Greek Gender Roles

Women were often controlled by a doctrine “ femme covert.” (Foner 242.) Coverture dictated married men and women to be one person and that one person was the husband. Unlike today's society, married women could not sign legal documents, own property, or obtain an education against her husbands wishes. Women were also not allowed to have their own opinions or obtain their own wages.

In a time where women were thought of to be controlled by men, it was very hard for

For example, “ women could not vote or sign contracts. And under the law the husband usually controlled their wives’ property,if they owned any, and wages , if they they earned any.” the quote tells us that husband controlled women lives giving them less option to do much of anything without the husband's consent or approval before he allows his wives to own any property in his household not to mention that she can’t even vote to choose the next president or sign a contract with the any company which

As I previously stated, women did not get to first choose whom they were married to. The girl’s fathers picked their spouses based on what the husband candidates had to offer them. Also, it was easier for a man to leave a marriage without punishment than it was for a woman to leave. Women were seen as items that were sold and traded based on the need of the male. The male was the dominant figure in these relationships, being able to turn his wife into his slave or maid if the need were to arise.

In Classical Greece, roles played by males and females in society were well-defined as well as very distinct from each other. Expectations to uphold these societal norms were strong, as a breakdown within the system could destroy the success of the oikos (the household) and the male’s reputation—two of the most important facets of Athenian life. The key to a thriving oikos and an unblemished reputation was a good wife who would efficiently and profitably run the household. It was the male’s role, however, to ensure excellent household management by molding a young woman into a good wife. Women were expected to enter the marriage as a symbolically empty vessel; in other words, a

In the past, there were also different stereotypes for men. Men were expected to be in charge, work with their hands, and not raise their children as much as their mothers should. That is very different than what they are expected to do today. Now, women are in charge as much as men are. But in the past, men were seen as the dominant sex, so

Throughout history, the role of women has been minimal. Many of them were seen as objects, and the Greek woman was no different. Women in ancient Greece basically had no rights. A female’s whole life was centered on her children, husband, and family. The ancient Greek woman was of a lower social status than the males. Greek women played a demeaning role in Greek society and were only seen as wives, mothers, and housekeepers.

Throughout history, the roles of women and men have always differed to some degree. In ancient Greece, the traditional roles were clear-cut and defined. Women stayed home to care for children and do housework while men left to work. This system of society was not too far off the hunter gatherer concept where women cared for the house and the men hunted. Intriguingly enough, despite the customary submissive role, women had a more multifaceted role and image in society as juxtaposed with the rather simple role men played. Morals for the two were also different. Men obviously had the upper hand with women being the traditional passive.

Then in society, men were portrayed as “dominant figures” and women were the “nurturers”. Men not only filled the fatherly role but they also usually earned the “breadwinning”, went to work all day, and financially provided for the wives and

Men used women as toys, controlling what they knew and

The Greek society was all about Man. The woman was not considered as the citizens, there was a no Tracy of any female scholar during that era. The Female voice was considered totally invaluable. The Things got getting better as and when the years passing by.

Another fact is that if a man’s wife or daughter questioned his authority he could kill them. The men thought that women are fickle, weak hearted and lacking stamina. Men also say (in those days) that a woman is a violent and uncontrolled animal.

The Greek and Roman societies were a very patriarchal society. This is reflected throughout the myths in classical mythology. By looking at the many pieces of literature involving Greeks and Romans we will see that the roles women portrayed are very different from women’s roles in today’s society. Although there are a few similarities to women’s roles in today’s society, their roles are more like those women in the past. We can see this by looking at the qualities of Greek and Roman female gods and looking at the roles women play in the myths.

The groom’s choice in bride was largely determined by the amount of dowry the bride would bring with her. Although the wedding was a happy ceremony, it was only the beginning of a woman’s loss of independence. Not only did women possess no independent status in the eyes of the law; she always remained under the supervision of a male. If her husband died, she was returned to her father’s or brother’s home where they would take charge of her. After the wedding, the wife’s duties were centered on the management of the home. She would overlook the slaves, mend and make clothing for her family, usually done by spinning or knitting, weave rugs and baskets for the home, or just fold and refold the clothing kept in the family chest. The wife was also responsible for maintaining her attractiveness for her husband. A proper Athenian wife would adorn herself with jewelry and use rouge upon her husband’s arrival home. Sometimes she might spend an entire evening sitting next to the couch where her husband lay reclining. Most importantly the Athenian women were seen as “fine upstanding matrons” fit to bear a race of excellent athletes” (Everyday Life in Ancient Greece, pg. 86). An Athenian man married primarily to have children. These children were expected to care for him in his old age, but more importantly to bury him with the “full appropriate rites” (Daily Life in Greece, pg. 57). Moreover, Athenian men married to have male children in order to perpetuate the family

During this period in time, men had dominated with power and control over women. Women were seen as weak and powerless, therefore it was assumed and expected of women to obey the