Difference In Female Roles In the US and In the Middle East - Research Paper Example

Difference in women roles in US and in Middle East Introduction What really define a woman? The description of being a woman differs from culture to culture and from place to place. In this case, the major concern of this study will be role of women in Middle East and USA. The American woman nowadays has worked hard to have their rights in the contemporary society. They labor hard and are regarded as equals since they can carry out duties what their male counterparts can do. There are various roles that a modern American woman can do. Women are mostly, though not always, the caretakers of the young children. Women can also play a major role as a moral supporter, employee and several other duties that men can do. The major difference between an American and Middle Eastern woman is a matter of choice. According to the Middle Eastern women, they have no say in any issue and are taken as submissive. Their role is mostly to look after their families, prepare meals and take care of the children while their male counterparts were working to make money. On the other hand, American women have a choice to make on the roles they are suppose to do. Another difference that exists in the women from the two countries is their attire. In 1950’s, women in America were not allowed to wear some types of cloths as they were seen as too revealing. Current American woman is free to wear anything they want as long as it is decent. Their constitutional rights were expressed by the way they were allowed to exercise the freedom of expression. Women from the Middle East also have some restriction in the type of clothing they wear. The women are forced to wear garments referred as heaven mandates and were also forced to cover their faces with a Hijaab. The reason for wearing Hijaab is to protect themselves against strange men outside their homes. His is a protection since Allah does not allow women should not display themselves. Factors that determine the roles of women in the Middle East and Islamic countries Several Americans believe that women from Muslim countries are exploited by their Islamic religion, deprived of education and other rights and forcefully made to fully cover themselves. It is a fact that women in Middle East and all over the world are struggling against discrimination and limiting practices in workforce, education, and family responsibilities. Many of these limiting practices are part of the cultural traditions but not from Islam itself. Currently Islam women have been given several rights some of which were never enjoyed by women from the western countries till later in 19th century. For instance, until 1880, women in England were not allowed to own a property and any property owned by the women were given to their husbands immediately they got married. On contrary, women from the Middle East countries were allowed to retain their property even after marriage. During the marriage, women could stipulate their conditions in their marriage agreement, like they have the right to demand for a divorce incase the husband marries another woman. As if that is not enough, most women retain their last name even after getting married. According to the Quran, all men and women are the same in the eyes of God. In addition, Quran prohibits women from infanticide and also inform Muslims to provide equal opportunities for both sons and daughters and also discourages polygamy. The role of women and the Quran Expansion of religion and state has spurred different interpretations of gender responsibilities stipulated in the Quran varies with various cultures. For instance, some religious researchers in Iraq were stipulating more limiting roles for women, while educated women in the Islamic Spain were a times able to bend the rules and intermingle with men freely with men. Some modern women together with men reject restrictions lay on women and are reinterpreting Quran from this point of view (Denovo). The role of class and wealth in middle East Women who are wealth have historically experienced educational and economic opportunities by the merit of their class (Cheryl Ulmer). Many educated and wealthy women have ignored the societal beliefs on the role of women and have actively participated in the political, cultural and economic life of their community. More healthy women have been restricted in their movement in public and their clothing as a demonstration of status. Those women from poor background have less educational opportunities and more freedom to move. Moreover, women from isolate societies come up with their own societies that are segregated from the male world. When it comes to leadership, women can participate in different positions. The table below shows participation in various elected positions (Aka) Women’s political participation in comparative perspective in the Middle East % Parliamentary Seats in Single or Lower-Level Chamber occupied by Women % Women in decision making positions in Government Ministerial level Sub ministerial level Country 2002 2005 2009 2004 2008 2004 2008 Iran 1 3 5 0 0 1 1 Iraq 13 11 6 0 0 0 0 Israel 8 9 12 4 0 5 9 Jordan 0 1 0 3 2 0 0 Kuwait 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 Lebanon 2 2 0 0 0 0 Oman 0 0 3 0 Qatar 0 0 3 0 Saudi Arabia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Syria 9 10 10 7 8 0 0 UAE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Yemen - 1 1 0 0 0 0 Source: United Nations. The world’s women: trends and statistics Most of the female entrepreneurs in the Middle East have defied the hiring and expectation of their own in promoting the trend upwards. There are still several challenges that hinder the success of women in the Middle East. In Saudi Arabia for instance, several women have never been given a chance to drive themselves to drive or vote (Ph.D.) However, much has been done to close the gender gap. The independence of very influential women expresses a better future for the women in the Middle East. The table below shows the various economic activities in which women can participate in various regions Female Economic activity Rates By region, 2002 Rate (%) Index As % of ( 1990=100) Male Rate Arab states 32.9 117 41 America 68.9 99 82 South Asia 43.3 106 51 Africa 62.3 99 73 Central and eastern Europe 57.8 99 81 Source: UNDP, Human Development Report 2002 The role of a woman in America In most parts of the world, women are expected to take care of their families and children as part of their natural chores. In America, a woman is more likely to pursue her education before getting married. An American woman may decide that her choice of career has to take her center stage of her life. In most cases, culture relate the independence of a woman with morally and sexually sluckishness. Most of the women in America tend to wear jewelry and also revealing cloths unlike the women in Middle East countries. They dress typically in accordance with the acceptable societal norms and beauty that most of the women follow in their own culture. When it comes to the place of work, American women dress conservatively to meet the set code of ethics in the work place (Denovo). All those who do not adhere to the set code of ethics get negative reactions from other Americans. Regardless of the high-heeled shoes and the make ups, hairdos and skirts, these women still meet the norms of the society. In conclusion, style of dressing of an America woman has no connection with her character (Madfai). Work cited Aka, Jubril. A Female US President: Is Salvation, Blessing, Peace and Prosperity. iUniverse, 2013. Cheryl Ulmer, Bernadette McFadden, David R. Nerenz. Race, Ethnicity, and Language Data: Standardization for Health Care Quality Improvement. National Academies Pres, 2009. Demirtaş-Coşkun, Birgül. Neighborhood Challenge: European Union and Its Neighbors. Universal-Publishers, 2004. Denovo, John A. American Interests and Policies in the Middle East. U of Minnesota Press, 2007. Eleanor Abdella Doumato, Marsha Pripstein Posusney. Women and Globalization in the Arab Middle East: Gender, Economy and Society. Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2008. Madfai, Madiha Rashid al. Jordan, the United States and the Middle East Peace Process. Cambridge University Press, 2004. Murphy, Teresa Anne and Murphy. Citizenship and the Origins of Women's History in the United States. University of Pennsylvania Press, 2009. Ph.D., David Ghanim. Gender and Violence in the Middle East. ABC-CLIO, 2012. Read More