Heirs or pawns? The representation of children in Athenlan and Akan drama

In many societies, a clear distinction is often made between male and female children. This distinction inadvertently leads to stereotyped roles for each gender. While gender roles are evident in societies and their literature, this paper questions whether these distinctions are used to exploit children by adults and parents. Do children become pawns in achieving their parents‘ ambitions, or do they inherit the benefits of their labour as heirs? Are children viewed as liabilities or assets? Using the concepts of pawn and heir, this comparative study examines the roles of children in the selected plays – Medea, Hecabe, The Witch of Mopti, and In the Chest of a Woman – and explores the gender inequalities linked to these roles in the Athenian and Akan societies. The paper highlights how societal systems influence the functions assigned to children from birth, shaping their representation in these plays. It concludes that while the girl child is often a pawn in the hands of parents and society, the boy child typically enjoys the privileges of an heir. Additionally, the analysis reveals that Athenian plays and society frequently discriminate against girls, whereas Akan girls experience greater gender parity. However, even in the Akan context, the plays demonstrate instances of discrimination against girls.