Mary Wollstonecraft, not to be confused with her daughter (the author of Frankenstein), was an 18th-century writer known as the "mother of feminism" and a activist for women's rights. Observing political and social developments in France, Wollstonecraft realized that the revolution granted unalienable rights to men, and in defense of her sex, she wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Women. In the second chapter of his work, "The Prevailing Opinion on a Discussed Sexual Character," Wollstonecraft says that from the day they are born, women are told that they are supposed to be gentle, beautiful, innocent, and obedient. Women grow up with the idea that they have to adapt to the scenario of this weak, inferior person who obeys and does what they are told. They have the idea that the most important thing is to have a man to protect them and to be physically beautiful for at least twenty years of their life. Wollstonecraft says that when a woman believes that her greatest strength is pleasing another person, she will be dissatisfied because her strengths will eventually fade and she will not always be able to make that other person happy . This is when it is most important for a woman to find comfort in her own self-esteem and intelligence. The problem is that if a woman spends her entire life trying to please another person and meet a certain standard, she doesn't necessarily have a self-esteem that will comfort her when another person can't. Wollstonecraft writes that men are physically superior in most cases. , while women are seen as weak and forced into a sedentary life on the couch, bound by “Chinese bands” (restrictive clothing) while men run outside. She says girls and... middle of paper ...... are attracted to modern feminist beliefs. I found Mary Wallstonecraft's writings extremely interesting, especially as a work from the 18th century. She clearly states that she does not believe in the power of women overpowering anyone, but she states that she believes that women are given the education they need to feel empowered. It's a powerful and inspiring thing to read the words of one of the very first women to believe in women's rights. I don't necessarily agree with everything she says and I think she seems a bit prudish, but maybe that's just a period story. I would like to believe that perhaps the modern Mary Wallstonecraft would be comfortable with her body and more relaxed. Her philosophy on women's rights and education is so important because many people today unfortunately still cling to completely outdated ideals..