I understand that we greatly explored the topic of a woman's social status when discussing the poetry of Marge Piercy, but we seem to be rekindling our thought process with this newly found exploration of Anne Bradstreet. We have clearly established that women are more equal on paper than they are in reality (if it exists). But have we ever questioned why this is?
The first reason that pops into my mind is theologically based. Eve was tempted by the serpent into picking the apple that she had been warned against, and allowed the fall of mankind to take its toll. So technically, we are condemned to a work of toil and hard labor because of a woman. Dr. Bjornstad told us that the Salem Witch Trials revolved around women because they were seen as weaklings, the beings most likely to be in cahoots with the devil. But why is this? Since the beginning of time (even going back to the ancient Egyptians), females have been viewed as dishonest creatures, ones that abet "innocent" men. Sirens, anyone?
For a seemingly secular society, we seem to be basing such a significant matter on religion (for some part, at least). I can't be too sure or definitive, however; that is precisely why I'm asking for your input. It is greatly appreciated.
(Sam Maliha)
5 comments:
I see your point, Sam. If this is the explanation, then it would explain why the role of women is gradually being equalized to the role of men-- religiosity seems to be decreasing, at least in America.
Personally, I don't see the Bible as negatively connoting the female sex. I view it as giving a woman and a man different roles. So, is it possible that there was a different interpretation of the Bible years and years ago, or is religion not a complete explanation for the status of women?
Emily T.
I understand the theological argument, but as much as I gripe about religion, I'd have to say that the main cause of gender inequality is biological and historical. Traditionally, most women have not been as strong, in the physical sense, as men. This is a simple biological fact. Because a woman's body produces less testosterone, she cannot build as much muscle mass as a man of a similar body type. In our closest relatives, primates, the female is almost always smaller.
This unfortunate fact allows for men to assert their dominance more easily. Through brute strength, men became the leaders of the first tribes, the first towns, and finally the first civilizations. Because the most "successful" regions of the world, Europe and Asia, have been male dominated, the oppression of women has been an enduring trend. As different cultures struggle to come in to their own, like the Middle East and Africa, men tend to assert their authority, often forcing women into marginalized and inferior roles.
In fact, throughout the history of Western civilization, women have been bred to be weak. Consider what young girls are expected to do in comparison to young boys: play with dolls, easy bake ovens, and braid each other's hair. These are non-threatening, non-active tasks designed to keep women in their place.
(I'm not actually sure I agree with that last point, but it's something to think about.)
Taylor Burke
What was that famous quote that we associated with Puritanism? Oh, that's right.
"That's just the way it is."
Even though we are no longer Puritans and live in a more secular society, it doesn't mean that such influences are gone from our lives completely. It reminds me of the American Dreams and Nightmares unit that we studied long ago. We said that a lot of countries had developed on a base of a religion. We happen to have a basis on religions such as Puritanism, where women are not looked upon as being equal to men. It's a belief that has continued to exist throughout all the societies up to now.
I also have to agree with Taylor that the 'weakness' of women is continually being enforced by the biological components of our bodies. There is a reason why almost all sports have a different category for men and women.
To answer Emily's question:
I, too, feel that the Bible merely establishes different roles for men and women. But this is bound to happen, right? The interpretation of the Bible at any given time is different than its interpretation at any other time. (Thank you Hayakawa and Hayakawa's lesson about differing contexts).
And it's really interesting what you say about religion decreasing, and thus equality increasing. That's something to think about.
(Sam Maliha)
Well, Meg's quote ("That's just the way it is") probably best explains this problem. But Taylor offers a good explanation to woman's current status in society.
Certainly, if men had started out in the very beginning taking the more dominant roles (head caveman hunter versus child caretaker), then even as society evolved, those roles were maintained. Whatever the age or civilizations, new rationalizations would spring up to justify this state. You might remember in AP Euro that we discussed the works of Rousseau, who even in the relatively egalitarian ideals of the Enlightenment, declared in his book Emile that women belonged at home because that was natural. Year after year, century after century, society continued to reinforce the perception that women are inferior to men, despite much evidence to the contrary.
It has always been a fundamental question of the gender wars: Are women the same as men, equal to men, or just "different" from men but not necessarily worse?
-Eric Wei
Post a Comment