Marriage as a Trade

by Cicely Hamilton

"Marriage as a Trade" by Cicely Hamilton is a socio-political treatise written in the early 20th century. The book examines marriage from a commercial perspective, discussing the roles of women as wives and mothers as a means of economic survival. Hamilton's argument centers on the compulsory nature of marriage for women and critiques the economic disadvantages imposed on them, aiming to highlight the need for reform in the social and economic conditions surrounding marriage and motherhood. At the start of the work, Hamilton presents her rationale for examining the trade-like nature of marriage, arguing that societal norms have led to the acceptance of women's inferior status. She sets up a comparative analysis between the roles of women and men, contending that women’s lives are dominated by their function as wives and mothers, rather than as independent individuals. Through her exploration, she aims to separate women's identities and their value in society from their marital status, addressing the systemic issues that trap women in dependency and limit their personal agency.