This paper aims to clarify how society has changed in offering examples of women with power , prestige , and social influence . First, let's clarify the key concepts. Power, prestige, and social influence are closely related factors. What is meant by social prestige?
Between prestige and influence
According to the sociologist Max Weber (1922) is an aspect of status that refers to moral or intellectual peculiarities without necessarily taking into account theeconomic aspect. Therefore social prestige is linked tosocial influence, the positive value that people attribute to a subject or situation. In Weber's opinion, there are three components that determine social inequalities: prestige, wealth e power which, in turn, generate the social stratificationHe conceived of power as the ability to obtain obedience, or rather, to impose one's will against possible opposition through three principles of legitimacy:
charismatic power, based on the recognition of the leader's qualities;
traditional power, focused on political order and sacredness;
legal-rational power, based on legality and impersonality.
For Robert Alan Dahl (1961), in the power/influence relationship, a social actor pushes other individuals to adopt a behavior that, otherwise, they would have avoided: we are not on an equal footing, but rather on a substantial inequality between the parties.
Away from public space
The concept of inequality has been deeply rooted in the ancestral relationship between men and women. Indeed, for centuries, women have been identified as "wives of" and "daughters of" a male subject. Furthermore, through arranged marriages , they were used as a tool to strengthen a political-economic alliance and perpetuate a lineage. Some high-ranking and noble women enjoyed a certain degree of public visibility, while for "common" women, members of the lower classes, we have few reliable sources because they were socially hidden, or rather, unfairly deemed unworthy of prominence: the public sphere was the preserve of men , while almost all women were relegated to the private-domestic sphere.
“The greater or lesser space reserved for women in the cultural sphere is an indication of a parallel greater or lesser relevance of their existential status in the entire worldview of the society in question” (Sfameni Gasparro, 1991, 58)
At the origins of female prestige
What did public opinion consider and still considers worthy of respect, admiration (and, why not, even emulation) in female figures? I propose some illustrious examples. Starting from ancient Rome, the Vestals They represented the only female priestly college. The first records of their existence date back to the 2nd century BC. Six girls without any physical defects were chosen and went to live in the residence dedicated to the goddess Vesta. Their duties consisted of keeping the divinity's fire constantly lit and preparing a mixture of flour and salt called "mola salsa" which they sprinkled on the animals to be sacrificed (Cenerini, 2002). The Vestals had the obligation of virginity; in the event of sexual intercourse, they were condemned by the Pontifex Maximus to be buried alive. Generally, copulation was discovered based on disastrous events for the city, therefore the chastity of the Vestals guaranteed the safety of Rome (Cenerini, 2002). Unlike other women, the Vestals held a public role, since they did not have male guardianship, they could make a will and testify in court (Sfameni Gasparro, 1991).
Women in Ancient Rome
Thanks to iconographic sources and various authors, another illustrious woman has come down to us, differentiating herself from the crowd: this is the case of Livia Drusilla, wife of the Roman Emperor Octavian-Augustus (1st century BC). Always at her husband's side and his faithful advisor, she received from him both the prerogative of practicing public religious worship and a share of his inheritance. The Empresses who succeeded Livia claimed the same privileges. The archaic Romans were, in a certain sense, obsessed withwife's infidelity, they feared leaving their inheritance to uncertain offspring; therefore they implemented a series of strategies aimed at controlling the female body. For example, the ius osculi It was the right to kiss one's relative to ascertain whether or not she had drunk wine: all this because alcohol could lead to drunkenness and, consequently, betrayal associated with an extra-marital pregnancy. Even close relatives could carry out investigations. The ideal matron was exclusively devoted to her children, relegated to the domus: the angel of the hearth.
From the classical to the modern age
Female biographies relating to the Classical Greece They concern priestesses, poetesses, courtesans, benefactresses, wives/daughters/sisters of illustrious figures; their lives have often been reconstructed through passages, inscriptions, paintings, terracotta slabs, statues (Loraux, 1993). In ancient times, the values considered worthy of prestige included: virginity, purity, chastity, guaranteeing certain offspring to the husband, sex only within marriage and for procreative purposes, beauty and the absence of physical defects, sobriety and moderation, nobility, and possessing particular talents. In Middle Ages, there are sources (literary and iconographic) that testify to the presence of peasant women, embroiderers, wet nurses, prostitutes, courtesans, healers, witches, and shop assistants. Unfortunately, carrying out an activity did not elevate women's social status, nor did it allow them to access political and university life, with some exceptions among the nobility (Muzzarelli, Galetti, Andreolli, 1991). From the Classical Age to the Modern Age (and beyond), there exists a profession that has induced some women to assume privileges and wealth because they were subsidized by powerful men: we are talking about courtesansFree women who lived at court, a sort of high-class prostitute. They were clearly distinguishable from the street prostitutes who worked in brothels or brothels, living in poverty. Who doesn't remember the Marquise de Pompadour or the Countess du Barry? Is there a correlation between beauty, sex, cunning e powerEven today, beauty is a value considered worthy of admiration and prestige.
