At the time of its publication, the essay's argument for equality between the sexes was an affront to European conventional norms regarding the status of men and women.

But all that is most striking and profound in what was written by me belongs to my wife, coming from the fund of thought that had been made common to us both by our innumerable conversations and discussions on a topic that filled so large a place in our minds.

Mill argues that people should be able to vote to defend their own rights and to learn to stand on their two feet, morally and intellectually.

In Mill's time a woman was generally subject to the whims of her husband or father due to social norms which said women were both physically and mentally less able than men and therefore needed to be "taken care of".

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.

... [T]he legal subordination of one sex to another – is wrong in itself, and now one of the chief hindrances to human improvement; and that it ought to be replaced by a system of perfect equality, admitting no power and privilege on the one side, nor disability on the other.

[7]Mill attacks the argument that women are naturally worse at some things than men and should, therefore, be discouraged or forbidden from doing them.

The ideas and potential of half the population would be liberated, producing a great effect on human development.

Mill's essay is utilitarian in nature on three counts: The immediate greater good,[9] the enrichment of society,[10] and individual development.

If society really wanted to discover what is truly natural in gender relations, Mill argued, it should establish a free market for all of the services women perform, ensuring a fair economic return for their contributions to the general welfare.

The stimulus of female competition and companionship of equally educated persons would result in the greater intellectual development of all.

Mill attacks marriage laws, which he likens to the slavery of women, "there remain no legal slaves, save the mistress of every house."

He also argues for the need for reforms of marriage legislation whereby it is reduced to a business agreement, placing no restrictions on either party.

[11]Mill felt that even in societies as unequal as England and Europe that one could already find evidence that when given a chance women could excel.

Mill has a quite specific idea of individual progress: (1) employing higher faculties; (2) moral development, with people placing narrow self-interest behind them.