The social roles of men and women living in New Zealand has changed drastically since the earliest inhabitants discovered the majestic land. I'm not surprised that before the 1900's the role of women in New Zealand was much like that of the rest of the world. In fact, the earliest Europeans to travel to New Zealand and begin a life in the new country were men. Women didn't even travel to New Zealand until the late 1800s.
Until the late 1900s women were seen as inferior to men and were expected to follow their every direction and order. According to Charlotte Macdonald, "Government policy encouraged women to be mothers and homemakers, and men to be workers and fathers. " (Women and Men). Schools even taught subjects that catered to males and females and helped them prepare for these preassigned roles. Families were quite large during this time. Most families had on average 6 kids. I've got the feeling that this was the case all over the world. These "predetermined" roles were consistent all over the world.
In the 1960s the role of men and women drastically changed. I think this was a period of time when government policies and people's perspectives began to change. Women began to join the workforce. Although wages and opportunities were not equal, the acceptance of women working outside of the home gradually grew. The average size of families also shrank during this time. Families no longer had 6 children, and instead most families had three children. I think the change in women's societal roles also changed the way men and women dressed, talked, and behaved in public.
Flash forward to today. You would think that in our day and age men and women would be considered equal and have similar opportunities and experiences. However, in New Zealand that is not the case. According to Charlotte Macdonald, "Men continue to earn more than women, and women still do much of the housework and childcare" (Women and Men). I find this information to be shocking. Were in the 21st century, and yes women and men have evolved since their first years on the islands, but I think its ridiculous that women are still being treated as inferior to men. I think the transformation of the roles of men and women in New Zealand are much like that of the United States and other well developed countries.
Citations:
Macdonald, C. (2013, August 23). Women and men. Retrieved from http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/women-and-men
Montgomerie, D. (2001). The women's war: New zealand women 1939-45. Retrieved from https://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=5734
Until the late 1900s women were seen as inferior to men and were expected to follow their every direction and order. According to Charlotte Macdonald, "Government policy encouraged women to be mothers and homemakers, and men to be workers and fathers. " (Women and Men). Schools even taught subjects that catered to males and females and helped them prepare for these preassigned roles. Families were quite large during this time. Most families had on average 6 kids. I've got the feeling that this was the case all over the world. These "predetermined" roles were consistent all over the world.
In the 1960s the role of men and women drastically changed. I think this was a period of time when government policies and people's perspectives began to change. Women began to join the workforce. Although wages and opportunities were not equal, the acceptance of women working outside of the home gradually grew. The average size of families also shrank during this time. Families no longer had 6 children, and instead most families had three children. I think the change in women's societal roles also changed the way men and women dressed, talked, and behaved in public.
Flash forward to today. You would think that in our day and age men and women would be considered equal and have similar opportunities and experiences. However, in New Zealand that is not the case. According to Charlotte Macdonald, "Men continue to earn more than women, and women still do much of the housework and childcare" (Women and Men). I find this information to be shocking. Were in the 21st century, and yes women and men have evolved since their first years on the islands, but I think its ridiculous that women are still being treated as inferior to men. I think the transformation of the roles of men and women in New Zealand are much like that of the United States and other well developed countries.
Citations:
Macdonald, C. (2013, August 23). Women and men. Retrieved from http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/women-and-men
Montgomerie, D. (2001). The women's war: New zealand women 1939-45. Retrieved from https://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=5734