Answer :
The Women's Rights Movement was a success in challenging societal norms and achieving milestones such as the right to vote with the 19th Amendment. It has led to significant advancements in women's employment, education, and healthcare, and continues to empower women's pursuit of equality, despite some goals remaining unmet.
Was the Women's Rights Movement a Success?
The Women's Rights Movement can be deemed a success in numerous ways, particularly when examining the progress made since the antebellum era. Initially, the movement aimed to dismantle the entrenched societal norms of 'true womanhood', which posited a selfless, domestic role for women in 'separate spheres'. The advocacy of women's rights challenged these core notions and insisted on equality in rights to life, liberty, property, and happiness for both genders.
Strides have been made throughout history, with the 19th Amendment in 1920 being a significant milestone, granting women the right to vote. As of the late 20th century, according to surveys, a majority of minority women—and women in general—approved of the movement's goals. The feminist movement in the sixties and seventies saw improvements in employment equity, education, health care, and more. Important figures like Alice Paul used drastic measures like hunger strikes to draw attention to the cause, which played a role in achieving these advancements.
However, it is important to acknowledge that successes vary and there are objectives yet to be met. Discussions continue as to the relevance and future direction of the feminist movement. While the movement may have 'run out of steam' by 1980, the legacy it left continues to empower women today, and work towards full equality persists.
The failure of the ERA was followed in the 1980s by a gradual decline in organized, often bellicose activity by masses of women in the United States. Moreover, there was a growing national sense that the core goals of the women's rights movement had been achieved.
