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The Subjection of Women is an essay by John Stuart Mill, published in 1869, which argues for equality between the sexes. Mill believed that the moral and intellectual advancement of humankind would result in greater happiness for everybody. He argued that people should be able to vote to defend their own rights and to learn to stand on their two feet, morally and intellectually. Mill often used his position as a member of Parliament to demand the vote for women, a controversial position for the time. At the time of writing, Mill recognized that he was going against the common views of society and was aware that he would be forced to back up his claims persistently. Mill attacks the argument that women are naturally worse at some things than men and should, therefore, be discouraged or forbidden from doing them. He says that we simply don't know what women are capable of, because we have never let them try one cannot make an authoritative statement without evidence. Mill felt that the emancipation and education of women would have positive benefits for men also.