Counter-Argument : Westeros is not Europe, and the roles Women had in Europe are not even universal to Earth, so why would they apply to Westeros?
Westeros has Magic. And Dragons. Earth does not.
Westeros is assaulted by Magic Frost Demons, the Walking Dead and Dragons, yet.. has European culture. Why?
Georgie wrote it that way.
If you have a land assaulted by Magic Frost Demons, the Walking Dead, and Dragons, your culture is not going to mimic Europe. Also, you probably won't have towers in your castles. Just thick, unclimbable walls so as to keep the Magic Frost Demons and Walking Dead out, and low, rounded buildings to keep the Dragons from eating your shit.
Yes, the Dragons are essentially extinct, and yes, the Peoples have forgotten that Magic Frost Demons and Walking Dead are Real Things. They're also not entirely clear on whether or not Magic is real. This doesn't mean they'd tear down everything and suddenly build structures that make no sense, it means they might have new buildings that make no sense, but the old buildings and forts would be built to withstand Magic Frost Demons, Walking Dead, and Dragons.
So, what's the point in all my ramblings?
Women are only second class because George wrote them that way. Now, there's people who take the malicious tact and assume Georgie doesn't like women or actively thinks they're stupid and have cooties. Me? I just think it's lazy shorthand writing. Coming up with a culture that's actually been assaulted by Magic Frost Demons, Walking Dead and Dragons? That's Hard. Just drop Europe on it and make up some new names and call it a day.
Because I assure you, in a world assaulted by Magic Frost Demons that make Walking Dead, even the Dornish would have a phrase that roughly meant "Winter is coming"
Also "Oh shit, Dragons"
is too progressive for you, that's how science identifies you as an earlier species" - Luke McKinney, Cracked.com
Honestly, if you're talking BBQ and 'a guy in a parking lot' isn't part of the conversation, something's wrong."