Billion Essays

Tag: Gender

  • Society,Culture and Feminism.

    According to sociology, there are three types of lifestyles; patriarchal, matriarchal or symmetrical. In a patriarchal lifestyle, men are the major breadwinners and decision makers, whereas in a matriarchal lifestyle women have the upper hand. According to history, mankind has mostly experienced patriarchal lifestyle, except for some regions in Africa, which experience a matriarchal lifestyle. With passage of time and advancement in sociological research, we have known the defaults in both patriarchal and matriarchal lifestyles.

    In a matriarchal lifestyle, men are considered inferior, who only take care of the household and children, whereas women are the ones who earn for men and are the decision makers because of the economic supremacy. Men are deprived of their rights, and are not given the respect they deserve. This lifestyle is experienced in limited social zones; but it is increasing with rebellious attitude of women in patriarchal societies.

    Patriarchal lifestyle, which is experienced in many cultures around the world, fails to understand the importance of the feminine gender. Men in this type of society are taught to be superior to women; they can decide for their lives, and can rule over them. Women who have their significance in the life circle, are deprived of their basic rights; health, shelter, and education. This is experienced in the uneducated and lower class of many societies. Women also, accept this lifestyle by living under such circumstances. However, the educated class of the same society are now learning the importance of women and they are educating them. Educated people of the same society are advocating for equal social, political, and economic rights of women. This advocacy is termed as, ”feminism”.
    The term feminism, has different aspects. A general definition noted by Wikipedia says:

    “Feminism is a range of movements and ideologies that share a common goal: to define, establish, and achieve equal political, economic, cultural, personal, and social rights for women.”

    However, people experience two types of feminism. One is people striving for equal rights of women, and the other is turning the wheel of supremacy in hands of the feminine gender, which is matriarchy. When people demand for equal rights, they ask for a symmetrical lifestyle, where men and women live their lives with liberty and justice. In this form of society, men and women are equal in the society, political system and economic standing. On the other hand, women deal the situation hotheadedly. Rather than talking about equality they demand for supremacy and consider the opposite gender their enemy. This type of feminism is practiced by most feminists, distorting the ideology of feminism. In vengeance, these women want to rule the opposite sex as they have ruled over them since centuries. In the end of such struggle, the cycle of injustice would repeat itself.

    Before following an ideology, one must understand it. Feminism; is advocating for a symmetrical lifestyle. People must understand that it’s not a war of genders but coalition of genders, to form a symmetrical society.

  • Putting the blame where it’s due.

    A few days back, when the picture of a Pakistani girl riding a bike along her mother trended on social media, I went through different types of comments regarding her. A few appreciated her for breaking a norm, and many criticized her. I became a part of an online discussion where both men and women were discussing her outfit. Many said she should have worn ”more clothes”, and few emphasized on our culture which criticized the ”unethical” act.

    During the discussion, one of the debaters replying to my point of view that it is a woman’s choice to wear what she wants, said:

    “Covering is ONE part … and that too better for women … why will men mind it?
    We enjoy if you wear short clothes *wink emoticon*”
    These words seem to explain everything. The ”enjoyment” of the masculine gender, has forced women to consider themselves inferior. Women avoid breaking the norms because of the backlash they will face after they attempt an act, which is termed “unethical”.

    Walking on a street, there is no women who has not been teased or harassed. Is it always because of their “revealing” outfits? On August 14 a video thrilled Pakistan, when a young man harassed a woman in burqa on a busy road of Karachi. That woman did not wear anything “revealing” or against the culture. Then why was she harassed or “pranked” as explained by the harassers. After that incident, I thought that people would understand that such incidents happen because of the sexual frustration of a person; but seeing people discuss how women should wear ”more clothes” and avoid sexual assaults was heart breaking. People still could not understand that it is not women who “invite” rape by wearing “short clothes” but it is the lust of the rapist.

    Right now, I can see that people lack a lot of awareness. They are still thinking about how they can blame the victim, not the perpetrator. I have also found a reason why sexual assaults are not reported. Firstly, our society doesn’t allow them to take up the case to the courts, and secondly the ”court work” exploits the victims.

    The punishment of rape according to The Constitution of The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is:

    1: Whoever commits rape shall be punished with death or imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than ten years or more, than twenty-five years and shall also be liable to fine.

    2: When rape is committed by two or more persons in furtherance of common intention of all, each of such persons shall be punished with death or imprisonment for life.

    With the presence of law, victims still do not find justice in the “democratic” state of Pakistan. The reason is the society and the power loving system. A country is successful only when there is justice. However, justice is given to those who either have social or economic power. Rather than blaming the West for infiltrating such ideas in our society, we must assess our own society which lacks justice for all.

    – See more at: http://blogs.thefridaytimes.com/putting-the-blame-where-its-due/#sthash.gpMZVudE.dpuf

  • Male and Female Earning

    In some companies employees are paid according to their gender. In some companies men are paid more than women as they are considered more superior and skilled. And in some companies, women earn more by appealing the employers which belong to the opposite gender.