Women Gender Roles in Society Essay - 795 Words

Women Gender Roles In Society Essay Gender roles have had a dominant place in society throughout the century, different families emphasizing different roles. Society places certain expectations on men and women; allocating specific responsibilities to each gender. In Alice Munroe’s and James Joyces short stories, the inexplicit social roles for women exist throughout society during these eras. In Alice Munroe’s â€Å"Boys and Girls† the narrator’s mother is viewed as a stereotypical traditional housewife as opposed to James Joyce’s Mrs. Mooney in â€Å"The Boarding House†. Mrs. Mooney is seen as more of a modern mother. This essay contrasts the modern and traditional woman by explaining the stereotypes associated with each, as is evident in†¦show more content†¦Mooney is more stern and bitter. As is evident in the text, the modern mothers in comparison to the traditional mothers is seen as stronger, more powerful, and dominant type of a woman. For instance, this is demonstrated in the text when it says she was a â€Å"determined woman† (p.405), then it later goes on to say she â€Å"Governed the house cunningly and firmly† (p.405). In â€Å"Boys and Girls† the narrator’s mother is described as someone who fulfills the duties of a homemaker. This is demonstrated to the reader when she would talk about how she would do her hair and what type of dress she had to wear to look pretty. Control is something that we all strive for in life, whether it is control over others, or simply control over ourselves. In â€Å"Boys and Girls† the narrator’s wife is without any control of her or anyone else. Demands such as taking care of the children and food preparation were placed in her hand while her husband was engaged in activities that were more important for the family’s outcome of their future. This is revealed by: â€Å"It was an odd thing to see my mother down at th e barn. She did not often come out of the house unless it was to do something – hang out the wash or dig potatoes in the garden† (p.494).This implies that the mother does not have freedom in her life because she is only ever seen outside if she is working. Mrs. Mooney is viewed as in a higher position of control because she is usually the oneShow MoreRelatedWhy Boys Don t Play With Dolls And The Gender Blur : Where Does Biology End And Society Take1330 Words   |  6 Pagesdifference between sex and gender roles. Sex is the biological characteristics in a person. Gender roles are the expectations of how a person should dress and act based on their sex. The majority of individuals accommodate to those roles early on, because of the influences their parents have on them. 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