The Role of Women in Society

The Role of Women in Society

Introduction

Throughout the annals of history, it has been observed how a majority of societies around the world are what may be termed patriarchal societies governed by men. In such a society, men play the dominant role while the women are assigned secondary roles such as looking after the household and nurturing the kids. It is unfortunate that in a patriarchal society, the role of women is typically defined by men so that their capabilities, talents and potential are mostly sidelined or even undervalued.

As a result, the women of such a society do not play a big role or make significant contributions to the society other than looking after her family. Traditions, cultures, and history have all played a collective role in creating and promoting such dogmas and, as a result, the role of women in societies has often been stereotyped. However, the modern American society has, to a great extent, overcome such cultural stereotypes and dogmas. Today, women are mothers who successfully nurture kids as well as dynamic leaders who lead from the front.

Description

A lot of dogmas and cultural stereotypes governed a traditional American society and these defined the role that women play as they live in the functioning society. For example, there used to be a consciously or subconsciously held belief in most societies that since women give birth, they are 'naturally' better at taking care of their homes (Nedoma, 2009). Therefore, the family was seen as the space that was reserved for women while the sexual division of labor confines women in household chores that essentially involves all work contributing to the maintenance and well-being of household members (Nedoma, 2009).

It is clear that these divisions reflect a vision tasks stereotyped roles for men and women. For men, it is the mastery of technical tools, tasks requiring physical strength, more specific or focused on the outside of the private sphere (Maul, 2007). For women, it is rather the mastery of skills more traditional, repetitive work more focus on the household. Domestic labor provided by women is not considered as work since it is performed free of charge. It is therefore socially valued. Women therefore played an integral role since they nurtured and reared kids and ensured that they grew up to become good contributors to society (Maul, 2007).

In the modern society, however, the role of women is more diverse and multifaceted. For example, apart from bearing the responsibility of carrying out domestic chores and rearing children, women in a liberal American society also works in the office (Eastern Michigan University et al., 1972). However, they may earn less because they have the additional social burden of maintaining a family. They can be part-time because they must care for children. They must choose occupations compatible with family responsibilities. They occupy priority jobs related to relational and children because of their qualities.

Within couples, it is more often women who are involved in the management and stewardship of the household (Lupri, ...