Parity Between Men and Women in France
Parity between Men and Women in France
Nowadays, French society observes various inequalities. They can sometimes appear legitimate, especially in the economic and social areas, because they would only result from the individuals’ aptitudes and efforts; that would start with the same equal opportunities. However, women are becoming more and more recognized by the French population, which in turn, gives them increasing respect and responsibilities. However, we can still wonder if women, since they are the main subject, play the same roles in French society as men. Are these inequalities the result of an intense research of efficiency, and thus necessary? In other words, is parity just an ideal that does not guarantee an optimal management of the French society, or just a demand that would restore social justice between male and female while benefit to the efficiency? In order to answer these questions, we will first address the issue of parity within the school system, then within the job market, and finally study parity within politics in France before we take a look at the French Government’s plan to create more equality. We will first look at a brief chronology of the women’s right in France will help us understand the evolution of this parity.
To begin, one should know that in most civilizations, women have played a minor role in politics and in the histories of these populations. Now concerning the French society, Marie de Gourmay was the first woman who really advocated parity between the two sexes in 1622. Women used to have to wait for her husband to die in order to receive an inheritance due to the laws of the Revolution in 1790, where the wife would then obtain the same rights as the male children (Vie Publique). It is only since the nineteenth century that events in favor of such parity increased: in 1850, a law (the Falloux law) forced towns under 800 inhabitants to open a special elementary school for girls. Jules Ferry made elementary school
Nowadays, French society observes various inequalities. They can sometimes appear legitimate, especially in the economic and social areas, because they would only result from the individuals’ aptitudes and efforts; that would start with the same equal opportunities. However, women are becoming more and more recognized by the French population, which in turn, gives them increasing respect and responsibilities. However, we can still wonder if women, since they are the main subject, play the same roles in French society as men. Are these inequalities the result of an intense research of efficiency, and thus necessary? In other words, is parity just an ideal that does not guarantee an optimal management of the French society, or just a demand that would restore social justice between male and female while benefit to the efficiency? In order to answer these questions, we will first address the issue of parity within the school system, then within the job market, and finally study parity within politics in France before we take a look at the French Government’s plan to create more equality. We will first look at a brief chronology of the women’s right in France will help us understand the evolution of this parity.
To begin, one should know that in most civilizations, women have played a minor role in politics and in the histories of these populations. Now concerning the French society, Marie de Gourmay was the first woman who really advocated parity between the two sexes in 1622. Women used to have to wait for her husband to die in order to receive an inheritance due to the laws of the Revolution in 1790, where the wife would then obtain the same rights as the male children (Vie Publique). It is only since the nineteenth century that events in favor of such parity increased: in 1850, a law (the Falloux law) forced towns under 800 inhabitants to open a special elementary school for girls. Jules Ferry made elementary school
Cited: "Apprendre Avec L 'INSEE - Parité Et Pouvoir." Statapprendre. Web. 2010 <http://www.statapprendre.education.fr/insee/par/pouvoir/pouvoirnational.htm>. "Chronologie Du Statut De La Femme." Wikipédia, L 'encyclopédie Libre. 23 Nov. 2010. Web. 03 Dec. 2010. <http://fr.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chronologie_du_statut_de_la_femme&oldid=59006717>. "Égalité Des Filles Et Des Garçons." Ministry of National Education, Youth, and Community Life. Web. Aug. 2010. <http://www.education.gouv.fr/cid4006/egalite-des-filles-et-des-garcons.html>. "Installation De L 'Observatoire De La Parité Entre Les Femmes Et Les Hommes." Portail Du Gouvernement. Web. July 2010. <http://www.gouvernement.fr/presse/installation-de-l-observatoire-de-la-parite-entre-les-femmes-et-les-hommes-0>. Portail Du Gouvernement. Dec. 2010. Web. <http://www.gouvernement.fr/gouvernement>. " Parité et Egalité hommes-femmes: une Réalité ? Vie Publique : Au Coeur Du Débat Public. 30 May 2010. Web. 03 Dec. 2010. <http://www.viepublique.fr/decouverteinstitutions/citoyen/enjeux/citoyennete-democratie/parite-egalite-hommes-femmes-realite.html>.