According to Simone de Beauvoir's arguments in "The Second Sex", how are women positioned in society?

Simone de Beauvoir's "The Second Sex" presents a profound analysis of women's roles and their positioning in society, emphasizing how societal structures and men's perceptions contribute to their subordination. In her work, de Beauvoir argues that women have historically been viewed as 'the Other'—a secondary entity defined in relation to men, who are considered the norm. This perspective leads to women being marginalized and their contributions being undervalued.

De Beauvoir discusses how societal norms and expectations position women lower in the social hierarchy, perpetuating a system where male dominance prevails. She critiques the ways in which women's identities and roles are shaped by men's definitions and perceptions, which significantly influences how they navigate their existence and assert their agency.

By analyzing this dynamic, de Beauvoir highlights the systemic and cultural barriers that keep women from achieving equality, thus making the assertion that women are seen as inferior to men a central theme in her argument. This underscores the need for a reevaluation of societal values and norms regarding gender roles to achieve true equality.