Monique and the Mango Rains - Essay Example

Monique and the Mango Rains i. Social Stratification of Women from an Anthropological Perspective Considering Gendered Inequality for Malian Minianka Women Social stratification by definition is a trait of society and persists over generations. It encompasses an unwritten inclusion of beliefs and inequality in developing a social hierarchy in which some people in the society have more privilege and power compared to others. The philosophical concept of a society defines what social stratification entails, and by this approach it differs across different regions, despite its global presence. The inequality in society is common to all gender, although due to the male chauvinistic nature of most societies, the women are more exposed to the stratification. The case of the Minianka women of Mali is an example of where society ranks the man above women prior to using stratification to develop a hierarchy within the women. There are several factors that are anthropologically linked to the existence of social stratification in society, and they include the family, division of labor, sex, economy, religion, and gender responsibilities among others. Depending on the nature of the society, the degree of stratification varies; thus communities are classified into hunters and gatherers, horticultural, pastoral, agricultural, job specific, and industrialized, among others. Gender roles, family, and reproduction are factors that affect social stratification in the social context. Society is responsible for defining the roles and responsibilities of its members. The inequality that stems from the gender roles and responsibilities follows the anthropological view of the man being stronger to the woman. The men are burdened with the responsibilities of provision, security and management of the family unit in the Malian community, common to most African societies. The society, supported by anatomy, accredits women to the growth of family, and consequently society. The capability of the female gender to give birth is evaluated in most scenarios, with the blame of infertility being highly alleged as the woman’s fault. Although men have been established, by science, as the sex determinants and equally responsible for infertility, women bear the wrath of society. Conventionally, the woman is inherently responsible for the nurturing role in the family unit and society collectively. Beliefs of society, with regards to men versus women, contribute to the establishment of levels where the accomplishment of responsibilities set by society improves one’s position (Holloway & Bidwell 58). Stratification occurs in a social context under gender responsibilities, family and reproduction, under different social groupings such as girls, ladies, mature women, married women, and mothers, just to mention but a few. Education, economy and governance are other contributors to social stratification of women, in Mali and in general. Women, irrespective of their social image attract stratification depending on their accomplishment in these three considerations. There is a correlation to the three in that with education, and there is a higher chance for economic prosperity, and consequently influence inn governance. Women are disadvantaged in the Malian community for not having engaged these three factors, due to either social practices or beliefs or otherwise. The ability of a woman to manage the personal and professional paths, which might go against society’s anthropological perspectives, has helped the candidates secure a better life. The factors are a huddle to the Malian women attaining the global image of a well informed and enabled woman as the stronger in the society continuously reap the benefits of the ‘ignorant’. Only the women with skills have a position in society to influence the field, through delivery of services or progress from earnings. Society can be challenged from the gender roles and responsibilities, family and reproductive health of women with their education, economic liberation and involvement in governance. It is only by women engaging in what anthropological society considered ‘unwomanly’ activities equality can be pursued, although its elimination is a scenario of idealism. ii. Obstacles to Malian Minianka Women Achieving a Higher Status Gender inequality in the Minianka women is faced by several obstacles, and family is just but an iceberg’s tip. The women, tasked with nurturing the family are placed in a predicament that upholds the significance of a man. The case of Monique is an example of how the women in Mali are burdened by society. She is in an arranged unsupportive relationship. She is denied the choice of choosing a husband by the society, and yet she feels that for the welfare of her off springs, she cannot quit the relationship. In the event of a divorce, Monique cannot take her children, which confines her to the marriage, considering society has tasked her with the responsibility of catering for the children. According to the social conflict theory by Karl Marx and Max Weber, the men benefit from oppressing the women. Men have the society deciding on who is best to marry, and are ensured a family, irrespective of their status. This theory states that some of the society members benefit at the expense of others. Although Monique shows a sense of social responsibility by continuing with her midwife job with meager compensation and with the death of a dear one, her working conditions indicate no recognition or appreciation for her work. Her oppression at work is further heightened by the inability to access dental care from her small wages. Marriage as an institution is a system by which the women in Mali are hindered from achieving success. The family setting in the book reveals that there is little appreciation for education in women, and the society has different structures by which to prevent women from succeeding. Marriage in terms of gender inequality does not emphasize on the roles of a husband but rather the wife. Although traditionally the husband is expected to provide, in an agricultural society, the man’s provision owns land, and the woman and children are expected to till the farm from which food and money is derived. An unsupportive marriage corresponds to a woman breaking her back to ensure that the members of her family feed and dress. Economically, the limitations to the woman correspond to limitations of the family at large. The life that is depicted in the country is one of striving to survive, with there being no favorite alternatives to food and clothes. Limitations in choice also deprive the woman any chance of pursuing their passions, as they are restricted by society in the institution. Reproductive health issues are another predicament that women face in the Mali region. Women are faced with several birthing challenges in the society, of which locally skilled midwives such as Monique solve. The covered challenges in the book are poor birthing conditions and ‘female genital cutting’ as challenges that women face, that are emphasized by society. Women are considered ion low regard such that even their wages for honest work are not comparable to that of the men, and are limited by the local administration. From the lobbying by Kris and John, Monique gets her full pay for her work (Holloway & Bidwell 118). This is a reflection of how the society considers the midwifery jobs. The job is considered lowly since it is delegated to women and has a direct association to the weaker sex. The structural functionalism theory by Davis-Moore suggests that most reward is derived from the most important jobs in the society. In the case of Monique, there is little priority given to the midwife job, a situation that is evident with the death of Monique due to birthing complications. This illustrates the degree to which the reproductive health of the Minianka women is held with utter disregard by the administration, to the effect of death to the mother. The importance of Monique is felt in society, among fellow women, but the administration does not appreciate her work. Work Cited Holloway, Kris, and John Bidwell. Monique and the Mango Rains: Two Years with a Midwife in Mali. Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press, 2006. Print. Read More