Final answer:
The societal pressure on women to marry and have children was met with resistance by some parents who fostered their daughters' education. Examples of women like Dr. Karen Magnus, who pursued higher education and careers in science, illustrate this shift. Crucial to this change were supportive parents, especially fathers, who encouraged their daughters against traditional gender roles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Examining the societal expectations of women's roles during different periods, it becomes evident that Dr. Karen Magnus thrived despite normative beliefs. The examples provided, such as those of Margaret Geller and others, demonstrate an evolutionary change in societal attitudes toward women's education and career pursuits. Specifically, fathers played a crucial role by encouraging their daughters' interests in science and other traditionally male-dominated fields, contrary to expectations of early marriage and household-confined roles.