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Allegra Rodnunsky

Jennifer Rodrick

English 115

24 October 2018

The Identity of Women

Identity is a concept in which gender heavily determines the outcome. In focusing on

women’s ever changing identity, in the environment of, American Society, abortion, careers, and

politics all affect a woman’s role. In the United States women are the majority at 52%

approximately 155 million. This large group is by no means homogenous, but there are many

issues that primarily affect women and there is definitely trends and efforts that have either

benefited or adversely harmed women. In a quick historical summary going as far back as

biblical times when women were considered almost chattel, through the increasing demand for

equality to present day - the overall plight of woman has been an ongoing struggle. Suffragette

and the right to vote only happened as recently as 1921. The equal rights amendment was only

first considered in 1965 and has still not been enacted to any degree. The recent “Me Too”

movement against sexual harassment and to respect women’s personal space, assault

accusations, rights, and peace of mind would appear way overdue.

Even though women may have begun being considered important through their vote after

1921, there was not a terrific change in their position in society until the 1960’s and the women’s

equality movements. The right to contraception and abortion is quite recent and is again in

jeopardy. Women’s rights and battles are quite different in coastal cities than they are in rural

areas of the country, namely the bible belt of the Southeast. California, New York and Chicago
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are unlikely to ban abortion, but vast areas of the middle of the country already make it difficult

for women to have an abortion. Abortion rights and contraception are just one part of women’s

issues; economics, child rearing, job opportunities, marriage are also very important.

As society began to change after WW2 and women began to become a bigger part of the

workforce, women’s goals, demands and opportunities changed. In fact, the entire economy

changed from a one earner family to a two earner family. Although this allowed women more

independence, it could be argued that it also doubled the workforce and drove down individual

incomes. Thus requiring a two income home. As mentioned earlier not all women think alike,

some women especially in child bearing years with small children might prefer not to have to

grind it out in the workforce on top of their full time requirements of child rearing. Some family

therapy experts have argued that mother child bonding requires women to be around full time for

the proper development of the child. A mom working 40 hours a week and using childcare may

not be optimal for child development especially in formative earlier years, ages 1-5. Being a

mother and having a career is not only difficult for the child but for the mother as well and with

job markets shifting dramatically, many women are unable to shift quickly as single men because

of child rearing responsibilities. This results in unequal opportunities for women.

We live in a changing society that is constantly adapting and changing to interest group

pressures. The balance of power is still with men making the decisions. There are two women on

the supreme court, there are 42 out of 512 women in the House of Representatives, there are 12

female US Senators out of 100. There are 12 out of 50 Governors, and there has never been a

female President. In a representative democracy where 52% of the population is women, their

gender is clearly not being properly represented. Extremists are regularly trying to pass laws
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against “Family Leave”, abortion, family and child care assistance, after school programs, and

more. Also, the religious fanatical laws that are against the modern family structure and that

often wish to take women back to their roles medieval times. Women’s opportunities are still not

equal to men’s in the workforce or in politics for that matter. Women are still traditionally paid

15% less than men for the same work. Numerous women’s groups continually fight to level the

playing field in many areas. Unfortunately with the current state of governance in the United

States and Democracy itself potentially under threat, many civil and equal rights issue are getting

little media attention.

In conclusion, identity is nearly completely determined on gender being that women have

less opportunities than men simply due to being a woman. It has been too often they are being

shot down, women need to have continued opportunities and choices. Ultimately, we are very

underrepresented politically and have still not reached the level of opportunity and power and

influence as men. It is said the pendulum swings towards equality and justice, but it does not

swing without effort.