Ethical Issues on Men and Women - Essay Example

WOMEN AND MEN ARE MADE, NOT BORN. This is a lively and timely debate since overtime the world has been confused on different traits that men and women portray as they mature from puberty stage. These traits have led to research and arguments over the same by many scientists, sociologists and religious leaders. After digging into the truth of this subject, it is actually true that men and women are made and not born. It is evident that what makes a woman and a man is a specific social relation to each other, a relation which implies personal and physical obligation as well as economic obligation (domestic corve, conjugal duties, production of children). Sexuality has had diverse perceptions over decades. These include people, who are distinctively either male or female, and the heterosexuals- men and women in possession of both the male and the female sex-organs. In efforts to exploit sexual desires, divisions such as the homosexuals come up, composed of two different groups, the lesbians- women practicing sexual acts with fellow women and the gay-basically men who find sexual acts with their counterpart males compatible; and yet others practicing masturbation which is seeking to fulfill ones own sexual desire or pleasure. People have different understanding and beliefs in regard to sexuality and what is best for them sexually. Lesbians view the pleasure from fellow women as most fulfilling and the gay see it vice versa. A majority though think that its all abnormal saying that woman was made for man and likewise. In fact it has been approved with time after thorough investigations and research on homosexuals that is lesbians and gays. The debate over homosexual "marriage" for instance, often becomes focused on whether homosexuality is a learned behavior or a genetic trait. Many homosexual activists insist that "science" has shown that homosexuality is inborn, cannot be changed, and that therefore they should have the right to marry each other. (CWA, 2008).Because no single study can be regarded as definitive; more research on people who have overcome homosexuality needs to be done. But a considerable body of certain literature about change from homosexuality to heterosexuality has been compiled, and the sheer number of exceptions to the "born gay" theory should be a warning to researchers and media to proceed with caution before declaring that science has proved that homosexuality is genetic. Other recent developments suggest that homosexuality is not genetically determined but made. Another instance is given by Simone de Beauvoir who says "One is not born, but becomes a woman. No biological, psychological, or economic fate determines the figure that the human female presents in society: it is civilization as a whole that produces this creature, intermediate between, male and eunuch, which is described as feminine". This belief also applies to the case of men (WCA, 1981). To support the above motion, there are a number of factors to look into which include: political, socialization, work/family (gender equality), early environment, cultural background, economical, and religion. Other factors contributing to this are attitudes, discipline, effort and style. Firstly, talking about politics which has imposed oppression on especially women, a lesbian society pragmatically reveals that the division from men of which women has been the object is a political one and shows that women have been ideologically rebuilt into a "natural group." In the case of women, ideology goes far since their bodies as well as their minds are the product of this manipulation. They have been compelled in their bodies and in their minds to correspond, feature by feature, with the idea of nature that has been established for them. Distorted to such an extent that their deformed body is what they call "natural," what is supposed to exist as such before oppression Distorted to such an extent in the end, oppression seems to be a consequence of this, "nature" within them. Experience by both men and a woman in such a field finally determines who stands out best. (Marxism and feminism, 2008). Secondly, social systems have had certain perceptions on men and women. What people normally follow is believed to be a physical and direct perception in a sophisticated and mythic construction, which reinterprets physical features (in themselves as neutral as any others but marked by the social system) through the network of relationships in which they are perceived. They are seen as black, therefore they are black; they are seen as women, therefore, they are women. But before being seen that way, they first had to be made that way. Another thing is that women not only do naturalize history, but also consequently naturalize the social phenomena which express their oppression, making change impossible. For example, instead of seeing giving birth as a forced production, women see it as a "natural" "biological" process, forgetting that in the society's births are planned (demography), forgetting that women themselves are programmed to produce children, while this is the only social activity that presents such a great danger of death (WCA). According to Durkheim, if you analyze man's given constitution you will find no trace of this sacredness with which he is invested and which confers upon him these rights. This character has been added to him by society. Society has consecrated the individual and made him the primary object of respect (Lehman, 1994). Thirdly, early environment according to twin studies is another dominant