Changing Role of Women - Article Example

Changing Role of Women: In the modern world of women empowerment and larger role of women, one of the major concerns of the feminist theory has been investigations and researches on sex inequalities and gender role differences. Several of the researches in the area come up with most pertinent findings regarding the role of women in the social functioning over the years. The woks and efforts of the feminist thinkers along with transformed social conditions have been influential in achieving a greater role for women in the modern world. It is essential, therefore, that the changing role of women in the modern world is analyzed and the position of women in the modern world is determined. While this new role of women is determined, it is also essential that such an investigative study incorporates the changed role of women in various sectors, sections, and nations. Therefore, the efforts to define the new role of women in the modern world should essentially include a research on the changing role of women in every sector and category of social life. This has been the central consideration for the selection of research articles for this anthology. As the title of this anthology suggests, this needs to be perceived as an attempt to define the changing role of women in the background of sex inequalities and gender role differences which has been a major research point of the feminist theorists in the modern world. It is indisputable that one of the most relevant topics in the modern feminist theory relating to the general theme of gender role and sex inequality has been the changing role of women. Therefore, this anthology endeavors to provide with the most accurate materials to conclude on the changing role of women in various sections and categories of modern life. Here, this Anthology by the title "Changing Role of Women" covers a broad span of articles which are related to the topic-changing role of women through several categories of modern women of various backgrounds. Therefore, the very topic of this Anthology reveals the theme the issue of "changing role of women" in the new era and incorporates research articles which deal with this major theme in various backgrounds. Yesim Arat has been a major writer dealing with the changing role of women in Turkey's background. He in the article "From Emancipation to Liberation: The Changing role of Women in Turkey's Public Realm" which has been the first essay of the anthology, deals with the changed role of women in the public sector of Turkey. According to the article, the change of women in Turkey can be related to a change from emancipation to liberation, i.e. the change has been one of the attitudes mainly. This article introduces the history of the liberation of women in The Republic of Turkey. The article "introduces the historical context of women's emancipation in the Republic of Turkey and then discusses how different women's groups expanded, transformed or perpetuated the parameters of the public realm with their different, at times seemingly contradictory, discourses for liberation. The focus of this article is on issues and concerns around which women voiced their differences from the founding fathers who 'emancipated women,' and not on politics in formal political institutions, such as political parties or parliament." ("From Emancipation to Liberation: The Changing Role of Women in Turkey's Public Realm" 107). The republican concept of secularism and nationalism strengthened the feminists of Turkey. In the society, women were provided with a new public space and their gender role was redefined. By taking effort to enforce the women's status, the state actually meant to cultivate nationalistic feeling in the minds of its citizens. Gender equality and gender rights were equal and the professionalism of women was supported by the government but they demanded for more rights especially the control upon their sexuality. The feminists were not satisfied those limited rights and tried to enter the male dominated politics and they started to express their suppressed emotions through creative writing. The women of turkey were able to redefine role and to express their protest on the issue of gender discrimination. The secular outlook of the government morally boosts the feminists and their changed role provides confidence to interfere in the affairs of the state. The main rationale behind the inclusion of the article in this anthology dealing with the changing role of women through different backgrounds is the article's value in dealing with the topic as it relates the women in Turkey. The article has been the result of meditated and researched works. The article "The Role of Women Entrepreneurs in Hungary's Transition Economy" by Robert D Hisrich, Gyula Fulop, deals the changed role of women in Hungary who takes part in entrepreneurship which had been regarded as the monopoly of men alone. It includes the problems faced by women entrepreneurs in developed and developing countries especially in Hungary and how they are presented in a transitional economy. "The number of businesses created by women is growing in both developed and developing countries, particularly in Europe and the United States. The growth in the number of women-owned businesses should continue in many of these countries, and in most at a rate faster than for men The role of women entrepreneurs in the transition economy of Hungary [is] explored first through a look at the background research on women entrepreneurs. Following a discussion of the historical and present setting in Hungary, the research findings of women entrepreneurs in that country are presented." (Hisrich and Fulop 100+). High level management or technical position in business is not considered suitable for women and the image of successful entrepreneur worldwide is the male and this discourages women. Moreover, the women entrepreneurs consider themselves as low on all management skills. Hungary is moving towards market economy and there is much more scope for small scale investment especially for the women entrepreneurs. The usual role of women in the society is domestic and they are forced to be in charge of the family. But in Hungary, the role is changed and women are not confined to the circle of family. Moreover, one of the causes of backwardness is that, women consider themselves as inferior to men. The changed role of women in the society provides self-confidence and the small scale industries that are controlled by women lead the society to development. Thus, the inclusion of this article in the anthology is greatly justified by the topic covered by it as well as its research value. The next article in the anthology has been "The Role of Women in the Armed Forces of NATO Countries: Military Constraints and Professional Identities", by Helena Carriera. This is a valuable article in understanding the changed role of women as it deals with the role played by women in the defense field and the various challenges faced by them due to their changed role. After the end of The Cold War, the military institutions were reshaped and the participation of women in the defense field became more vibrant. There was a set pattern of women's inclusion in war etc which limited their role in military activities. "This pattern has, however, been