Gender Relations Among the Masai in Comparative Perspective - Assignment Example

Indicators of low status among Maasai women Maasai women have no power to make decisions They are ed to arranged early marriagesThey are forced by the culture to undergo female genital mutilationThey have no right to own propertyThey cannot participate in leadership rolesThey act as a source tool for entertainment to menThey have no power to choose their spouseThey have no right to educationFemale genital mutilationMaasai women are subjected to clitoridectomy which according to culture is a transition from childhood to adulthood.

Young girls of between twelve and fifteen years must undergo the genital mutilation in order for them to be recognized as adults (Mcdowell, 87). The operation is conducted by a midwife or a medicine woman who uses her knives to conduct the operation. Many of the women end up dying as a result of bleeding or from infections.Property ownershipThe Maasai society is based on patriarchy. Men dominate women on all aspects. Women have no right to own property, no right to education or control resources.

Maasai women cannot inherit property either from their parents or husband. In case of death of a husband, his properties are handed over to the eldest son. After the ceremony that crowns initiates the power to become adults, men are given the right to marry and own property. This aspect does not apply to women. Men view women as a property owing to the fact that they pay dowry which is considered as “buying”Leadership rolesWomen are not included in the administration and management of the resources, property and even representation (Mcdowell, 86).

A Maasai woman cannot take leadership position. The duties allotted to her are; being a producer, fetching fire wood, fetching water, caring for the young children, looking after small stock, milking and constructing the Manyatta.SourceKENDALL HUNT PUB CO, Mcdowell,. Cultural Anthropology: A Concise Introduction. Westmark Drive: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, 2009. 86-89. Print.