Roles Of Women

Question: Between the 13th and 16th centuries, what were the views held by men on the economic and social roles of women? What kinds of additional documents would help you understand the roles women played?

Throughout history women were mostly frowned upon as well as in the 13th and 16th centuries. Men were the supreme gender in countries such as China and India, women were seen to bear children and do household chores while in other parts of the world such as Cambodia women would work at the market place, while supporting their husbands. However, the majority of men viewed women economically as worthless, and socially to only bear children, nothing more. Fortunately, later on in history women started rebelling and fighting for their rights. This gave them equality to men, making the world more balanced in gender, socially and economically.

The bases of women's roles began long ago when men took over the hunting and women took over gathering. The same rules applied to the world during this time period. Women in many countries were looked down upon and the man in the family had control. Women's only purpose was to love and support her husband as stated in Document 1. Document 1, a passage from "The Good Wife" which was a manual on how wives and women should behave. This book written in 1411 stated, "And therefore, fair sister, beseech you that you keep yourself in the love and good favor of your husband, you be unto him gentle, and amiable, and debonair." This shows that women's one purpose in society was to respect and help her husband. The husband wanted to gain more control over women. Women were especially supposed to respect their religious rules. In document 4 Ibn Battuta states, "As for their women, they have no modesty in the presence of men and do not veil themselves in spite of their assiduity in prayer, If anybody wished to marry one of them he may do so, but they do not travel with the husband...the association of women with men is agreeable to them and a part of good conduct, to which no suspicion attaches, unlike the women of my country." This passage taken from the Rhila insinuates that if any man in Mali would like to marry any women he may but, he would personally not want to. This is because in Mali women rules were more lenient. Ibn Battuta was offended when he came across places such as these in his journeys because Ibn was conservative and believed in his countries traditions and thought others to be strange and rude. This shows in society men saw that women's roles were mostly to maintain the household, respect the order of their husbands, and produce children, preferably boys.

Women however were not looked upon badly socially in every civilization of the time period. The Aztecs believe that women played an important role in everyday society, documented by Bernardino de Sahagun. In Document 6 he notes, "The good mature woman is candid. She is resolute, firm of heart, constant- not to be dismayed, brave like a man; vigorous, persevering, -- not one to falter. She is long suffering; she accepts responsibility calmly- endures

things like a man. She gives of herself. She goes in humility. She exerts herself." This shows that women were very mature and dealt with this control for so long. A woman is brave like a man and will not falter although she is long suffering. She will do whatever she most to gain respect from the men. Although Bernardino sees this most Aztec men did not. They too believed women's sole purpose was to produce sons.

In the economic world women were more accepted in other civilizations such as Cambodia, although for some they were not allowed to be a part of anything economical. In Cambodia women were a direct cause to affecting the economy through trade. According to Document 2 in 1297 Zhou Daguan of China wrote "In Cambodia, women attend to trade. Even a Chinese who arrives there and takes a women will profit greatly from her trading abilities. They do not have permanent stores, but simply spread a piece of mat on the ground. Everyone has her own spot." This inferred that women took part in the market everyday life; although it was not permanent they still sold goods and traded with others. Although this was different from other countries and cultures Zhou was open minded towards the idea of equality and the culture seen in is pro women notes. It is also seen that women were a direct effect and part in trade in the Mongol culture.