Childrens Books and Popular Myths about the First Wave of Feminism :: Essays Papers

Children's Books and Popular Myths about the First Wave of Feminism What is the First Wave (1) of Feminism? How is it portrayed as a â€Å"suffrage† movement? Does the average study of First Wave feminism look at issues outside of suffrage: consent laws, marital rape, education, women’s right to own property, divorce rights, and so on? I wanted to look at the portrayal of the â€Å"heroes† of the first wave – Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony – as well the movement itself, through books aimed at children. Children’s books seem like an obvious way to look at how the movement is popularly seen and understood. If we set aside condescending ideas of needing to â€Å"dumb down† ideas to introduce them to children, or needing figures to be purely heroic. Then, we assume that most people, who do not actively pursue it later in life, receive the bulk of their information on the First Wave of feminism from kindergarten through high school history education. The Book Choosing Process The sources cover a variety of age ranges and publishers. There was no science in the selection, they were simply the easiest to find at the downtown public library in Syracuse, New York (2), which to me indicates they are the most likely to be picked up by a student doing a report or reading for enjoyment. The sources are not supposed to represent the â€Å"worst† by any standards – they are children's history books, all of which do in depth studies of suffrage. These are not coloring books or propaganda, which, perhaps, is why the information is so dangerous. Brill, Marlene Targ. Let Women Vote! Brookfield: Millbrook, 1996. (aimed at ages 9-12), Davis, Lucille. Susan B. Anthony. Mankato: Bridgestone, 1998. (aimed at ages 4-8), Nash, Carol Rust. The Fight For Women’s Right To Vote in American History. Springfield: Enslow, 1998. (aimed at ages 9-12) Parker, Barbara Keevil. Susan B. Anthony: Daring to Vote. Brookfield: Millbrook, 1998. (aimed at ages 4-8) Five Major Questionable Facts About the First Wave in Children’s History Books 1. Women Asked For Rights. â€Å"This cartoon shows Elizabeth [Cady Stanton] speaking to the New York legislature. She asked [emphasis added] legislators to give women equal rights.† (Davis) 2. Susan B. Anthony Is the First Wave of Feminism. â€Å"Susan had prepared other women to work for women’s rights. They took up the fight. In 1920, the 19th amendment was passed. Many people called this law the Susan B.