Analyze the status and role of women in the later works. Have things improved for women, in terms of either their social status or the chance of success? If not, explain if the problems are the same as the 19th century. If they have improved, explain how and why.
During the 19th century, women were required to play second to men in all activities they took part in within the society. On social status, they operated under men from the basic unit, which is family to the entire society. Women performed activities such as child rearing, preparing meals for the family, taking care of the entire family and performing household chores. They never performed activities that required much physicality as such activities were left to men. In traditional societies, they were not allowed to occupy prestigious offices in the society. On educational opportunities, women were restricted in their pursuit of knowledge. They were under educated compared to their male counterparts in the society. This summarized the importance placed on the boy child in the society.
During the 19th century, women were restricted in their engagement in the economic structure or institution. They were allowed to operate small businesses in the market places. They ran small stores in the market and conducted little activities under distribution and manufacturing processes in the society. In terms of employment, women were employed within homesteads to perform home chores mostly. They never occupied prestigious positions in high paying employment opportunities. Men held Law, medicine, and other significant professions after obtaining the required level of education. Women, having been restricted on the level of education, could not qualify for such positions in the economy. Another field in which women did not venture significantly is politics. This was considered game for the male species and women took part in this field merely as voters. Under religion, women in the 19th century played fiddle role as worshipers. Men occupied important positions within the church, as they believed women were inferior to conduct such religious congregations.
Things seem to have improved for women in the recent times. This is based on radical changes in the balance of gender as advocated for by feminism movements. On the social level, women have moved to almost similar level as men. Although men still take control of the activities in most normal families, women are to be consulted on the decisions regarding family. Women have attained the position of breadwinners in most families as opposed to the previous era where women depended on the financial strength of men within the society. Educational opportunities offered to men and women in the society have improved. Equal opportunities are now offered to women and men in the society based on similar curriculum and levels. Through this education, women are now able to compete with men for important positions in the society with men. Law, medicine, business and architectural fields/professions are no longer guaranteed for men as in the past regime.
Women now occupy those positions with equal pay to their male counterparts. This had not been the case in the 19th century. Because of changes made to the balance, women are now allowed to take part in politics. This is under different levels, which include voters, politicians and activists. They are also allowed to form and lead political parties within the society. In the economy, women now play critical role in the development. Today, women are allowed to form their own businesses and investments. Their involvement in manufacturing and distribution processes has increased over the years. Women are now actively involved in the economy of the society unlike the previous era.
In religious institutions, women are now allowed to hold prestigious positions with exception to few churches or religions. Women have graduated from church members to pastors and bishops in different religions. All these revelations in the world of women were brought by the struggles women went through to obtain the restricted rights. They now receive similar treatment to men in almost all fields/institutions of the society. Gender based prejudices have been minimized to show the effect of change in the society. People are no longer judged based on their gender but qualifications attained through the opportunities accorded to them in the society.
In conclusion, women moved from the era of numerous restrictions in the 19th century to the freedom era in the modern world. This is shown by the opportunities available to them because of the change that has taken place. They moved from being uninvolved in politics to being vital for the political institution of the society. Their level of involvement in the economy also improved from small business operators to management positions and other investment related. The presence of women in important professional positions within the economy shows that changes have taken place from the era of the 19th century. This is supplemented with equal pay in the positions held regardless of one’s gender. Increased participation in the activities around the family shows the level society has come in terms of change aimed at making the lives of women better in the society. The improvement is also witnessed in the religious institutions with the society as women now play some vital roles to within this institution. All these put briefly indicates that improvement has occurred in the lives of women from the 19th century era.
