argue that women have been unjustly held to a lesser standard then their male counterparts
throughout American history. These women examine the origin of human rights, the relationship
between equality and freedom, and the relationship between gender and human rights. The
authors discuss unequal representation of women since the Declaration of Independence. They
push the idea that human rights should be founded on morals rather than gender. They also urge
that the natural rights of men and women are inalienable and nontransferable, and that the federal
government is neither representative of, nor considerate of women.
The Democratic Debate broadens on these points and reminds us that throughout
American history the Declaration of Independence has served as template for the language of
democracy. Many representatives of the womens movement and other groups that have been
excluded from the democratic process have used it to defend their rights. The authors of The
Forgotten Woman use it to defend the right of all human beings to have a voice in government.
A Culture of Inequality
The authors of The Forgotten Woman, argue that the gendered language of the
Declaration of Independence has been used in society as a method of gender discrimination, to
hold women back in government and the political realm. The Declaration of Independence states,
All men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights.
Stanton reminds us that the natural rights of civilized men and women are government, property,

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the harmonious development of all their powers, and the gratification of their desires. She argues,
if then the nature of a being decides its rights, every individual comes into this world with rights
that are not transferable. These rights are a component part of that individual, the laws which
insure their growth and development, they live and die with the individual.
While Stanton argues that women have been given equal rights, Grimke argues that equal
rights should include equal treatment, but history has shown otherwise. It is implied that one
cannot exist without the other. In American culture, it has been considered natural for men and
women to perform different functions and duties in society and politics, because of their
biological differences. Grimke points out that, women instead of being regarded as equal to men,
have uniformly been looked down upon as inferior. Men have been predominantly placed in
positions of power and superiority and women put in inferior positions. Grimke urges that such
regulation of duties by gender has given men a charter for the exercise of tyranny, and
selfishness, pride and arrogance, lust and brutal violence. The regulation of duties by gender has
robbed women of the right to think, speak, and act on moral questions. It has also robbed them of
the right to share responsibilities, take on the same roles and duties as men, and the right of
women to fulfill the great end of their being as moral and intellectual creatures.
While Stanton reminds us of the natural rights of men and women and the foundations of
democracy, Grimke asserts that while women have been gifted the same rights as men, they have
not had the same privilege or opportunities as men. The argument that gendered language is
keeping womens voice from being heard in politics is out dated. While the language may have
been perceived as gendered in the past, it is now perceived as symbolic. The words all men are
referring to man as a species, the human race, and mankind. It quite literally refers to every
human being that is born in the United States of America and the natural rights of U.S. citizens.

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The problem is no longer as superficial as the language of documents, such as the Declaration of
Independence, but is the system of government already in place.
Stanton, Anthony, and Gage add to the argument that womens roles in society and their
regulated duties should have nothing to do with gender. The authors urge that women are making
a wise choice to be indignant at the assumption of any legal or perceived disability based on
gender. Instead of being companions, co-workers, and equals, women have been treated as a
mere appendage of men, an instrument for his pleasure. How completely demoralized women
must be by their objection, who do not believe their personal dignity has been assailed when all
women are ranked in every state constitution with idiots, lunatics, criminals, and minors. These
authors conclude that the duties of men and women should originate not from the differences in
gender, but from the diversity of their relations in life, the various gifts and talents committed to
their care, and the different eras in which they live.
This is yet another outdated argument from the authors that women are held back by
societal perception of inferiority, having less ability than men, or by laws and gender bias. The
argument that women are held back by a legal disability no longer seems as valid in todays
society, as laws have been adjusted throughout history to cater to equal rights of men and
women. It is 2016, women have the right to vote and own property, they have every right that
men do. Women are protected in the work force, as employers are held accountable for
discrimination in the workplace, under Title VII an employer cannot pass up or fire an individual
based on gender, race, color, etc. Employers are also required to pay employees the same rate for
the same job. However, unequal pay for equal work is still a problem that occurs despite laws in
place to prevent it. America has progressed over the years, and still has improvements to make.
The Democratic Debate offers some encouragement, stating that despite limited numbers

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and ideological divisions, women have made a difference in shaping the agenda of Congress.
Recognizing their responsibilities as spokespersons for women in general, democratic and
moderate republican female legislators have taken the lead in promoting womens rights and
fighting for policies of special importance to children and families. They have placed on the
legislative agenda such issues as pay equity, child care, womens health, and domestic violence.
Democracy for Few
In The Forgotten Woman, Stanton makes the claim that the prejudice against color is
no stronger than that against gender. She claims that one class has never looked after the interests
of another. She presses that if the object of government is to protect the weak from the strong,
how unwise it is to place power wholly in the hands of the strong. The authors compare the rights
of women to that of slaves. Perhaps Stantons claim can be perceived as meaning that the
specific bias, whether it be womens rights, race rights, age rights, etc., are all equally important
and are all interest groups that have been excluded from the democratic process. It is less
relevant than the fact that the interests of many are not well represented in government. The
elites who are governing America are not looking after the interests of all.
In The Democratic Debate, the authors discuss the evolution of elite democracy. They
mention that although congress is supposed to be the peoples branch, in the past it has
resembled a mens club that excludes one half of the people. The authors discuss how elite
democrats, essentially white males, have been very resourceful in devising new arguments for
limiting democracy. Elites profess democratic values but maintain that elite rule is necessary in
many spheres of modern society. Elite democrats believe that in a rapidly changing,
technologically complex and dangerous world, more and more power should be ceded to elites.

