Monique and the Mango Rains - the Lack of Rights of Women in Mali - Book Report/Review Example

Anth161 Gendered inequality and social stratification Introduction This paper is going to address gender stratification in relation to marriage, kinship, and reproductive health. The paper will use Monique and the Mango Rains as the primary source of data collected in Mali. My interpretations of gender stratification in Mali is that Women do not have the custodial rights over their children because they are not recognized in the society they belong and sometimes treated like aliens. Secondly, women are not happy in their marriage, and this makes them have extra-marital affairs outside their marriage. Lastly, societal norms are placed to oppress women, as the weaker gender and favor the activities of men who look upon them. Women are not expected to play particular roles in the society despite qualifying for the assignment. Discussion Gender Norms and Stratification in Mali Stratification and gender norms in Mali are real, and they get different treatments from the society. Additionally, both genders have different qualities, which make them survive or be oppressed in Mali. For instance, men in Mali are lazy and jealous. This is evident through the way men treat their women in the book. Most of them are unfaithful and engages in extramarital affairs (Holloway 50). Some men are also involved in rape cases within the society. Similarly, men in Mali are lazy and do not work to help and provide for their families. They leave their women to do all the domestic activities as they sit and lazy. Although they are given all the power to control women and the society, there have no impact on the community but instead women play the significant roles. This is replicated in other areas such as India and Brazil (Nanda 45: Scheper-Hughes 325). On the other hand, women in Mali are industrious and laborers. The author portrayed them as people taking care of the welfare of society despite the limited powers and resources they have, do not have the power of choosing for themselves but instead their husband decides for them. They also struggle to ensure their unborn children get better health by walking long distance searching for midwives. Similarly, they live in deplorable environment, but stays put for the wellbeing of their children as Lee (33) found out. There are many forms of gender stratification and norms in the book; one example is that no divorce is allowed in the society (Holloway 58). This society does not allow divorce because women do not have the custodial rights over their children. Women are forced to stay in an abusive relationship and sometimes tend to engage in other activities to counter the pain and abuses they undergo in the course of their relationship. Miniakan cultural taboos are very strict on women, and they must accept their men once married and the trend or marriage has no reversal. This societal norm also pushes Monique to find comfort with Pascal, whom she loves besides knowing the societal consequences when found. In other instances, women are not allowed to weep their children because of the societal status (Miner 504). Marriage and its relation to gender in Mali Marriage is a practice common in nearly every society, and it began a long time ago. In Mali, marriage is part of a social practice that the residents engage in, and it is everywhere. Men marry women, and they reproduce to fill the society. Similarly, there are set rules defining marriage in Mali, and both genders know what is required of them. Through marriage in the society, the institution of the family is formed which nurtures the young ones on the societal expectations as evidenced in the article by Goldstein (23). There are many examples in the book showing marriage, first; Monique is involved in marriage, which she is not happy about (Holloway 50). She is more educated than the husband is and speaks different languages than the husband; these things bring unhappiness in their marriage. Because of this, she is in love affairs with another who ought to have married her. Secondly, Korotun is in a marriage, which her parents are not happy about. She married the man she loved despite facing opposition from parents (Holloway 50). Because of this, none of her relatives are willing to assist, and the parents have left her on her own. Thirdly, parents determine the extent and the person whom their daughter marries. Women do not make free choices on their husbands, but their parents lead them. They are also not allowed to separate from their husband making them tied in their marriage. From these data, it is evident that a marriage is valued in the African culture, although it works against women. Women are not happy about what they undergo as their marriage is oppressive, and they are subordinated. Kinship and its relation to gender in Mali The book provides various indications of kinship among the villagers as well as how they relate with one another. Women work as agents of reproduction and do not have any ownership of the children (Holloway 87). Although members of the society intermarry, the products of marriage, which are children, belong to the society and women do not own the children they give birth to. Because of this, they nurture the children and leave them with husbands in case they move out of the family. This is evidenced in Mali as people are related to one another and helps one another in times of need, which is a show of kinship (Holloway 110). There are many evidences supporting kinship in this book. First, the number of women who gives birth for the continuation of the society shows kinship ties. The midwives help women from all corners of the nation to give birth and nurture their young ones. Secondly, Korotun was unable to meet her relatives when she experienced an abusive relationship (Holloway 57). She requested the assistance of her kinsmen to save her from abusive, but all were in vain. This indicates that they believe in kinsmen, and it exists in Mali. Lastly, Monique marriage was abusive, and he tried to reach the kinsmen, but all were in vain. She even tried to shout to the village about her problems in marriage and it was seen as a taboo. This is an indication that kinship is present in Mali. From this perspective and data present, it is evidenced that Mali societies value kinship and women perceive it as their only hope. Reproductive health and its relation to gender in Mali Reproductive health is one of the themes in this book and the main role the author performed while in Mali. Similarly, Peace Corps dealt with women’s reproduction, which is evident throughout the book (Holloway 10). There are many evidences that support it from the book. First, the author witnessed many births, which is an indication that reproduction is very rife in this village. Similarly, the author witnessed women give birth in mud-earth houses, which is a sign of reproduction taking place (Holloway 50). Secondly, Mali is one of the nations with the highest number of child mortality in the world since many women have high risk of dying when giving birth. This data is low compared to other developed nations. Thirdly, Monique was devoted to her patients by helping them give birth. She rose from bed very early in the morning to prepare for her day and arrange the necessities for reproduction, which is an indication. These data show that women in Mali reproduce, and they are committed to the continuity of the society. Conclusion The book elaborates application of societal norms and stratification in Mali. It has portrayed how women are subordinated and their role in the society. Through this, the book is essential in understanding the position of women in a traditional society. Similarly, it indicates how the societal norms work against women since they are oppressed, do not own property and children and only plays the role of reproducing children. Works cited Goldstein, Melvyn. When brothers share a wife Holloway, Kris. Monique and Mango Rains. Oxford: Oneworld Publications, 2011. Print. Lee, Richard. Eating Christmas in the Kalahari. Annual Edition, 31-34 Miner, Horace. Body rituals among the Nacirema. American Anthropologist. 58.3(1956), 503-507 Nanda, Serena. Arranging a marriage in India. Scheper-Hughes, Nancy. Death without weeping: has poverty ravaged mother love in the Shantytowns of Brazil? Natural History. 1989, pp. 323-329 Read More