Understanding our present has much to do with first knowing of our past. In this essay I will be discussing how sex and biological reproduction impacted the division of labor and the origins of gender roles in early male and female hominids and Homo sapiens. I will also address how the advancements in the technology of biological reproductive control, has affected and shaped modern day gender roles.
The major drive for early hominids and Homo sapiens was the acquisition of food and reproductive success which was essential in their survival. Biologist suggest that with the development of bipedalism came some possible advantages for early hominids. Biologist state, “Males may have acquired food far afield, and if they could carry it back to …show more content…
Men and women are no longer dependent on each other for survival and reproduction in the ways they once were. Science has allowed for many tools that help individuals have reproductive autonomy. There is now in vitro fertilization, surrogates, sperm and egg donation. Men and women can now have children independently if they so choose. For example, same sex couples can have children that share DNA. While at this time reproduction still entails sperm and egg coming into contact, there are so many more option. The two scientific advances that have greatly impacted current gender roles are contraceptives and the ability for pregnancy termination. The ability to delay or forgo parenthood all together has opened up vast opportunities. Women can actually crate a reproductive timeline for themselves, which allows them to further their education, join the work force, and accumulate wealth. Which intern allows women to be self-sufficient and less dependent on others. With this independence among women, society allows them to take on characteristics that were once deemed masculine. Men and women no longer have to strictly assume prehistoric gender roles that were once necessary for
The major drive for early hominids and Homo sapiens was the acquisition of food and reproductive success which was essential in their survival. Biologist suggest that with the development of bipedalism came some possible advantages for early hominids. Biologist state, “Males may have acquired food far afield, and if they could carry it back to …show more content…
Men and women are no longer dependent on each other for survival and reproduction in the ways they once were. Science has allowed for many tools that help individuals have reproductive autonomy. There is now in vitro fertilization, surrogates, sperm and egg donation. Men and women can now have children independently if they so choose. For example, same sex couples can have children that share DNA. While at this time reproduction still entails sperm and egg coming into contact, there are so many more option. The two scientific advances that have greatly impacted current gender roles are contraceptives and the ability for pregnancy termination. The ability to delay or forgo parenthood all together has opened up vast opportunities. Women can actually crate a reproductive timeline for themselves, which allows them to further their education, join the work force, and accumulate wealth. Which intern allows women to be self-sufficient and less dependent on others. With this independence among women, society allows them to take on characteristics that were once deemed masculine. Men and women no longer have to strictly assume prehistoric gender roles that were once necessary for