Feminism Anthropology - Essay Example

due: Comparison between “The pain of thinking too much” and “Searching for voices” “The Pain of Thinking too Much, dolor de cerebro and the Embodiment of Social Hardship among Nicaraguan Women” by Kristin Yarris and “Searching for Voices, Feminism Anthropology and the Global Debate on Female Genital Operations” by Christine Wally are articles that are connected with women suffering, pain, hardship and historical injustices. These two articles have both similarities and differences, but can be studied in cooperation to comprehend the topic. Combined, both articles bring out aspects, which are embedded in cultural practices to shape thoughts in certain ways, bringing about the knowledge of feminism. While it is important to appreciate that these practices happen within a cultural context we then mirror the same aspects through the western culture and knowledge, global health, feminist and humanitarian perspective to come up with themes of similarity and contrast. “The Pain of Thinking too Much, dolor de cerebro and the Embodiment of Social Hardship among Nicaraguan Women” is the main article in this report. Yarris mentions about families whose sons and daughters migrate to Costa Rica, Panama, Spain and the U.S in search for work and better lives for their families. The migration of sons and daughters is equated to combating poverty and those left behind have to assume caregiver roles and responsibilities, which is often an added burden. The women worry over the security and safety of their children as they transcend borders using illegal means to gain entry. In Nicaragua, the economics of migration sees households making a decision of send one or more members to neighboring countries to work as a strategy to increase the income and economic security. The capitalistic economies create inferior jobs under pathetic working conditions in order to remain profitable with nationals unwilling to accept working in these conditions. This line of thought perceives the economics of the well to do countries exploiting and destroying poor countries through social fragmentation (Yarris 230). While some contemplate genital female mutilation with horror, others exalt and translate the process as purification and to constitute an important part of shaping and defining feminine sexuality, aesthetic and religion. Amidst the pain and discomfort, there is pride, joy, satisfaction and emotional attachment with girls who undergo the practice as initiates. Both authors converge in similarity on how history and human society use pain as a social mechanism to manipulate women and transform their identity. Human beings spend most of their lives in pain or suffering. Pain and suffering can be viewed punishment, sacrifice, reward or destiny. Aristotle spoke of pain as passions of the soul and to this day, we associate these emotions with matters of the soul and spirituality. Social forces through social institutions, global systems and culture cause social suffering. This is as witnesses in horrifying inhuman global acts and the role of institutional policies in producing greater suffering to human beings. In the era of organized religion pain and suffering was attributed to superior powers. The gods would determine when, how, who, where and the kind of suffering to give to human beings as an indication of their displeasure. In Christianity, suffering is not considered a bad thing or experience, but an essential aspect to get closer to God. In eastern cultures, self-inflicted pain is a religious tradition and believed to be manageable (Walley 406). According to “Searching for Voices, Feminism Anthropology and the Global Debate on Female Genital Operations”, the worrier syndrome among Nicaragua women and genital mutilation as embedded in traditions may have serious effects on the health of populations. The older women suffer both mentally and emotionally as the worry and feel anxious for family members who are away especially if the person is a son, daughter or both. They are stressed at thoughts of them dying or the death of a loved one on out-migration. They worry over the well-being of their member as they trans-verse borders and as they seek to establish their lives in new environments. They ache deeply when they contemplate their children suffering (Walley 405-438). Many violations of human rights are linked to being female attesting to the fact that women are discriminated against and abused based on gender. Gender related abuse has been neglected and is the most challenging in the field of human rights today. Human rights are one of the few moral visions ascribed to internationally. In feminism, female circumcision is considered a vicious act of mutilation and injury under the disguise of culture as opposed to an act of purity. Those who condone and practice this vice are tasked with the advancing culture; at the expense of fundamental rights to life and committing acts of violence against women (Yarris 228). Critics to the practice refer to practitioners as barbaric and savages who perpetuate an archaic ritual act that has no justification and place in any civilized society. In Nicaragua the process of migration whether voluntary or forced bears significant feelings of deprivation, culture shock and anxiety pushing women and under-aged girls to the sex trade and