Term Project by Lindsay Pierpoint, November 22, 2004

I chose to do my term project on the oppression of women. Americans often overlook the oppression of women in the United States because we are able to get jobs, vote and do most things that men can do, and compared to other countries we are lucky, but many women still do not receive the respect that they deserve and the respect men receive. Women still get paid less. The oppression of women is a vicious cycle. It begins when we are children and it never really ends. Young girls often are jealous of little boys so the boys feel superior, then as the boys grow up they gain confidence while the girls feel inferior. Young girls continue to feel that way as they grow up into adults where they become oppressed women, where adult men believe they have control over women and the women allow it. We will not be free of oppression until we all respect each other equally. According to the Women Magazine homepage “sexism is not natural, it is not inherent in society however it is fostered and encouraged through the family and through the position of women in the labor market.” Just like any other form of oppression we often adhere to our parents beliefs; I believe that every generation gets more open minded. I doubt that oppression will diminish in my lifetime but I am confidant that my granddaughters will see a life without oppression. The women’s rights movement was just the beginning.