Is The 21st Century America The New 19th Century England?

Just read this introduction to get your brains warmed up and Victorianized:

Cave-North, T. “Woman’s Place and Power.” British Periodicals 170.3 (Sep 1908): 264-67

In this article, Cave-North condescendingly addresses the problems of gender inequality during the Victorian era, and furthermore suggests solutions that are less than desirable, for women that is. Interestingly, he first begins by reminding women that they have specific duties ‘in the social organism,’ which are attached to power (although ‘humble and circumscribed’). He goes on to suggest that women have neglected and forgotten these powers, resulting from ‘faulty craftsmanship’ and overexcitement about legislative influence. He proposes that women should approach the problem differently; instead of fighting for the right to vote, women should focus on making better men. As a result, men would have better conduct, be more noble, and maintain purer and higher ideas; this betterment would enable men to go into parliament and carry out the newly bestowed ideals.

The emphasis upon motherhood and the influence which comes with it, falsely implicates that the woman has actual power. Needless to say, this is a common example of bestowing ‘pretend power’ to women; it is not the same power exercised by men, it is the burden of responsibility. For example, Cave-North’s statement that, “It is the women of the world who make the men of the world, and if they are badly made, it is the women who are in  the main to blame,” (265) acknowledges the necessity of women for species survival (ironically the epitome of power). But this so-called “power” does not enable women to vote, nor work in respectable jobs, nor do anything besides being a wife and mother. Instead, they have the power to be proud of a well-raised child, and don’t forget—the power to be…blamed?

Okay- So this is NOT obviosuly the case anymore, to this extent anyway. But, it fits well with what REALLY IS a current issue.  I am referring to "The Two Nations" by Benjamin Disraeli, who suggested that England was a divided nation---he states:"Two nations; between whom there is no intercourse and no sympathy; who are as ignorant of each other's habits, thoughts, and feelings, as if they were dwellers in different zones, or inhabitants of different planets; who are formed by a different breeding, are fed by a different food, are ordered by different manners, and are not governed by the same laws---The Rich And The Poor"

So what do we make of this?