The Changing Role of Women

Throughout the ages, men and women perform different roles in ensuring that the family is cared for. Women were traditionally socialized to be in the private sphere or the home. They are natural nurturers who mainly stayed home and looked after the family. Men were socialized to be in the public space, to work, and take care of the family. Over the years the roles of men and women have changed as more women entered the world of work.

Industrialization brought new opportunities for employment that changed the ideas of work. During this period, women’s roles changed dramatically as their roles were redefined as they relate to the home. Industrialization opened up new opportunities for women as industrial wage earners. Another defining period was the 1960s when women began to enter the workforce in greater numbers. Women replaced men in workplaces during World War II, when male soldiers were away fighting. They supported their families and keep their local economy vibrant.

Having this newfound freedom, women began to get more educated and launched careers that enabled their economic freedom. This led them to share in the economic responsibilities alongside the men. While this was happening, some men abdicated their responsibilities, and women had to pick up the slack. Some became heads of households. Some men were unemployed, are low-wage earners, and therefore women were forced to support the family financially. The role of women has changed over the decades and will continue to change given the dynamic social, political, and economic climate. Women are now in various careers ranging from factory workers, lawyers, doctors, consultants, the armed forces, to name a few.

Positive and Negative Impact Women being in these various careers have impacted the home in many instances as many work outside of the home now, are sometimes are affected by lack of support from other working women who previously provided family support. There is positive and negative impacts in the home as more women are engaged in careers. On the positive side, women’s employment have a beneficial effect on their families as some contribute significantly or are the main bread winners. More women feel a sense of satisfaction and higher self-esteem while pursuing careers. It is said that they raise more independent children, are less likely to suffer from depression. On the negative side, some children are either neglected, rejected, have to care for themselves, are cared for by siblings or caregivers who may not be able to provide that nurturing as well as pass on the right values. Some fathers are absent from the home and do not necessarily share in the nurturing role and so the children are affected because of their working mothers. This can leave the children deprived of the care that would be necessary for proper growth and development. roles that women provide, any altering of their traditional role will definitely impact the home. Focusing on women in careers as having the greatest impact on the home is not necessarily the women’s fault and is not the only reason for the breakdown in certain values and standards. Men too have to take their home responsibilities seriously.

The family was introduced in the Bible from the very beginning in Gen. 1:28. It is the smallest unit in society and the bedrock of the Church and the nation. It is the primary socializing agent which is also responsible for nurturing. God intended for the family to function effectively and for it to maintain the standard of righteousness. The Christian family is one in which the beliefs, values and standards are influenced by the Word of God and grounded in love and care within the home. Both men and women should play their part in managing the affairs of the home to the glory of God.

The solution is for both men and women to partner together prayerfully sharing the responsibilities in the home so that the changing environment can benefit the entire family. A home must be built by the Lord because “unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain” Psalm 127:1

by Jennifer Williams: A Christian for 44 years. Bible teacher, Writer, Administrator, Intercessor.