Women During The Enlightenment Essay

In today’s society we commonly refer to women as a “sex symbol”. Even if we do not literally say it, we see examples of it every day in the media. As we drive on the highway, we pass large billboards of headless women in little lingerie outfits. Generally, they are skinny, large-breasted women. When we watch a Dallas Cowboy’s game on the TV, we see shots of the Cowboy’s cheerleaders in their tight, skimpy, outfits jumping around and shaking their pomp oms. We see this sexual exploitation of women everywhere and it has become the new societal norm. Are women “solely” responsible for the image they create in mass media? No, but then who is responsible for the image of women in the media? It is hard to tell. We can look back and see the limitations women faced in their everyday lives. …show more content…
Yet, there were very few real impulses for revolution in the traditional gender roles during the time. The Enlightenment was an era where philosophers began emerging ideas based on logic and reason, rather than the established truth of religion, which challenged the very basis on which traditional gender roles were established. Many philosophers were focused on worldly views based on reason and human understanding which they believe would lead to beneficial changes for society. During the Enlightenment women were seen as insatiable, easily swayed, and morally faulty. Their opinions had little significance and many believed that their place was within the home. However, in the Enlightenment period, women were starting to overcome the idea that they were not worthy as a voice of reason. Women, along with male allies, started to argue that women can use rational thought and can also grow with education. However, men challenged this notion by using science to find ways to disprove the theories that women had a place in society. Yet, women pushed on and found ways to have their voices