The role of women in families, in general, is a complex issue. The position that women hold is attributed to various issues that exist and in most cases are of disadvantage to women. The society puts a certain level of expectations on women as to what roles they should play in a family structure. Mothers have the sole responsibility in most societies to mold their children’s character traits to the best level possible, girls being mostly affected. Preference of male over female children exists, though not as rampant in the United States ("Module 3 Commentary," n.d.). The distinction between traditional and modern family structure best explains the role of women within the family structure, resulting in change in family power dynamics when both parents are employed outside the home.
Traditionally, the woman needed permission from the husband to consider employment. In the traditional family structure, the wife was essentially subject to the husband’s will. Men controlled their wives actions which meant that for a woman to do anything, she had to have the consent of her husband. Forced marriages were rampant and a norm. Girls were raised to accept whoever the parents chose as their husbands. Eventually, in most cases, marriage was not based on love rather the merit of the marriage to the family. Men identified as the superior sex. Consequently, men controlled all the wealth of the family, and in the case a woman wanted to acquire something, she would have to get permission from her husband.
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Currently, employment for women is becoming more acceptable. Man and woman are considered equal in the modern family structure. Marriage is based on love. Both husband and wife have a say in the decision-making process. Consequently, women have jobs in most modern families ("Module 3 Commentary," n.d.). A shift in paradigm exists due to women having jobs and contributing equally, meaning no sex can identify as superior. Raising children has become a shared responsibility. Men are also required to take paternal leave to help their wives care for their young babies. The change in power within families means that roles that were said to be for mothers are carried out by fathers and vice versa.
Shifting in power paradigm within the family structure will continue and adapt to fit the current social needs. Women will continue taking on more economic responsibilities within their families, and thus more change in power dynamics will be encountered. Notably, a change on sharing of roles will be accepted by the society. Husbands are taking on social roles too like taking kids out for picnics while their wives take on economic responsibilities like being the breadwinners for their families. Eventually, the role of women in family structure will not be overlooked.
References
Module 3 Commentary. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://content.umuc.edu/file/da124ec2-61e2-49b3-9987-8149db9cce33/1/WMST200-1109.zip/Modules/M3-Module_3/S3-Commentary.html
