The Expectations of Women in Alloy of Law

[RippleGylf she/her]

So I was reading Alloy of Law, and the part where Marasi is discussing how Vin is the role model for women, but she doesn't fit into that. I then wondered, is it possible that in Scadrial, women are expected to be self-actualized? We don't see that many women in the book, and aside from Marasi, Steris is the only other female character I can think of that's remotely girlish, in the most positive use of the word. I just thought this was interesting and could lead to some very intelligent conversations. Discuss. Is it possible that this role model could be expanded over future trilogies?

[Kaymyth she/her]

I believe that what is stated is that Vin is a role model, not the role model.  Basically, I get the impression that there are currently gender roles in Scadrian society, but that the Ascendant Warrior path is an accepted method (at least mostly) of breaking out of one of those roles.

 

It probably varies between the Basin and the Roughs, too.  The cultures would almost certainly be somewhat different, and there may be variances between the cities, as well.  We know that each city essentially has its own government; there are likely to be societal differences that have formed.  And the Terris enclaves no doubt have yet another cultural norm that they follow.

Edited September 15, 2015 by Kaymyth

[king of nowhere]

basically, what kaymyth said.

 

I got the impression that gender roles are similar to what they were in our own world at the time, i.e. the men worked outside and the woman took care of the house, except that women can also decide to follow the path of the warrior, metaphorically. All in all, I suppose they are discouraged only with choosing a middle ground: you are either going to be a career-seeker, or a housewife. I find intriguing in marasi that she is both badchull competent and a girly girl; I like girls that can do both, but I suppose the scadrial society frowns on them.

This does not apply in the roughs, where people do more or less as they please.

It is also possible that it does not apply with the common population, we've only really seen nobles and criminals so far.

 

P.S. What does "self-actualized" mean?