When a person thinks of Muslim woman they may picture a woman who is devalued and under appreciated. People often blame the Islamic religion for the injustices towards women, when in all actually they are imposed by the politics and society of Islamic nations. Muslim women's dress, role in the household and in society are common misconceptions of the Western world.
The Western society's stereotypical views a Muslim woman are misplaced. We picture a woman covered head to toe in robes and blame their religion for the over-conservative behavior they must have, when it is really society that has imposed these harsh restrictions. Although the Quaran states "draw their veils close round them" it does not literally mean that women must wear veils. Only in Islamic societies are women forced to be fully robed and wear veils. Women are not required to wear them at all times, only in public. Even then some women don't wear the traditional veil. Society has taken the Quaran to an extreme when in all actuality it doesn't mean that. Other than that, Muslim women throughout the world look like any other women, and are free to dress as they please. .
The same misconception of the Islamic religion applies to women's roles in households. In Islamic nations women hold a domestic and submissive role in the house; however, this is due to an underdeveloped society and not the religion of Islam. Just as in America when our nation was first developing, women did not work or involve themselves in the household decisions; however, as our nation has evolved women have gained a more equal role in the household. In Islamic countries they have not yet reached that equilibrium between the genders that our country has achieved. Polygamy in Islam is rare. It is accepted; however, only if you can support both wives and treat them equally.
In an Islamic country the role of women in society, just as in the household, has not evolved.