Historically, the roles of men and women in society were never dictated nor were their lives noticeably disconnected until the 18th and XIX with the emergence of social stratification and industrial revolution. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Before the Industrial Revolution, both men and women were treated and considered equal, and men and women were involved in leadership and governance roles. As early as the 2nd millennium BC, women were known to have ruled Egypt. Cleopatra was the most famous queen of Egypt and reigned from 51 BC to 30 BC. She was very ingenious and an intelligent politician who brought good news and peace to her country divided by war. Hatasi Hatshepsut was a pharaoh who served long in Egypt, ruled for 20 years, is considered one of Egypt's most triumphant pharaohs, and is remembered today for her magnificent obelisks in Thebes. Women were also engaged in military campaigns and during the Middle Ages when most landowners across Europe fought wars, wives had to stay behind to defend their families and property with great aptitude and skill. Women also owned land, Spartan women owned two-fifths of the land in the 4th BC, and in Imperial Roman times women controlled more property and wealth than men. Eleanor of Aquitaine's riches were much greater than those of King Louis VII of France when she married him. During this period daughters were allowed to inherit wealth from their fathers just as wives inherited wealth from their husbands. Women and men worked together particularly in the trade and land dealings that accelerated across the European continent in the 12th century. In England, most of the population moved from the countryside to the city, and women often associated with men as business or trading partners. Women were known to regularize trade and set standards as they belonged to powerful and exclusive guilds that some of them transformed into family strongholds that would survive until the Industrial Revolution and the division of capital and labor. Women in the Western world earned immeasurable respect that usually approached reverence as they shared all the harsh tasks of a primitive society and shouldered the major responsibilities in bearing and raising children. Please note: this is just an example. Get an article habit now from our expert writers. Get a Custom Essay The advent of the Industrial Revolution informed new beliefs and attitudes regarding all aspects of life, particularly towards male and female roles in the family. This new expectation regarding female and male roles marked the beginning of a new lifestyle that began to evolve between the 18th and 19th centuries in England as a result of industrialization. The industrial revolution led to social stratification. The exciting fortunes and prospects of the middle class led to the separation of the sexes. Extraordinary studies have shown that patriarchy evolved as a natural condition of the separation of the sexes. Men began to work in factories and shopping malls, and their wives were left at home to provide for their family and community. Women now had to adopt roles as full house wives. In the middle class context, new roles were accorded to women as they were seen as nurturers and guardians of their family and community. Some theorists, for example Simon de Beavoir ed.