Throughout history women have been losing their rights in Egypt. In 2010 the Egyptian women took a stand, and revolted. Men believe that a woman’s self-worth is very low, they are no longer in the Egyptian government (Hosea, 2011). Even though they cannot partake in government, they are allowed to vote. In modern Egypt, women are allowed the same legal educational rights as men, giving both genders the freedom to be literate (Sullivan, 2007). Unlike ancient times, women now must wear veils and engage in gender segregation. In schools, work, and social gatherings women and men must be segregated (Sullivan, 2007). Women continue to fight for equal rights as they once had in ancient Egypt.
Since ancient Egyptian society based equality on social class and not gender, men and women were essentially equal. Those that were in the middle and lower class all had the same rights and roles, and the Egyptians that were a part of the nobles and higher societal class all had the same rights, no matter the gender. The man’s main role in Egyptian society was to take care of the sons of their family. The men were appointed to teach their sons how to provide for a family on their own. Occupationally men grew crops, built for the pharaohs and themselves, and the men sold, bought, and traded items. Young men were often referred to as “the staff of his father” because it was the father’s duty to teach his son the occupational career that was given to him (Brewer, 2004). Men held many leadership positions and were the pharaohs and kings of Egypt for many years. Men were able to freely own, purchase, sell, trade, and buy all types of property. Unlike women of this time, men were able to give property as gifts, not just receive them. Unlike the women of this time men did not tend to any of the household or family matters, they worked outside and for the kings and pharaohs (Brewer, 2004).
In modern day Egypt men are given a great amount of power. Socially, occupationally, and politically, men are given more freedom and power than women. Like women, men are able to vote. Unlike ancient Egyptian times, only men are allowed to be a part of the Egyptian government, they are the sole leaders of the country (Hosea, 2011). Egyptian men still teach their sons valuable skills as they did in the ancient times. They still believe that is important for the family name and occupation be passed down to each generation (Thomas, 2011). Occupationally modern Egyptian men are traders, sellers, buyers, crop growers, and businessmen. Many work in churches and in the marketplaces of Egypt. Men in Egypt are given educational rights and are highly encouraged to become literate in more than one language. They believe that those in power must have a good education. Most men in modern Egypt are focused on not giving Egyptian women equal rights; they believe that woman are socially lower than men in every way (Hosea, 2011). By keeping a hold of the power the men can continue to reign over Egypt however they choose.
After researching the roles of men and women in both ancient and modern Egypt I found the information fascinating. My main question is, where in history did the Egyptian society completely change their views on how women should be treated? Honestly, I believe that the ancient Egyptians had the right idea on societal roles. Women are valuable to society in more ways than one. Politically, they offer new insight and differing views from those that a man would have. Women are also good at more than just staying home and cleaning and caring for children. In modern Egypt they are disregarded and seen as the equivalent of trash. They are considered close to worthless in politics, economics, business, and most areas of society. During my research I could not find when the shift happened in history. Women used to be regarded as equals to men, but now they do not have any societal power.
APA Citations:
Brewer, D. (2004). Ancient egyptian society and family life. Retrieved from http://fathom.lib.uchicago.edu/2/21701778/
Hosea, L. (2011, March 23). A woman. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12819919
Picone, P. (2012). The status of women in ancient egyptian society. Retrieved from http://www.virtual-egypt.com/newhtml/special/women/
Sullivan, E. (2007). The public role of women in modern egypt. Retrieved from http://www.catherinecollegelibrary.net/college/sullivan2.asp
Thomas, B. (2011, March 8). Why does democracy and freedom in egypt leave out women?. Retrieved from http://integralthinkers.com/featured/why-does-democracy-and-freedom-in-egypt-leave-out-women/