Women in Government free essay sample

Culture is defined as customary beliefs and behaviors of a specific social group and traditions and rituals become a part of everyday living (Miller, 2007). In today’s modern world there are still customs that are passed down from one generation to the next generation. In American culture as well as Japanese culture the role of women has evolved to present day. Women play a significant role in American culture today.Women hold positions of power such as Hiliary Clinton, current Secretary of State and Nancy Poloski the current Speaker of the House of Representatives. Many years ago this would have not have been the case women were not allowed to vote. Over time culture has shaped the role of women in America today. In previous culture of women involved women to stay home, not work and raise the children. If a women did work it was in a capacity as a school teacher which was a popular career so that type of work was acceptable, but for a woman to run hold a place in political office was unheard of. We will write a custom essay sample on Women in Government or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page As time has evolved American women gained the right to vote and demanded to be treated equal to men in all ways. In today’s society women not only raise children but spend a great deal of time working outside the home to help support their families. In some cases men stay home with the children while women go out to earn money to support the family. 100 years ago that was not as common as it is today. In American culture women have learned their role by example from their mother or grandmother’s ways of how to be a women.American women today do not expect a man to be the sole provider of the family and it is not looked down upon women who are single parents and are taking care of children without the help of the father. The media also plays an important role in the identity of women today (Miller, 2007). A good example of this the show The Bachelorette on ABC. This show shows the life an independent woman looking for love. The usual profile is of a woman who is good looking but looking for someone she can spend the rest of her life with.It is not because she needs a man to take care of her but because she wants someone special to share life experiences with. This show usually shows the woman in a positive light. Japanese women have faced numerous changes in their society in the past 150 years (Friedman, 1992). The women of Japan have struggled with the ways of American women, admiring, imitating, fighting, and ultimately wanting to have the same rights as western women (Friedman, 1992). Since the early 1960s, women in Japan were allowed to vote in elections however they did not have equal participation in decision making in regard to Japanese legislature. There were very few women in high positions of power in government and women were treated far less than equal to men (Friedman, 1992). Currently there are no laws against a woman running for public candidacy but they are underrepresented in local and national government. Why? Centuries ago women were consider to be less equal to men and were subservient to their husbands.Women were not allowed to work based on previous beliefs and culture of women of Japan. In 1999 new law was added to Japanese legislature stating that Japan is a Gender-Equal Society and is based on respect for the human rights of women and men. The amendment set precedence and paved the way for women to be treated equally to men (Friedman, 1992). The role of women has evolved in both American and Japanese culture. The ways of women 100 years ago does not reflect the lifestyles of modern women today. The media, as well as family background shape the roles of women all over the world.