Part 5/9:
Bary offers a sobering perspective on women’s societal roles throughout Russian history. Childbirth was a perilous endeavor that placed women at risk and diminished their societal worth if they failed to produce healthy offspring. Physical labor's demands in Russia further compounded this issue, resulting in a societal framework wherein male laborers were seen as more valuable.
Additionally, Bary points out that social class significantly impacted women’s opportunities. Even within noble families, daughters were often undervalued. However, with the rise of industrialization, women began to break free from traditional confines, albeit with the persistent challenge of wage disparity.