It is no secret that throughout the history of not only our country, the United States, but throughout the world there has been oppression against women. Women are always depicted the same way: wife, housekeeper, mother, sexual partner, cook and housekeeper. These representations do not just say that they are also the only jobs that society comfortably accepts for them besides others such as secretary, nanny or teacher. There are also jobs known to not be as open to female workers, such as mechanic, construction worker, and firefighter. Any male-oriented job is completely frowned upon by society for a woman to do or take part in it. Women are told their entire lives by family, media and government that their options are limited. They are a subjugated group in the United States who have come a long way from being housewives with minimal rights, to hard working women with equal rights and protection. A woman's life is more stressful than ever today. Women go through things that men can't even experience, like childbirth, the menstrual cycle, or menopause. Not only are the biological factors bad enough, women are also degraded and stereotyped as weak and unable to resist. Women are subjected to great suffering and the world seems to be unaware of it. Since the first colonies, humans have had complete control of everything around them. Women to them were nothing more than wives or mothers. Women couldn't have jobs, they couldn't vote and they couldn't even have abortions. Women were unable to muster the strength and support needed to gain their rights and freedoms until about 1848, when they gathered in Seneca Falls to speak out and push for the Declaration of Se...... middle of paper...... gh a lot in life. As a man, I know that sometimes it can feel like our life comes with a lot of responsibility. As men we are told to uphold an image of intrepid providers for our families. Society believes that men do certain things to be a “gentleman” and to be an overall ideal person who can one day find a woman who can bear his children and take his last name. These days things have changed. Women don't need a man. Most women may have difficulty, but are still able to resist. Everyone is stressed. Life wouldn't be the same without it. Men and women are different in many ways, and stress is no different. Therefore we should all strive to stop stereotyping gender roles and start understanding and improving the way of life of others. “The thing women still need to learn is that no one gives you the power. Just take it. ” – Roseanne Barr