how were the roles of men and women defined in the family and in the wider community in the middle ages?

Answer 1

The roles of men and women were defined by their tasks, which overlapped a lot more than some of the previous answerers seem to think, and ultimately by their class. Many people were artisans, small farmers, craftsmen, etc., who worked out of their homes. The home/work division didn't really emerge until the industrial revolution, when women stayed home to raise families while their husbands worked in factories and the like. The industrial revolution is what really started to destroy the family unit.

While it's true that women didn't have many rights, there was a far greater distinction between classes than between men and women. In other words, unless you were a member of the nobility, you couldn't own property or purchase certain goods, or even wear certain kinds of clothing -- at the risk of your life!! This is to say nothing of "voting rights," a concept from much later in history, which were moot in an inherited monarchy/feudal system!

Men and women often worked together, along with children, to complete the day's tasks -- households (including servants and extended family) were autonomous and self-sustaining. You can see this lifestyle still surviving in small towns in Europe, where it's not uncommon to buy your bread each day from a woman who has just come downstairs with a baby on her hip: the bakery is on the ground floor, and the family lives above the store.

Marriage didn't entail female slavery, but joint work. Were there problems? You bet! Were women mistreated and denigrated? Absolutely. But don't buy this nonsense that men were all abusive, lazy, stupid pigs until the 1970s -- how arrogant to think that OUR generation has finally solved the problem! People are the same, regardless of whether you live in 1506 or 2006 -- good and bad, kind and unkind, smart and stupid, abusive husbands and supportive husbands, and it will always be like this!

Answer 2

Boy, unless you've got an open-minded professor you're not going to get a good grade on this paper following my advice. Things weren't perfect back then but then again there are a lot of modern women who aren't too thrilled with the role of women nowadays.
Men were considered the head of household and the breadwinner. Women were the helpmeet to the men and ran the inner workings of the home including the raising and training of the children if applicable. This was back when having kids was normal and cool instead of mocked and ridiculed.
In terms of wider roles the men were seen as the foundation upon which a healthy and loving home was built. His job was to direct the family, provide shelter and protection, and raise the children by example to be god and just mambers of society. If the father left, then the family was the weaker for it as the children relied on him for the primary example of manhood in their formative years. The woman had the role of loving guide and teacher of habit and virtue. The nurturer, the feeder of hearts and bodies. Women formed support networks usually based on family and religious connections and could aid one another and society at alrge in a positive way.

Answer 3

The men earned the money or more likely food while the woman mainly raised the children and cleaned and cooked.

If they had any male children, they would work wory with their mum until old enough to help the dad and the girls would learn to become good mothers and wives.

Answer 4

The Men were in charge & the women listened 2 him till the 1970's then they changed everything lol

Answer 5

Women were property...called chattel....but we did get to vote finally in 1920 in America only!

Only Men - were allowed to be educated and learn to read.
male children were valued to continue the family name.

All worked!

Answer 6

Man hunt
Women cook.