Women and Cultural Universals - Book Report/Review Example

Women and cultural universals Summary of the article Cultures have been a great hindrance to the welfare of women, even under circumstances where they are struggling to survive. Indian culture is one classic example, where the Indians fail to allow their women to work, yet they need to survive in the shortage of resources, such as food. Metha Bai is such woman who finds herself in a complex situation, where failure to go out and work may mean her death and that of her children, yet going out to work will result to her being disowned, abused and assaulted by her in-laws (Nussbaum, 302).

The case is the same for most women throughout the world, where women are restricted from good health and flourishing by the similar restrictive cultures. The situation is universal for both developed and under developed countries, where women are restricted by cultures in one way or another. A good example is the fact that women formed only around 10% of parliamentary representatives worldwide and less than 4% cabinet representations by 1980 (Nussbaum, 304). Women have been put in a depressed situation by the cultures, and they lack any choice since they cannot determine in which society they will be born.

There are many events and cultural aspects that play the role of denying women the chance and support to achieve major central human functions. This events and cultural aspects have not been informed by any other fundamental basis, apart from the fact that they were born women (Nussbaum, 319). Author’s main argument The central argument of the author of the article is that; culture has hindered women from achieving much that they could achieve in life, if such cultures were nonexistent (Nussbaum, 308).

The author observes that such cultures affect women universally, although they may be formulated differently, depending on the society, its events and the social contexts. However, the argument holds that women in both underdeveloped and developed countries have been hindered from achieving and flourishing, through lack of support caused by the restrictive culture (Nussbaum, 319). Interesting argument The most interesting argument by the author is the argument that; customs and political arrangements are major causes of women’s misery and death (Nussbaum, 304).

The relationship between culture and justice is that, culture influence the legal and political arrangement in a country, thus forcing women to operate in an environment that is unfavorable to flourish and achieve good health. Customs, through traditions, have persistently been absorbed into the legal legislations, which then forms the basis for political and justice systems in a country. Considering that customs and traditions have always been inhibitive to women’s achievement, the political and justice system absorbs the same, and makes the life for women a misery (Nussbaum, 312).

This is an interesting argument, which has been backed by the observation that by 1980, only around 10% of parliamentarians were women, meaning that passing legislations that would favor them proves more difficult (Nussbaum, 304). This translates to the justice system being not so favorable for women. I agree with this argument because, most legislations have been detrimental to the functionality and achievements of women, by placing the traditional family and domestic roles upon them, thus failing to release them to obtain education and political orientation, which could help them to advance in the society.

Works cited Nussbaum, Martha. “Women and cultural universals”. Sex and Social Justice, 1999. 302-324. Print.