Who is the woman?

In class today we talked about the social contradictions within our society. And the question came up What is the role of women? How is it different from 1940's and now? Or did it not change. As a woman that is growing in a time of revolution and change, I am confused on what Society standard's are for women. I feel as our role is a contradiction. How can a woman be successful and still be held,in many cases, COMPLETELY accountable for her family. While the role of the male has stayed the moderately the same ( to be the breadwinner , just with the assistance of his wife). With divorce now my frequent than marriage and children constantly made out of wed lock, the image of family is skewed. Which is why women in many instances have taken on the role of the father/man and mother as time progresses. Women now what to be mommy and daddy but how do we now define our role in society.
But outside sources are not only to be blamed. Women themselves have created a paradox where they are confused on who they are. We claim to be "independent women" and "not to need a man", but later upset with the idea that chivalry is dead. We contradict ourselves, because of the mixed messages we are receiving from the outside. Truthfully, It is a cycle between the cause of the contradiction and the effects of it that perpetrate he misunderstanding of our role.
-Tatiana Malebranche