Women tend to get the short end of the stick internationally. While there may be specific matriarchal cultures, overall nation-states are male-dominated and this tends to transcend into most cultural norms. However, it is very interesting the Western perspective we have of gender equality in the Middle East while there is still quite a bit of disparity present here stateside.
The readings from this week cover the issues of gender equality in the MENA region. I believe both Western women and MENA region women face large challenges in gender equality but they are different styles of challenges. Tradition still plays a credible role in many rural areas in both the U.S. and MENA region. In these areas, women are often subjugated to stricter cultural norms that may constrain their ability to socially progress. In many rural MENA regions, women are expected to remain at home and fulfill their duty as a caregiver for both their families but in rural America, women are often also expected to behave a certain way. While there is more workforce mobilization available to women in the West, culturally women are also subjugated to unfair norms and institutions. Issues like abortion, marriage, birth-control etc are all highly contentious in the U.S. and conservative interpretations of these issues can severely constrict a woman's life, regardless of geographical location.
The differences in challenges lay in the cultural and historical evolution of both areas. Even women in the United States and women in Western Europe differ in the amount of gender equality provided for them. Gender equality has progressed far more in certain aspects in Western Europe than it has in the U.S. due to the historical and cultural differences between the two. Without any deep research, one can see an obvious correlation between religiosity and gender equality- the U.S. and MENA region have deeply religious areas where women are treated differently and often restricted in their life choices in some way while Europe, a region with far less religiosity, offers more gender equality.
Elizabeth, I like how you draw out the similarities in cultural expectations between women in the MENA region and women in rural areas of the United States. In terms of dress, I think it's important to note that while some religious and cultural groups in the US, such as Mennonites and the Amish, have certain standards of dress for women, these standards are viewed as culturally specific rather than oppressive toward women, as people outside the MENA region often view MENA women's dress. It's all in the perspective of what the viewer is familiar with.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of Western Europe, I think it's interesting to consider the banning of face coverings, like the hijab and burqa, in France. Although the expressed reason for banning these items is security, it does encroach on personal freedom of expression. I would say that it still infringes on women's rights and expectations, but at a different extreme.
Elizabeth, I enjoyed reading your comments on gender inequality as it stands in the U.S. today. Historically speaking, it seems that even in urbanized areas of the U.S. it seems that women have been subjected to conservative practices regardless of geographic location. This leads me to wonder what it is about American culture and history that lends to conserve attitudes despite workforce mobilization, even among those who are urbanized and not highly religious. I think that one potential contribution to this phenomenon is a trickle-down effect in which traditionally conservative norms and attitudes are no longer associated with religion but still play a role in American culture, e.g. the concept of chastity. With respect to the MENA region, I wonder looking forward if legal institutions will adopted which codify some elements of gender inequality into law. For example, a study conducted by the Pew Research Center revealed that over half of all Muslims in countries such as Iraq, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, and the Palestinian territories favor making sharia law the official law of their respective countries. Given these numbers and what we know about similarities of conservatism in MENA and the U.S., I would be very interested to see if religiously-based attitudes about women also linger within MENA among those who do not consider themselves religious.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, great cartoon - definitely an apt example of how judgments really depend on one's perspective. I totally agree with your points. It's very frustrating whenever I hear criticisms of the treatment of women in the Middle East, as if our society is not full of gender inequality and gender violence. As a matter of fact, when I was traveling through the MENA region last year, it was wonderful and refreshing to NOT see advertisements everywhere full of near-naked women - just objectified bodies selling products. I must say, that seemed a hell of a lot more respectful to women than the insanely sexualized ads/commercials that I've seen in France, for example.
ReplyDeleteColleen, your comment about the trickle down effect is really interesting. In applying this to the MENA region, I would suppose that MENA states have an even slower trickle down rate. This slower rate could even contribute to the ease at which some states revert to stricter laws and codes concerning gender equality and relations.
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