Kyla Christine F.

Gonzales Sorsogon State University – Main Campus

BSARCH 1B Gender and Society

Study or research on the following topic:

1. Historical views on the gender.
2. Forms of gender oppression.

Social attitudes toward women and their roles in society differ dramatically across countries, even
those with similar institutions or economic development. Standard economic variables such as the level
of development, women's education, fertility and marriage/divorce prospects, and the expansion of the
service sector have all been extensively researched. Women's social attitudes vary significantly across
societies. Gender studies is a discipline that promotes gender equality and works to eliminate
discrimination against women and other marginalized groups. It is possible to understand how gender
norms contribute to the continued oppression of women in modern society by studying the history of
gender norms over time
These are the list of different historical views we have about gender:
a. Suffrage
- The right to vote and how women were restricted or prohibited from voting is a central and,
thanks to the suffrage and suffragette movements, probably one of the most well-known
aspects of gender inequality. The right to vote is a fundamental right because it allows you to
participate in the election of the government that will represent your interests. Given the
authority granted to government to make decisions that affect citizens' daily lives, it is critical
that those affected (of voting age) have a say in who makes those decisions.
b. Marriage
- Women's livelihoods were historically heavily reliant on who they married because their roles
were traditionally viewed as being to raise children and manage the home, whereas the
husband earned the income and served as the head of the household and primary decision-
maker. Wives fell under the protection of their husbands when they married and frequently
became one person in the eyes of the law, giving them no rights to own property or retain their
earnings, all of which became the property of their husband.
c. Parental Rights
- The rights of parents paint an intriguing picture. As we have seen, children were once
considered the father's property, but the mother was generally responsible for their upbringing.
Caroline Norton, a prominent literary figure in England in 1836, was denied access to her
children after separating from her husband, it is claimed, so that the husband could cause her
the most harm. This, combined with the withholding of financial assistance, both of which were
legal at the time, resulted in a lengthy campaign to change the law, which Caroline carried out
through her political contacts and writing. Her efforts are said to have contributed to a change
in law in England and Wales in 1839 that gave custody of children under the age of seven to
the mother (as long as the mother had not been proven to have committed adultery) and
allowed non-custodial parents access. Her activism also resulted in changes to property and
matrimonial law.
d. Education
 - Historically, educational needs were perceived to be different, with girls more likely to receive
a home education focused on their future roles as future wives and mothers, or to be given a
range of accomplishments, such as learning music, if educated. Subjects like mathematics
and science, on the other hand, were typically reserved for boys who were expected to pursue
a career. Education was also related to class, with working-class girls receiving an education
(if any) commensurate with their expected future, such as domestic work. Academically, girls
were discouraged, and it was even thought that they were unsuitable for certain subjects due
to a lack of appropriate minds.

e. Legislation
- Government laws and policies have also played an important role in shaping gender equality
relations over time. As we've seen, laws governing property, child custody, divorce, and
voting, as well as educational policies, can all play a significant role in shaping this. However,
it is also important to consider the limitations of legislation.
- Women's legal rights continue to lag in many countries, particularly in so-called economically
developing countries. Furthermore, legal rights are only part of the problem, as demonstrated
in some cases, where religious and traditional cultural practices continue to deny equal
treatment to some women. These aspects of gender inequality describe some of the ways in
which women's lives have been shaped over time, as well as the resulting inequalities. It
establishes the context for comprehending gender inequality in contemporary society.
On the other hand, these are one of the few examples of gender oppression we are facing in the
past as well as today in our society:
1. Legal rights of females are not equal to men
2. Access to health services may not be the same
3. Direct discrimination
4. Indirect discrimination
5. Harassment
6. Victimization.
7. Sexism
8. Women in armed conflict
9. Women victims of domestic violence\
10. Teenage pregnancy
Also, types of violence such as prenatal sex selection, female infanticide, neglect, female genital
mutilation, rape, child marriage, forced prostitution, honor killing and dowry killing. Many of these gross
violations of human rights have been used as weapons of war around the world.
To sum up, there are a variety of historical determinants of contemporary gender roles and gender
gaps across societies, as well as how these differences are passed down from parents to children and
thus persist to the present day. Here are some examples of historical perspectives, such as differences
in female labor-force participation, fertility, education, marriage arrangements, competitive attitudes,
domestic violence, and other forms of gender norm difference. Even today, numerous studies and
research show that differences in cultural norms regarding gender roles emerge in response to specific
historical situations, but tend to persist even after the historical circumstances have changed. All of these
historical perspectives on gender could be one of the reasons why gender oppression is still prevalent in
our society today. As a result, we must be aware and conscious. It is up to us to put an end to these
gender issues.