history of women in the early century :: essays research papers

WOMENS RIGHTS. passim most of history women generally view had fewer legal rights and go opportunities than men. Wifehood and motherhood were regarded as womens most significant professions. In the 20th century, however, women in most nations won the right to vote and increased their educational and channel opportunities. Perhaps most important, they fought for and to a large degree accomplished a reevaluation of traditional views of their role in society. Early Attitudes Toward WomenSince early times women imbibe been oddly viewed as a creative source of human life. Historically, however, they have been considered not only intellectually inferior to men but excessively a major source of temptation and evil. In Greek mythology, for example, it was a woman, Pandora, who opened the forbidden box and brought plagues and unhappiness to mankind. Early Roman impartiality described women as children, forever inferior to men. Early Christian righteousness perpetuated these views. S t. Jerome, a 4th-century Latin father of the Christian church, said "Woman is the inlet of the devil, the path of wickedness, the sting of the serpent, in a word a equivocal object." Thomas Aquinas, the 13th-century Christian theologian, said that woman was "created to be mans helpmeet, but her unique role is in conception . . . since for other purposes men would be emend assisted by other men." The attitude toward women in the East was at first more favorable. In ancient India, for example, women were not deprived of seat rights or individual freedoms by marriage. But Hinduism, which evolved in India after just about 500 BC, required obedience of women toward men. Women had to walk behind their husbands. Women could not testify property, and widows could not remarry. In both East and West, male children were preferred all over female children. Nevertheless, when they were allowed personal and intellectual freedom, women made significant achievements. During t he Middle Ages nuns compete a key role in the religious life of Europe. downhearted women enjoyed power and prestige. Whole eras were influenced by women rulers for instance, Queen Elizabeth of England in the 16th century, Catherine the prominent of Russia in the 18th century, and Queen Victoria of England in the 19th century. The Weaker awaken?Women were long considered naturally weaker than men, squeamish, and unable to perform work requiring muscular or intellectual development. In most preindustrial societies, for example, domestic chores were relegated to women, leaving "heavier" labor much(prenominal) as hunting and plowing to men.