GCU 114

Status of Women in Greece

The status of women in Greece has evolved greatly over the centuries. The country of Greece is known for their high cultural achievements in mathematics, architecture, art, and philosophy. Many methods of ancient Greece is still being studied today. In most countries, the status of women has been debated multiple times. People argue that women should be house wives and focus their time on cleaning the house, and taking care of the children and husband. As the times kept on changing, the women of Greece pushed aside these labels, and joined the work force like the men. Unfortunately, Greece has been suffering from a severe economic crisis that is affecting the people of Greece. In ancient Greece, women had many standards that were needed to be achieved. The expectations of a women was that she had to become a wife, mother, and daughter, and serve her family. The women had no rights. In an article by Michael Scott, he explained how In Athens women had no independent existence in the eyes of the law, despite the fact that Plato had recently in his Laws proposed that women should be given the same education as men, the same access to the law courts, the same rights to own and inherit property, to hold public office, to compete in athletics and to live and work as equals to men (Scott). Plato, a wellrespected philosopher understood that women should not be treated that way, but it did not matter. During this time, it was expected for a women to produce healthy sons, so they will be able to carry the name of their fathers. To become a wife to the Greek man, women had to uphold their moral values and to be obedient. Ancient Greece was mainly dominated by the men. The men were the ones who were in the work force, while the women stayed at home. Unlike the women, men were allowed to commit adultery. It was very common for men to have different relationships with other than their wives. If a women committed adultery. It would be a different story. The consequences of committing adultery would result to dishonor or death (Carter). Women were not allowed to do such an act. The women of ancient Greece had to be pure. Even though, the times have changed drastically, some women still continue their roles in the households, while other women chose to work and not have society define them for who they are. Today, Greek families were taught that it is important to have a strong relationship with their own families. It is important to be respectful and obedient towards their elders. One of the customs in Greece is to have big family dinner parties. It is a time to spend quality time with the family, and enjoy the company. There are women who are house wives. These women stay to clean the house hold, cook the food, and take care of the children. It was not until 1957, when women were allowed to vote and speak out for their rights. Most of the women decided to join the workforce like their husbands, and provide for the family. The three categories of labor force are 65.1% of services, 22.4% industry, and 12.4% agriculture (CIA 2013). Unfortunately, Greece has been undergoing a difficult time of an economic crisis. As of 2012,

Greece has a debt of $576.6 billion dollars (CIA). Greece was a prosperous country, but since it the country is in severe debit, it is effecting the work force and families. The women of Greece are losing their jobs and trying their best to provide for their families. Most women are just finding part-time jobs, but it will not be enough to provide for their families. The unemployment rate of Greece has skyrocketed uncontrollably. As of 2012, the female unemployment is 29.60%. Unemployed females less than twenty five years face 52.70%. Also, unemployed females from twenty five and seventy five years face 27.20% (CountryEconomy).

In an article from the New York Times, Kitsantonis interviews notes that with full-time jobs increasingly elusive, many women are settling for part-time work like waiting on tables in cafes and restaurants where employers often do not pay social security contributions (Kitsantonis). Greeces labor minister, Louka Katseli, encourages women to enter the job market and create their own businesses. It is a risky action, but Katseli notes that w omen who

have lost their jobs or who were not working due to external factors now face great difficulties in reentering the market (Kitsantonis). In an article from The Guardian by Lizzie Davies. Davies interviews Titina Pantazi, a woman who seen the highs and lows of Greece. Pantazi is a seventy year old woman and is the chair of the Womens Union of Greece. Pantanzi explains that it hurts her to see so much people of our country suffer greatly. Pantanzi is hopeful for change. She explains that, "I remember the civil war like a dream. I remember the poverty that followed in the 50s. I have met people exiled because they were communists. I have lived through the junta. I have lived through earthquakes. I have never seen such fear and disappointment. But we women are saying: 'We will survive.' We have experienced so much in the past and we survived. We rebuilt our country (Davies). And we will do it again." The women of Greece are doing their best, but without work and their husbands without work, it creates tension. Based on the statistics of education in Greece, it is expected for both men and women to attend school until they are sixteen years old. The literacy of women in Greece is 96.3% (CIA). In ancient Greece, it was not allowed for women to receive education. The education system is separated into different parts, which includes Primary Education, Gymnasio middle school and junior high, Lykeion academic high school, Higher Teritary university, or Academies military or clergy. Many women of Greece attend the universities to possess knowledge and intelligence.

Crime around the country can never go unnoticed. The crime in Greece can range from domestic violence, rape, and murder. In these maps provided below, the map of Prevalance of Rape shows that Greece is colored in a light green. The light green represents that 1-10 women out of 100,000 were a victim of rape. The other map shows the Rate of Murder of 2011 of women that Greece is highlighted in the color light green. The light green represents that it is a low frequency of murders.

In conclusion, the status of women has changed drastically over the centuries. In ancient Greece, women were meant to be housewives and focus their time with their children and looking after the house. Greece is currently facing a dramatic economic crisis that is affecting the employment and jobs of both men and women. This downfall is making it difficult for women to provide for their families, and they will not be able to earn as much as they did. Although, the rate of murder and rape is frequency low, it should still be prevented in the country. Greece has a long way to go to mend their economy. Only time will tell.

Sources 1. Woman Stats. (2011). WomanStats Project: Maps. Retrieved from http://womanstats.org/newmapspage.html 2. CountryEconomy. (2011) Greece Unemployment Rate: Graphs. Retrieved from http://countryeconomy.com/unemployment/greece 3. Central Intelligence Agency. (2013, September 24). The World Fact Book; Europe: Greece. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gr.html 4. The Guardian. (2012). Greek Crisis Hits Women Especially Hard. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/world/greek-election-blog-2012/2012/jun/15/greek-crisiswomen-especially-hard 5. The New York Times. (2011). Greek Women Try to Soften The Blow Austerity. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/07/world/europe/07ihtgreece07.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1& 6. Yahoo Voices. (2010). The Social Roles of Women in Ancient Greece. Retrieved from http://voices.yahoo.com/the-social-roles-women-ancient-greece-7091342.html?cat=37 7. Yahoo Voices. (2007). The Life of Women in Ancient Greece. Retrieved from http://voices.yahoo.com/the-life-women-ancient-greece-567425.html?cat=37