The Status of Women in Modern Patterns of Culture

Abstract

Modern industrialism makes equality of the sexes possible, but such equality is not likely to be achieved. Two roadblocks, according to W. J. Goode, stand in the way: the domestic and maternal obligations assigned to women and the lack of interest of women in assuming equal responsibilities. Care of the house need not be serious. Nor need motherhood be a serious obstacle if the number of children is small and if aids are supplied by community agencies. The lack of inter est in high-level positions suggests that women are settling for jobs rather than careers. As contrasted with the past, the issues which concern the modern generation have to do with personal, private, even sexual, rights rather than legal, politi cal, and economic rights. Whereas some women seem to have succumbed to the glamour ideal, others move toward the de emphasis of sex. There is beginning to be recognition of the fact that the change in the status of women may have a deleterious effect on men.