The lives of women in the last one hundred and fifty years have diversified along the following instances; politically, economically, socially and along cultural grounds. It is also noteworthy that the changes and the diversifications in the same fields are classified as either positive or negative as it shall be deliberated upon in the succeeding discussion as below.
According to Smith in constructing womanhood, along political lines, the position of women one hundred years ago has been under the following manifestations. In the previous instances, the position of women along political lines was not developed as it is now. There was no woman who was engaged into active and direct political affairs. It was a rare phenomenon to find a woman participating in the democratic instances that purposely assured in a new generation of leaders (Smith, 2009). At the same time, the society positioned women as people who could not substantively lead as others followed. In this regard, previous centuries did not recognize women as equals with men. It was for the reasons of this position that, women felt underprivileged and undeserving to ever be voted in or vote during elections. The absurd of situations arose when it was by ruling that women could not directly vote for their preferred candidates. The political position then was of the position that, women cannot make just and sound decisions. However, the political climate and position in as far as the position of women in politics is concerned, has received the following developments; the societal attitude towards women has been changing with time. In these cases, it is reasonable to state that, some women have been given roles that involve political issues. Women have been appointed as heads of political parties. In this regard, women have been given opportunities to be party members. At the same time, the position as it regards women in politics has received immense development because people have progressively appreciated and given due regard to a leadership oriented along the direct influence of women. In these cases, several instances have been position as an aid of the same. Political movements have been formed in support of women in politics.
According to Blasco, some of these movements have been under the direct influence of civil rights activists. The activists have been under the direct guidance from constitutional requirements that have been incorporated into the system of leadership. As a matter of fact, rights have been marshaled by societal members who have been on the forefront of bringing gender issues to light (Blasco, 2010). In this regard, such advocates have been on the high cry for equality in terms of leadership, rights and fundamental freedoms. However, it noteworthy that the development of the positions held by women currently did not occur in the form of a snap or an impulse. It has been strategic and procedurally placed. Various parameters have been substantiating the fight for acknowledgement of women as equal members of the society. Campaigns of the recognition of women leadership have been on the wayward development and boost for this phenomenon.
As a result of the strategies that have been put in place since the last fifteen decades, women are now able to adequately engage in the political processes of our country. It is not possible to find women vying for political positions. They can marshal support for their bids. In essence, it is clear and along lines of certainty that their support is not from women along. Reports dictate that the current political situation is manifested by men giving women political support, as opposed to their fellow men. It is, therefore, imperative to note that women can vote and be voted for. At the same time, the political voice of women has improved as opposed under the past decades. It is significant to note that the developments have been under the positive reactions in as far as the female gender is positioned. Form the above stated and discussed instances, it is justified to denote that the political climate and provisions have been on the positive rise for the development of women in as far as politics is concerned (Dennick, 2011).
On the other hand, the last one hundred and fifty years have not been under the exclusive support of women in as far as their developments are concerned. It is noteworthy that some groups have been on the trend of attempting to usurp and de-develop the positions under the fight by women.Some politicians have been on the rise of defaming women who try to participate in politics. In return, societal attitude towards women has been on wavy ground that cannot adequately be adduced to. Therefore, in this case, it is true to deduce the fact that there exists more men as political representatives in the society is a direct manifestation of the fact that, women have not been appreciated in leadership on the same scale as it is the case for men.
However, in summation, the position of women has received a commendable improvement in the last one hundred and fifty years. The changes have been positive because they have led to the full recognition of women as equal human beings. The regard for women has also received massive support. In essence, gender sensitivity has diversified, and more recognition has been directed towards women. The historical injustices that were encountered by women have been bridged by the position that, women can now equally defend themselves by electing one of their own as representatives. Women movements have been formed, as a result. It is also noteworthy that, the political change has been responsible for developments that have characterized our country. In these regards, the changes have facilitated satisfaction among people. The mere fact that women feel appreciated denotes that they are ready to take part in societal activities. Unity and mutuality has developed as a result of the political recognition towards women. Likewise, it is essential to note that some of the positive effects of gender development in the favor of women have led to repressions and negative reactions from some groups of men. In the opinion of their activities, it is true to say that, they do not support the idea that, men and women are equals.
