The Role Of A Woman

The Role of a Woman: Should women be considered equal to men

Barbara Jordan, Janet Rino, Oprah Winfrey, and Condoleeza Rice; all women that have stepped outside of the traditional roles of womanhood and ascended to new levels of success paving the way for many women that followed in their footsteps. But how do we define the role of a woman? We must begin by examining the beginnings of the women's suffrage effort. The women's movement was a direct result of women's involvement in the abolitionist movement. William H. Chafe states that women attempted to support the movement through their efforts but realized that they were suffering by many inequality issues. Many women were denied certain rights, (such as the ability to speak in public) that interfered with their active support of the movement. Women began to seek out ways to achieve their independence (Chafe 4). Thus the struggle for the equality of women's rights began, and although the suffrage movement has ended, that same struggle of inequality between men and women is still an issue today.

Thesis: Although the women's suffrage movement paved the way for great successes in women's history, research shows that women will always be seen as unequal to men

During the time periods before women's liberation, women were satisfied with fulfilling the traditional role of mother and nurturer. Many were satisfied with not participating in the labor force and did not see a need to expand their roles. As time went on and as societal trends began to change, so did the goals of women. Their curiosity prompted them to explore more diverse roles and discover other possibilities for their lives. The industrial revolution played a large role in sparking this curiosity.

The authors of Changing Lives of American women state that

The Industrial Revolution played a major role in the evolution of economic roles in America. The center of production moved from the home to the factory. Factory work required the labor of women and children, but as technology grew, immigrant labor was used more and less women and children labor (McLaughlin, Melber, Billy, Zimmerle, Winges, Johnson 15-17)

Because this new world of employment was introduced, women began seeking other avenues to further solidify their liberation. This ushered in the roaring twenties, a time of rebellion among women. The curiosity that was once a spark in the hearts of many women is now a full grown fire that is spreading quickly. Since the 1900s women have significantly increased their levels of education to adapt to their changing roles. According to McLaughlin, Melber, Billy, Zimmerle, Winges, and Johnson college attendance among women has doubled. One out of five women obtained some college education in the mid-1960s compared to two out of five in the mid 1980s (McLaughlin, Melber, Billy, Zimmerle, Winges, and Johnson 31).

Women are realizing the need to increase their education to be able to succeed in society today. It is almost impossible to attain a good paying job without at least having some type of secondary education, and the chances grow even slimmer when referring to women. It seems as though women have been forced to set the bar high for themselves in order to keep up with the demands of the work force. Labor force participation has increased along with educational attainment. The active participation of women in the work force has forced them to broaden the definition of their gender role.

According to McLaughlin, Melber, Billy, Zimmerle, Winges, and Johnson during the late 1960s young women expected to be full time homemakers when they reached their mid - thirties, but a rapid transition in the 1970s. During the 1970s women significantly increased their focus on career preparation when they were asked to give their primary reason for attending college (McLaughlin, Melber, Billy, Zimmerle, Winges, and Johnson 175).

These statistics reinforce the idea that women's views of their own roles have changed drastically. This also reaffirms that women are beginning to adjust their goals and aspirations. No longer do they feel the need to confine themselves within the comforts of their. More women are beginning to realize that they are capable of much more.

But unfortunately, certain societal trends have not complimented the changing attitudes of women. Jessie Bernard says that the real issue is not just sex-typing jobs, but it is the generalizations that are made about the qualifications and functions of these jobs (Bernard 236). Certain jobs are dominated by different sexes, and it may prove to be quite difficult to do a job that is considered to be just for men per say. Certain "generalizations" that are made about certain jobs, make it more difficult for the individual to adjust to the changing conditions and these generalizations may not have a concrete foundation.

Another issue is unequal pay. Alison Ismail states that women who graduate from college are paid 18% less than men who graduate from college (1). This reveals a recurring theme that although women are allowed into certain sex-typed job, they may still be treated badly and they may still be discriminated against.

Myres McDougal says that

Although women do assume positions of importance there was not enough women to make a lasting impact. When they have these positions they were still expected to stay within their role (2). This may explain why women are still considered inferior in the workplace and in general. Even though they may hold one of the highest positions at a corporation, they are still expected to stay within their gender role. This will, in turn, explain why there are not enough women to make a lasting impact. It takes a special drive and determination to make it in a male dominated field, and this statement suggests that there are not many women who are persevering.

These principles are proven true when applied to many aspects of life. In the political arena women have