...“Parenting as a Religious Jewish Feminist” by Haviva Ner- David Haviva Ner-David’s, the writer of “Parenting as a Religious Jewish Feminist,” talks about the tallit (prayer shawl) and the tefillin (little boxes strapped onto the arm and forehead that contain scriptural passages), both traditionally worn by only men for prayer, which she believes enhances her perception of God and the sanctity of her own body. She mentions that in the bible Michael the daughter of King Saul and the first wife of King David “Wore tefillin and Sages did not protest her action.” It was most commonly understood that the Rabbis exempted women from performing certain time bound mitzvoth, such as putting on tefillin, because women’s time belongs to others their children and their husbands. As a mother of four with Michal being the oldest she talks about how she takes being a Jewish mother seriously. She introduces her children to Toraah and Mitzvot with love. She does not want Michal to grow up feeling as a Jewish female, resentful of her religion or marginalized and irrelevant all of which she often felt as a child and young woman. David goes on about how she would love to see her children adopt the values that she had chosen for herself meaning seeing her daughter pray with tefillin, and hear her son tell her that he refuses to say bracha thanking God for not having created him a woman. Michal and her other daughters may decide to follow in her religious feminist path or may not. As a mother she...
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...Faculty of Letters MA Study Programme Anglo – American literature by woman MA student: Șerban Agurița Dorinela 1 st year – R.F. 2012 – 2013 Feminism is political label indicating support for the aims of the new woman’s movement which emerged in the late 1960s. This includes seeking to establish equal opportunities for women in education and employment. A feminist is an advocate or supporter of the rights and equality of women. Feminist theory, which emerged from these feminist movements, aims to understand the nature of gender inequality by examining women's social roles and lived experience; it has developed theories in a variety of disciplines in order to respond to issues such as the social construction of sex and gender. Some of the earlier forms of feminism have been criticized for taking into account only white, middle-class, educated perspectives. This led to the creation of ethnically specific or multiculturalism forms of feminism. The feminist movement produced both feminist fiction and non-fiction, and created new interest in women's writing. Nights at the Circus is a novel by Angela Carter, first published in 1984 and that year's winner of the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for fiction. The novel focuses on the life and exploits of Sophie Fevvers, a woman...
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...Kassandra Yanez Causal Analysis English 121 “The oppression suffered by Chicanas is different from that suffered by most women in this country. Because Chicanas are part of an oppressed nationality, they are subjected to the racism practiced against La Raza”(Mirtha Vidal 1971). In American society all women are oppressed. The most oppressed women in the U.S. are women of color. Among them are Chicana women, there are certain expectations of what is acceptable for women through a patriarchal and sexist society which gives men power and privilege over women. These expectations are shown through the concepts of La mujer Buena and La mujer Mala. This is even greater oppression than that faced by other women. Chicana’s oppression begins in their own home, and continues to haunt Chicana women outside their home. The concept of la mujer buena (the good woman) and la mujer mala (the bad woman) is the root of Chicana expectations that feeds into the patriarchal and sexist society women have to face. La mujer buena is expected to be silent, a virgin, and a care taker. La mujer mala is the total opposite; she is an activist, a “whore”, and is educated. When a woman falls out of the expectations of la mujer buena she is put into the category of la mujer mala simply because she wants her voice heard and isn’t just going to sit there while women are being oppressed. In Elizabeth Martinez’ 500 years of Chicana Women’s History she states, “despite the hard life faced by the working class...
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...It is constantly surrounding us. It cannot be evaded. Pornography is an initial part of the entertainment mainstream. Whether it is in magazines, or in music, pornography is gender-prejudiced. The word pornography can be defined as the depiction of erotic behavior intended to cause sexual excitement. Degrasion towards women is its only accomplishment. The poses they take and the acts they perform are all part of the discrimination that women face . The only thing pornography offers is negative effects on women. Pornography, whether on a page, in music, or on screen, is degrading to all females. Magazines, posters, and other materials portray women as something less than human. A women in Florida argued that she was harassed by her male co-workers who put up graphically sexual posters and calendars, some showing women being abused. Among the offensive materials was a poster with a frontal view of a nude women with a dehumanizing USDA choice printed on it. Also , a teacher in Canada asked the Ontario Human Rights Commission to order the removal of pornographic magazines from convenience stores on the grounds that they create a hostile environment for women. Even Playboy and Penthouse , two of the more popular menþs magazines that actually contain insightful articles on current issues or events, degrade women. Psychologist Marty Mckay says that the only way to protect womenþs rights is to prohibit the sale of skin magazines in corner stores. Men are not put into the same...