subject to a considerable transformation in recent decades. From the early seventies, most Western armed forces began to admit women. Contrary to historical precedents, this inclusion of women has not occurred in wartime and, no longer auxiliaries, women have risen progressively in military rank, been trained much as men are, and performed functions in areas that are not traditionally feminine." (Helena Carreiras 46). Thus, the changed atmosphere does allow the females acquire the supreme power of decision making and still is under the control of the male. The progressive societies allow women to enter the socio-political scenario which lead them to greater equality. More educational opportunities in developed societies like America attract women to military as a challenging career. The domestic domain of the women was transformed to the social domain of defense forces. The changed role helps women to access more opportunity for their intellectual development. Earlier, the defense forces were not considered as the proper place for women to search for job. But the changed circumstance allows women to rewrite their role and they are free to choose a career in military. Therefore, this article has been of great importance in understanding the changed role of women who now enjoys greater roles in military activities as well. The article "The Changing Role of Black Women", by Charles Whitaker, which has been another valuable article in the anthology, deals with the problems faced by the black women in America. The changed role of white women is often admitted. However, according to the article, "along the way, Black women changed, too; adding business executive, astronaut, and million-dollar athlete as identifying designations behind their names. Make no mistake about it, despite the socioeconomic indicators showing that Black women are still straggling to catch up to their White and male counterparts, Black women are on the move, as is reflected in the new roles they play in the rapidly changing modern world." (Whitaker 108). The role of black women as a housewife is changed. However, the article clarifies that the real problem now is that they face gender discrimination. In America the changed role of the women community changed the structure of the society. Moreover, the educational opportunities helped them to fulfill their dreams on independence and of a career to choose. More and more women wish to be single throughout their life because they do not like to give up their freedom. Black women in America play multiple roles in the society, and the changes in their roles help them to identify themselves as individuals. The article, therefore, gives a picture of the changed role of black women and it contributes to the general theme of this anthology. The next article of the anthology "The "agency of women" - women and ACA" by Joann B. Morton has been an effective communication of the changed role and participation of women in the ACA or the American Correctional Association. It is relatable that at one point of time women were almost thoroughly excluded from active participation in ACA. They also were denied leadership and line positions throughout adult and juvenile corrections. However, the situation and the women's role in the current times is much changed. "The role of women in the professional and economic life of the United States began to expand around the turn of the century Industrialization meant increased work opportunities, but it also had negative features, such as the abusive use of women and children to provide cheap labour Increasingly, colleges and universities around the country began to admit women An interesting side benefit of the women's suffrage movement was that it brought many influential, articulate women into direct contact with male-dominated courts and correctional institutions in a number of cities around the country." (Morton 74+). In the article, there is a section which specifically deals with the changed role of women and this highly contributes to the common theme of the anthology. Therefore, the article has been valuable for the anthology and its inclusion can be rationally justified. Another important article which deals with the changed role of women in the modern society has been "Immigrant women challenge the role of men: how the changing power relationship within Iranian families in Sweden intensifies family conflicts after immigration" by Mehrdad Darvishpur. The changing social situation in a country like Iran which has been a conservative society and the strengthened role of women are reflected very keenly in the article. Several statistics and data regarding the changed role of women are presented throughout the article which builds on the analytical study of the data. "The women's positions are improved in many respects despite difficulties after immigration. Therefore, they have more positive attitudes towards the new society and its rules and norms, especially concerning women's rights Among Iranian women who have moved to Sweden, there is a large number who had a high education and employment even before immigration. In addition, the employment and education level of the Iranian women has increased considerably in Sweden after immigration." (Darvishpour 271+). The lengthy article covers various aspects of the migrant life of Iranian women in Sweden and successfully highlights the change in the role and attitude of women in the transformed society. This article contributes heavily to the anthology as it deals with the issue extensively. In conclusion, every article included in this anthology deals with the various aspects of changed role of women in the transformed society and age. Changed role of women in the modern age has been a relevant and valuable topic in feminist theory relating to the sex inequalities and gender role differences. It has been recognized that only an extensive awareness about changed role of women in various areas can be useful in arriving at a commendable conclusion regarding the position of women in the background of sex inequalities and gender role differences. The aim of this anthology has been to provide with as many areas and categories of new roles of women as possible. Therefore, the articles of this anthology contribute to the general theme of changed role of women. Work Cited Darvishpour, Mehrdad. "Immigrant Women Challenge the Role of Men: How the Changing Power Relationship within Iranian Families in Sweden Intensifies Family Conflicts after Immigration". Journal of Comparative Family Studies. 2002. Vol.33. Iss.2. P.271+. "From Emancipation to Liberation: The Changing Role of Women in Turkey's Public Realm", Yesim Arat Journal Title: Journal of International Affairs. 2000. Vol.54. Iss.1. P.107. Hisrich, Robert D., and Fulop, Gyula. "The Role of Women Entrepreneurs in Hungary's Transition Economy". Journal Title: International Studies of Management & Organization. 1994. Vol.24. Iss.4. P.100+. Helena Carreiras, Minerva. "The Role of Women in the Armed Forces of NATO Countries: Military Constraints and Professional Identities". Quarterly Report on Women and the Military. 1999. P.46. Morton, Joann B. "The 'Agency of Women' - Women and ACA". Corrections Today. 1995. Vol.57. Iss.5. P.74+. Whitaker, Charles. "The Changing Role of Black Women". Ebony. 2001. Vol.56. Iss.5. P.108. Read More