The Origin and Evolution of Gender Roles in Modern Western Society: A Misinformed Justification for Inequality

Abstract

Much of Western society’s values originate from the Judeo/Christian faith. For thousands of years, society has upheld outmoded, oppressive gender roles that are based on passages in the Bible. Two of the of the Bible that are most often used to justify the oppression of women are Genesis and I Corinthians. These two books contain the basis of four main ideas about women: the dominion of man over woman, the role of the male as breadwinner of the family, the value of women in relation to material wealth and value compared to others, and the importance of virginity. These four gender roles have permeated literature since their inception. If one looks closely during the period of the early 17th century to the early 21st century, one can see a definite evolution of these ideas. While society has advanced throughout the centuries, only when it eschews outmoded biblical notions can equality truly exist.