Women in Global History

The idea of feminism has not always existed. As a female in today’s American society, I have far more rights than the women in past global history. Although American society still has issues regarding women’s rights, American women today are privileged compared to those in the past and those in other regions of the world. Throughout history, culture and philosophy have majorly influenced feminism and the progression of women, but depending on the region, women have had different societal expectations.

In the 1400’s for example, the culture specifically allowed for women to be discriminated against because of strong expectations of women’s’ roles and stifling female voices. The oppression of women took place in most leading societies and varied by the specific cultural, religious, and moral values of each region. During the same time period, women were treated differently in different regions.

After the prominent rise of feminist philosophies in the late 1800s, new ideas gradually reformed societal norms and expectations in some countries.

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This has generated pressure to create equality among sexes. In my opinion, the 1900’s is a great century to examine how the feminist revolution had taken hold of Western civilizations. Because of the massive differences in how women were treated across the globe, apparent cultural and philosophical differences regarding women can be seen throughout the century. Even after the rise of feminist revolutions, there are still many parts of the globe in which women still do not have basic rights and certain societal values can, and continue to, suppress women.

By comparing two different cultures in the same time periods, it’s apparent that different cultures and philosophies affect women’s rights.

In the 1400’s in Europe, women had strict roles in society. Women were expected to work in the house and raise children under the authority of their husband. They could not have high level professions such as being a doctor or lawyer and could not work in the government or church. Women also could not get a formal education unless they were wealthy enough to hire a tutor. In the 15th century, witch hunts began to occur in masses all over Europe. Witches were considered as anyone who did not conform to society’s standards. During this time period, women were highly expected to be mothers who only worked in the house and raised children. Any woman that did not fit these standards, such as being homeless, childless, or sexually promiscuous was an outcast. Unsurprisingly from 1580-1630, 75% of people executed in witch trials were women. Women had stricter societal roles than men to conform to and any behavior that deviated from the norm was viewed as an act of the devil.

Women did not posses the freedom to choose their own lifestyle without becoming targets of hatred and exclusion. For example, Joan of Arc was a peasant girl in France who believed that God wanted her to lead France in battle against England. With the approval of the crown prince, she led the French army to defeat England. After this widely known and celebrated success, she was unfortunately captured by Burgundians. They negotiated with the English and eventually turned her over. Joan of Arc was then charged with 70 counts. These included: witchcraft, heresy and dressing like a man. Using her military clothes against her, she was executed for dressing like a man and heresy and was burned at the stake. Joan of Arc acted inappropriately as a woman at the time and was ultimately punished for it. The culture asserted that women should act with grace and be under the dominance of men. Any behavior outside of their designated roles, was defilement.

During the same time period, the 1400’s, the Ming Dynasty ruled China. Confucianism shaped society and its beliefs. Confucianism emphasizes the importance of social relationships, specifically between superiors and inferiors. This philosophy dictated that above all other virtues, women should always be obedient. Young girls are expected to be obedient to their fathers and women should be obedient to their husbands. Women are also expected to hold their tongues and be silent even when they want to speak out in order to convey respect. They were not supposed to talk to men. Before a girl was born her parents determined and planned her life according to their social status. Her parents oversaw her marriage and had the power in the arrangement. It was believed that a women’s greatest accomplishment was giving birth to many sons. Females were viewed as a burden on a family because they could not work or fight in times of war.

Women were also held to unreasonable beauty standards in this time period. Small feet were a very attractive attribute in the Ming Dynasty which resulted in the practice of foot binding. Foot binding consisted of women curling their toes under their feet until they broke. Then they bound them with bandages, constantly making the bindings tighter. The most desirable and ideal foot size was around 3 Chinese inches. Chinese women during this time had many constraints on both their behavior and appearance. Although both the Ming Dynasty and European societies existed in the same time period, they had distinctly different beliefs and philosophies. These aspects directly affected and determined the role of women and their rights. In both regions, women were oppressed and were punished for acting outside of their dictated roles.

In 1848, the first women’s rights convention takes place in Seneca Falls, New York. This convention created the agenda for the newly formed women’s rights revolution. Two years later, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Stanton formed the National Woman Suffrage Association in order to gain voting rights for women in America. They accomplished this goal in 1920 when the 19th Amendment was signed into law. The feminist revolution then shifted from not only pursuing political rights to social rights and inequalities. In 1949, “The Second Sex” was written by Simone Beauvoir, a French existentialist. She discussed the treatment of women throughout history and its ramifications. Her work inspired many others and started the second-wave of feminism. This second-wave focused on social rights and gender inequalities. The media began to call this movement “Women’s Liberation”.

At this time, the number of women enrolling in higher education increased and classes in women’s studies began to become available. In the 1990’s, third-wave feminism began. The third-wave focused on how race plays a part in the discrimination of women. Feminism became broadened to include multiple races instead of only the white, upper class. The fourth-wave of feminism started around 2008 and extends to today. This movement focuses on using social media and technology to make campaigns to raise awareness. Issues include: sexual harassment and body shaming. Today, women’s marches take place and are accepted in society. After comments made towards women by President Trump were released, many feminist and women’s protests begin happening in response.

In the 1900’s and 2000’s, women in Saudi Arabia were restricted by cultural and religious values, specifically from Islamic law. All women are required under Saudi law to have a male guardian. This male guardian grants permission to travel and conduct business. In 2017, women began to be allowed to pursue education, jobs, and health care without needing permission. Then in 2018, Saudi women were finally allowed to drive. Although progress has been made towards equal rights in Saudi Arabia, there are still major issues. “Women are required to limit the amount of time spent with men to whom they are not related. The majority of public buildings, including offices, banks and universities, have separate entrances for the different sexes, the Daily Telegraph reports. Public transportation, parks, beaches and amusement parks are also segregated in most parts of the country.

Unlawful mixing will lead to criminal charges being brought against both parties, but women typically face harsher punishment” (Six Things Women in Saudi Arabia Still Can’t Do). Women also can’t try on clothes in dressing rooms or go swimming in the public. They also aren’t allowed to perform in sports such as the Olympics. Females in Saudi Arabia are still greatly discriminated against today. The 1800’s brought forward feminist philosophies around the world. However, some countries, such as America, have taken initiative to try to increase sex equality. Other countries, such as Saudi Arabia, have made some progress but still have high standards for women’s roles in society.

In conclusion, culture and philosophies in different regions directly effect women’s rights. In the same time period, some countries make progress towards sex equality while others do not. The extent and practices of women inequality vary by culture, region and time period. In Europe in the 1400’s, women were viewed as in charge of the household and as mothers, any deviation from this social norm would sometimes result in isolation and witch trials. In the Ming Dynasty at this time, women had strict roles based upon Confucian teachings. They were to be submissive and obedient at all costs. The standard of beauty caused women to take extreme measures, by breaking their own feet in order to be deemed as attractive. Both societies had different ways of oppressing women and stifling their freedom and voice. In the 1900’s, the feminist revolution was in full affect in regions such as America. Awareness of social injustices were brought out in the public.

Efforts have been made to reform politics and laws in order to increase equality. Other countries on the other hand, still have not given women basic rights. Women in Saudi Arabi have a male guardian that still dictates their actions and behavior. Although progress has been made in both America and Saudi Arabia, there is still more issues that need to be addressed and fixed in both societies. Throughout history, culture and philosophy have majorly influenced feminism and the progression of women, but depending on the region, women have had different societal expectations. Because of the massive differences in how women were treated across the globe, apparent cultural and philosophical differences regarding women can be seen throughout history.