Gender issues are a significant issue in our society. Gender discrimination is a prevalent aspect of the unequal treatment given to women. The world’s communities have different views and treatment of women. Yet, women are still marginalized in many areas such as politics and leadership. This paper will examine how different communities treat women today and in the past. Although female activists have often fought for equality between men and woman, there are numerous signs that women still are considered minority groups throughout the world.
The Mesopotamia’s women were treated according to historical laws and other discoveries. The deities gave Marduk the rules to follow in Mesopotamia. These rules were comprehensive and should be followed by all people to ensure their destiny. Marduk was given the rules to protect the world and destroy evil and all wickedness. The Mesopotamian social system laws can help us understand how women are treated. The laws said that women were not treated as commodities but as objects of pleasure. According to the law, a woman can divorce her husband by paying a settlement payment to her father. Mesopotamian law was even harsher on women that it was for men who had done the same thing. The law says that adultery is a crime against women and should be punished by drowning. But men who are guilty of it will be exiled. Hammurabi, “Law Code”)
Women were housewives and maidens in ancient Greece. Women can also be seen as support workers for their husbands. They were expected to support their husbands, have children for them and do maiden work. The laws of Greece also stated that women were considered cunning, so men were advised to pay attention to which wives they choose. Women were sometimes also thought to be evil fairies. The ancient Greeks acknowledged the importance women played in a man’s life, but women were also criticised for their shrewdness. Women were obliged to have children. If they committed a crime against Zeus, they were made barren. This shows that Greek women were more concerned with children than leaders. Zeus’s only daughter held a position of honor in Greece. (Hesiod – „Pandora & the Jar”)
China considered women unworthy of society because they were not educated. It is obvious that there is not much information about Chinese women who have held high-ranking positions. China considered women incompetent, and they were therefore denied the same treatment as men. Men had total power over women while women were expected to obey men. But, Chinese society admits that it is difficult to adhere to the rules if the wives and husbands are not in agreement. It was for this reason that women were honored as the grandmothers and mothers of their grandchildren. Women were able to make decisions and give orders within the family. When women in China became more educated, they were able to continue to enjoy greater privileges. This change in perception has led to women being viewed as less worthy (Ban Zhao, “Lesson for Women”)
According to various research, Roman women were thought to be the most mysterious members of society. Rome is well-known. It has many romantic stories. Because of this, women are seen as love objects that men can enjoy the pleasure and satisfaction of. Traditional roman directives say that women are seen as individuals who may be unfaithful to their spouses. Because women can break an agreement of marriage, men should be cautious about choosing women to enter into agreements with. Women can also be nagging or persuasive. They demand impossible things of their spouses, which can cause chaos within the family. Rome portrays women as unworthy, careless and destructive. It is a fact that Rome views women as destructive, careless, and unworthy. Men should find male friends to share time with instead of finding a female friend. Rome sees women as unworthy members of society (Juvenal, “Satire On Women”).
Unlike other societies, European women were seen as helping their husbands. Women in Europe played an important role in making sure that men in society were well-presented. They played a pivotal role in the husband’s efforts to make sure they succeed in their work. The women of Europe are described as hardworking, who understand the hardships men endure to support their families. European women are known to work late at night and wake up early to complete their tasks. This highlights the crucial role played by women as builders in society alongside their male counterparts. The children are taught to respect their fathers by women. They can also provide their husbands with advice and opinions about certain issues. Europe’s unique approach to women is different from other societies. Women have been described by Rome as disloyal and elusive, but European women are loving companions and mother figures (Christine de Pizan – “The Treasury of the City of Ladies”)
Modern society is a result of an agrarian society. Males were able to sustain the physical power that comes with leadership and political power. Men served their families by fighting for them and providing for their families. Females are seen as being less able to perform physical tasks. Over time, women have been the carriers of generations. Their noble role was to carry children and provide for their future. This reality is not lost on the modern woman.
While women have become more open-minded in modern times, their traditional roles of supporting their husbands and making their families work continue. If I were to be a woman, I’d choose Europe. Because European women were respected and recognized for their contribution to society, this is what happened. Women were not suppressed but praised and protected as valuable members of society. Equal opportunities were offered to them as well. This is what modern society should emulate; women should be treated with the same dignity and respect as men in civilized societies.
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