The Analysis of the Family Portrait - Research Paper Example

Family Portrait Views on Feminism & Gender Family Portrait: Views on Feminism and Gender The ideal interviewee for this researchwas my aunt, who is 69 years old. She is a personal confidant, who has contributed to my growth. She is a confident woman with a distinguished personality. She is compassionate, shrewd and very reasonable. I particularly chose her to be my respondent because she has lived in both eras where women are empowered. She also lived during a period when women were struggling to find their place. In addition, the nature of our relationship is distinct because of the open interaction. Surprisingly, it is difficult to predict the outcome of the interview because the respondent is always surprising. Aunt describes herself as a fearless, outspoken, respectful and very opinionated woman. She believes that she can be a friend, sister, mother and aunt to call when in need or trouble. She describes herself as accommodating, open minded, highly spirited and liberal. She is of the opinion that people view her as a great confidant who is not afraid to speak the truth regardless of the effect. She is experienced on historical development of the feminine gender. The Interview It is crucial to assert that several questions were asked during the interview process in order to determine the nature of feminism in the society. The respondent’s answers were analyzed and discussed using several literary publications. The respondent indicated that feminism is the advocacy of equal political, economic and social rights for women. It seeks to elevate women’s status and contribute towards their growth in the society in order to enhance their well-being. This doctrine fights for equal rights for women that men enjoy. Feminism should be about providing children with the opportunity to develop into individuals rather than force them into the societal expectations of specific gender roles. It is about encouraging men to be a part of their children lives and enabling women to have careers as men without alleging that they have neglected homes and children. According to Stanton (1848), feminism is about allowing women to reclaim the position in the society. It restores civil rights, rights to property and enhances representative powers. The respondent indicated that a feminist is any person, male or female who advocates for the doctrine of feminism. Feminists believe that men and women should have equal opportunities and rights. According to Sojourner Truth (1851), feminists have the ability to restore the balance in the society through a woman’s movement. It is stated, “If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them” The respondent indicated that a man is a responsible adult male. Being a man means having the integrity and rationality of manhood. The respondent further elaborated that a man is a provider, a protector and the backbone of the family. In addition, being a man means upholding these values. The respondent indicated that a man’s main role in the society is becoming a breadwinner whether the wife is financially independent or not. The man should settle the larger percentage of financial obligation. However, this does not mean that a woman should not work. It is important that women enjoy financial independence. A man is head of the family, who should protect the interests in the home. According to Sojourner Truth (1851), men are thought to perform roles that support women such as “helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere”. However, women can also perform such roles as expected. The term masculinity pertains to having qualities that define a man. Interestingly, the first person that comes to mind is a fire fighter. A man is expected to be strong, brave and resilient. It is evident from the respondent that a woman is a mature female. Being a woman is about having the nurturing tendency. A woman is capable of taking care of her household while balancing a career. According to (1848), a woman is capable of handling roles that she feels suited for without limitations. In addition, a woman has to speak and teach. It is also important for a woman to proclaim moral superiority. The respondent acknowledged that as a woman, ideologies have changed over time. As a child, she was taught by the society that a woman’s place is in the home. The gender differences were practiced in the household. However, time taught the respondents that one could balance the role of the homemaker and the profession. According to bell hooks (1984), the household roles previously associated with women made them empty. Homemakers had a feeling of emptiness and lost identity. The respondent’s role model was his father. He was born at a time when effort did not focus on the education of girls. However, he made sure that all his children, irrespective of gender attained the necessary education. He was also the respondents mentor and encouraged her to be a great woman with strong principles. I think masculinity varies on different degrees in different men. However, it cannot be totally lost. Some men are just more masculine than others are. Men that are more masculine are straight while the less masculine men have the tendencies of being gay. Conclusion It is evident that many people suppose that men are purely of the male gender while women are of the female gender. However, many feminists think otherwise. Sex is not about biology but rather about behavior. Along with psychologists, feminists believe that contrary to biological differences, gender roles are changeable because they are shaped by human social interactions that dictate the behavior of men and women I was taken aback by the response to the role of men in the society today. Traditionally, men were charged with the role of providing for the family. They were expected to be domineering and brave. Women were homemakers and were supposed to be submissive and nurturing. The roles of men and women have changed dramatically due to feminism and feminists. Women are no longer obliged to stay at home to cook for the family and nurse children. They are free to go to work and pursue their careers. Stanton (2014 p.1) asserts that men and women play similar roles because the creator made them equal. It is stated “That woman is mans equal--was intended to be so by the Creator” (Stanton 2014 p.1). Consequently, masculinity is a cliché, especially in cases where the woman’s career is more successful. Feminists fight for equal right in opportunities and expectations, but at times forget equity in obligations. For example, women from different races play divergent roles in the feminist agenda. White women have looked down upon black women in the struggle to attain equality. According to bell hooks (1984 p.2), “the condescension directed at black women was one of the means they employed to remind us that the womens movement was "theirs"” In order to liberate women fully, men need to be a part of the feminist struggle. The responsibility of ending the oppression experienced by women is dependent on men because they are the primary perpetrators. However, the situation does not mean that men should eject themselves from power. It means that they should cease from influencing women negatively. A good start is by empowering and encouraging their daughters, wives, sisters and mothers to strive and achieve their dreams. References Bell hooks. (1984). Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center. Boston: South End Press Retrieved from http://projects.ecfs.org/fieldston57/us45/Readings/hooksFeminism.pdf Stanton, E. (1848). Text of the Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions from the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention, prepared by Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Feminism and Women Studies Retrieved from http://feminism.eserver.org/history/docs/seneca-falls.txt Sojourner Truth. (1851). Aint I a Woman? Feminism and Women Studies. Retrieved from http://feminism.eserver.org/history/docs/aint-i-a-woman.txt Read More