The Subjection of Women

John Stuart Mill, 1869

Ideas that changed the world

Mill argues that women's legal and social subordination should give way to equality.

Read the book Contents

Length: 4 chapters
Reading time: About 3 hr 3 min
Words: 43,568

About the book

Mill states his position at once: the relationship between the sexes should rest on equality rather than the legal subordination of women. He examines institutions and assumptions that make an unequal arrangement seem natural, including the terms of marriage.

The essay proceeds by challenging the grounds on which accepted opinions claim authority. Its interest lies in the structure of the reasoning as well as its conclusions. Readers are asked to distinguish evidence about human capacities from the effects of upbringing, restricted opportunity and customs that have rarely been tested against alternatives.

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Ideas that changed the world

This edition

Text from Standard Ebooks, who proofread and typeset it and dedicate their edition to the public domain. John Stuart Mill died more than 70 years ago, so the work is out of copyright in the UK.