History of gender roles in Italy
Almost all countries in the world have experienced a past in which men have held more predominance in society. The exceptions are few and include select indigenous groups which promote matriarchal cultures.
Italy has a strong patriarchal history. In Ancient Rome the patria potestas law stated that the male head of the family had absolute authority over his wife. Medieval and Renaissance Italy saw women subject to arranged marriages and limited education.
In the 20th century unbalanced gender roles is evidenced in many popular films, such as A Special Day (Una giornata particolare). This 1977 classic, starring Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni, depicts a stereotypical overworked housewife who is raising a large family.
However, in the past eighty years there have been significant steps forward for women. In 1945 women gained the right to vote, in 1999 the government ratified laws on gender equality in the workplace, and in 2009 stronger laws against domestic violence were passed.
Nowadays
Although factually and statistically improvements regarding gender equality are being made, I decided to conduct a short qualitative survey to discover what Italians really think. Both men and women completed the survey, with the age range spanning from under 25 to 61 plus.
Gender roles in Italy today
When asked if they believe traditional gender roles to be prevalent in Italy today, 56% responded affirmatively, with another 40% saying partially.
Despite the fact that these roles remain, 88% noted that there had been significant changes, if only in part, over the past two decades.
Work
In many countries sexism is ingrained into work life, with men tending to receive promotions or higher salaries over women. Historically it was assumed that women would be the homemakers, carrying out domestic chores and raising the children. But recent decades have seen a turn in the tide. The female employment rate, whilst still falling behind the male equivalent, has grown to 53%. However, work-life balance remains a challenge for women. An overwhelming 96% of Italians completing my survey agreed that women are under more pressure than men to balance work and familial responsibilities. Moreover, over half of those surveyed stated that women who prioritise career over family life are perceived negatively.
In terms of career advancement, 60% of responses concluded that women and men do not receive the same opportunities, with an additional 40% claiming that it depends on the sector.
Home life
The final set of questions addressed whether domestic chores or responsibilities were more attributed to a male or female in the household. The results revealed that, in just under half of the households, cooking and cleaning were done solely by a woman. Around a third claimed that these chores were done by a male and female in equal measure.
Interestingly, when asked who makes the majority of the financial decisions, just over half stated that it was a shared decision. However, if the decisions were made by solely one gender, it was almost twice as likely it would be by a male.
The future
It is clear from this survey that that there are still significant distinctions between the roles of men and women, particularly in the world of work. That being said, progress is being made and continuing to address issues such as the gender pay gap, and domestic violence is of the utmost priority for the future.
Buona Festa della Donna! Celebrate the women in your life!
