Why do I care?

"Gender consciousness was central to Victorian England's Political scene in a number of significant ways.  At the beginning of the Victorian period, middle-class women were shut out of most remunerative employments and institutions of higher education, could not vote, and had few legal rights.  By the end of the century, the situation did not, on the surface, look radically different - universal female suffrage, for example, was not achieved in Britain until 1928 - but several key developments heralded the changes to come in the twentieth century." (Arnold XLIX).

Looking back at where femininity started gives a framework with which to see how the culture has progressed or how it has remained unchanged.  Knowing the history of a people helps us identify with and understand why they are who they have become.

Has the idolization of women disappeared or remained unchanged?
Is there really a changed set of expectations placed upon women?
Are there more or less opportunities for women in our world today?
How does the insight into Victorian society changed your view of current society?