...difference to women’s status in political life.’ Discuss. It is true that the mere winning of the vote for women made little immediate difference to their status in political life, and yet, it was a necessary beginning to establishing and later asserting their power. As the great suffragist Millicent Garrett Fawcett stated, women’s suffrage did ‘not in itself represent any extensive change for it would come as a necessary corollary of other changes’. From 1918 onwards, while the limited suffrage opened by the Representation of the People Act provided the vehicle for the changes British women desired to see in their society, feminists and people with an interest in women’s issues were well aware that much work had to be done in order to contribute to their progression in political life. This essay will begin with a brief summary of the state of women prior to 1918, as well as the aspirations and expectations of suffragists and anti-suffragists. Following this, it will describe how women were subsequently viewed as voters and political leaders by others of their sex, men, and the various political parties. The essay will assess how women sought to secure their interests, both politically and socially, and which methods were most effective. While significant changes for women did not happen quickly or immediately, this essay seeks to communicate the optimistic view that with time and the on-going determined efforts of feminists and other interested parties, women’s status in political...
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...50 Key Concepts in Gender Studies Jane Pilcher & Imelda Whelehan Fifty Key Concepts in Gender Studies i Recent volumes include: Key Concepts in Social Research Geoff Payne and Judy Payne Key Concepts in Medical Sociology Jonathan Gabe, Mike Bury and Mary Ann Elston Forthcoming titles include: Key Concepts in Leisure Studies David Harris Key Concepts in Critical Social Theory Nick Crossley Key Concepts in Urban Studies Mark Gottdiener The SAGE Key Concepts series provide students with accessible and authoritative knowledge of the essential topics in a variety of disciplines. Cross-referenced throughout, the format encourages critical evaluation through understanding. Written by experienced and respected academics, the books are indispensable study aids and guides to comprehension. JANE PILCHER AND IMELDA WHELEHAN Fifty Key Concepts in Gender Studies SAGE Publications London • Thousand Oaks • New Delhi iii © Jane Pilcher and Imelda Whelehan 2004 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without permission in writing from the Publishers. SAGE Publications Ltd 1 Oliver’s Yard 55 City Road London EC1Y 1SP SAGE Publications Inc 2455 Teller Road Thousand Oaks, California 91320 SAGE Publications India Pvt Ltd B-42 Panchsheel Enclave Post Box 4109 New Delhi 100 017 British Library...
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