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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
th
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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