HUMN 303 Annotated Bibliography

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Chamberlain University

HUMN-303: Introduction to the Humanities

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Date

Annotated Bibliography

Historical Context of Women’s Rights

The fight for women’s rights has deep historical roots, tracing back to the 19th century when women faced severe restrictions in both public and private life. They had little to no authority over their reproductive health, limited access to education, and minimal opportunities for professional advancement. The concept of “women’s rights” is generally understood as the recognition of legal, political, and social equality between women and men.

Howard-Hassmann (2011) explained that women’s rights gained significant momentum in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as activists demanded broader recognition of equality. This movement not only expanded educational and employment opportunities but also enhanced women’s ability to exercise autonomy in family and community matters. These changes marked the beginning of a shift where women could assert multiple roles and identities without being confined to traditional expectations. However, some scholars have argued that the human rights framework historically reflected male experiences, often minimizing women’s contributions and lived realities (Howard-Hassmann, 2011, p. 439).

Evolution of Women’s Roles in Society

In the early 19th century, cultural norms expected women to prioritize childcare and domestic responsibilities, while men controlled decision-making power. The resistance to women’s changing roles often stemmed from fears that granting women equal rights would undermine existing power structures. Abrams (2015) emphasized that debates over abortion were not solely moral concerns but also reflected broader gender inequalities. Women who sought abortion were frequently stigmatized as “bad mothers,” reinforcing social narratives that painted them as irrational and overly emotional (pp. 179–185).

The modern women’s rights movement in the United States grew rapidly during the 1960s, partly in response to decades of systemic inequities. Loveday (2009) highlighted key turning points, such as the rise of wartime feminism, the impact of The Feminine Mystique, and the creation of the National Organization for Women (NOW). Despite these advancements, many women faced setbacks after World War II when jobs they had filled were reclaimed by men returning from service. This reflected a broader belief that women’s contributions were temporary and secondary to men’s roles in the workforce.

Table 1

Evolution of Women’s Social Roles

Contemporary Challenges and Opportunities

In the 21st century, women have achieved substantial progress, particularly in education. Zuzana and Pavel (2013) observed that in many developed nations, women outperform men in academic achievement and higher education enrollment. Additionally, women contribute extensively to economic decision-making and labor force participation. However, despite these advancements, representation in leadership and executive positions remains disproportionately low, which is often regarded as an underutilization of talent (pp. 27–28).

Haghighat (2013) discussed women’s rights in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), emphasizing that constraints on women cannot be exclusively attributed to religion. Instead, sociopolitical and economic structures manipulate religious ideologies to limit access to rights and resources. Empowerment in these regions involves enabling women to express their needs, claim autonomy, and participate in decisions that affect their lives (p. 247).

References

Abrams, P. (2015). The bad mother: Stigma, abortion and surrogacy. The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 43(2), 179–191. https://doi.org/10.1111/jlme.12231

Haghighat, E. (2013). Social status and change: The question of access to resources and women’s empowerment in the Middle East and North Africa. Journal of International Women’s Studies, 14(1), 273–299. http://vc.bridgew.edu/jiws/vol14/iss1/17

Howard-Hassmann, R. E. (2011). Universal women’s rights since 1970: The centrality of autonomy and agency. Journal of Human Rights, 10(4), 433–449. https://doi.org/10.1080/14754835.2011.619398

HUMN 303 Annotated Bibliography

Loveday, V. (2009). Feminism & the women’s rights movement. Feminism & the Women’s Rights Movement, 1.

Zuzana, D., & Pavel, S. (2013). The potential of women and the 21st century. Research Journal of Economics, Business and ICT, (1).