Blog #4

For this blog, we were assigned to read something about gender or gender roles. I read an article for AP world history about how gender roles changed for women during the industrial revolution. Women before this revolution were mainly expected to bear children and do domestic chores, which changed dramatically at the turn of the nineteenth century. Although they earned lower wages, they were permitted to work in factory jobs that men were working in as well, or otherwise fill in the household jobs that men could not do anymore due to their working in the city. We can assume that since women could now bring in a portion of their family income, they gained more power in the household and their placement in society as well. Reading about the struggles for womens freedom in history makes me appreciate the liberties I can enjoy every day in society as a woman. Otherwise, these things can be easily taken for granted. In the book we're reading, Rukmani has a considerably powerful voice in decisions made in her household but it isn't hard to see the gender differences. Besides Rukmani's occasional gardening vegetables and Ira's prostitution, these women leave the promise of an income in the hands of the men. We also see industrialization happening in their town, but since there is no shortage of men willing to work at the tannery this opportunity has not yet become available to women.