Difference between revisions of "Women"

Revision as of 02:49, July 6, 2007

Women is the plural for the female of the human species, with the biological role of bearing and nurturing offspring. In preparation for this role, women's breasts begin to grow at puberty, forming the most striking physical difference between women and men after the reproductive organs. Other differences include a layer of subcutaneous fat under the skin which hides the underlying musculature and a wider pelvis to facilitate carrying the baby and allowing it to be born. Women also have a greater proportion of fine vellus hair over certain areas of their skin (such as their face and legs) than the coarse terminal hair which appears on men.^{[Citation Needed]}

While men have typically two or three times more upper body strength than women, their leg strength is comparable and women have proven more durable in feats of physical endurance. Women have slightly longer average lifespans than men, which results in women overtaking men in population by middle age despite a 1.05:1 boy to girl ratio at birth in the United States. This rate varies among countries.^{[Citation Needed]}

Women in history

Compared to men, relatively few women have had impact on history as leaders in diverse fields, but a small number of women have had enormous impact. They include Isabella of Spain, Joan of Arc, Margaret Thatcher, Elizabeth I, Boudicca, Catherine the Great, Cleopatra, Marie Curie, Benazir Bhutto, Golda Meir, Indira Gandhi, Lucretia Mott, Susan B. Anthony, Aung San Suu Kyi, and Theresa of Calcutta.

Women in the Bible

Genesis

According to biblical literalism, women, like men, were created by God on the 6th day of Creation, as told in The Book of Genesis. Genesis further elaborates that God took a rib from Adam, the first man, and from it created Eve, the first woman, as a subservient companion for Adam. Also not explicitly stated in the Bible, it is obvious that, due to the manner in which Eve was created, she was Adam's wife, as God does not intend for two humans in such a union to be any other way.^{[Citation Needed]} According to some biblical literalists, Eve caused sin and suffering to come into the world when she tricked Adam into eating from The Tree of Knowledge an act directly forbidden by God Himself. As punishment for this, God declared that women shall experience great pain in childbirth and shall always be ruled over by their husbands. ^[1]

New Testament statements on the role of women

Saint Paul also has much to say on the status of women in society, most memorably that women should submit to their husbands just as the church submits to God. ^{[2] [3] [4] [5]} The Bible also states that if a man sells his daughter into slavery she must consent and "not go out as the menservants do." (Exodus 21:7)

The New Testament contains many instructions regarding the role of women:

1. Women are to dress modestly^[6][7].
2. Women may learn in silence, but may not be permitted to teach^[8]. Some interpretations limit this rule to the teaching of doctrine.
3. Women are not permitted to speak in church^[9].
4. Women are to be subservient to and follow the instructions of their husbands^{[10][11][12][13]}.

These viewpoints are not not widely accepted in secular, first-world nations, although many believers still adhere to them.

References

1. ↑ Genesis 3:16
2. ↑ Ephesians 5:22-24
3. ↑ I Corinthians 11:8-9
4. ↑ I Corinthians 11:4-7
5. ↑ I Corinthians 14:34-35
6. ↑ 1 Timothy 2:9
7. ↑ Peter 3:2-6
8. ↑ 1 Timothy 2:11-12
9. ↑ 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 (Spoken by Paul>
10. ↑ Ephesians 5:22-24
11. ↑ Colossians 3:18
12. ↑ Titus 2:4-5
13. ↑ 1 Peter 3:1-7

Related Topics

Men