Women in Time

Some Considerations Incomplete Men Lesser Human Beings Weak Physically Emotionally Intellectually

Anthropological

Four Basic Status of Women Slave/Servant Domestic Hierarchical Egalitarian

Slave/Servant In times past women have been seen as a slave or servant In this capacity the women’s role was to do whatever she was told by men. She was “bought” (via marriage sometimes) for the purpose of the man. She had few rights and could be easily dismissed/sold.

She was not worth very much. She only had as much right as her value. She was looked down upon. The woman’s spiritual status varies.

Domestic In this capacity women attended the duties of the home. She was responsible for the household functions. She raised children. See saw to the needs of her husband. She was measured by her husbands occupation and how well her children behaved and how well she kept the house.

Domestic Although she was recognized as a human being often she was not consulted on issues concerning her. Her rights were tied to her husbands class. Her work was limited to the “home.” Spiritual status varied. In early Christianity women were priests—in later times they were not.

Hierarchical In this setting women’s roles are considered important but are not as important as the role of men. Women are still responsible for the home. She is still tied to her husband’s occupation/class

Hierarchical Although she may work outside of the home she is still subject to men. Note: Spiritually women are “equal” to men. Women as priest (by some) is heretical.

Egalitarian In this view women are equal to men in capacity for potential and importance in society. Women are afforded the same rights as men. Women’s duties and responsibilities equal and as varied as men.

Egalitarian Partnership No longer strictly in the home. Both men and women share in responsibility in home Women can be priests and head of denominations. Women can be interpreters of the Bible, etc.

Women and the Bible

A Sample of Verses Genesis 3:16b (Genesis 3) 1 Corinthians 14:34 (1 Cor. 14:26-39) Ephesians 5:22 (Eph. 5) 1 Timothy 2:12 (1 Tim. 2)

Sources torian/womanq/imiron.htm /Women'sEqualityDayposter.jpg