Abstract

Social life is connected to distinguishing the issues which are male or female. This division infiltrates all aspects of human life. Social norms and habits restrict female and male roles, leaving little choice to the way of being a woman or a man. Equality of women and men in a legal domain is so advanced nowadays that it abolishes the last traces of patriarchy – equality towards authority, work, the institution of marriage, property or entertainment. However, it does not mean that equality between men and women has gained total social approval. Although the majority of the society at least tolerates – if not supports – the presence of women in almost all jobs, on executive posts, divorce initiative or maternity without marriage. However, there are still some differences between the laws which the women are entitled to, and the possibilities and the will to take advantage of them. Women very often implement a new variant of the previous social roles, combining these roles with the characteristics of their gender, and in most cases it becomes the foundation of arising conflicts in the range of fulfilling roles. Facts, presented in numerous studies concerning the social situation of women in the world prove that, in general, women have a lower social status than man in the aspect of having a social life as well as in cultural and economic domains. Social expectations of women the most often represent the patriarchal ideal of femininity, which limits the participation of women in life to erotic and maternity spheres. Women can either fit the socially dictated pattern and strengthen their position at the same time, or distance from it and face social ostracism.