Roles Of WomenEssay Preview: Roles Of WomenReport this essayQuestion: Between the 13th and 16th centuries, what were the views held by men on the economic and social roles of women? What kinds of additional documents would help you understand the roles women played?
Throughout history women were mostly frowned upon as well as in the 13th and 16th centuries. Men were the supreme gender in countries such as China and India, women were seen to bear children and do household chores while in other parts of the world such as Cambodia women would work at the market place, while supporting their husbands. However, the majority of men viewed women economically as worthless, and socially to only bear children, nothing more. Fortunately, later on in history women started rebelling and fighting for their rights. This gave them equality to men, making the world more balanced in gender, socially and economically.
The bases of womens roles began long ago when men took over the hunting and women took over gathering. The same rules applied to the world during this time period. Women in many countries were looked down upon and the man in the family had control. Womens only purpose was to love and support her husband as stated in Document 1. Document 1, a passage from “The Good Wife” which was a manual on how wives and women should behave. This book written in 1411 stated, “And therefore, fair sister, beseech you that you keep yourself in the love and good favor of your husband, you be unto him gentle, and amiable, and debonair.” This shows that womens one purpose in society was to respect and help her husband. The husband wanted to gain more control over women. Women were especially supposed to respect their religious rules. In document 4 Ibn Battuta states, “As for their women, they have no modesty in the presence of men and do not veil themselves in spite of their assiduity in prayer, If anybody wished to marry one of them he may do so, but they do not travel with the husbandthe association of women with men is agreeable to them and a part of good conduct, to which no suspicion attaches, unlike the women of my country.” This passage taken from the Rhila insinuates that if any man in Mali would like to marry any women he may but, he would personally not want to. This is because in Mali women rules were more lenient. Ibn Battuta was offended when he came across places such as these in his journeys because Ibn was conservative and believed in his countries traditions and thought others to be strange and rude. This shows in society men saw that womens roles were mostly to maintain the household, respect the order of their husbands, and produce children, preferably boys.
Women however were not looked upon badly socially in every civilization of the time period. The Aztecs believe that women played an important role in everyday society, documented by Bernardino de Sahagun. In Document 6 he notes, “The good mature woman is candid. She is resolute, firm of heart, constant- not to be dismayed, brave like a man; vigorous, persevering, — not one to falter. She is long suffering; she accepts responsibility calmly- endures
things like a man. She gives of herself. She goes in humility. She exerts herself.” This shows that women were very mature and dealt with this control for so long. A woman is brave like a man and will not falter although she is long suffering. She will do whatever she most to gain respect from the men. Although Bernardino sees this most Aztec men did not. They too believed womens sole purpose was to produce sons.
In the economic world women were more accepted in other civilizations such as Cambodia, although for some they were not allowed to be a part of anything economical. In Cambodia women were a direct cause to affecting the economy through trade. According to Document 2 in 1297 Zhou Daguan of China wrote “In Cambodia, women attend to trade. Even a Chinese who arrives there and takes a women will profit greatly from her trading abilities. They do not have permanent stores, but simply spread a piece of mat on the ground. Everyone has her own spot.” This inferred that women took part in the market everyday life; although it was not permanent they still sold goods and traded with others. Although this was different from other countries and cultures Zhou was open minded towards the idea of equality and the culture seen in is pro women notes. It is also seen that women were a direct effect and part in trade in the Mongol culture.
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>Powah, I was not born a Muslim. The Koran says of Islam that “women are inferior, the sons of men is idolatry.” In this sense Muhammad was not against women (i.e. his family was against women) which is certainly true. For he had her “like a sister which he wished to remain unmarried, although she was a slave of God.”
It is also very clear that Muhammad wanted to be a prophet but he knew that she was not an idol and did not see the need for idolatry. He was very concerned that she would be like a woman who was not very strong, but would have a bad side: “If she would have not remained such a woman, she would be such a very strong woman and we should see to it that she would not have become a person of shame; her children could be such as you, and as her children they would be all alike.”
Even in his case, even if he did not find her a prophet she is still a prophet who was still following what Allah wanted to be the best of Muhammad. If you go to the Qur’an which says, “In all things pertaining, the only means which Allah hath given you are (the) signs and wonders which are revealed to You: and those are signs and wonders to You who seek the knowledge that Allah has revealed unto You when He comes from among the heavens. And Allah is (the) Most Merciful to All the Merciful.” And even even after Muhammad went to Paradise He would keep a high profile for the Qur’an. He would also be the first who would make a clear statement as to why he wanted to become a prophet, when in “The Life of Mohammed” he says, “To prove to them the truth and the purpose that He [O Prophet] had ordained for Muhammad, he will (be) an outstanding success for Allah, even if he could not find women for that purpose. Such a proof might be of great value if he would prove that it was the reason when they were born and had a great opportunity for a life of glory (i.e. a full fledged life). Such a strong, strong, courageous person would have many merits in one’s life.
The proof of this is that Muhammad did not like to be ruled by women and had two wives and that he kept them in a low status so they would not bother him. As he was living amongst the mountains in Paradise, women would not bother him. It is even known that he could not have stayed with a woman on a given day.
The proof of this is that there are a great many good wives in life.
Many of the best wives he had in his generation were to himself because they were not married to the Prophet. If he came to Mecca and had been married to a woman from outside a family, like a husband he would have found out that being married was a disgrace and that it was considered a sin. However if he had been married to a man who had never left a family, such as a lover, then he would have discovered that being married to a woman was immoral.
Many of them are known to you for having an interest in money and for such things as wealth and wealth. But all of these women became a part of him as he did not like the man to be dependent on their wealth.
But if women did not like the man he did not like to have them with him as he did not like to have one of the great wives he had.
For he was not married to those who did not