New Women Essay, Research Paper

Debate over the .New Woman .

In the article Laurel Rasplica Rodd wrote is about women debating about women s equality and their roles. There are 3 women who challenged to redefined women s roles. These 3 women had the same goal but due to different background and experience, they argued different positions. All 3 women strongly believe their point of view and talks about it.

The first woman is Yosano Akiko, who wanted equal education, social rights, and responsibilities for women. She argued that .women are people the same as men x going against the theory .good wives and wise mothers. x This doesn t mean that she s against being a good wife and wise mother but just that she also wanted to be someone s wife and someone s friend, and a human being. She wanted equal rights, same as men. She also wanted economic independence for women for support of their family and for the future. Akiko wanted the society to treat her like they treat men. By writing poems and essays, Akiko wanted to change an individual so those individuals can change the society.

The second woman is Hiratsuka Raicho, who wanted the state protection and special privileges for mothers. Hiratsuka Raicho wanted education and political equality for women so women are prepared for their roles as mothers. Raicho also argued against Yosano Akiko s thought of economic independence. Raicho believes that women s economic independence is almost impossible because there aren t that many women who can earn a living like Akiko. That s why she believes women should seek special protection and take a role as a good mother.

The third woman is Yamakawa Kikue, who wanted education for women and a revolution in the economic system. She didn t like the idea that women should be educated to be .good wives and wise mothers. . She believed that women should be educated for their own sake, not for their husband or children. Her goal was socialist economic reform as requirement for social reform.

As u can see, these 3 women had different point of view on so called .NEW WOMAN. x Akiko s demands for equality of opportunity for women and Raicho s call for special privileges like welfare, and Kikue s call for socialist revolution are some of the paths women s movement has taken in the 20th century.