Article/ Link: The Future Queen (and her brothers)
By Lauren Collins
Published: November 1, 2011; Accessed: November 2, 2011
Summary: As of last week, the rules of royal succession in Great Britain have been changed to allow the first born child to become the heir to the throne regardless of gender. Leaders of the sixteen Commonwealth nations agreed to the change after being convinced by David Cameron. This change will allow the future first child of William Hill and Kate Middleton to become the next monarch, even if it is a girl. According to Cameron, it is a move to create equality between gender in all aspects of life. By making the highest position of office to this sets an example to Britain and the Commonwealth nations. Some view this move as an appeal to female voters. However if equality is what Great Britain and the Commonwealth nations are trying to achieve, then they will soon have to address the issue of hereditary privilege.
Response:I found this article interesting because for many centuries monarchs have been mostly males from noble families. Even when women did gain the throne, they had to prove their competence to rule. Women have been seen as inferior and weak until recent history. Now regardless of gender or social class, the first-born child will be the heir to the throne. After learning about society and monarchy in AP European History class, our views and ideas have changed significantly over time. Women are now finally achieving gender quality after centuries of being considered less important than men. To see that all the Commonwealth countries have also agreed shows how the whole world holds a similar value regarding the matter. It will be interesting to see how different our views will be few decades from now as women are quickly climbing every ladder.
Vocabulary:
Tacit
1. "This is because David Cameron, with the Queen's tacit support, has persuaded the leaders of the sixteen Commonwealth nations that recognize the British monarch as head of state to agree to make changes to the rules of royal succession."
2. Definition: adj. implied or indicated (as by an act or by silence) but not actually expressed
Origin: Middle French tacite, from Latin tacitus silent, from past participle of tacēre to be silent
First known use: 1576 (Merriam-Webster)
3. With the tacit support of her friends, Amy was able to create a book club at school.
Espouse
1. "'We espouse gender equality in all other aspects of life and it is an anomaly that in the rules relating to the highest public office we continue to enshrine male superiority.'"
2. Definition: verb. to take up and support as a cause: become attached to
Origin: from Anglo-French espuser, from Late Latin sponsare to betroth, from Latin sponsus betrothed
First known use: 15th century (Merriam-Webster)
3. John espoused anti-drug week at school when his father died of lung cancer.
Satirical
1. "The satirical magazine Private Eye has a recurring comic strip called 'Davy Snooty and His Pales.'"
2. Definition: adj. of, relating to, constituting satire (Merriam-Webster)
-Satire
Definition: noun. a literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn
trenchant wit, irony, or sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or folly
Origin: Middle French, from Latin satura
First known use: 1501 (Merriam-Webster)
3. The satirical novel criticized teachers that showed favoritism.
