The diary of a woman named Jenny Andrews detailed the lives of a couple who more closely fit today's standards for husbands and wives, Leichtle says. She and her husband worked together, and she was active in the community. By the time women were given the right to vote in 1920, Leichtle says, society began to acknowledge that equality was essential to maintaining the social web. As an historian, Leichtle sees this research suggesting a pattern for the future. He believes that men and women are outliving the stereotyped gender roles created by past generations.
Societal roles are constantly in a state of flux.
We come to understand the perameters and limits by looking at the past. Society is still figuring out how to separate the roles into practical ones that avoid outdated stereotypes, Leichtle says. He believes the new vision society ultimately will adopt will not be gender-based. Male and female roles will be defined by function.