The Wife Of Bath's Tale And The Men We Carry In Our Minds

The concept of gender roles is defined as what behaviors are deemed to be acceptable and desirable for a person based on their sex. These generalizations have major effects on both genders; however, they have a significant negative impact on women. The stories “The Wife of Bath’s Tale”, “The Men We Carry in Our Minds”, and “Saudi Women Defy Driving Law” explore some of the commonly seen generalizations surrounding both genders and how they affect the two and how they have changed.

Throughout history women were viewed as the inferior gender. This is evident especially throughout the medieval times. Geoffrey Chaucer’s poem “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” explores some of the generalizations that have been seen throughout history about women as well …show more content…
Sanders writes that in his youth that “the men I knew labored with their bodies”. While there has been a decline in the percentage of men who labor for living, the generalization of men having strong bodies still exist. Men are pressured to have strong bodies and be hard workers. This generalization had more of an impact before and into the mid 20th century, it is still very applicable to modern society. Another generalization Sander’s addresses is career interest of men. He speaks on his interest in the arts and how they are often associated with his opposite gender. He writes “I was slow to understand the deep grievances of women. This was because, as a boy, I had envied them. Before college the only men I had known who were interested in art or music or literature, the only one who read books, the only ones who seemed to enjoy a sense of ease and grace were mothers and daughters”. The areas of interest that Sander’s speaks of are not associated with the concept of masculinity. This is a common theme in today 's society as well, gender roles play into what activities are deemed to be masculine or feminine. For example, watching or participating in sports is coupled with the idea of being masculine were as an activity such as fashion is paired with being …show more content…
This can been seen in the push for the 19th amendment. In more recent years, women’s rights is gaining traction in other countries that typically view women as inferior. For example the New York Times article “Saudi Women Defy Driving Law” By Neil MacFarquhar addresses protest raised by Saudi Arabian women over the current laws than ban them from driving. While it is not a nationwide protest it has gained significant support, even from some law enforcement: “(Maha al -Qahtani) braced for a siren after passing each of about five police cars, she said, but they ignored her”. This is symbolic of how gender roles are changing despite the cultural traditions surrounding them. Even police officers who are tasked with enforcing the laws of their country believe that the stereotypes that women are not as capable as men. Because the protest has gained support by many in Saudi Arabia there is a possibility that more protest will follow. The article writes “The initiative for women to drive was the strongest effort so far in the kingdom inspired by the regional climate”. This shows that the Saudi women are becoming more confident to break out the role they have been placed into. The protest could be seen as a changing point for women 's rights in their country. It is the biggest