Feminist Movement - Research Paper Example

Feminist Movement Introduction In the early and the late 1900’s, there was a distinct and a great variation on the roles men and women in the society; while men were the sole breadwinners for most families, women’s roles in the society were limited from family to workplace life. Basically, women were expected to follow a single path in life: To get married in their early 20’s, begin a family and spend the rest of her life to making her home. However, things have changes over the last four decades, with major shifts noted after the advocacy actions that were taken by the feminists’ movement.

This discussion will not only focus aspects of changing gender roles among females and males over the last 40 years. Acceptance of Women in More Professional ProgramsBefore the 1960’s, a large percentage were only accepted in programs that were perceived as simple and involved social aspects of interaction for instance: Teachers, convent sisters, nurses and secretaries (tavaana.org). However, with the increased advocacy of equality in job opportunities for women in more technical programs in the 1960’s, a significant percentage of women began accessing enrolment in medical schools as well as colleges that provided, many women also began accessing employment in manufacturing industries; however at a lower wages compared to men (tavaana.org). Providing Women with the Right to Vote and Participate in Political Offices like Male CounterpartsIn article published by the United States History, Arts & Archives, it is indicated that women were not given the right to vote before the introduction of the Women’s Suffrage movement.

With the introduction of this movement, women were given the right to vote and occupy political offices (history.house.gov). These rights have since saw a shift in political power and decision making issues, leading to a scenario where women can lead the society and make pertinent decisions just like men. Growing Presence of Women in the Labor ForceIn a research undertaken by the Pew Research on Social and Demographic Trends, it was noted that the United States’ Labor Force accounts for 38% women and 62% men since that 1970’s.

The research indicated that the number was attributed to the wide range of public consensus concerning the changing role of women and men in the society. Additionally, the study indicated that approximately 75% of the American populace agree that women should not go back to their traditional roles as home cares, but should work equally like men and contribute to their families’ income (www.pewsocialtrends.org). A Balance of Home Care Roles between Men and WomenThis is another aspect of a change in role between men and men.

Over the last four decades, men and women have take almost equal roles in provision of responsibilities in issues ascribed to home care. In this regard, women have had almost equal opportunities as men to seek employment opportunities. According to a research conducted by the United States Bureau of Statistics, it was noted that approximately 59% of married American women are actively seeking employment opportunities. This has been attributed to the general acceptance of the population of the fact that women and men should provide home care (www.

pewsocialtrends.org). In this regard, many women have adequate time just like their male counterparts to seek formal employments. This figure shows the number of mothers who seek employment opportunities in the United States (www.pewsocialtrends.org). Gender Wage GapIn a research published by the Council of Economic Advisers in 1998, it stated that the gender wage gap between men and women has narrowed significantly over the last forty years (clinton4.nara.gov). However, the study indicated that a wide wage gap exists between married women and single women (clinton4.nara.gov).

In the same study, it is indicated that despite the fact that there is a wide gap on the wages of married and unmarried women, the reduced wage gap between men and women has been a motivation for unemployed women to seek employment opportunities, thus leading to an increasing number of women in the global labor force (clinton4.nara.gov). Conclusion It is apparent that there are various aspects that have facilitated a change in the roles played by women and men in society over the last forty years.

Some of these aspects can be attributed to the actions of women rights’ movements while others can be attributed to natural acceptance of the society that indeed women and men are equal and thus should participate equally in socio-economic development activities. From the article studied, it is a fact that they provide various aspects of how men’s and women’s roles have changed in the society; however, despite the fact that there exist varying aspects, the overall goal of these aspects is to create an environment where man is not allocated duties or associated with duties in relation to his sexual orientation.

Work Cited"The 1960s-70s American Feminist Movement: Breaking Down Barriers for Women." Tavaana. Web. 19 Nov. 2014. . Top of FormBottom of FormPew Research Center. "The Harried Life of the Working Mother." Pew Research Centers Social Demographic Trends Project RSS. 1 Oct. 2009. Web. 19 Nov. 2014. . Top of FormBottom of FormTop of FormBottom of FormThe Council of Economic Advisers. "Gender Wage Gap." Gender Wage Gap. 1 June 1998. Web. 19 Nov. 2014. . Top of FormBottom of FormDales, Laura. Feminist Movements and the Changing Roles.

London: Routledge, 2009. Print. Top of FormBottom of FormHistory, Arts & Archives. "The Womens Rights Movement, 1848–1920 | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives." The Womens Rights Movement, 1848-1920. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. .