Aristocracy
It is especially interesting to look at the role of women in politics throughout history. In many societies of old, the woman’s role was strictly related to her ability to bear children, form marriages, and continue the ancestral line of her family. To a much bigger degree than men, women were by the virtue of their birth to fulfill a role-specific to their biological makeup. This peculiarity not only limited the available career choices for a woman but also shaped societal expectations of what a successful woman should be. Women of all walks of life were largely expected to devote themselves to nurturing and supporting others instead of actively discovering their ambitions or initiating important historic events. The political influence of female figures of power was mostly restricted to making negotiation and allegiance easier, having been regarded as a bargaining chip to some degree. Although an ability to participate in a political process is undoubtedly invaluable and beneficial, the fact that the available range options for women were limited by their lineage and ability to raise children is concerning.
Tribal Politics
Much like in later times, the roles of women were in a major way dictated by their biological abilities and differences from men. Curiously, even today, many individuals inform their understanding of femininity by referring to tribal times. The notion of women acting on the sidelines, while occasionally being given an ability to meaningfully contribute to larger societal structures is still appealing to many conservative individuals. Although many of the structural mechanisms of tribal societies were reviewed and changed throughout the years, a woman’s role somehow manages to rigidly persist. It is notable, however, that women were more influential in local politics before the overwhelming influence of euro-centrism. It can be speculated that without the violent colonization effort of the past, many of the modern society’s views on women might have been drastically different.
Women and Politics in the Twentieth Century
In the twentieth century, a woman’s political role has changed drastically. In both societal management and the war effort, women were a necessary asset to every community. While the male population was largely fighting on the front lines, women were responsible for helping countries operate through hard labor, childrearing, and other types of support. The workforce was greatly expanded by using women, and many of them managed to prove as capable as men in their positions. Both the responsibilities and the opportunities for women greatly expanded, allowing many to participate in the political process. Especially curious is that after the war, with major losses among the population, women were once again responsible for helping the countries of the world recover their population. The restrictive notions of the nuclear family and the rigid social structure of the consecutive historic periods were largely established as a response to the events of the 20th century. While women had the ability to break free of their homemaking role, the period after the second world war effectively bound them back to their homes.