Women in the First Half 20 Century - Essay Example

Women in the First Half 20 Century Many people have different perception when it comes to the role of women in the society. In the ancienttimes, men had a perception that women are weak individuals who cannot effectively carry out a particular task. Moreover, many view and treated the just like children. The considered them as people who need to be controlled protected and be given direction. For instance, Alice Duer Miller in her poem the woman, puts it that it is a time it is hard upon occasions to be sublime. In addition, it is hard to be forceful when you are considered incompetent three-quarters of the time. Women view themselves as individuals who have the potential and ability just as men. Women are currently fighting for equal representation in various sectors like education, politics and any other matter that deals with economic development as well as recognition of participation in the social functions. However, my research is going to base on the elaboration of a new woman. I am calling it the development of the new woman because of the changes in the roles of women in the society. Traditionally, women had different roles to play in the society, and their duties and responsibilities were clearly defined. However, they are now new women because of the role that they are currently playing in the society. Currently, women are people who are believed to have attained better education like men and above all, they have self-esteem. Various studies show the role of women in the society as well as how people used to perceive women before the 20th century. However, our study is going to carry out an analysis on the role and position of women in the society before the 20th century. However, our primary concern will be the analysis of the poem by the title; The Revolt of Mother: by Alice Duer Miller. Discussion The author of the poem wrote the poem with the title; a woman. Therefore, I chose to support the position of the emergence of a new woman because of the deliberate efforts that they have made to gain power from an authoritative position of men. In a comparison to women in the 20th century and currently, women have evolved in various sections. For instance, in terms of education, the number of women in the educational industry is highly increasing. In a comparison of the percentage of the current and previous statistics, women are now taking the challenge and go to school (Alcott & Alderson, 2004). Moreover, a woman is now taking up leadership positions in the society. That is; currently, women are fighting for political positions in various countries, and they have been proven active and competent just as men. Moreover, the first half of the 20th century realized the emergence of a new woman in the sense that; there was a total change in the behaviors of women. The change in women behavior is because of various factors. The first factor that led to a change in behavior of women is the emergence of new technology (Alcott & Alderson, 2004). The introduction of technology enabled women to understand that they too have equal rights as men. Therefore, it made them stand up for their rights hence changing their behavior. Initially, women were submissive to their husbands yet they treated them like their slave. They did not have any authority to speak before men or participate in the decision-making process. However, after the 20th-century women changed to be new women for they had to fight for their position in the society. As a result, new woman; now have the courage to face the challenge in her own without involving men. Moreover, the change in the behavior of women enabled them to be recognized in the society (Mill, n.d.). For instance, Alice Duer Miller in her poem the revolt of a mother says that I am old fashioned, but I am not content. Another thing that led to the introduction of the new woman is the kind of activities that they did. Initially women were perceived to be people who could only do better in domestic functions. That is, it was their responsibility to take good care of children and prepare daily meals for the family. Alice Duer Miller in her poem asks is women real person. In this case, the answer to the question is yes, they are real people with all the abilities just like men. Women are now new women because of the activities that they are doing. Currently, women are found in a leadership position as well as any other relevant post in the organization (Bukowski, 2002). The most sensitive section that was believed to be for men only is also now under the operation of women. Currently new women are found in courtrooms are they are now practicing as competent judges and lawyers. In the poem by the title the woman, Alice speaks that we are not senses, and we are not angels too. That is a clear indication of the feeling of a new woman. The emergence of a new woman in the 20th century came with new ways of perceiving things as well, like how they feel. After getting a better education, a new woman can now tell what is right and wrong (Ousterhout, 2003). Therefore, with identification of right, a new woman is now able to have clear perception towards life, and they can make a wise decision that will have a positive impact on their lives. The introduction of a new woman in the 20th century is now changing the perception that the society has towards women. Initially, the community views a woman as somebody who cannot depend on herself. However, after proving that they are able, and they can make it on their own, the society now has a positive perception towards women, and they believe in them. Before, the emergence of new women, women were treated just like children because they had no power and authority (Bukowski, 2002). However, the development of new women has contributed to the implementation of affirmative action in most organizations to take care of women in the society. The new woman is now carrying out an outside unlike in the older times where their daily task is inside their houses. In the poem about the woman, Alice Duer Miller writes, “it is a woman this and woman that, and home is the place for you. But it is patriotic angels when there is outside work to do”. The emergence of new woman empowered women across the world to take up white color jobs and fight equal opportunities just like their men. In conclusion, the works of Alice Duer Miller about the emergence of new woman challenges traditional gender roles in the society. That is, the development of new woman gave woman equal authority and power to participate I outside activities other than domestic works. Moreover, the development of a new woman in the 20th century brought about to the change in the behavior of women. Initially, women were submissive to their husbands yet they treated them like slaves. However, the emergence of new woman enabled women to understand their right and position in the society. The author of the poem the woman concludes it that a woman is an observant individual, and one ought to be sure that she sees. References Alcott, L., & Alderson, V. (1994). Little women. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Bukowski, C. (2002). Women. New York: Ecco. Mill, J., The subjection of women. Raleigh, N.C.: Alex Catalogue. Ousterhout, A. (2003). The most learned woman in America. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press. Read More