One of the things I liked about this week’s reading was Wollstonecraft’s emphasis on equality based on humanity. In the introduction, she specifies, “the first object of laudable ambition is to obtain a character as a human being, regardless of the distinction of the sex” (8). Men and women are both humans and there are some things that all humans should do, no matter their gender. There are some natural differences, but there is still this commonality. As Wollstonecraft says, “Women, I allow, may have different duties to fulfil; but they are human duties” (50). Sure, there are some differences between men and women, but we’re all humans. No matter what those differences are, there is that fundamental point that unites us and gives an equal starting point.
This point can be taken to another level for Christians. From a Christian perspective, we are all God’s children. Our fundamental duty is to glorify Him; it doesn’t matter whether we are a man or a woman. As the Apostle Paul says in Galatians, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28 NIV). We are all part of the body of Christ and should treat each other as such. It is not our place to decide what a person is or is not capable of doing. We simply need to treat all people with the respect that is due a child of God.
P.S. I commented on AnnaKate’s and Clabo’s posts
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