Question

Evaluate the role of women in France before the revolution.

Answer 1

The role of women in France before the revolution was as follows -
(i) All women were treated as passive citizens. They did not have voting powers.
(ii) They worked as seamstress or laundresses, sold flowers, fruits and vegetables or worked as domestic servants.
(iii) Their wages were lower than those of men. They looked after their children, did the cooking, fetched water and queued for bread.
(iv) Most women did not have access to education or job training. Only daughters of wealthy parents could study at a convent, after which they were married off.