In Spain, the economic position of women has received the following modifications in the context of women. It is in reference to changes that that have characterized the past one hundred and fifty years. According to Peter, the people of Spain did not subscribe to the idea that women can equally own property (Peter, 2012). It was believed that women were not autonomous beings. In this case, women could not make sound decisions that could stand the test of time. Only men were allowed to engage in income generating commercial activities. As a matter o fact, it is critical to note that, the society expected that, women are part and parcel of a weaker part of the society. The society placed men on a superiority front when it came to matters in relation to property. It was rare and to be precise, unheard of, to find a woman who was engaging in activities such as trade. It does not, however, follow that these women were not interested in taking part in income generating activities, what holds most of this instance, is the social fabrication that hallmarked the society. The social fabric narrowed down the possibility of women ever engaging in activities that were outside the context of domestic chores and duties. In general terms, the Spain society was along the realms of chauvinism. In the event a woman found scope and access to property, it could not be signed to and affirmed to in her name. It was by law that, women subordinated men, men who in this case were their husbands. As a result, property was signed to in the name of their husbands.
On the other hand, Bezone states that, the above mentioned position has not strictly been on its established parameters. He asserts that changes have been manifested in the past 150 years following the development of political freedoms that allowed women to take part in politics since women were granted rights that recognized their positions as far as economic matters are concerned. Women were given chances to take part in commercial activities without restriction. Movements were essential in the facilitation of rights that entitled women to whatever property that was under their legitimate acquisition. It is justified to attribute the successive developments in the economy of Spain to the position that all people were granted equal opportunities to take part in business related activities (Benoze, 2010).
Women have over time been given opportunities that give them equal chances with their male counterparts in Spain. In the employment sector, women have been incorporated into the system successively. As a result of these instances, people have diversified and developed in terms of financial stabilities. To be precise, women have acquired financial independence. It is also significant to note that, women have opened up businesses and are managing them on an autonomous ground. However, it should be respected that, the economic boost to women has not only brought good tidings to the Spaniards, some negative aspects have generated as a result of this entitlement. The societal fabric has loosened and lost grip because some women have developed feelings and thoughts of societal supremacy. Competition between men and women has been eminent and has culminated to anti-social instances that have massively destabilized the societal values. It is critical to note that, the position of women has been on the wayward recognition ever in the past one hundred years. Women have been on a successive recognition and regard. In summation, the economic changes have been more profiting as opposed to their mild drastic effects.
On social grounds, Spain has been characterized by the following changes; in the past women were regarded as people who were meant for domestic roles. They were entitled to strictly perform domestic related chores. In this regard, they were supposed to take care of homes. At the same time, they were viewed as mere care givers who would not engage in serious matters that mattered most within the society. The social position further provided that women were strictly to take charge of families and homestead issues. The woman was not allowed to idle around. It was normative that women got married. The society looked down upon those women who were single (Erick, 2012). They were thought to be social misfits that did not embrace the correct positions and expectations of the society. It was disrespectful to find a woman arguing out in the midst of men. Such women were treated with the utmost contempt. As a matter of fact, Spaniards did not recognize the presence of anything like equality when it came to matters that center staged men and women. However, the case has been under successive revolutions and changes. Apart from the roles given to women in the previous times as it partakes women, the past one hundred and fifty have led to the following instances. The caregiving role has been diversified in that; it is no longer an exclusive role to women anymore. Men have also taken the center stage of facilitating such roles. Political changes in Spain have made women have the opportunity of being heard. The previous social entanglements that women cannot take part in open debates about matters affecting them have been done away with. It is, therefore, justified to argue that social changes that have featured in Spain in the last 150 years have been significant in facilitating general development.
As seen from the above discussions, it is justified to denote that the social, economic and political lives of women in Spain has been diversified and enhanced over the past one hundred and fifty years.
References
Benoze, A. (2010, December 19). Women and Economics. Retrieved April 13, 2014, from Jstor.
Blasco , K. (2010, March 2). Women and Civi Rights. Retrieved April 10, 2012, from Jstor: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1525/ae.2001.28.2.471
Dennick, J. (2011, August 12). Constructing Spanish Womanhood. Retrieved April 13, 2014, from Jstor: www.arts.usyd.edu.au/departs/history/docs/HSTY2651_2007_outline.pdf
Erick, C. (2012, May 12). Social Faric and Gender. Retrieved June 13, 2014, from Jstor: www.libreriauniversitaria.com
Peter, F. (2012, February 10). Mirrors an d Echoes: Women in Spain. Retrieved April 13, 2014, from Gobal Archive: http://www.repositories.cdlib.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1008&context=gaia/gaia.com
Smith, P. (2009, January 7). Women and Power. Retrieved April 12, 2014, from Jstor: http//www.jstor.org/sici?sici=0022-4529(200023)34%3A1%3C206%3ACSWFII%3E2.0.CO%3B2-5
