DBQ on women essays

DBQ on women essays The 17th and 18th centuries saw the beginning stage of the womens movement towards intellectual and social equality with men. Women were weaker physically, bore children as well as nurtured them. The economics and culture of Europe at this time were strongly influenced by religion and resulted in prejudiced acts against women. The dominating religions of Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries reinforced women roles as mothers, wives, and homemakers. Women were considered the weaker sex both physically and mentally. Men and most women assumed that because women gave birth and produced milk for their infants, God intended that their place be in the home. The traditional male ego, as well, did not allow for women to compete with them. Males thought their place was to rule, fight wars, provide income, teach and be the head of his family. Women were not accepted in academics, politics, church leadership (in most religions), business, or the military. Despite these prejudices, women saw an opportunity in the sciences. As a subject based on observations and deductive reasoning some sciences did not necessarily require a comprehensive academic background. Since most women were deprived of the more advanced education that men received, it was an ideal field for them to begin their pursuit of equality. As a result, a growing number of women actively participated in scientific research in chemistry, astronomy, biology, botany and medicine. In documents two and five the womens interests in science, as well as their need for some sort of education were expressed. Document five simply explains that women, as well as men, can hold an interest, as well as succeed in science. In document two, written by Marie Meurdrac, a French scientist, the statement was made that minds have no sex, and if the minds of women were cultivated like those of men, they would be equal to the minds of the latter. It explains a key fac...