The status of women in the patristic age, as defined by the Church Fathers, is a contentious issue within Christianity. While many believe that the patristic writers clearly sought to restrict the influence of women in civil society as well as in the life of the Church, others believe that the early fathers actually tried to increase the dignity of women.[1]
The Patristic era, which extends roughly from 100 AD to 500 AD, is claimed to be harsher than the Middle Ages in attributing social roles to women.