How have Women’s Rights Improved in the Last 2000 Years? And what changes do you anticipate in the 21st century?

Introduced by Karen Lynn.

Please join the Zoom Meeting here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/971381033

Introduced by Karen Lynn ‍

In Toronto, in 1935, my mother applied for a job working in an office. She got the job because she lied: she said that she was single. In fact, she has just married my father, and it was legal for workplaces to bar married women from employment. Married teachers were often let go after their marriages. Marriage was a career ender.‍ ‍

Then in 1967, after university and my own wedding, I applied for a government job in human resources. Three men interviewed me. One of them asked me, “Would your husband mind if you travelled with other men?” I replied, “My husband would do anything to get me a good job.” They had a good laugh over that, then hired me.‍ ‍

These conversations reflect changes to women’s rights in employment over 32 years.  The questions have changed too, at least legally. For some time, the Ontario Human Rights Code has prohibited questions in job interviews such as, “Are you married?  “Do you have any children?”  “Do you have childcare?” etc.‍ ‍

But the changes also reflect a growing equality in wages and occupations between men and women, and the rise in women graduating from university. There have definitely been radical changes in roles and employment between men and women from the mid twentieth century until now.

‍ ‍

There have been radical changes in ideas of women’s independence generally. How else have women become freer? All along we have experienced resistance from both women and men. Can you—both men and women—describe what, why, and your own experience?

This discussion explores the changes over the centuries, and it attempts to predict more changes by the year 3000. What do you think?

‍I asked three women and two men to answer these questions: Here is a short summary of their answers:‍ ‍

Women‍ ‍

Women are no longer the property and slaves of men. We can make decisions about our own lives. Women are in politics, but not enough. Women don’t have to be polite. We teach young women about rape.‍ ‍

We have the right to vote. We have the right to be in our own business and to manage its affairs. We have reproductive rights. Men push strollers. There is a growing understanding of mansplaining. Women live longer and are in better health. High immigration could increase patriarchal values.

We must be careful not to move backwards as they have done to reproductive rights in the USA. More women are out working—they have no choice. It has been a hard slog for women to become pilots, CEOs and part of the military. Black and Indigenous women are progressing but it’s harder for them. Any woman walking alone still has to look over her shoulder—rape is still a weapon. Fear that the dystopian view in the Handmaid’s Tale could become reality.

Things are much slower in the Middle East. Women’s groups have been pushing mobilization e.g. street walks.

In some ways we are way behind. The Epstein scandal has normalized rape and abuse. The cost of talking is borne by women e.g. Monica Lewinsky—blame the victim.

In the future the concept of “illegitimacy” will decline and maybe disappear.

Men

‍ ‍

Advanced progress for women in the West but not in the East. In the West women can vote. Rape is taken more seriously now than before. Women were blamed for rape. Great improvements in women’s economic situations and access to education. Society is pulling back on breeding demands and this will improve. ‍

Women are much less in a subservient position. Women now have the right to have or not have children. The pay gap is closing and the education gap (soft power) is closing. Some women newly in power behave like men, but some don’t. The Me Too movement helped women to be open about forced sexual experiences and male violence.

By the 22nd century we will be in a more equitable place. In the future, more people will just partner rather than getting married.

________________________________________

Recommended reading. The Myths of Motherhood: How Culture Reinvents the Good Mother by Shari L. Turner, pub. 1994 by Penguin Books.

‍ ‍

Myths of Motherhood: How Culture Reinvents the Good Mother : Thurer, Sherry: Amazon.ca: Books

‍ ‍

‍ ‍

Please join the Zoom Meeting here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/971381033