Pisan viewed women as equal to men and capable of all roles and occupations, while Plato believed in more traditional gender roles with women focused on childrearing and home while men participated in politics and warfare. Both lived in male-dominated societies, but Pisan advocated for greater equality and recognition of women's abilities, whereas Plato supported maintaining the status quo of his time with separate spheres for men and women. Overall Pisan presented a more progressive view of women's potential that was ahead of her time.