Struggle for Equal Adulthood

260 pages

English language

Published Jan. 13, 2014 by University of North Carolina Press.

ISBN:: 978-1-4696-1815-9

(1 review)

In the fight for equality, early feminists often cited the infantilization of women and men of color as a method used to keep them out of power. Corinne T. Field argues that attaining adulthood--and the associated political rights, economic opportunities, and sexual power that come with it--became a common goal for both white and African American feminists between the American Revolution and the Civil War. The idea that black men and all women were more like children than adult white men proved difficult to overcome, however, and continued to serve as a foundation for racial and sexual inequality for generations. In detailing the connections between the struggle for equality and concepts of adulthood, Field provides an essential historical context for understanding the dilemmas black and white women still face in America today, from "glass ceilings" and debates over welfare dependency to a culture obsessed with youth and beauty. Drawn from …

In the fight for equality, early feminists often cited the infantilization of women and men of color as a method used to keep them out of power. Corinne T. Field argues that attaining adulthood--and the associated political rights, economic opportunities, and sexual power that come with it--became a common goal for both white and African American feminists between the American Revolution and the Civil War. The idea that black men and all women were more like children than adult white men proved difficult to overcome, however, and continued to serve as a foundation for racial and sexual inequality for generations. In detailing the connections between the struggle for equality and concepts of adulthood, Field provides an essential historical context for understanding the dilemmas black and white women still face in America today, from "glass ceilings" and debates over welfare dependency to a culture obsessed with youth and beauty. Drawn from a fascinating past, this book tells the history of how maturity, gender, and race collided, and how those affected came together to fight against injustice.

2 editions

Aaron reviewed Struggle for Equal Adulthood by Corinne T. Field

Meaning of age in antebellum America

4 stars

Enjoyed reading this book as it gave me a great deal to think about in terms of the perception of age in antebellum America. In my own research, I have been reading about women who chose to travel on railroads or steamboats without a chaperone. This book gave me more insight into women's independence during the era, particularly with respect to how women were treated "like children." As is reflected in the subtitle, the book focuses on political rights. A great deal of attention is given to the meaning of milestone ages (like 21) for men and women, as well as the points of cooperation and tension between the fight for Black suffrage and female suffrage. A well-researched and well-argued book.