R2815thand16th

28. Gender roles and their influence on work, social structure, family structure, and interest group formation

//The Book of the City of Ladies//, by Christine de Pizan, explores gender equality in all fields of work, politics, and roles in society. Pizan felt that women were not given enough credit for their influence and contribution to others and deserved the chance to be political figureheads, hold the same jobs as men, be given equal pay, etc. She defends women’s rights and criticizes those who believe rape is not a criminal act. Pizan developed characters such as Lady Reason to show virtues women possess. She argues that men believe education is wasted on women, although they could hold equally impressive jobs and contribute just as much to intellectual advancement.

McKay, John P. __A History of Western Society__. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2003