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Elites view the public as incompetent, ignorant of political issues, and irrational beings, who
should leave the decision- making up to elected government officials when it comes to politics.
The argument that power should not be wholly placed in the hands of one class is very
relevant to todays society. The elites currently have the power and are not representative of he
needs, desires and rights of many other groups. Since so many incumbents in government and
the political system are elite white men, and have the advantage of wealth, privilege, and power,
it is difficult for others to get into the system and gain representation.
According to The Democratic Debate, while women do as well as men in raising money
for Congressional races, they have been limited by the advantages of incumbents. With so few
incumbents susceptible to defeat, opportunities for women to replace them have been scarce. The
hardest realm for congressional women to reach has been legislature leadership. The fact that
women became US representatives and senators in growing numbers, as time went on, is a major
stride for popular democrats. From a popular democratic standpoint, female representatives can
provide substantive representation for womens interests. They can bring womens distinct
experiences and concerns to the legislature and promote measures that foster equality between
men and women.
A Voice Taken Not Given
In The Forgotten Woman, the authors urge that in order to have a voice in government,
women must be equally represented in the systems there in. Grimke argues that women will not
be equally represented in government until they have a voice in framing the discipline, the laws
and regulations by which they are governed. Stanton in turn urges that women should vote and
make laws for themselves. Let us alone. In mercy let us take care of ourselves, our property, our
children, and our homes, pleads Stanton. Women as a class are tired of one kind of protection,

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that which leaves them everything to do, to dare, and to suffer, and strips them of all means for
its accomplishment. Grimke urges that nothing which concerns the wellbeing of mankind is
either beyond the sphere of women, nor above their comprehension.
Stantons argument is still relevant today. In todays society many women still believe
that they are underrepresented in the political realm. Some believe that their vote does not make
a difference as to who is elected to office because not enough women are represented in
government for their party to win in the House. Many may believe that they are often left no
other option than to choose between the lesser of two evils during election years. 2017 may be
especially evident of this discontent pertaining to womens rights and the issue of equal
representation. With Donald Trump being elected as president, many women, may or may not
believe that years of struggling for equality have been for naught due to his comments about
women and his behavior. Although some women are in support of his win, as 40 percent of
women from state to state voted for him. Others, perhaps most of them being democratic
women, are fearful for the future and are wondering if the country will regress back to a time
where women had even less rights than they do now, when womens rights were comparable to
that of slaves.
While it is one thing to claim unfairness, it is another thing to take action toward a
solution. According to The Democratic Debate, voters no longer prefer male to female
candidates, there may even be a small bias in favor of women as more caring and honest. There
is no simple solution to the deeply rooted problem of unequal representation in American
government. Gender bias in voters, men only voting for male candidates, only touches on the
surface of the problem. As we saw in this past election, a female candidate, who may gain votes

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in quantities equal to that of the male candidate, may not win. The choice is then left to the
House of Representatives, in which women are not equally represented.
The authors of The Democratic Debate discuss the Declaration of Independence and that
to secure rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their powers from the consent
of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is
the right of the people to alter it or to abolish it and to institute new government, laying its
foundation on such principles and organizing its power in such form, as to them shall seem most
likely to affect their safety and happiness. It is the right and responsibility of the people to
abolish destructive government, which leaves some of the work on the shoulders of female
citizens to get involved in politics, and to fight to gain more women in the system.
The Forgotten Woman urges that government is neither representative of, nor
considerate of women. The authors examine the origin of human rights, the relationship between
equality and freedom, and the relationship between gender and human rights. It presents cause
for women to become involved in politics, to cast their vote and make their voices heard. These
arguments are applicable in 2016 as they will be in the future as well. The authors end by arguing
that America still has its work cut out for them in terms of equal representation in government
and politics. According to The Democratic Debate, research on womens membership in
legislature of twenty-five democracies around the globe shows that even with recent
improvements, the U.S. still ranks in the bottom half. . Women should not rest until equal
representation in government has been accomplished. Women should not be satisfied until they
truly have a voice in the laws and regulations by which they are governed.

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Works Cited
Brown, B. E., Grimke, A. E., Stanton, E. C., Anthony, S. B., & Gage, M. J. (1983). The
Forgotten Woman. In A. S. Adams (Author), Great American Political Thinkers (Vol. 2,
pp. 105-125). Avon Books.