When Rousseau wrote, “She should be made a more alluring object of desire, for whenever a man chooses to relax himself,” he was advocating which behavior?
The correct answer and explanation is:
The quote from Rousseau is advocating for the idea of women being seen primarily in terms of their attractiveness and role in providing sexual pleasure to men. He was reinforcing the social norms of the time, where women’s value was often tied to their physical appearance and ability to fulfill the desires of men. This perspective aligns with Rousseau’s broader views on gender roles, which were rooted in the Enlightenment era, a time when many thinkers held traditional views on the roles of women in society.
Rousseau argued that women’s primary role in society was to nurture and please men, especially in the domestic sphere. In his writings, particularly in Emile, he suggested that women should be educated to cater to the desires of men, especially in marriage, and that their purpose was to support men emotionally and sexually. In this context, the idea of making women “a more alluring object of desire” reflects the common notion during the 18th century that women’s worth was largely defined by their physical appeal and ability to maintain a pleasurable atmosphere for men.
However, these ideas have been widely critiqued over time, as they reflect a patriarchal worldview that limited women’s freedom and potential. Modern feminist thought challenges this notion by advocating for equal rights, opportunities, and recognition of women as full individuals with their own desires, goals, and identities beyond just being a source of pleasure for men.
The statement can thus be understood as part of Rousseau’s broader ideas about gender relations, where he sought to define the role of women in a way that subordinated them to male desires. This perspective is largely seen as outdated and problematic by today’s standards, as it fails to recognize the inherent value and autonomy of women as individuals.