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...The Feminist Revelation The escalating academic industry of feminist/womanist studies is rife with declarations of a grand social revolution. Contemporary feminism, says Sommers, has more to do with revelation than with revolution. She notes that Alison Jaggar identifies four dominant feminist “frameworks”: liberal, Marxist, radical, and socialist. The last three frequently overlap, and all are determined that feminism requires the overthrow of prevailing social arrangements, especially the “nuclear family,” and the wresting of power from men. As Andrea Dworkin puts it: “Men love death. In everything they make the hollow out a central place for death. . . . In male culture slow murder is the heart of Eros, fast murder is the heart of action, and systemized murder is the heart of history.” Sommers simplify the typology by suggesting that there are essentially two feminisms: liberal feminism and gender feminism. She identifies herself as a liberal feminist. Liberal feminists respect what women want, also if that includes such “gendered” choices as marriage and motherhood. The goal of liberal feminism is straightforward: women have a right to fair treatment and equal opportunity in trying to realize their aspirations. Gender feminism is very different, indeed radically different. Gender feminism views all of social reality in terms of the “sex-gender system.” According to gender feminist Sandra Harding, this system is a “system of male-dominance made possible by men's control...
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...Community Therapy Garden Proposal for Harbor House Donna Lubas Professional Communications Spring 2013 June 2nd, 2013 Table of Contents Executive Summary 3 Purpose 5 Problem 5 Solutions 6 Social Benefits 6 Economic Benefits 6 Educational Benefits 7 Harbor House Mission Statement 8 Conclusion 9 References 10 Executive Summary Purpose This proposal is to encourage the implementation of a community garden on an unused portion of the property currently used by Harbor House in Appleton, WI. Problem A large portion of the lot currently maintains the potential for an increase in aesthetic qualities and usefulness. Solutions The establishment of an onsite therapy garden for residents and staff could aid in the resolution of several factors. Such a project would encourage community involvement with Harbor House via direct involvement in care of the garden, donation of supplies, and social networking. The quality of the property would be improved with a variety of foliage and color which would thus benefit the overall appeal of the neighborhood as well as present fundraising alternatives for Harbor House. Conclusion Research has shown a wide variety of mental, physical, and socioeconomic benefits brought about by the creation of “green space” within a community. These include but are not limited to opportunities to teach the nutritional benefits of a healthy...
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...Critical Evaluation Essay Crystal Eastman, a 1920's feminist, expresses her thoughts on woman's rights and how if woman are given these rights it will change the way women view their position in life. While fighting for the right to vote, woman views were respected by men. Several feminists are socialists or communists, few are active leaders within the feminists movements. Many legal issues were resolved to make it easier for woman to achieve numerous professions, trades or unions that were once just for men. The future must bring in early coaching for each boy and girl. They must learn that it's both manly and feminine to provide for their family in whatever career choice they choose, and to be able to stand on their feet alone. Conjointly children should learn that it's both manly and feminine to be able to know how to cook, clean, sew, take care of themselves and their children. Eastman's article contains ethos, Pathos and Logos while discussing the argument concerning woman’s rights. Woman's rights have invariably been something society has struggled with throughout history. Eastman states in her essay “that the vast majority of women as well as men are without property, and are of necessity bread and butter slaves under a system of society which allows the very sources of life to be privately owned by few, and she counts herself a loyal solider in the working-class army that is marching to overthrow that system.”(Eastman). This statement by Eastman might be...
