Socio-Economic, Philosophical and Theological Bases for the Status of Women in the Middle Ages - Essay Example

? Socio-Economic Discuss the socio-economic, philosophical and theological bases for the status of women in the middle ages. The book ‘Western Civilization, 7th edition, Volume 1, was written by Jackson Spielvogel who was an associate professor that specialized in reformation history. It talks about Western civilization during the Middle Ages. This paper is based on Spielvogel’s book, Western Civilization, Volume 1, 7th edition. It discusses the socio-economic, philosophical and theological status of women during these times. The Middle Ages are known to encompass the most historical, influential and phenomenal periods in history. The middle ages run from 1066 through 1485. The lives of women during these times were dependent on their roles and social status. It was a societal expectation that all women were subservient to men in their families and society. Women were required to serve and please men. The middle ages era was a male dominated one. The women were completely dominated by the men in their families. It was required of women to instantly obey their fathers, brothers and all other males in the family. Socially, women had no say over any matter. Any girl who dared to be unruly was beaten and forced into submission. In fact, disobedience was seen as a serious crime. The freedoms and entitlements for women and girls were grossly abused, suppressed or ignored in many places (Gordon, 2002). Economically, women were the least empowered humans. The English common law of the 12th century required that a wife submits all the property owned by her to her husband when she is married. All her property became the possession of her husband. Women’s wages and real estate were controlled by their husbands once they got married. In some regions, they were not even allowed to work outside their homes. They only remained at home to serve the males in their families. In the regions where they were allowed to work, they were required to submit their full wages to their husbands. They had no say in how to use the money that they had earned. The husband was the one who had the right to manage this property and enjoy any money that would be produced from it. There were unfair laws which denied women of their property rights once they got married. Women later on began to challenge this and demand for their property rights. Socially, women were not allowed to engage in politics or hold leadership position unless the belonged to royal families. Leadership and politics were male dominated. No woman could be allowed to stand against a man for leadership positions. Initially, women were also not allowed to vote or participate in making laws. According to ancient Roman law for example, women could only be citizens. They were not allowed to vote or run for political office. The women had no political freedom in their society. Women had no power to exercise their birth control rights like the contemporary woman. The number of children that a woman would bear would all depend on the choice made by their husbands. It was for the husbands to decide how many children they want (Gordon, 2002). The work of the women was only to sire and take care of these children. The situation later changed but there were still a lot of restrictions and reservations from society. The women who dared to stand for leadership positions were viewed as rebels who had no respect for men. This took a different twist later on with more and more women seeking to empower and free themselves from bondage. Later on, women began to demand for their right to vote and participate in constituting of laws in their countries. Women’s legal rights were grossly abused and violated. Women could not defend themselves in courts of law without the consent of their husbands. Women could also not engage others in legal suits. French women who were married are known to have suffered from numerous restrictions on their legal capacities until recent reforms. In some parts of the East, women were treated as untouchable. They had little or no rights at all. The women were subjected to socially degrading practices like being forced to live in seclusion and away from men. Still in the East, in some places, the wife would be killed during her dead husband’s funeral. Young girls would be married off when they were between five to ten years old without their knowledge or consent. This would be in exchange of gifts and dowry. The woman was considered as an object through which man could please himself. It was not common for most women to be enrolled in formal educational institutions. Some used to attend some form of education but it was not like what men received. There was also discrimination in employment. Some prestigious jobs were only a preserve of the men. In some regions like Muslim states, women only came to be associated with certain type of work like in the textile industry (Gordon, 2002). Theologically, in some cultures, women had little or no rights in marriage, divorce or inheritance. The punishment that women would receive for crimes such as infidelity or adultery was not the same as men. Women would be subjected to more torture, pain and suffering unlike their male counterparts who had committed the same crime. In England for example, women who participated in treason or witchcraft would be mercilessly burnt. There were also cases of wife purchase which were allowed by the law. A man could carry off a free man’s wife and then procure another wife for him at his own expense. In conclusion, the middle ages were marred with gross violation of women’s rights. The woman was seen as a lesser human being in many circumstances such as in having property, holding leadership positions and in other social aspects. This situation began to change in later years when many societies began to realize and appreciate the rights of women. Women began to be empowered and to fight for their rights. Reference Gordon, Linda. (2002). The Moral Property of Women: A History of Birth Control Politics In America. Illinois: University of Illinois Press. Read More