Introduction
Historically, women have usually been considered intellectually inferior to their male counterparts. They have been viewed as major sources of evil and temptation. In addition, women have generally been considered to be weaker than men naturally. These perceptions have therefore led to women being granted inferior gender roles in the society. As a result, women have in recent times, particularly the last two centuries risen up to demand for better treatment
Before the 1920’s, in the United States, women were generally not allowed to vote. They were expected to stay at home and look after their families. There were very few women in the professional fields. The few who made it into the professional field were mainly confined to the relatively inferior feminine fields where they were paid poorly, even less than men who did similar jobs (January 25). Additionally, the number of women earning college degrees was at a dismal 22%.
However, the period between 1920 and 1960 saw a massive revolution in terms of women’s role in the society. The roles of women dramatically changed and they started to become more actively involved in professional work, education and even voluntary organizations located out of their places of residence. For example, women were allowed to vote for the first time in the United States. The number of women also graduating from colleges also rose significantly. Women also started to be recognized more at the professional work places.
This revolution was particularly supported by the establishment of the Women’s Bureau of the Department of Labor in 1920 that was established with the aim of advocating for radical changes in the professional work sector (Janeway 36). It also aimed to encourage more women to distance themselves the demeaning traditional roles that had been associated with them for generations.
The Women’s Rights Movement of the 1960’s also fearless advocated for the fair treatment of women across all sectors in the society (Turner 64).The civil rights movement of the 1960’s in addition gave women huge inspiration to continue fighting for their rights.
It is relatively safe to say that women are generally more empowered than they were back in the day. Despite this, there is still a lot that needs to be done to ensure that the women become fully empowered like their male counterparts (Turner 72). A lot of credit has to be given to famous women revolutionalist who tirelessly advocated for this empowerment. These women include Margaret Sanger, Alice Paul and many others.
Works Cited
Janeway, Elizabeth. Women: Their Changing Roles. New York: new York Times, 2000. Print.
Turner, Mary. The Women's Century: A Celebration of Changing Roles, 1900-2000. Kew: National Archives, 2003. Print.
