Gender+systems+and+changes,+such+as+the+impact+of+Islam

by Tori Mallipudi

Thesis : Most societies of the time were patriarchal, which means men held most the power. Women usually did not hold power, and if they did it was usually only at home (of course there are exceptions). However, during the second period (600 C.E.- 1450 C.E.) gender roles started to change. Women gained more rights in the Americas and in Europe. Religion also had an effect on women's roles. As Confucianism grew in China, women were to be subservient and had very little freedom from their husband. On the other side of the spectrum, female members of the newer religion, Islam, enjoyed more rights than most women. In every society, men remained as the head. They were chosen first for jobs, were most respected, and had the most power. This was usually balanced with the expectation of respect of the woman in matters of the home.

Europe❥
 * Patriarchal- men held the most power and did most of the public jobs
 * Women gain more equality as Christianity spreads, but ultimately this means they can choose a life as a nun versus being married.
 * Literature reveals the job of a woman to comfort and assist her husband
 * [|Women's Impact]

Americas❥
 * Women treated as equal to men, but their responsibilities differed
 * Men were the warriors and leaders
 * Women took care of the family at home- cooked, cleaned, taught and brought up offspring
 * In Andean societies, women often had agricultural responsibilities as well

China❥
 * Influence of [|Confucianism]
 * <span style="color: #550080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Men have the power, should respect women
 * <span style="color: #550080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Women serve the men
 * <span style="color: #550080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Foot binding becomes a common practice, which will continue on into generations to come.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|Impact of Foot Binding]

<span style="color: #095d5d; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Islamic Empires❥
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Patriarchial
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Women have some rights
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">property, dowry, divorce rights
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">adoption of the veil from Persian influence shows that women were still under men
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|Women's rights according to the Quran]