The Family Role of Women in the West and Contemporary Criticism: An Analytical Study

Abstract

The domestic role of women in Western society and the feminist critique of this role have been pivotal topics in historical, social, and intellectual discourse. Women's roles have evolved across different periods, with feminist movements challenging the traditional structures that define their rights, status, and place in society. The first wave of feminism, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, focused primarily on legal rights, such as suffrage and property ownership. The second wave, from the 1960s to the 1980s, addressed cultural and social issues, including gender roles, sexual independence, and domestic violence. The third wave, beginning in the 1990s, expanded feminist perspectives to encompass diverse women's experiences, factoring in race, class, and sexual orientation, while critiquing deeply ingrained gender biases in Western thought. Historically, women in ancient Greek and Roman civilizations were largely confined to domestic duties and child-rearing. During the middle Ages, religious institutions emphasized the sanctity of women’s family roles, although their status remained subordinate to men. The Industrial Revolution opened new economic opportunities for women, leading to the emergence of a dual role as homemakers and workers, and prompting a shift in the balance between home and professional life. In the 20th century, women increasingly participated in both domestic and professional spheres, resulting in changing family structures, including the rise of single-parent and nuclear families. While family roles have become more flexible in modern times, traditional family structures appear to be weakening, contributing to challenges in child-rearing and family stability. Feminist critics such as Simone de Beauvoir, in The Second Sex, condemned Western depictions of women as the "second sex," while Betty Friedan, in The Feminine Mystique, examined the identity crisis of American housewives. Judith Butler further expanded feminist discourse by challenging gender as a social construct and critiquing gender-based discrimination in Western society. This paper explores the historical evolution of women’s family roles in the West, the influence of feminist movements on family life, and the significant feminist critiques of Western family structures.

Keywords:   Western Civilization, Feminist Criticism, Western Family Life, Cultural Identity, Western Thoughts