Pattern of Development (Comparing and Contrasting Women in the 19th and 21st Centuries) - Essay Example

Individual Project Unit 4 al Affiliation) Pattern of Development For this assignment, I have selected the comparison and contrast pattern of development. I will use this pattern to develop and create my introduction and to form a clear and concise thesis statement. Introduction: Comparing and Contrasting Women in the 19th and 21st Centuries The 21st century woman has a lot in common with her 19th century counterpart, but also demonstrates a level of thinking, reasoning and ability to fight for her rights that sets her apart from her colleagues who were born and lived in the 19th century (Offor, 2010).

In the 19th century, women were meant to be seen and not heard; they were considered to be nothing more than housewives and laborers. Compared to the 21st century woman, women had no voting rights and no voice. They were accorded little or no opportunities for growth and empowerment. Women in the 21st century have access to almost everything they would wish to have; they demand and fight for equality, rights and the need to be respected and recognized. Women in the 19th century could not even fathom running for any office or vying for a position with men.

Those who managed to occupy positions of authority were born into very wealthy or powerful families and therefore felt entitled to remain powerful and influential. Nowadays it is impossible to try to put down a woman, even if she is from the village, the ghetto or the slum (Collins, 2009). Even women in developing countries know that they are supposed to go to school, learn, secure employment and grow. The 21st century woman enjoys and lives a life that would be considered privileged and unimaginable by any woman who was born or lived in the 19th century.

She is independent not only economically but also politically and intellectually, and is so in touch with her rights and events (Baumgardner & Richards, 2010). Through societal change and the need to integrate women into development, the 21st century woman is more conscious, independent and empowered compared to her 19th century counterpart. References Baumgardner, J., & Richards, A. (2010). Manifesta: young women, feminism, and the future. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Collins, P. (2009).

Black feminist thought: knowledge, consciousness, and the politics of empowerment (Rev. 10th anniversary ed.). New York: Routledge. Offor, E. I. (2010). Women empowerment. Enugu: Snaap Press.