factor that has led to homosexuality and lesbianism. For instance, extremely shy and artistic young boys who are not affirmed in their masculinity by a caring father might be at risk for homosexuality. It's not because of a homosexual "gene" but because of an interrupted process of achieving secure gender identity. This can make some boys who crave male affirmation an easy mark for seduction into homosexuality. A similar pattern can be seen in girls who don't fit classic gender profiles, need feminine affirmation, and are targeted by lesbians who play upon the girls' emotional needs. Such children's vulnerability is all the more reason to protect them from early exposure to homosexual influences. Fourthly, work/family(gender equality) where gender equality is the concept that all human beings are free to develop their personal abilities and make choices without limitations set by strict gender roles; and that the different behaviors, aspirations and needs of women and men are considered, valued and favored equally. Over the past decades, females have beaten the odds originally imposed on them by men as weak vessels when it comes to certain work in society. But recently we see women progressing in different field ranging from art to science and technology. This also applies to males who with time have embraced some chores that they thought were meant for women. Fifthly, cultural background has had diverse impact on the perception of women and men. In all societies known to me there are different roles allocated to man and woman, in the family nucleus, in the social structure, in worship practices, in rights and responsibilities, in purity laws and in any aspect of the communal law. Where men have been regarded highly as the head in a family and society at large hence makes them look so superior. On the other hand women have been subjected to inferiority and made to believe that their place is the kitchen. The males of most cultures will ordinarily define themselves by external performance; self created ordeals, and ego affirming tasks-unless they are offered a very real inner world and larger outer world that is even more alive and challenging. Women should always remember and acknowledge how unnatural, compelling, totally oppressive, and destructive being woman was for them in the old days before the women's liberation movement. It was a cultural constraint, and those who resisted it were accused of not being "real" women. They were at the same time accused of wanting to be men. Today this double accusation has been taken up again with enthusiasm in the context of the women's liberation movement by some feminists and also, by some lesbians whose political goal seems somehow to be becoming more and more "feminine". The truth is culture has led to one becoming a man or a woman following certain beliefs and descriptions (Marxism and feminism, 2008). Sixthly, religion also supports the idea that God created/made man and woman, and not gave birth to them. Hence, this is a great affirmation that actually men and women are made and not born. A brief summary of the roles of women in traditionally religious societies some features can be noted. First, the subordinate role, as a woman gained status only through her relationship to men - by being the daughter of this father, the wife of this husband, the mother of that son. Second, there is the dependent role. Buddhist nuns were expected to serve even the newest and youngest monk; Christian wives were instructed to be silent in the churches and obedient to their husbands, as their "heads", just as Christ is the head of the Church; Muslim women were veiled through prude from the eyes of all but their own husband. Third, there was assumed intellectual inferiority. For example, Jewish women were denied opportunity to study the Torah; Chinese women did not study the Confucian classics; Hindu women did not study the Vedas. (Lehman, 1994). Seventhly, economy/finances determine what actually one wants to become. For instance, poor people are subject to not identifying themselves hence find themselves giving in to anything without actually becoming who they should be. This is done mostly to satisfy the unfulfilled desires. Being unable to marry because of financial constraints, for example, may make a woman or a man to look for cheaper ways therefore resulting in lesbianism or homosexuality respectively. Finally, to become a woman or a man, one needs to continually improve on such qualities as attitudes, discipline, and effort. Becoming a man or a woman involve developing a positive attitude towards marriage institution, believing that men and women are meant for each other. Also, it involves cultivating discipline to respect and trust each other in marriage which many females and males are not ready to bear. It also requires effort to achieve the objective of the relationship. In conclusion from the above arguments we see that actually successful women and men are made and not born. References: Testi Lesrich (1981). One is Not Born a Woman. Last retrieved from the World Wide Web on 15th April 2008 from http://www.women.it/les/testi/born.htm Lehman J. M (1994). Durkheim and Women. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Concerned Women for America - WCA(2008). Blockbuster speech on "The Gay Gene Hoax". Last retrieved from the World Wide Web on 15th April 2008 from http://www.cwfa.org/articledisplay.asp Comcen (2008). Marxism and feminism. Last retrieved from the World Wide Web on 15th April 2008 from http://www.comcen.com.au/marcn/redflag/archive/harman/hmw/hmw12.doc Read More