Breaking the Mold: Unveiling the Women

In contemporary society, women are more commonly engaged in paid employment than ever before. Despite this, they continue to bear the brunt of household duties upon returning home from work. In fact, on an average day, nearly half of women will perform housework, whereas only 20 percent of men will do the same. Women also spend considerably more time than men in tasks such as scrubbing toilets or doing laundry, amounting to an additional three hours per week. Meanwhile, men carve out an extra three hours of leisure time. Even among mothers who work full-time, the amount of time spent on household chores is significantly greater than that of their male partners, exceeding a week and a half's worth of additional work per year. The prevalence of gender-based disparities in the distribution of household labor calls for an explanation.

The notion of women being associated with household work is a prevalent societal construct. However, it is imperative to understand the underlying factors that have led to this gendered division of labor.

During prehistoric times, social norms were predominantly based on physical strength. Women, being naturally less physically strong than men, were not tasked with hunting and other physically demanding activities. Instead, they were given the responsibility of catering to men's needs and desires, such as through food preparation. While this practice may not have been formalized as a norm at that time, as human societies evolved and formed, gender-based roles became institutionalized.

A recent class discussion on this topic raised questions on the origins of this division of labor. One argument put forth was that women's complacency in accepting these norms led to atrocities against them. However, it is important to note that during prehistoric times, neither men nor women were as intellectually developed as they are now. The fight for position and status in society was predominantly based on physical prowess.

While the origin of gender-based labor distribution may be traced back to prehistoric times, it is important to analyze the societal and cultural factors that have led to its perpetuation. Understanding the evolution of gender roles and norms is essential to promote gender equity and empower women in all spheres of life.

Throughout human history, vessels such as pots and pans have been a ubiquitous part of daily life. In prehistoric times, men were primarily responsible for hunting and food gathering while women tended to the household and children. This division of labor created a more efficient system for survival. It is worth considering whether, at the time, women were viewed as symbols of beauty. It is possible that the men who created these vessels imbued them with qualities they perceived as attractive in women, resulting in functional objects that were also aesthetically pleasing. If we examine the shapes and forms of these vessels more closely, we may see a connection to earlier discussions in our class. We discussed how women in prehistoric times were not viewed primarily as objects of beauty. Art from this period is often characterized by blunt and bold representations of the human form, with little intricate detailing. If women were not necessarily considered attractive, the only thing that might have been appealing to men was their bodies. It is possible that this fascination with the female body led potters and craftsmen to incorporate its elements into their work. The shape of a woman's body is visually appealing, and a vessel shaped like a woman's body could also be seen as visually appealing. It is unlikely that women at the time were intellectually developed enough to understand the logic behind this. One could argue that the shapes were simply part of nature, like the shape of an apple or a pear. However, it is also possible that women were being objectified, as they were often considered as a source of pleasure for men. It is important to acknowledge that neither men nor women at the time were intellectually advanced enough to understand the implications of their creations and how they might reinforce gender roles and stereotypes.

Many figures of worship and decoration from early civilizations have been of women, such as the Mother Goddess of the Indus Valley Civilization. Today, there is a prevalent fascination with the female body that often results in objectification. This is seen in various industries such as fashion, sports, and education where female bodies are on display to attract attention and sales. The objectification of women in advertising and media can be attributed to the fact that society is male-dominated and has been fascinated by the female form since ancient times.

The promotion of products through objectifying women has become so commonplace that it seems to be the only way to sell things. However, it is worth noting that many women do not mind being objectified, as it gives them a sense of beauty and enhances their self-esteem. This is because women have always been a part of fascination and attraction in society. For instance, when I was young, I felt like a girl for the first time when I had my first boyfriend. He made me feel physically and mentally different from him, and I suddenly started to appreciate low-cut dresses and cleavage. Thus, women being objectified is not always a negative thing, as it can boost their self-confidence.

The objectification of women is not a new phenomenon; it has been prevalent for ages. For example, the konark temple in India is known for its robust sculptures, which were created to distract men from the influence of Buddhism and encourage them to stay at home with their families. Women have always been used as a tool to sell products or ideas. If men were the ones whose bodies were objectified and attracted attention, and if fashion trends led to the creation of shoes that accentuated men's behinds, something like this could never have happened because women have too many assets that attract attention.

Objectification of women in advertising and media is prevalent due to the male-dominated society's fascination with the female form. While it can have negative consequences, it can also boost a woman's self-confidence. Ultimately, the problem lies within society itself, and it is up to us to address and correct these issues.

The worship of Goddesses likely originated from the recognition of women's ability to procreate and their general nurturing, caring, and protective characteristics, which have been stereotypically associated with women. The Mother Goddess was likely believed to be the mother of all humans. Throughout human history, women have been assigned the task of looking after the home and children, while men have typically been responsible for hunting and work. This division of roles has been passed down through the ages, resulting in the idea that a woman's place is in the kitchen.

This can be observed in the fact that cookbooks have historically been read and written primarily by women. For example, Lydia Maria Child's The Frugal Housewife was the most popular cookbook in America in the 1850s, but it also described how women should behave. Although such ideas may seem outdated today, they reflect customary gender roles that were prevalent in the 19th century.

Despite women's awareness of their independence and ability to pursue any career, they often still assume the submissive caretaker role in a household situation. This may be because of long-standing social norms, rather than any deliberate thought or consideration. However, the current generation is actively defying such norms and challenging traditional gender roles.

It is important to question why such norms have persisted for so long, especially given that they are based on physical strength, rather than any inherent qualities of gender. Women have been restricted from developing themselves and pursuing their goals because of societal expectations. This reflection highlights the need for a continued effort to dismantle gender-based norms and promote equality.

In addition to their daily routine, individuals seek entertainment through various activities such as sexual intercourse or outdoor recreation. Despite women historically having body hair and being considered less physically attractive, their physical appearance did have the tendency to sexually attract men. As a result, women were often viewed as a source of entertainment and pleasure for a significant amount of time.

The unique silhouette of women was particularly intriguing, leading to the creation of patterns and forms that complemented their body shapes. For instance, the torso of a woman fits seamlessly with the shape of a pot, allowing them to carry it with ease for long distances. Some argue that men desire to conquer objects they do not possess, leading to an interest in female forms. This may explain why utensils and kitchenware are often inspired by the female body. However, the notion of cushions and pillows resembling women’s bodies may appear illogical.

One explanation could be that cushions and bolsters resemble stereotypical female body types, providing a more feminine aesthetic to the household. Another possibility could be related to the sexual attraction that men have towards women. Perhaps it is an attempt to fill a void that men have for a woman's touch. Alternatively, it may serve as a way for everyone to feel secure, as a motherly figure often represents the ultimate sense of security.

Despite the intriguing nature of these concepts, the question remains as to why everything in society seems to be objectified to our body types. It can often appear as if the sole purpose of our existence is to satisfy the needs of men. The lack of intellectual thinking and application towards creating a more balanced and progressive society is concerning. The reality is that we seem to be far from achieving such a dream, as physical strength and beauty continue to be heavily emphasized.

However, it is encouraging to note that progress is being made towards equality and shared responsibilities in households. Cooking books and recipes now feature men as chefs, a significant shift from the traditional gender roles of the past. Despite the lack of clarity surrounding why households are modeled after women and why women are assigned specific roles, there are attempts to move away from these norms and forge a more equitable and inclusive society.