A while ago I spoke to my Grandmother about what it was like for her growing up in the 1930's - 40's. She couldn't stress enough that marriage was always her ultimate goal. Education and a career were trivial matters. This mentality clearly carries through to the 50's: In The Hours, one of the plots is set in the 50's and the character Laura stays home and is expected to perform tasks designated to the female sphere such as taking care of the children, cooking and cleaning. However, this particular division of roles leaves women financially dependent on men. In A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, Mary Wollstonecraft highlights the potential issues surrounding this situation. She postulates that if a woman is "trained up to obedience" and her husband dies then "a double duty devolves on her; to educate [her children] in the character of both father and mother; to form their principles and secure their property. But, alas! she has never thought, much less acted for herself. She has only learned to please men, to depend gracefully on them" (51-52). What is interesting is that my grandmother's mother did not have a good relationship with her husband. Unfortunately, she was compelled to stay with him for financial purposes. I would think if my grandmother witnessed that, she would try to not end up in a similar position. I think in the Western world an education and career are encouraged for females, but I still know many women who depend fully on their husbands for economic support.
My grandmother also made it clear that she never discussed anything related to sex with her friends or family. Those things were unspoken of. I think that is one area where our society hasn't made much progress. Eve Ensler gives us an example of people being afraid to say sexual words when she says, "Women call up for tickets to the "Monologues...The punk ticket seller tells women that if they can't say it, they can't come" (xxx). Just the other day my mom saw my book downstairs and asked if I needed to bring the "Monologues" to school with me. It is clear that even in the 21st century women feel uncomfortable using the term vagina. I don't understand how sex can be so prevalent in our society, where it is portrayed in ads and all over the television, yet people still can't talk about it.
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