Although the women’s rights movement in the United States in thought of as a recent development,its beinnings date back over one hundred and seventy years.At that time women were dependents in the eyes of the law,and they did not have the rights of adults.A woman had no property rights,even over what she had got it from her mother or father or over any wages that she earned.Decisions about family matters and about the children were made by her husband,the “head of the family”.
The first public protests against the low position of women were made in the 1830’s.In 1848 the leaders of this movement(some of whom were antislavery activities as well) assembled the first Women’s Rights Convention,demanding equality.In this struggle as well as in the long,hard fight for women’s vote,those who took part in the activities were laughed at and insulted.They were said to be immoral,and their ideas were considered dangerous to society.
Nevertheless by 1900 women had won the right to vote in several states;and in 1920 the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution granted them the right to vote throughout the United States.By the time many women were attending college, and increasing numbers were entering professions which had before been forbidden to women. A little number of women even held high academic and government positions.In spie of all this progress,“career women”were largely restricted(受限制)teaching,nursing,and office work.
The women’s Liberation movement,which developed during the 1960’s,has focused on economic rights such as“equal pay for equal work”.In addition some groups have stressed psychological and social equality.The main purpose of Women’s Liberation to free women from the restricted role which society has given to them.It seeks to enable them to choose between a career and the home—or to choose the two.it claims that society as a whole would benefit if every person were allowed to develop his or her abilities and use them to the full.Women’s Liberation believes that the statement in the United States Declaration of Independence,“all men are created equal”realy means.“all human beings are created equal”.
1.We know from this passage that ___________over one hundred seventy years ago.
A.no women worked outside their homes.
B.women were considered as children by the law
C.women cared nothing about how their family lives were
D.women were not allowed to decide how to spend their money or how to teach children
2.The underlined word“assemble”in the second paragraph probably means____________.
A.to bring a group of people together in one place for a particular purpose
B.to make a public or official statement,especially about a plan,decision
C.to produce many copies of a book,magazine,or newspaper
D.not to take part in an event or not to buy or use something as a protest
3.Which of the following is true?
A.In the 1920s,women were limited to being teachers,nurses of office workers.
B.Women mainly paid their attention to how they were paid in the 1960s.
C.Women asked to change“all men are created equal”into“all human beings are created equal.”
D.No states have ever provided women with jobs in the government.
4.What would be the best title for this passage?
A.Women’s Lives in the United States
B.Equal Pay for Equal Work
C.Women’s Liberation in the United States
D.Women,their past and Present