To which solution would Kerber and Wood subscribe? (Please forgive
the false dichotomy for the sake of stirring the pot a little.)
1)
When taking Wood’s discussion of hierarchy (and
how it was undermined) together Kerber’s discussion of coverture, one realizes that the solution to the
oppression of minorities and women is not to change the republican political
philosophy from which women and minorities were excluded, but to stop excluding
them.
2)
When looking at America’s foundation on
hierarchy and coverture, one realizes that the only solution is to eradicate
the entire social, economic, and political structure upon which America was
built and start from scratch.
Hi Kevin,
ReplyDeleteI thought that Kerber wasn’t only suggesting to “stop excluding” women, but to limit the power of men as well. That in order to have equality in obligations, women could not only receive the same rights as men, but the power that men held over women through coverture had to be taken away.
I don't think either of them would subscribe to #2, because I do not think either of them are radical in the blow-the-whole-thing up kind of way.
ReplyDeleteWood would almost assuredly choose #1, as he has a positive view of America's beginnings. Kerber would be more likely to combine both views - throw out the institutions that cannot be reformed but keep the ones that can still work with a more inclusive populace.
Charles,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that I don't believe either author would advocate the destruction of the entire system. In my last post, I referenced the importance of consciousness raising as an alternative to patriarchy. I think that both authors would advocate the importance of knowledge and exposing the heirarchy and discrimination entrenched in the law. Also, I think that both authors would suggest that change is possible within the current Constitution. As Wood argued, the American Revolution, and therefore the Constitution, may have issues and may have failed to engage each issue; however, it created a new opportunity to challenge and overcome these issues. Kerber's work seems to demonstrate that change, albeit slowly, has taken place. As long as authors like Kerber continue to challenge the law and expose where we are falling short as a society, I think that we can continue to progress towards a more egalitarian society. However, I'm a bit of an optimist...
Mark
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ReplyDeleteKevin, does Kerber's sense of the inherited connections (esp. coveture) between the Old World and the New fit in to your analysis? I sense that Kerber is often highlighting the connections in gender relations between the Old and New world (especially in Revolutionary times) and thus sees change as an evolution rather than a sharp break. Maybe #1 is therefore more applicable...?!?
ReplyDelete