The geisha: beauty, intellect and elegance
La geisha She is a female figure often confused with or associated with the courtesan. She is an emblematic example of a woman who enjoyed social prestige. The first records date back to 17th-century Japan. Being a geisha wasn't just about sex. A select few girls, generally pretty and free of deformities, were enrolled in a school to become geisha. They studied dance, singing, and posture until they became experts in traditional arts, entertaining with lively conversation. true artistsThey carried out a sort of apprenticeship and practiced in the ochaya, the tea houses. They lived in the okiya (home) together with the "mother" (okaasan, an ambiguous figure to whom the girls were sold) who dictated the rules, took care of their earnings, and chose their fate: the most attractive and cunning were sent to school, the others became servants of the "mother" or sent to brothels. The main task consisted of keeping company and entertaining powerful men at events. Their virginity was literally sold to the highest bidder, in order to repay the debt. okaasanThey could be chosen by a Danna, a wealthy man who took care of their maintenance. The geisha/danna relationship could also include sex, but not necessarily. The geisha was recognizable by trick, hairstyle e precious kimonoShe enjoyed excellent social status; this profession often saved her from poverty and the streets. In the male imagination, her refinement contrasted with the slovenliness of her wives and the vulgarity of prostitutes. The geisha's prestige was due to her beauty, talent, intellect, and elegance.
Angela Merkel and Chiara Ferragni
Let's move on to the contemporary age. Every year, the magazine Forbes draws up the ranking of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the WorldFor seven years now, the German Chancellor has been in first place. Angela Merkel. Next in line are British Prime Minister Theresa May and Melissa Gates, Bill's wife. Among the Italians, in 17th place is the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, at 73rd, Miuccia Prada, designer and entrepreneur and, finally, 81st, Fabiola Giannotti, Director General of CERN. In addition to underlining the powerful role of women scientists, researchers, ministers, heads of state, First Lady (to name a few), there is the presence of a sui generis category which, paradoxically, is perhaps more popular than those who have translated efforts and studies into a common profession: we are talking about the web influencerIn the 90s, there were certain well-known supermodels who embodied perfect beauty, in 2000, many young girls identified with the showgirls proposed by television such as showgirls and letter girls, while currently it is the network that dictates female models To be admired and emulated. Who are influencers? Good-looking young people, models, or TV show participants who enjoy a certain following, influencing (precisely) fashion or lifestyle. There are also professional young people. an influencer. Through i social networks They advertise clothing brands, food, clubs, restaurants, vacation spots, and beauty products. They often offer discounts on online purchases by inserting a sponsored code, such as:Enter the code ANNA10 and you will get a 10% discount on this fantastic product!"And if they support it with thousands of likes, why not try? Popularity is also linked to business and marketing strategies by companies. The images posted on social media, edited or not, show bodies that are almost perfect, natural or with cosmetic surgery. followers (Followers) identify with and imitate them, desiring to achieve the same success and following. The target audience obviously ranges from teenagers to a few years older. Furthermore, some become famous online thanks to particular talents such as singing and dancing, or for their own originality.
A real change?
Today, the values associated with social influence include beauty, the pursuit of aesthetic perfection, success, professional success, personal fulfillment, talent, power, and popularity connected to the media, sexy images, likes, and the number of virtual friends and followers . Paradoxically, while female bodies are displayed and flaunted in a sort of sexual liberation, unfortunately, being the girlfriend or wife of a famous person (thus increasing one's prestige) still matters. While in ancient times the domestic space was predominantly female, today (and fortunately) women have invaded the public sphere, both real and virtual. One fact, however, hasn't changed: single or married, mothers or without children, and those who work "ordinary" jobs, become famous only through news stories or extraordinary events. Who knows if, in a few years, we'll be talking about housewives, secretaries, teachers, unemployed women, students, sociologists, everyday heroines—web influencers...
Arianna Caccia
With a degree in Health and Lifestyle Sociology, I have a strong interest in the study and analysis of social phenomena. Always ready to learn and improve, I love reading, writing, Vasco Rossi and Rino Gaetano, and long walks in the countryside.
