Misogyny

In one of my other classes we covered a section over women during the Renaissance. Assumed roles, less education, and consequentially limited female freedom were all things women of that time faced. A quote from our text seems to sum up men's fear of women being educated:

 "Fathers of daughters were the lawgivers of men, and though some were supportive of their female children's ambitions, most were eager to sustain the order that placed men in charge and left women subordinate. Male hostility to female learning (like the broader tendencies of misogyny and misogamy) was widespread: because men feared to lose their dominion over women."

While this attitude was typical of the time, it illustrates the struggle women have faced prior to the Renaissance and still face today. Just as we have discussed in class about men labeling a female boss or hard worker as a "bitch," men during the Renaissance loathed strong and educated women. The reason for fathers to have an interest in limiting their daughter's education was strictly because it would be harder to marry her off if she didn't fit the specified gender roles. Thankfully that attitude has shifted, but only to a certain degree. Women are still forced into specific roles and occupations. She is allowed to become unique and separate herself as an individual, but not to anything "too crazy." This struggle women face because of their gender in societal roles is still a major issue, and as a result, makes it that much harder for women to break away from.