
In a time of sweeping social change, this work tackles the “woman question” by linking it directly to the broader struggle for a just society. It asks how women can fully develop their abilities and claim equal rights, arguing that true emancipation cannot be achieved without reshaping the entire social order to eliminate oppression, exploitation and poverty. The author surveys women’s historic roles, critiques the belief that their destiny is limited to domestic duties, and highlights the stark contrast between the ideal of “natural” motherhood and the harsh reality many women face—often trapped in poverty or forced into grueling labor.
Drawing clear parallels with the labor movement, the book confronts the forces that cling to tradition and resist change, exposing how these attitudes deny both men and women the benefits of civilization. By emphasizing economic independence and the need for societal restructuring, it presents a compelling case for women’s liberation as an essential step toward collective human welfare.
Language
en
Duration
~17 hours (1030K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Marie Bartolo, Fritz Ohrenschall, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2014-10-30
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1840–1913
A master turner who became one of Germany’s most important socialist voices, he helped build the movement that grew into the Social Democratic Party. His speeches and writing made him a major force in debates about democracy, labor, and women’s rights in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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