P2

Middle Ages

Expectations for Women

You would think that after the rebirth of a nation there would be total change in society’s standards, especially for women. But, of course not. A balance between the sexes will never exists no matter how things change over the years. During the 17th and 18th century women’s main purpose in life was to be at home, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of their children, as it's always been. Meanwhile, men would be educated, going off to work so they can provide for the family. In the Guerrilla Girls’ book, they mention “ even revolutionary thinkers like Rousseau saw a woman’s place, according to both ‘nature’ and ‘reason,’ to be in her home, taking care of those around her” This French philosopher has some nerve to say that women were born to stay locked up in a house and clean all day. It's just absurd.

For the female painters things were pretty much the same...