Role of Women Proposal
In the past, men and majority of the women mutually agreed that women were subordinates to the men. The inequality between men and women started with the era of civilization, and particularly with the emergence of agricultural, urban developments, and later politics. For example, the development and civilization of Mesopotamia led to the creation of patriarchy with the leadership from the family level to the top units comprising of male line (Bentley, Ziegler and Salter 14). As the new roles emerged in the society, men grabbed the most prestigious positions, leaving women as children producers and household chores doers. It was the duty of the men in the women’s lives (fathers and husbands) to regulate the behavior of the women and determine what was right and wrong for them (Professor Rancilio Julie, Document 2). Many women in the past were not resistant to male domination and strictly adhered to the rules put forth by men. However, as the civilization grew, more women embraced education, joined politics and started to claim the their space in the society by rebelling the rule of a man. The woman has grown and developed from being caregiver in ancient times to a political leader in the modern times. The role of women has changed dramatically from being mere housekeepers and caregivers to being prominent economic drivers, political leaders and social policy advocates, roles which have been primarily facilitated through educational empowerment. The empowerment of the woman enjoyed in the modern times did not happen in vacuum, but through the efforts of the ancient time woman. For example, in Egypt and Nubian women had influence on the leadership of the society. The ancient Egypt women from the royal families served as regents for young rulers (Bentley, Ziegler and Salter 35). For example, Queen Hatshepsut served as a pharaoh by reigning (1473-1458 B.C.E.) In certain circumstances, Queen Hatshepsut would present herself as a man by wearing the stylized beard that was mainly associated with the pharaohs. Similarly, in Nubian, women also portrayed themselves as rulers with majority having rights to leadership while others co-ruling with male kings. In Nubian some women acquired formal education and also were allowed to work as scribes. Egypt and Nubian cases created a new direction that motivated woman toward claiming their positions like their male counterparts in the society. In the modern day, women are political leaders, CEO, managers and defense officers meaning they can do whatever a man can do.
The Argument (The Body of the Paper)
Women in the past were mostly engaged in housekeeping duties and taking care of their families. In Mesopotamia the leadership was only associated with men as portrayed through the ruling of Gilgamesh and Sumerian Kings. For example, the Sumerian assemblies comprised of men who made decisions on behalf of the entire society. This is an indication that were never recognized as leaders, and they had to accept whatever decisions were made by men (Professor Rancilio Julie, Document 14). Women were only regarded as child producers, and as such the only they could play was parenting (Professor Rancilio Julie, Document 4). In South and East Asia, and particularly in India and China, women were not considered in leadership positions. Men were mainly bestowed with leadership responsibilities (Professor Rancilio Julie, Document, 5). For example, in China the political leadership was based on dynasties as shown by The Xian Dynast 2200 B.C.E. and The Shang Dynasty 1122 B.C.E. and Zhou dynasty and patriarchy would shape the direction of the family even in the absence of these dynasties. The exclusion of a woman in leadership positions is still witnessed in today’s society. For example, during 2015 U.S. presidential elections, Hillary Clinton was on many occasions looked down upon for being a woman. Her opponents would use offensive words to discourage her ambition of becoming the first U.S. president. Even though a woman in modern society is more empowered that the ancient woman, there are still obstacles that put them down while competing against men.The journey of the ancient woman to the modern woman was an uphill task. The fight for women equality traces back to ancient Egypt all through to Indian, China, Japan to the modern day. Even when man felt that he owned the world, the woman find a chance to fight for her quality either by default or through struggle. For example, in the ancient Japan women ruled as emperors. Similarly, in the modern day women has continued to fight for equality. For example, the dominated societies such as Afghanistan, woman have been demanding for the leadership positions in shaping the direction of the country in the post-Taliban war era. The woman in the discriminated societies all over the world have been fighting for equality. Women have also joined men in the positions that were traditionally presumed for men. South Africa with fifty percent of the cabinet members being women is a good example that woman in the modern day is entering the world of man. However, woman in other cultures such as Muslim have a long way to go because of the cultural believes that assign women specific duties, including on how they should dress (Keating). Nevertheless, globally women empowerment is evident, but its achievement has not been a walk in the park.
Education was the key driver behind the empowerment of women. With many woman being encouraged and motivated to get educated, they have been promoted to a level of a man. Education of women was also evident in the ancient past with Egypt and Nubian women embracing education and being employed as scribes. However, unlike in the past as told by in letter from young women in Sparta to young women in Athens (Professor Rancilio Julie Document 1), the modern day education is similar for both men and women. Women are graduating college in large numbers, but they are still earning less compare to men (Move Hub). Upon comparing the ancient and the modern education of a woman that are similar that even the knowledgeable ones are being despised in the employment sector. The educated learned ancient women could only work as scribes, and in the modern day women are given less-rewarding job positions. Today’s women are described as too emotional (Milligan) to hold office positions.
Conclusion
Women have made remarkable steps towards attaining their liberation. However, there is still a journey to complete. Just like the ancient woman was discriminated, the modern woman is also facing the same. The equality between men and woman is yet to be recognized. Woman is discriminated politically, religiously, and economically. Women emancipation will equated to performing similar roles as men and getting similar returns. Otherwise, man still rules the world.
Tentative Bibliography
Associated Press a. Afghan women are demanding a seat at country’s peace talks. 29 April 2019. 29 September 2019.
Associated Press b. South African president’s new cabinet is 50 percent Women. 30 May 2019. 10 Sepember 2019.
Bentley, Jerry H., Herbert F. Ziegler, and Heather E. Streets-Salter. Traditions & Encounter: A Brief Global History. Volume II: To1500.Fourth edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2016.
Bidwell, Allie. Women More Likely to Graduate College, but Still Earn Less Than Men. 16 June 2016. 10 September 2019.
Professor Rancilio Julie. Women and Discrimination in History—Paper Document Excerpt 1 14.January 13, 2015.
Notes
Chapter 1
However, scholars have argued that increase of agricultural activities and militarization encouraged men to rise up to protect the community resource, a move that declined the status of women in the society.
Chapter 2
The failure to recognize women in building the society is further availed Africa, especially in Egypt and within Bantu communities. Egypt rulers were pharaohs who were specifically men. The pharaohs were associated with both religious and political activities. However, unlike in Mesopotamia, women in Egypt and Nubian had influence in the leadership of the society.