The intellectual role of women in the 20th centuryAt the end of the 19th century, women were considered inferior and had fewer rights than men. The only two roles expected of her were that of wife or mother. At that time, women could not own property in their name. Divorce and child custody laws were primarily in favor of men. Women were not allowed to attend universities and professional schools. In addition to educational limitations, women challenged the gender stereotypes of scientists and philosophers. Some educated and professional men from the elite class feared that women would no longer play their traditional roles at home and in the workplace once they completed their education. Barring women from schools and universities has hindered social and economic progress. However, in the early 20th century, women began to fight for equal rights and changed stereotypical views of their role in society. With the onset of the Industrial Revolution in the Western world, the role of women and men in society was further exaggerated. The traditional belief was that men can only lead a public life while women must stay at home to care for their children. Factories began employing men, women and even children to increase profits. However, women were paid less and often laid off after marriage or the birth of their first child. Due to their economic vulnerability and poverty, many women have had to engage in prostitution. At that time, contraception and abortion were illegal. Laws regarding rape were generally unfavorable to women. European family law was also disadvantaged for women. A husband's extramarital affairs were more tolerated than those of a wife. During divorce, middle of paper, the improvement of the financial situation of women. Feminist writers have often expressed the problems women face in literature. Virginia Woolf wrote a novel called "A Room of One's Own" in 1929 which became the foundational texts of feminist literature. She underlined the right of women to participate in intellectual life by having a space not dominated by men and an income of their own. Famous psychoanalysts Karen Horney and Melanie Klein challenged Freud's views on women by establishing a psychoanalytic basis for women. Women writers and artists of the early 20th century represented women's issues in literature. Male authors such as Lawrence and Howells have reflected on issues related to sexuality and sexual politics between men and women. Authors May Sinclair and Katherine Mansfield have drawn attention to the difficulties women face in defining their roles..