The Politics Of Sexual Difference World War I And The...

The articles â€Å"The Politics of Sexual Difference: World War I and the Demise of British Feminism† by Susan Kingsley Kent, and â€Å"Our Freedom and its Results: Measuring progress in the aftermath of Suffrage† by Maria DiCenzo discuss arguments in relation to post war british feminism and the constitutional suffragists efforts to maintain rights especially those pertaining to enfranchisement. Kents article â€Å"The Politics of Sexual Difference: World War I and the Demise of British Feminism† states that as a result of the great war, Britain had seen an end to both militant and constitutional suffragists efforts in regards to obtaining votes for women. She argues that although the suffrage campaign was considered a mass movement due to its sheer†¦show more content†¦She argues that many suffragists and activists continued to campaign during the interwar period and as a result created the momentum needed to tackle other complex struggles on a variety of fronts. DiCenzo especially stresses the importance of not taking a forced approach to sources from the time period and encourages strategies to foster a more comprehensive understanding about feminism in the interwar period. Reading Kent’s article and her interpretation of the documents provided by suffragettes from the interwar time period, it is evident that she supports what DiCenzo refers to as the ‘demise view’ which is also a common school of thought when debating feminism in the interwar period. Her argument is straightforward and easily comprehensible in the fact that she supports her ideas with good evidence that supports her conclusion. Kent uses a collection of books and essays quoting women suffragettes and feminists themselves (both â€Å"equalitarian† and new feminism feminists) in order to achieve a well rounded opinion. Kent begins her argument by expressing quotes from many feminists that make it evident that women were feeling backlash from their male counterparts during the post war era. Many women were encouraged by men to retreat from the labor force and return back to traditional gender roles as mothers and housewives. Cicely