Mill begins Chapter 1 by defining his goal, which is to show that the subordination of women to men is unjust and inherently wrong, and is moreover a hindrance to human progress. He asserts that patriarchy is not the result of social experimentation but rather emerges from the law of force. Mill challenges the notion that gender inequality is natural, showing it to be a belief rooted in mere custom. He refutes the idea that women voluntarily accept their subjugation. He also suggests that women’s complaints about their husbands’ mistreatment indicate that they are capable of challenging a broader system of male dominance.
In Chapter 2, Mill discusses extant marriage laws. He likens the legal status of married women to that of slaves, with husbands having extensive power, including the right to abuse, the right to possess women’s property, and the right to cancel women’s guardianship of their own children. Mill advocates for a shift in leadership within family life. He also suggests women focus on family over earning income. He promotes equality in the family, since family ought to be a school of virtues. Furthermore, Mill addresses the negative impact of women’s subjugation on men’s moral character.
In Chapter 3, Mill argues for women to have occupations beyond marriage. He challenges the assumption that women are unfit for employment due to intellectual limitations. He emphasizes that women have successfully governed when given the chance. Moreover, he highlights that women’s intuition helps with men’s abstract thinking. Despite acknowledging some women’s nervous temperaments, Mill argues that these traits can be useful. He also attacks prevailing conceptions about women’s brain size and the assumptions derived from these conceptions.
In Chapter 4, Mill examines the benefits of giving women equal rights. He argues that gender equality will help mitigate men’s self-worship and is important to their moral development. Liberating women will lead to more useful resources for society. It will ensure that women can have a more positive influence on men. Mill highlights the benefit of equality in marital happiness. Equality will also contribute to the personal happiness and freedom of women, as they currently experience a life of dissatisfaction, boredom, and dependence. He concludes that women’s emancipation will lead to greater happiness and progress for mankind as a whole.
