Changes

'''Gender roles''' refer to the social constructs, by which men are assigned to some traditional duties, and women to others.  While cultures worldwide have had disparate conceptions of gender roles, in the [[Christian]] tradition, the roles are those of men as breadwinners and women as homemakers.   

'''Gender roles''' refer to the social constructs, by which men are assigned to some traditional duties, and women to others.  While cultures worldwide have had disparate conceptions of gender roles, in the [[American]] and [[Catholic]] traditions, the roles are those of men as breadwinners and women as homemakers.   

==Choice as a Factor of Modern Gender Roles==

==Choice as a Factor of Modern Gender Roles==

Modern feminists fight the idea that gender roles should be forced on women, either by those who seek to force women to be homemakers, or by those who seek to force women to choose careers.  Therefore, modern feminists embrace the precept of choice, that women should be able to choose whether to be a homemaker, or a career professional.

Moderate feminists fight the idea that gender roles should be forced on women, either by those who seek to force women to be homemakers, or by those who seek to force women to choose careers.  Therefore, modern feminists embrace the precept of choice, that women should be able to choose whether to be a homemaker, or a career professional.

This accommodates the view of some feminists, who view homemaking as a restrictive waste of time, and also upholds the beliefs of other women, who believe that homemaking is in [[truth]] one of the most challenging and rewarding pursuits, and many women are happier caring for their homes and children than pursuing a career, contrary to feminist positions.  Thus, the major point of the modern feminist approach to gender roles is that the woman be able to choose her role with freedom, and without pressure from friend or institution.

This accommodates the view of some feminists, who view homemaking as a restrictive waste of time, and also upholds the beliefs of other women, who believe that homemaking is one of the most challenging and rewarding pursuits, and many women are happier caring for their homes and children than pursuing a career, contrary to feminist positions.  Thus, the major point of the moderate feminist approach to gender roles is that the woman be able to choose her role with freedom, and without pressure from friend or institution.

==Different Feminist Perspectives==

==Different Feminist Perspectives==

{{biased|This section incorrectly identifies "[[modern feminism]]" as nice as tolerant of traditional gender roles and only "[[radical feminism]]" as intolerant}}

Since feminism is less a single idea, than an umbrella term for a number of belief systems which exalt women as (at least) the equals of men, feminists can and often do diverge as to the value, or existence of gender roles.  Some feminists are openly hostile to men.  Others - the majority - are not.

===Moderate or Mainstream Feminist Quotes===

 

Modern moderate feminists, or early feminists who later came to define the mainstream, tend to view feminism as a larger field, embracing choice and opportunity rather than restrictive anti-motherhood or anti-professionalism beliefs.  Elaine Heffner is a key example.

===Modern or Mainstream Feminist Quotes===

Modern feminists, or early feminists who later came to define the mainstream, tend to view feminism as a larger field, embracing choice and opportunity rather than restrictive anti-motherhood or anti-professionalism beliefs.  Elaine Heffner is a key example.

{{quotebox|Women do not have to sacrifice personhood if they are mothers. They do not have to sacrifice motherhood in order to be persons. Liberation was meant to expand women's opportunities, not to limit them. The self-esteem that has been found in new pursuits can also be found in mothering. -- Elaine Heffner}}

{{quotebox|Women do not have to sacrifice personhood if they are mothers. They do not have to sacrifice motherhood in order to be persons. Liberation was meant to expand women's opportunities, not to limit them. The self-esteem that has been found in new pursuits can also be found in mothering. -- Elaine Heffner}}

{{quotebox|[W]oman's work within the home [is] not directly useful to society, produces nothing. [The housewife] is subordinate, secondary, parasitic. It is for their common welfare that the situation must be altered by prohibiting marriage as a 'career' for woman." - ''The Second Sex'', 1949. [http://ccostello.blogspot.com/2007/05/feminism-vs-womens-rights.html]}}

{{quotebox|[W]oman's work within the home [is] not directly useful to society, produces nothing. [The housewife] is subordinate, secondary, parasitic. It is for their common welfare that the situation must be altered by prohibiting marriage as a 'career' for woman." - ''The Second Sex'', 1949. [http://ccostello.blogspot.com/2007/05/feminism-vs-womens-rights.html]}}

==Fundamentalist Christian Perspective==

==Complementarian Christian Perspective==

It is important to note that God created men and women equal but ''different''.  People are chosen by God to fulfill his purposes according to their talents.<ref>''Understanding the Times'' (Summit Ministries, Manitou Springs, Colorado 2006)</ref>

It is important to note that God created men and women equal but ''different''.  People are chosen by God to fulfill his purposes according to their talents.<ref>''Understanding the Times'' (Summit Ministries, Manitou Springs, Colorado 2006)</ref>