Role of Religion in Gender Differentiation

Gender differentiation is explained as the process by which the biological differences observed amongst genders, men, and women, are used to allocate social based responsibilities as well as dictate one’s significance in the society. Various societies use the gender basis as the main method of differentiating the genders and the degree to which the discrimination occurs depending on the society since some have it done extravagantly while others have it moderated. In the contemporary society, the gender discrimination has been the main factor for gender inequality and while some communities struggle to bridge the gap others are very determined and aim at retaining their cultural pedigree. In most instances, the gender inequality is seen to be working against women, suppressing their capabilities and abilities as opposed to the men who are seen to be benefiting from the gender inequality.

In this paper, I’m going to look at Machiavelli’s account of the Florentine history to help me comprehend how women in historical Florentine were simply used as child machines and were assigned to only handle the household duties. Amongst some of the duties, the women were tasked with taking care of the children and most importantly the male child because they were very vital for any family, as he will carry after the father. After the male children grow up they become the leaders and inherits the wealth from their families. The paper will equally look at how women were blocked from leadership roles, a case which remains true to date. Finally, we will look at the role of religion and the art played in ensuring that gender differentiation is fashioned in a much more acceptable form.

Gender differentiation was agitated by the fact that men and women in the society ought to have specific roles assigned to them. In accordance to the objective various techniques were employed in verifying that the values of gender differentiation were correctly incorporated into the society and thus, both, as well as art, were part of the great ways the differentiation would be orchestrated (Machiavelli, 1847). Many women have come out to try and stand-up for gender equality and most countries have responded positively by legislating certain laws that give the female gender the opportunity to actually have space in the male-dominated society. In other states however the cultural integrity is more important and they do not have space for the equality because of their strong pedigree on the responsibilities of both men and women.

Religion plays a very important role in any given society. Many at times religion fashions the cultural practices of societies. Since religion was largely accepted and adopted without much question it was efficiently used in portraying that a woman was inferior to man. The popes in Italy possessed much influence thanks to the growth of the Roman Empire and Theodoric The king of Goths. The woman was accustomed to always be obedient to her man. In Florentine history, Machiavelli depicts the role of the Roman Catholic Church through the pope in designing the differentiation. Women of all the generation are mandated to the failure of the biblical Eva who was created from Adam’s ribs but in the end, allowed herself to be deceived by the devil. As a result of her barbarity the woman was punished with pain at birth and had to be submissive to her man. This preaching was intentionally designed with the idea of having the man placed at an advantageous position over the woman. Religion ensured that the man was always in control over the woman which meant that the man was the dominant being. The men took all the political, economic, religious and social leadership positions and the women were simply left to offer their support to the men in every endeavor they undertook.

We see a case of Theodoric who had great attributes both for war as well as peace and always conquered. We see him taking charge by writing a letter to every district to have their leader so that he can easily command them during a war. Theodoric as a man takes up the leadership position as a man and that enabled him to have all the necessary influence. Upon his death, we see that his son takes over Italy and brought the country to a proper state of greatness. When the son died and his mother took over, Theodatus crossed her, killed her and took over because they believed that the woman was an inferior being to rule them. The popes in the Roman church were all of the male genders since they were believed to be of greater influence. The popes seemed to have a very huge impact since they could easily write letters to the Roman kings and they would respond with the utmost speed and reasoning. The pope would easily recommend an idea to the king and because of the influence they had it would be very easy for their ideas to be implemented. The pope also supported various countries which enabled them to harmonize peace and co-existence among states. All the priests in the Roman Catholic were all men with none of them being a woman. A clear indication that the male gender was seen to be more superior than the female gender.

Role of Art in Gender Differentiation

Art as a piece is generally a form of drawing or sketch that represents something or conveys certain information. Art was greatly used as a method of inculcating the various attributes of gender differentiation in the society. The art forms were presented in several different forms right from drawings that at certain occasions depicted the women as secondary as well as their situation in the society. At times art was used to imply that the society is molded around it. The artists designing the various art forms were very talented and in most instances coached by the dictates of society on how and what their pieces of art should represent. The community then was taught how to interpret the various art forms so as to be able to fully understand the various roles of individuals in the society through the art forms. Women, for instance, would be drawn either with children on their backs or carrying firewood or even cooking meals. Men, on the other hand, would be drawn with spears on their hands wearing animal skin looking mighty and strong. A good instance is some drawing that showed the women having to view the outer world from the window inside their homes. This was a symbol that the woman was confined to house chores as well as the taking care of children and was not tasked with going out to fend for their families (Machiavelli, 1847).

The picture was a clear indication of the amount of freedom they were given in the historical times. The women were seen as much more inferior sex and the message was emphasized through various art forms that were present at the given time in the society. In Florentine history, Machiavelli indicates that the growth of the country depended on how many citizens they had. We see that there was a rapid population increase in order to be able to fill the cities they had captured as well as be able to have enough manpower to defend themselves. The women were to be used in the increase of population and they would then be taking care of the children especially the boys so that the city could grow and have enough soldiers to be able to defend themselves, which again shows the important rule of being a man. This continuous rising of cities and growth of population ensured that the women stayed indoors to be able to protect and nature the children they had given birth to.

In the historical times as well as the contemporary society, men are looked upon as the epitome of authority as well as the decision-makers in their families. The men are usually at the helm of leadership because of entitlement and also being male by default gives one the role of being the leader or the head of any situation. The women are seen as objects meant for giving birth to ensure continuity of families as well as the protection of wealth. At times the women were just trade items that were used to bind different clans found in the Florentine family. In order to make the trade, the families ought to have certain features that were acceptable such as influence, nobility and political influence (Machiavelli, 1847). Towns, as well as cities, were established every single time because of the pride the leaders derived from the settlement into new places by their people. The men were collectively brought together to ensure adequate defense and similar accommodation. People were sent to new countries or colonies that had been acquired through war to establish the new places. Once they had moved to the new country they were required to drastically increase in population because they were prone to attacks from others and this was the role of the women. They gave birth to the children and took good care of them while their husbands went to war to get more colonies as well as protect their own cities.

The new colonies were built like fortresses and were required to be safe with the residents being more orderly and civilized. For instance, when the Romans conquered Carthaginians, Italy immediately became secure from any invasions since the number of buildings as well as occupants were rapidly increasing. The men then moved to locations that they could easily capture colonies from and build their next city. In most cases, the towns they left behind grew much faster and safer as the days went. The women were left behind to be able to build those new towns while the men left to look for other towns.

Over the cause of time, there was the need for a free government and the city was divided into six sections. Twelve people were chosen all of which were men and two of them were each going to manage the cities. They were elected every year to be sure no judicial misconduct was observed. Two judges were also elected to help in the determination of various cases. All this selection and appointments were majorly men oriented.

Conclusion

Men and women have always been differentiated based on gender dating from a long time back in history. Based on several factors the discrimination has always had religious backing, emphasize from art as well as sexuality. The paper looks into Florentine history, Machiavelli where women have always been inferior to men and are in almost all instances been to allocate the duties of a housewife of cooking, taking care of the children as well as giving birth. The historical cities all had a common goal of having so many of their residents in different places and it was the role of the women to give birth in order to fill those places and the men went to fight to be able to secure those cities. It is recommended that we embrace gender equity in the contemporary society to be able to have women taking up some of the duties that for a long time have been attributed to be a man’s work. Women ought to have equal opportunities to be able to also make a change in their societies and places they come from. Equity will enable all the genders to have an equal chance that will offer hope for a better tomorrow.

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