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...Whether observed through the perspective of the media or within a historical context, women at a national premise have a greater awareness in the struggle of gender equality and female identification. Feminism looks at how the social, economic and political structures affect and shape women at the individual level. Accordingly, feminist theories analyze the relationship between gender differences, gender inequality and oppression. The idea of ‘waves’ in Canadian Feminist movements have been both diverse and dynamic in the act of coalition to obtain specific goals and broader changes in society. At the beginning of the 20th century, industrialization and nation-building came attached with a gender ideology that prescribed the public/private division between male and females. In modern-day Canada, issues concerning equal rights in the public and private sphere of women have become more relevant to the female community. In contemporary Canada, the discussion of sex work and the ‘entertainment industry’ is a controversial subject to many women. The traditional view is expressed to view these workers as individuals who have chosen this path as ‘immoral criminals’ or ‘victims’ of aggression. There is not much sympathy for these women as they are degraded to be invisible within Canadian society. Given the blind eye, these sexual deviants have historically served as an representation to regulate women of the public sphere. However, it is necessary to make distinctions of the ‘hierarchy’...
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...Empowering women KALPANA KANNABIRAN writes on a government policy which incorporates the major concerns and issues that the women's movement has been engaged with over 25 years.THE National Policy for the Empowerment of Women 2001, is an attempt to institutionalise the gains of women's movements across the country. Taking the Constitution as its point of departure, the National Policy outlines the historical context within which it is located, which interestingly, is the historical context of the women's movement as well: the international conferences from Mexico (1975) through Nairobi (1985) to Beijing (1995) and the follow up on Beijing; the women's movement and the widespread network of non-government organisations with a mass base; the landmark "Status of Women" documents in the country - Towards Equality and Shramshakti. The objectives and goals of the National Policy include the creation of an enabling environment for women through economic and social policies, active protection of rights, equal access to decision making and social sector needs, strengthening institutional support systems and legal machinery, and forging partnerships within civil society. In short, the active and committed elimination of all forms of discrimination against all women. These objectives, the Policy affirms will be realised through a review and formulation of positive measures in the judicial legal system, decision making, through the economic and social empowerment of women. A cursory reading...
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...cultures are treated in and out of their households. Feminist theorists have called for more research on the special role that immigrant women play maintaining their households (Schaefer, 2011). Many Feminist will try to fight for woman rights so that they can be equal to men. In Afghanistan women are fighting every day for the right to have an education and even the right to drive. Several Americans and independent women in Afghanistan are opening schools for the children to have a chance to learn how to read and write. While generally providing a critique of social relations, much of the feminist theory also focuses on analyzing gender inequality and the promotion of women’s interest. Evaluating this particular story, the radical feminism comes to mind. This is the evaluation of the role of the patriarchy in perpetuating male dominance. In patriarchal societies, the male’s perspective and contributions...
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...Aladdin is one of the tales in the book One Thousand and One Arabian Nights. There are several moral lessons in the story. The main moral lesson on Aladdin is that its best to be yourself. Greatness and strength comes from within, not from without. Its not whats on the outside that' count; what is important is what's on the inside. The moral of the original Middle-Eastern tale 'Arabian Nights' is that greatness and strength comes from within, not from without. This is demonstrated by Aladdin's bravery and intelligence despite his humble upbringing. In Disney's animated musical version of the story, the writers updated this theme to a single phrase, calling Aladdin a 'diamond in the rough'. There are many differences between the movie and the original tale of Aladdin, because the filmmakers believed that the original had an inappropriate moral message. And I have to agree with this for at least two reasons. First, Aladdin never tells the princess who he really is; he becomes a prince thanks to the jinni, but he never considers telling his wife about who he was before that. The original story doesn’t even mention this. Lying and pretending to be someone else is, indeed, something that should not be promoted in a children’s movie.Then, in the original story I really couldn’t stand the princess, Badr al-Budur. She is naïve, has no personality and no opinion, she does what she is told to, and never asks questions. She is so easily tricked, that she almost gets Aladdin killed...
