Tuesday, January 28, 2020
The Status of Women in Egyptian Society Essay Example for Free
The Status of Women in Egyptian Society Essay The article entitled â€Å"The Status of Women in Egyptian Society†illustrates how Egyptian women enjoyed more rights than their counterparts in ancient times. Unlike other societies where women had lesser rights and opportunities than men, Egyptian society posits men and women as equals. This equality provides Egyptian women the legal and economic rights usually deprived of women. Egyptian women also derive more benefits from marriage than women from other society, according to the article.            In terms of legal and economic rights, Egypt was ahead of other ancient societies in granting the said rights to women (Tyldesley, n. d.). Even when Egypt was under Greek control, Egyptian women still had more rights than the women of Greece. For instance, Greek women cannot represent themselves in legal proceedings; they need male representatives such as fathers, husbands of brothers (Tyldesley, n.d.). In contrast, Egyptian women can represent themselves in legal proceedings; self-representation is only one of the many privileges afforded to women in Egyptian society. Other rights include the right to free slaves, right to adopt, and right to sue (Tyldesley, n.d.). Egyptian women also had the authority to carry out testaments, as well as resolve and end legal settlements (Tyldesley, n.d.). The privileges of women do not end in the legal realm; they also have influence in economy. Egyptian women are allowed to obtain possessions; they could receive gifts from either their spouse or parents. Moreover, they also have the capacity to â€Å"manage, own, and sell†property (Tyldesley, n.d.).            According to the article, Egyptian women retain their rights even after marriage. An Egyptian woman remains independent from her husband after their marriage; he is never her legal guardian (Tyldesley, n.d.). The properties they acquire as a couple may be under the husband’s control, but the wife’s share in that property is recognized as hers. The moment the husband dies, one-third of the property is received by the wife (Tyldesley, n.d.). In conclusion, due to the equality among men and women in Egyptian society, women are fortunate to have the rights and privileges that are not afforded to women in other ancient societies. Reaction            It is such a pleasant thing to discover that in the ancient times, there was room for equality between men and women. In general, women had always been considered as the weaker, more insignificant sex among the two. It is surprising to find that one of the oldest civilizations had a society that placed both men and women in the same level.            It took many years before women can enjoy the similar privileges granted to men. From the right to education to the right to suffrage, women in history had struggled to be afforded the same rights as men. The efforts of these women paid off, as present society has enabled women to assume positions that were only limited to men.            Indeed, modern society has leveled the playing field for both men and women. At present, there are women doctors, professors, lawyers, mechanics, drivers and business executives. Before, women were mostly confined in the home since it was considered as their realm, while the workplace used to be a male territory. This statement no longer holds. Upon closer inspection, however, one would find that the ancient Egyptian society seemed more advanced than modern society. This is because thousands of years before the women’s rights movement came to being, the Egyptian women already had their rights.            If there is one aspect of the article that is met with my disapproval, it is the fact that Egyptian society equates pregnancy with success. It is true that child-rearing and birth are essential features of being a woman. However, she should not be measured by it. There are women who could not have children; this does not imply that she is lesser than her fertile counterparts. To limit the purpose of women in reproduction is in a sense, a way to objectify women in general. The ability to rear a child should not be equated with success, as it would make those who could not bear a child seem worthless. Reference Tyldesley, J. (n.d.). The status of women in Egyptian society. Retrieved March 17, 2008, from http://www.library.cornell.edu/colldev/mideast/womneg.htm
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