John Stuart Mill

John Mill certainly had lofty and radical ideas concerning the equality of women. Mill begins by arguing that "...the legal subordination of one sex to the other--is wrong in itself, and now one of the chief hindrances to human improvement; and that it ought to be replaced by a principle of perfect equality..." (521). Mill clearly states that in his opinion, any kind of inequality that exits between men and women of his society should be abolished. He believes that it should be replaced with new laws that uphold the potential for equal opportunities for both men and women. While he is a man who by some should be concerned with the outside world, Mill rather focuses his time and energy on an issue in which he strongly believes. He continues to explain his point by addressing the possibility that times have drastically changed since these laws were set in place: "...at the time when it was adopted, it was the best" (521). Mill demonstrates that while this kind of backwards thinking might have been acceptable in years past, times to change and thus so do people and their wants and needs. He does not think that inequality is appropriate during this time because "...like so many other primeval social facts of the greatest importance, have subsequently, in the course of ages, ceased to exist" (521). Mill does an excellent job defending his position and explaining that the facility of marriage has changed, and thus women should not be considered a weaker, less important sex. He further explains his point when he says that "...the present system...rests upon theory only" (521). Mill wonders how those who defend the current system have any real data to present; no one ever tested these laws to make sure that subordinating "...the weaker sex of the stronger" is really an effective means of operation (521). Rather, Mill believes that these rules and laws were set in place without any real test, and therefore rest solely on idealistic theories of success.

Continuing his argument, Mill proclaims (indirectly) that it is unlikely for most women to fight for their equality, even if they long for it. Women in his time have been influenced by social and natural events that lead them to think that being a subordinate is a forever way of life: "All causes, social and natural, combine to make it unlikely that women should be collectively rebellious to the power of men" (523). Here, Mill argues that women cannot be expected to stand up for themselves because they have been taught to accept this way of life. I believe that for this reason, Mill finds it necessary for him to actually fight for women's rights, as they are unable to do it for themselves. Mill strongly advocates against this way of thinking. He compares the facility of marriage to that of slavery, wherein the men are "...the masters of women..." wanting "...not a forced slave but a willing one, not a slave merely, but a favourite" (523). By comparing marriage to a master and a slave, Mill conveys negative images of the life of women. He sees men as undeserving "masters" and pities the women that are trapped in a lifestyle with no real freedom. Mill obviously longs for women to experience true freedom, just as a slave longs to know the outside world.


I really enjoyed reading what Mill had to say about equality for women. He truly sought to change the way they were objectified in their society, and wanted them to have a chance at experiencing life to the fullest. I think he makes some very strong points in "The Subjection of Women" and I'm sure people like Mill ultimately made part of the difference in woman's lives today. I think that falling in love with a married woman himself might have influenced Mill. I am led to wonder if some of his opinions in "The Subjection of Women" were not directly linked to his personal situation because he was able to see how marriage negatively affects some women, including the woman he loved. Either way, I think Mill was a powerful and persuasive speaker and I like what he had to say.