Greeks, gods, glory and genders.

The study of culture and society is intriguing and somehow causes me to ponder more and be more observant. In studying classical traditions, particularly Ancient Greece and reading exerts from Greek Mythology has surfaced interesting and revealing similarities and differences in gender roles. And if that isn't enough to interest you, allow me to get a little nerdy and go even further into analysis and discuss Ancient Greek gender roles to those of today.

What is it that drives people, both men and women alike? Power? Money? Advancements? Glory? These are certainly applicable to Ancient Greece and its society. Think about it. The common theme found in Greek history is that of conquering, winning, and basking in glory and power. Nearly every scene is set in war with gods and heroes fighting because of hubris, or pride and putting yourself up against the gods.

In today's society, what is all the power, glory, and money worth if there isn't someone to enjoy it with? Wouldn't it make it all last longer? Would it make it all worth it? This brings other characters into play and analysis. Most often than not, these characters are a family. Common in today's society there is a mother, father, and children. Each gender still has a role. But how have these roles changed since Ancient Greece?

In Greek history, gender roles were clear and well defined. The men went to war, advanced in politics, got an education, had control and were responsible for the protection of their families. Women, were often oppressed and focused on domestic labor and caring for the children and the home. Sexual behaviors played a very big part of gender roles as well. Adultery among men was common, trendy, popular, and socially seen and classified as masculine. In stark contrast, women were expected to stay chaste and clean. Anything less tagged and labeled them as dirty and promiscuous.

Gender roles in society today have not drastically changed of those in times of Ancient Greece.
Modern revelation has taught us that each of us have a role to play within our respective gender. In The Family: A Proclamation to the World, it states that "gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose." Gender is defining and  in fact divine and sacred and as such, our role within our gender is too.

Men are responsible for the protection of their families. They labor to provide. Women are mainly to care for, love, and teach their children. Men and women are to work together in unity, not in dominance and competition, to create living circumstances where peace, love, respect, and work can glorify and bring honor to the family. In today's society we can have both glory, pride, success, and honor as well as family, love, and equality.

Famous for his Greek literature, Homer seems to have a pattern of forcing his characters to choose between family life, loved ones and kleos, honor, glory, and reputation. In Homer's The Iliad, Hector for example leaves to war, risking that he will most likely die and his son will become an orphan, in order to win glory to his father. Paris, as an opposing example, decides to stay with Helen of Troy instead of leaving to war. In his other works, particularly The Odyssey, Homer shows that Odysseus did not want to leave behind his family for war, but when forced to do so, used it as motivation to keep himself alive and faithful to his wife Penelope throughout his long journey. Odysseus sees Penelope as his equal, as a companion, and didn't dominate her as did so many at that time in accordance to gender roles. He denies Calypso and her attempts as seduction and remains faithful to his waiting Penelope.

There could be paragraphs and pages of examples of gender roles and the relevancy and connections they have today and in ancient times. But there are some things that don't change throughout time; men and women are created differently and ultimately have different but complimenting roles and responsibilities.