Question

The roles Indigenous men and women played within their own communities changed dramatically after contact. How did these roles change? Why did they change? And do we still see the effects of these changes today?

Answer 1

In earlier centuries men and women had their roles defined and set. Both had totally diverse roles to play in their communities. Throughout centuries men have protected and provided necessary things for their families,in case man days they gathered firewood,invented tools,killed animals, protected their families. While women in those days stayed home,created murals,cooked food and raised their children.

From that time up until late 1970s roles were set and defined foren and women but slowly with changing time and needs role changed, recent years show the line between amle and female roles is becoming blurred. Men are these days taking active part in homemaking and childrearing and women are thriving in business world.

Changes in role of women - Initially women were meant to exclusively attend to household tasks. For a women marriage was considered to be her destiny,their academic career was discontinued early in order to concentrate on household, women became economically dependent on their men, as they gave up education and work. But gradually with changing time they were provided access in schools,they were provided necessary education to be in equivalence with their male counterpart. Gradually women started entering many areas after acquiring necessary education, later equal wages were being payed to both men and women because of legal pya act. Which brought reforms. Today women have entered all possible fields and are equivalent with men in all the aspects.

Changes in role of men - Men who were only considered to work outside their houses and were the bread winners were no more having the same role, yes there has been role reversals in many cases and instances ,now in this modern era to be wquivaequi with females men have started taking care of their household in abscence of their wives,they do take care of the children back home, cook for their families etc.

The roles changed gradually with changing time and needs of the time. As female strarted breaking the stereotypes of the society,started venturing their interest, received help.and necessary support to become independent changes began to happen.men and women both strated searching and establishing their own existence, which gradually led to role changes.

Effects of the role changes are of course seen still in both ways good and bad effects both. Community has been affected inany ways. Women have established their importance in all the areas,they are now independent, can support their families financially as well as emotionally. But with this there are few I'll effects too which one cannot neglect, as in there have been a lot of misuse for reservations being provided for women, today's women is under constant stress which is adversely affecting family peace and in turn the society. Both good and I'll effects are still seen because of the changes in role.