Beholderess reviewed The Subjection of Women by John Stuart Mill
Review of 'The Subjection of Women' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Some parts of this essay aged better than the others.
Of those that are still current, the most powerful, in my opinion, is the argument that nothing about the women's "nature", capabilities and preferences can be inferred from the subordinate status they find themselves in. The apparent differences, as well as the seeming acquiescence to the subordinate position, are result of the upbringing and of the way society limits women's opportunities. Nothing definite can be said about a woman's nature yet, as nobody yet seen what an actually free woman is like, so any appeals to nature in order to justify patriarchal order are groundless.
Parts that have not aged well: the author, while arguing that all professions should be open for women, still insists that home making should be their priority