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...Examine the patterns of, and reasons for, domestic violence in society. Domestic violence can come in different forms: physical, psychological, sexual or financial violence. These take place within the family or intimate relationships. Common views on domestic violence view this as behaviour from disturbed or ‘sick’ individuals, caused by psychological problems. However, this is challenged by sociologists. The issue is far too widespread to only have an effect on a few ‘psycho’ people. Statistics show that 1/6 of all violent crimes are domestic violence. This is a crime which is underestimated by many; official statistics cannot prove how much it occurs because of victims unwilling to report these crimes out of fear or thought not to be a problem the authority can solve. If victims are willing to report these crimes, police and prosecutors may be reluctant to record them. This may be because agencies are not prepared to involve themselves in domestic cases as the family is a private sphere, and the government is very male dominated therefore cases that may affect the males reputation might not be recorded to ruin it. It is more likely for women to be the victim, men wanting to be dominant within the household, in control, to have a sense of power and authority. 1 out of 4 women have been assaulted by their partner once where as 1 out of 8 has been continuously. Dobash suggests violence is set off by the male partner being challenged, that their sense of power is at risk....
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...Exploring Feminist Identities: Empowerment Through Duality Female writers constantly try to negotiate their identities in a society that exalts male opinion. That the protagonists of Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” and Chopin’s “A Pair of Silk Stockings” are married women places both discourses within a patriarchal, institutional framework. Immediately, a critique of marriage arises, and we are forced to examine how women are oppressed, either by patriarchy or by stereotypes placed on them as mothers and nurturers. It is evident that both stories serve to highlight the plight of women, though it remains arguable whether a solution is proposed. Gilman’s nameless protagonist goes mad, while Chopin’s “Little Mrs. Sommers” dreads going back to the boring routine of a housewife. The conclusions, as such, do not seem to empower women, but suggests a futility of fighting against patriarchy. Even if the madness of Gilman’s nameless protagonist is seen as a form of transcendental sanity as suggested by some critics, how empowering is it for females to be represented as mad? Besides, her transcendence - if it is interpreted as such – is temporary, for she might be placed in an asylum for further treatment. Consumerism too, is only a temporary relief for Mrs. Sommers’ mundane existence, for her money will run out eventually. The fact that both women are married is an important consideration in this analysis. Marriage inscribes patriarchy into the narrative, because it forces the identity...
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...Assess the Contribution of Feminist Sociologists to an Understanding of Family Roles and Relationships Essay Jak There are many different types of feminist theories but they all share a few common interests. They all believe there is a fundamental division in society between men and women, that women are to some extent exploited by men and that society is male-dominated or patriarchal. Oakley argues that the role of the housewife is a social construction and isn’t linked to the female role. The housewife role makes sure that women stay inferior to men making it difficult for them have careers. Women carry out the triple burden in the household; the domestic labour, emotional labour, and paid labour. As shown in the item most of this work is ‘unpaid and hardly recognised work at all’. Oakley argues the only way women will gain independence and freedom in society is for the role of the housewife to be removed as well as the present structure of the family. Wilmott and Young believed the family is symmetrical and that both husband and wife have joint conjugal roles making the family a functional institution and their research showed that men do help women with housework. Radical feminists such as Dobash and Dobash disagree with Willmott and Young’s theory that the family is symmetrical. They believe there are inequalities in the power relations between men and women so they see family as an institution that allows abuse and considering the risk of male violence women would...
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...Examine the ways in which feminist sociologists have contributed to our understanding of family Many of the contributions to this debate have come from radical feminists who have tended to focus on the following aspects of relationships: How domestic roles are divided between men and women, the nuclear family as an ideological construct and domestic violence. Femenism is a sociologicalpersctive and political movement that focuses on womens oppression and how to end it. There are several types of feminism,and they differ in term of what they see as the cause of womesn oppression and the ways to tackle it. Delphy and Leonard studied mainly working-class nuclear families between the 1950s and 1980s. They argue that the type of work women do in the family is the primary cause of their oppression. For example: 9 out of 10 of the households they studied had a male head of household as the main decision maker, with the women and children being defined as his dependents or helpers. The male head of household was the only one earning a wage. The wife, and maybe older children too, did unpaid work in the house whilst relying on him for financial security also even when the wife did paid work, she was still expected to do the vast majority of the domestic labour. Willmott and Young’s research, conducted mainly in the 1950s to 70s, can be used to criticise the work of Delphy and Leonard. Their research found that: In 1973, Willmott and Young were optimistic about the prospects of...
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