prostitution often with low wages, no benefits, long hours of work, harassment, lack of representation and rights in the workplace, abuse, economic vulnerability and even inadequate access to medical services. Conventions have been cited in support of these human rights violations; The United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (1992), The United Nations Declaration on Violence against Women (1993), The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). The acts are deemed to transgress the right to health, rights of the child and the right to bodily integrity. In the workplace, the system disadvantages women in the form of material resources, power, status and gender hierarchy. With industrialization and the movement of production out of the household, the entry of women in a male dominated occupation remains wanting. Segregation in terms of gender is linked to the quality of work where the prestigious jobs are reserved for men while the less prestigious and downgraded positions are thought of as women’s work. In short, jobs can have gender. Low skill jobs in the absence of unionization will typically pay poorly with little investment in tools and training. For Nicaragua and the world over, women are poorer than men, have insecure jobs and survive through a weak support system. Women are seen to shoulder a greater burden of work and may not always receive adequate remuneration for their contribution. In addition, women are more exposed to con-sexual sex with male partners, commercial sex and sexual abuse in exchange of access to basic needs. There are more children in Nicaragua being cared for by women either a grandmother or aunt than in the care of their parent. This leaves women with the burden to care for children who have been separated from their parent in search for work. For women who remain, poverty is a problem not to mention the negative effect of poverty inequalities due to gender status and subordinate position within the family. This is a society where men are the primary decision makers, women tending to big families, encounter early pregnancies and lack clear and adequate information about birth control. Closely related to the subject of human rights is the way feminists portray the practice of female circumcision in the light of female victimization by the pre-dominant male authority. It is perceived as an endeavor to control women and their sexuality. The Beijing Decade of Women Conference Platform of Action states that women rights are human rights and is founded on the principle that men and women have equal rights by virtue of their humanity. This means that women need protection through legal enforcement and permits women to make certain legal claims even in international law (Yarris 28). How I went about finding and selecting the Comparison article “Searching for voices” by Walley I chose to focus on the real issues affecting women particularly the voiceless, poor and marginalized. I looked at converging issues of transformation through pain and suffering, human rights abuses and neglect, gender inequalities and global health challenges. The comparison article “Searching for voices” by Walley centers on social and physical injustices melted on women as the weaker and the vulnerable sex; this makes up an excellent counter-comparison with the topic article “The pain of Thinking too much” by Yarris. In the case of Nicaraguan women whom the migrants may choose to think of themselves privileged as they pursue informal jobs for empowerment. To their surprise conforming to abuse, harassment and low wages often results to vulnerability and pain. Women from communities that practice female genital mutilations also conform to backward practices, which leave painful irreversible and unforgettable experience that, last a lifetime. Women who have previously undergone female genital mutilation are migrating to countries where the practice is not common or unheard of. In Canada for instance, many healthcare professionals in the developed countries are usually untrained in this aspect of care. Somali women who customarily practice the worst form of tohara reported inappropriate clinical practice and quality of care. They demanded greater sensitivity for cross-cultural practices and more respectful treatment than is currently available. From a global outlook doctors are now confronted with difficult births, unusual gynecological problems and growing cases of mental health, emotional and ethical dilemma. The consequences of genital surgery through infibulations may lead to immediate risks of bleeding, shock, longer-term risks of infertility, infection and obstructed labor. Experts warn that circumcised women are prone to developing psychiatric illnesses. 90% of these women described harboring feelings of fear, horror, and pain. They also confessed that the procedure was performed without warning, preparation or any explanation. There are even increased concerns that unsterilized instruments through sharing may be spreading the HIV and Hepatitis infections. Works cited Christine J. Walley, (1997) “ Searching for ‘Voices’: Feminism, Anthroplogy, and the Global Debates over Female Genital Operations,” pp. 405-438. Yarris, Kristin E. The Pain of Thinking Too Much: Dolor De Cerebro and Social Hardship Among Rural Nicaraguan Women. , 2007. Print. Read More