Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Modern Approaches in Humanities and Social Sciences
Year: 2024
DOI:
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Mary Wollstonecraft’s Ideas: Past and Present
Prof Dr. Paola Partenza
ABSTRACT:
The term ‘citizenship’ traditionally refers to an individual’s membership of a state and is mainly associated with issues related to the loss and acquisition of citizenship status. However, in current public discussions, the concept of ‘citizenship’ has acquired a wide-ranging definition. In the late 18th century, an individual’s relationship with the political and legal order in which they were embedded was subject to many constraints, and citizenship was not ubiquitous. In her 1792 work, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, Mary Wollstonecraft sought to demonstrate the necessity for individual freedom, particularly for women, based on the concept of independence and the exercise of rights. Wollstonecraft associated citizenship with participation in the political community and being a subject of the community by exercising one’s rights. However, her contemplation on the subordination of women due to their limited education led her to question the position of women in society. Wollstonecraft thus posed the question: “Was not the world a vast prison, and women born slaves?” These reflections are still relevant and encourage contemplation. The aim of this presentation is to offer some insights into Wollstonecraft’s views on the role of women in her time and their relevance today. However, above all, Wollstonecraft’s pioneering vision allows for a modern approach to the Humanities.
keywords: woman, autonomy, education, gender role, empowerment