Sociological Analysis:
Most of the written works on gender roles and sexuality during the Greco-Roman period largely categorizes gender in two-- female or male. Likewise, society was segregated into two major sections-- the private domain and the public domain. Men usually dominate the public domain, whereas women largely dominate the private domain. During the ancient period, in the Greco-Roman world, women were banned from important public positions and activities. Even though women progressively acquired social entitlement and a greater degree of autonomy under private law, their position in public law is still seriously limited (Holmes 2012). However, in some ways, women fulfilled a major and usually strong-willed role throughout the history of the Greco-Roman world. Still, women who go outside their traditional gender role brought about conflict and disorder in the Greco-Roman society. In fact, ancient and contemporary historiographers have been troubled about women who did not conform to the stereotypical gender role and the sources appear to agree that the male-dominated Greco-Roman world denounced women's involvement in the public sphere (Meade & Wiesner-Hanks 2008). This paper compares the Greco-Roman world's gender construct and the contemporary period's gender norms. It also talks about the gradual changes in today's gender norms.
Unfortunately, the influence of classical antiquity on the current definition of gender and sex has not been adequately recognized or appreciated. What scholars have demonstrated is the profound influence of ancient Greek and Rome on the discourses and theories that have made gender studies a discipline and on how vital ancient Greek and Roman sources have been to the shaping, expression, and contesting of the contemporary gender-based and sexed identities (Lindsey 2015). Nowadays, most people are inclined to view gender as an established concept, but during the ancient period it may not have been the case. This implies that masculinity was viewed as a cultural and social standard, but not a characteristic one would naturally have, simply because he is a male. If he was able to achieve masculinity, he would also have to make all the needed effort to maintain it.
Gender Roles in the Greco-Roman World and the Contemporary Period
Sexuality and gender are social constructions of various place and time. Beginning from the era in Greek history, when the society was predominantly a pre-literate agricultural system, some historians explore how ancient Greece embodied female and male sexuality through the different gods they revered; sexual practices and ideals were closely related to religion, because it was religious sects that honored female sexuality and reproductive power as embodied by female gods (Holmes 2012). Not merely did they provide fundamental accounts of the biological or sexual differences between males and females, they also promoted explanations about the threat and unshakable potential of female sexuality. However, the similarity between the ancient Greco-Roman world and the current period surpasses beliefs about the union between male and female (Lindsey 2015). In both the ancient and contemporary period, it is believed that sexual and social relations are governed by the hierarchy between the strong and the weak, that is, between the male and female, respectively.
In the Greco-Roman world, the era of emperors carried with it widespread fear, particularly among the upper class or aristocrats. During the ancient times, upper-class women became more engaged in both the social and public domains (Meade & Wiesner-Hanks 2008). On the other hand, in the contemporary period, women are more involved in the public domain, even initiating political and social reforms at times. Some scholars explain that the presence of political instability that characterized the ancient period led to a profound cultural discontent, and that this anxiety encouraged Greeks and Romans to believe that the marital union between males and females was not only a means to acquire social, political, and economic privileges, but also to gain desired emotional comfort during chaotic, unstable periods (Meade & Wiesner-Hanks 2008; Lindsey 2015). In contrast, if contemporary societies try to prohibit only those heterosexual unions, it could be part of a bigger effort to bolster and maintain national security in a turbulent world.
The Changing Normative
Gender norms are certainly changing both in the public and private spheres, as reported in the findings of the Families and Work Institute (Lewis 2014). The younger generation is defying gender stereotypes and looking forward to an equal division of labor between genders. Long after women become involved in the labor sector, new gender norms emerge in the domestic sphere and in the public domain, particularly in the workplace. As reported in the 2013 study of the World Bank, gender norms are loosening in numerous societies, but not actually changing. Its findings show that some societies still conform to traditional gender roles of males as head of a household and breadwinner and females as child nurturers and family custodian (Lewis 2014). However, according to the World Bank (2013), in numerous communities and households, especially in urban areas, there is an obvious loosening of long-established gender norms as a larger number of males and females take on new roles.
Numerous mothers even expressed their desire to have undaunted daughters and more opportunities to have higher-paying jobs and gain greater control over their lives. Majority of the respondents that the World Bank interviewed, excluding the men from rural areas, also supported the notion of gender equality (The World Bank 2013). As stated by an urban Tanzanian woman, “The moment that you know that you can do things by yourself and not have to depend on a man is the moment you begin moving up” (The World Bank 2013: para 8). However, as the discussions show, the loosening of gender norms is not automatically modifying long-established ones. As explained by Carrie Turk, the World Bank Country Manager for Rwanda, “norms are changing, but the change is slow and incremental, and its pace does not always keep up with economic opportunities and development” (The World Bank 2013: para 10). Therefore, it is apparent that gender norms are only beginning to change in a gradual manner.
Comparison of Women's and Men's Status/ Conclusions
Historically, in numerous cultures, females are viewed as the inferior sex biologically, politically, socially, and culturally. Therefore, it is essential to remember that differences in the status of men and women are a combination of internal, biological factors, and external, social factors. Conflicts in gender roles have been present since the ancient Greco-Roman period, as the discussion shows. Literary works, particularly Homer's epics, in the ancient period were written encouraging women to fully embrace their status in society and be submissive to their husband (Lindsey 2015). Ancient Greeks and Romans deplored that young men were becoming weak and delicate because of less involvement in warfare and greater engagement in formal education. This change in the status of men continued until today. The contemporary period is witnessing a gradual evolution in gender roles, as women become more involved in the workforce and men share in domestic responsibilities.
References
Holmes, B. 2012. Gender: Antiquity and its Legacy. New York: I.B. Tauris.
Lewis, K. 2014. Gender Roles Change at Work and Home. About Parenting. Retrieved January 29, 2016 (http://workingmoms.about.com/od/workingmomsresearch/a/GenderRoles.htm)
Lindsey, L. 2015. Gender Roles: A Sociological Perspective. London: Routledge.
Meade, T. & Wiesner-Hanks, M. 2008. A Companion to Gender History. UK: John Wiley & Sons.
The World Bank. 2013. Are Gender Norms Changing? 4,000 Women and Men in 20 Countries Weigh In. The World Bank. Retrieved January 29, 2016 (http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2013/02/26/are-gender-norms-changing-4-000- women-and-men-weigh-in)
