Roles of women

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The Role of Women in Society

Women play an important role in society and have huge significance to human

progress. They are capable of performing all responsibilities required of life. It is fair to compare

both men and women as wheels of the same carriage. The main importance of women through

history and modern times is the preservation of human life. In the words of Napoleon, "Give me

good mothers and I will give you a good nation". Far from this, women's roles have been

changing throughout history. This paper discusses the roles of women in society in historical and

modern times.

In the 16

century when Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet, a woman’s role in society

was subservient to their male counterparts and they acted as wives to their husbands as well as

mothers to their offspring. Societal expectations were that they conform to the set standard of

life, and were seen as property to their husbands and fathers. A daughter’s marriage was

arranged by her father for any given reason. Throughout the play, a woman’s role was to please

others, follow men, and be of a weaker status in society. Capulet threatens to disown her

daughter Juliet for refusing to pursue the marriage arranged for her. Juliet’s parents also employ

the Nurse to raise her.

The Glass Menagerie (Williams, Tennessee) is a story of Amanda Wingfield's

dysfunctional family that has no hope of a better life. Amanda has two children, Tom and Laura.

In the story, the family discusses Laura's lack of suitors, 'gentlemen callers'. From this, it is a

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woman's role to get married. Women have a lesser status in society and are supposed to be

charming and reliant on men for financial and emotional support. Both Amanda and Laura's

dreams about life are centered on men, who are non-existent.

In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen tells a story about love winning in the end despite

hurdles. The society portrayed is male-dominated. It is during the rule of Queen Victoria, which

depicts women as leaders. However, women were still of lower status and were expected to raise

children and tend to house chores. They also had no voting rights nor could they be property

owners. In the story, Charlotte Lucas says that marriage provided for a better life for a woman.

Thus, marriage had an economic significance for women. The possessions she had became her

husband's once she was married.

During the time periods depicted in the stories above, a woman’s role in society was

diminished as compared to a man’s. Thus, their treatment was harsh. Young women could be

harmed if they were not mature enough physically to bear children. Women are unfairly treated

as they grow to meet societal expectations and their own mean nothing. They are forced into

marriages, and have no say on any issue in life.

The role of women has changed during the times of the plays and modern times. Gender

equality has not been actualized fully, and there is still some form of male dominance. In the

modern world, women and men are leaders alike. The former UK prime minister was a woman.

Women also work and are not necessarily dependent on men for financial support. Some roles

remain and cannot change, such as being mothers. Moreover, women are involved in every

aspect of our lives.

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Last Name1 Your Name Instructor Name Course Number Date The Role of Women in Society Women play an important role in society and have huge significance to human progress. They are capable of performing all responsibilities required of life. It is fair to compare both men and women as wheels of the same carriage. The main importance of women through history and modern times is the preservation of human life. In the words of Napoleon, "Give me good mothers and I will give you a good nation". Far from this, women's roles have been changing throughout history. This paper discusses the roles of women in society in historical and modern times. In the 16th century when Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet, a woman’s role in society was subservient to their male counterparts and they acted as wives to their husbands as well as mothers to their offspring. Societal expectations were that they conf ...
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