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Essay / Gender Roles - 2007
The term gender roles refers to the set of social and behavioral norms considered appropriate for individuals of a certain sex. These roles vary across cultures. Gender roles, unlike gender itself, are socially constructed. They can reflect the natural aspirations of a gender or be manipulated, resulting in the oppression of a gender. Historically, gender roles have not always been consistent with the ones we have today. Although in many ancient societies men dominated women, there are examples where women were considered equal to men and women dominated men. In hunting and gathering societies, like those of early humans, men and women were considered equal. Due to harsh conditions, both sexes were needed to maintain the tribe and gather food. Women could not be limited to only reproduction and childcare, as the tribe would be limited and would not possess the skills of these women. With this evidence, anthropologists can conclude that male dominance and strict gender roles emerged later in human development and are not the result of biology. Ancient Egypt is one of the oldest advanced human civilizations and is therefore studied extensively by anthropologists. Before the time of Christ, Egyptian men and women were relatively equal. Men and women of all social classes, except slaves, shared the same legal status. Although men were considered the heads of the family, they treated their wives and female relatives with respect. Women could inherit and manage private property (which included land, slaves, and livestock). These assets remained the property of the wife after marriage and could not be taken away by the husband upon divorce. Egyptian...... middle of paper ......htmlSocial roles. (nd). ThinkQuest Library. Accessed June 5, 2010, from http://library.thinkquest.org/07aug/01443/dc_social.htmlSocieties With Gender Equality: Ancient Egypt. (nd). ThinkQuest Library. Accessed June 5, 2010, from http://library.thinkquest.org/07aug/01443/nps_equal_egypt.htmlSocieties With Gender Equality: Ancient Sparta. (nd). ThinkQuest Library. Accessed June 5, 2010, from http://library.thinkquest.org/07aug/01443/nps_equal_sparta.htmlSomerville, California (nd). How Children Learn About Gender Roles – Related Content. Related content. Accessed June 4, 2010, from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1928876/how_children_learn_about_gender_roles.html?cat=25Women Warriors in Ancient Times and Mythology. (nd). ThinkQuest Library. Retrieved June 5, 2010 from http://library.thinkquest.org/07aug/01443/itow_ancient.html