Roles Of Women In The Developed And The Developing World Essay, Research Paper

The differences between the Roles of Women in the Developed and the Developing World

Women consist of half the world?s population and do two-third of the world?s working hours. However, they can only receive one tenth of money and own one hundred of property (?Women? 10). In spite of inequality enjoyed by men and women, there are distinct differences between the roles of women in the developed and the developing world- in the house and outside the house.

Women in the developing countries bear a much heavier burden in the house than that in the developed countries. Take China and USA as an example. Chinese women almost devote themselves to their families. Husbands and children are regarded as focus of their lives. Sometimes they give up their careers, hobbies and interest for the sake of the families. Due to the poor medical condition and the traditional family concept that women are historical entitled of the task to give a birth to a baby boy, not many of them use modern contraceptive methods to control their family size. In this case, ?on average, women in poor countries tend to have twice as many babies as women in the rich countries? (?Women? 10). As we know, China is taking on ?One Child Policy?. Actually, it?s very hard to be implemented, especially in poorly educated areas. In America, although women also have ?double burden?, which means that women now work ?in factory, shop or office as well as in the home as cook, cleaner, child rearer, shopper and homemaker? (Hall 21), they don?t think the family is the most important thing. To realize their dreams is the answer. Today, there are various housework training courses popular with American men. Men are obliged to share the housework.

There are also differences regarding women?s roles outside their houses. Firstly, women in the poor countries have to bear stronger physical intensity, while those in the wealthy countries mental intensity. Millions of women in the Third World struggle more than 16 hours in the field each day (Adamson 20). They do not get much training and technology help in agriculture. On the contrary, the use of new equipment like tractors have lengthened their working hours and strengthened their laboring intensity (Adamson 20). Nevertheless, in the industrialized countries, computerization provides women with a change in working patterns. More and more women take part in mental works.

Secondly, almost women in the developed world have a relatively equal education opportunity. While in the developing world, only 30% of female are literated (?Women?10). This situation decides that women in the industrialized countries are more active in political and social issues. There more and more women join various election campaigns as candidates and equal pay movements. Their social communication circles are more independent, having their own ways to take a big part of social activities. However, in the agricultural countries women are indifferent to politics. They seldom care for the things happening around themselves inside nation, regardless of international of theirs. Speaking of social communication, they rarely show up on some formal social occasions. They are supposed to stay at home, taking care of the kids. Their social communication circles are naturally narrowed.

The whole society has to do things to improve women?s condition in life, work, health and education, and to reduce the differences between the roles of women in the developed and the developing world. Everybody in this society is responsible for this task.

Work Cited:

Adamson, Peter. ?Women Work Twice as Hard as Men.?

New Internationalist. 89(1980): 20

Hall, Eve. ?Industrialized World?

New Internationalist 89(19880): 21

Women?s work—-the facts?

New Internationalist 90(1980): 10-11