Abstract
Throughout the history of France, it seems that women have always appeared to be inferior to men, at least since the settling process in the Gallic period. The dominant religion, Catholicism, has intensified this state of mind as it considers God as superior to men, and men that are superior to women. Thus, the presupposed inferiority of women is not a new issue. However, a turning point might be the French Revolution in 1789, as a Constitution was written, creating concepts of “liberty, equality, and fraternity” in the French society. We will see why this attempt to universalism sets women apart and how women struggled to balance men's power. The climax of this evolution might be reached soon, as a woman is running for the supreme power: to become the next president of the French Republic. In a first part, we will see the family and equality at work and at home; then, we will question the concept of parity. In a third part, we will analyse the impat of the French revolution. In a fourth part, we will study current divergent opinions about parity. In a last part, we will examine the case of Ségolène Royal, and see if she is an example to follow.
