Overshadowing equality

The role of women changed dramatically throughout the 20th century. The early years of the century brought women the right to vote. World War II brought many women into the workforce, where they remained. The 1960's and 1970's brought women more rights and affirmative action. In the 1980's, women were the super moms; holding down a full-time job, motherhood, and PTA duty for moms whose children were in school.

Now that we are in the 21st century, the role of women has had its biggest change in history. Women are taking the challenge of professional careers.

According to Microtrends by Mark Penn, the rose of women in “wordy” professions has radically increased. This means that women are turning to law, journalism and public relations. However, these are not the only careers on the rise. Almost all of America retains twice as many women than men in a particular profession. The only difference remains in the male counterpart remaining in executive spots as woman try to clime there way up but fail.

Some say that this drive for making it to the top is causing women to focus more on work and less on family. While this may be true, I believe that it is the change in society values that has had more of an influence on the “traditional family”.

Penn states in his book, “Society is becoming more open, more tolerant, and ultimately more able to build on self-suppression rather than suppressing it.” This is absolutely true. Not only has American society opened its mind to ideas about homosexuality and religion but also about single-parent homes and divorce.

In 1999, Tom Smith, Director of the General Social Survey and author of “The Emerging 21st-Century American Family”, gave an interview to The University of Chicago Chronicle predicting the new living situation of the 21st century. He states, “Because of divorce, cohabitation and single parenthood, a majority of families rearing children in the next century probably will not include the children’s two biological parents. Moreover, most households will not include children.”

Americans has become accustomed to marriage being portrayed as a sacred union that one should not break. If it was broken than it would be a disgrace to one’s family and church. No longer is this the case.

Both men and women are free to decide whether or not they want to marry and reproduce. It is their decision how life is divided among work and home. No longer is it unacceptable for a woman to spend many long hours in a downtown office instead of at a home cooking and cleaning. Americans are opening their minds to new ideas and accepting the outcome.
The United States of America prides itself on equality. The fact that women finally have an opportunity to be equal to men in society should not be overshadowed by a preconceived notion that a traditional family should exist.

Women in professional careers are not the leading factor in the decline of children or the rise in divorce rates. There is more than one way to live life and more opportunities available for those who choose to stray from ancient traditions and beliefs. Times are changing and so are the minds of Americans.