Abortion, a decision for the woman or a matter of politics.

Sexism and the changing roles of women

Throughout history it seems there has always been a battle between the sexes. A woman’s stereotypical job was to marry, look after the children, do the housework, and make sure tea was on the table when her man arrived home from his very important and complicated work. She was expected to tend to a man’s needs and follow his instructions. She couldn’t have opinions or show any greater intelligence than her man. Being quiet and helpful was her job in life. Why was there this sexism? How did men cope with the changes that allowed women to finally have a say, finally stand up for themselves? And to what extent did this alter the role of both sexes in society?

Maybe we should go back in time. During the 1600’s, women who spoke their minds and controversial opinions to the public; in other words women who questioned men’s authority, were declared witches and burnt on the stake. Poor women who became pregnant before marriage were abandoned without much hope of living and their children cursed. And rich women suffered too. They were forced by their fathers to marry wealthy men against their will, often with the outcome of domestic violence, and of course, it was preposterous for a woman to work. Until the 1920s, women were denied the right to vote, almost projecting the idea that women were somehow less intelligent, and, more seriously, judges have been known in rape cases to suggest that a woman was asking for it by wearing certain clothes. All these are examples of the prejudices and beliefs piled against women over the years, all resulting in suppression.

More recently though, attitudes have changed. It is thought, since the introduction of the pill, which enabled women to control their fertility, they have become a stronger force in society, with more power to express opinions and beliefs. The feminist movements and the dedicated work of the suffragettes have gradually added to the increasingly prominent position of women in society.

Then Margaret Thatcher stepped into power and created an intelligent image of a woman, if a slightly corrupted and power-hungry one. In addition, the rise of “girl power” in the 90’s and girl groups such as the Spice Girls established women as perhaps even more influential and powerful than men. Despite all this development, there are still issues to be tackled. Women are still discriminated against in jobs such as the police force, managerial positions, and construction, as well as being paid less overall. But there is one issue that is particularly important and it’s the different attitudes that people take towards men and women for the same actions. This is especially rife in young people. For instance, a man can sleep with loads of women, have no-string relationships and affairs, and yet get appraisal for it from their peers. If a woman ventures into this territory, has many sexual partners and sleeps around, she’s labelled a slut and looked down upon. This needs to change.

So why did we have this problem in the first place? Why were women controlled by men? It’s thought that men’s urge to control women derives from women’s sexual empowerment over them. Women could seduce them, and because of this men felt out of control and vulnerable, and so used their physical advantages. Another reason is more simple and primitive, and concerns the simple knowledge of which children belong to which man. Because of a lack of contraception, it was difficult for men to know whether their children were really their children, and so they felt they needed to keep the women under control. Over the years women have broken free of this suppression and in some ways become stronger than men. We cannot forget how men must feel about this change though. How threatened they are by this new “girl power” movement. Surely men are naturally dominant with a desire to protect women? Maybe the rise in the role of women is unbalanced and unnatural, for there is, of course, still a part of every woman who wants to be protected and looked after by a man.

Moreover, it appears there will always be a barrier between men and women, and for good reason considering they are different in many ways. But a balance needs to be created which results in equal rights for both sexes. What needs to be remembered is that men and women are not in competition and need support from each other to be content. Acceptance that men and women are strong and powerful in a variety of different ways is the key to a less sexist future.

What’s your opinion?
Do you think women are overpowering men?