Saturday, December 4, 2010
Introduction
Thank you for joining me on a journey through the issues of Gender Equality! I hope this blog will not only educate you about many of the issues surrounding women today, but also I hope to inspire and encourage you to take action to help change the future for the women in our world. In order for genuine equality to exist between men and women, our existing ideas and thoughts must change. I not only believe that each of us can make a difference in the lives of women, but I also have hope that together, we can change the world and how we view each other. So take a ride with me and get inspired to believe that Gender Equality is attainable in our lifetime!
Gender Equality in America and The Wage Gap
Abstract
The purpose of this essay is to discuss gender inequality and some of the problems that women are facing in America, including the wage gap and the lack of family-friendly policies in the workplace that hinder how women choose their careers. There is also discussion of how our society can shift our thinking in order to make the responsibilities at home more equal and also change how women and mothers are viewed in the workplace. This issue needs attention because there is such a lack of understanding surrounding women and the workplace and light needs to be shed on the problems women and mothers are facing. Society must change their thinking in order to solve the problem of gender inequality for once and for all.
Gender Equality in America and The Wage Gap
Women have faced many challenges throughout history and gender inequality is one that women have been forced to deal with for many years. Women still have to deal with gender inequality even in the progressive world that we live in today. One has to ask why that is. What causes gender inequality and why are women struggling to occupy jobs that are high-paying and on the same professional career paths as men? Americans have generally shared the belief that men should be the breadwinners of the household, and although there have been more and more women who have broken this mold, women still have the primary responsibility of taking care of our children as well as the daily running of their households. In recent history women have made great progress in breaking that stereotype, pushing through the doors of the workplace only to face the new challenges that greet them. Women are under-represented in high-paying fields causing a significant wage gap while dealing with policies that will not allow them to thrive.
Zoe Savitsky, in her essay Inertia and Change: Findings of The Shriver Report and Next Steps, found that:
In just forty years, women have gone from being around one-third of the workforce to making up more than half. Nonetheless, to cite a paradigmatic example of how little has changed, women still only make seventy-seven cents to every dollar men earn, and the gender wage gap has barely narrowed in over a decade. (173)
What can be done to change our nation’s thinking about women in the workplace to enable them to climb the ladder of success without being held back? Women are being asked to handle the majority of the household responsibilities and the care of their children. Despite those ample responsibilities, they must work without enough support from their spouses, the workplace and society. The more people can do to help women, the better use everyone can make of the varied talents in our society.
The women of America are staring at a dilemma where the desire to pursue their dreams is being cut by a stark reality. There is no shortage of responsibility at home and the workplace is a cold environment where the challenges women face, by having to juggle their personal and professional lives, is simply not understood. Most women, consequently, follow their dreams only to the places where they know they will be welcome and hours might be flexible. This prevents them from finding the jobs that may be the most rewarding, pay the most, and require the most time commitment; therefore, America is not equally represented by both genders in the workplace.
Although fifty-seven percent of college students are women (Marklein par. 1), according to Mary Ann Mason, they obtain an average of sixty percent of all college associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees (1). Women are graduating with degrees in fields that are low-paying, like education, nursing, or with degrees like art history that do not lend themselves to successful careers. They are continuing to be under represented in the highest-paying jobs, like law, medicine, science, engineering and mathematics because they are afraid to get degrees and go into fields that they fear will not be family-friendly, resulting in the choice of lower-paid jobs. Savitsky explains further why many women are choosing this route:
Women enter “female” professions not merely because they are attracted to the material, but also because many of these workplaces, being predominately female, are more open to the flexible schedules and family-friendly structures that many women need. Thus the gender wage gap is self-reinforcing: women continue to enter fields, professions, and workplaces that are responsive to their needs, but in doing so, they remain in jobs that pay less than their similarly situated, similarly educated male cohort. (182)
As education provides an avenue into the workplace, we are seeing an under representation of women in high-paying jobs primarily because women are looking for ways to balance work and family. Women have many responsibilities at home that often are not shared equally by their spouse. These basic responsibilities like cooking, cleaning, taking care of children, not to mention the many appointments and extra-curricular activities of families (Gilbert 12) which can take away from a woman’s energy. This over extension leads to excess stress and health problems if not properly shared. Women have to keep their many responsibilities in mind when looking for work and oftentimes find discrimination and a lack of toleration when requesting more flexible hours to deal with the many issues they might face. Mary Ann Mason explains this in more detail when she states:
One reason that women may be encouraged or even choose not to enter male-dominated educational fields and occupations is that once female graduates enter the workforce, they find inflexible workplace policies that can exacerbate gender inequalities (policies that are often inflexible across the board, but may be exacerbated in male-dominated fields). Knowing this, students choose jobs they perceive to be more family friendly. (2)
The family-friendly policies that most women feel would provide the best work experience are in-house or close to work day care providers, flexible hours and parental leave. For families where both parents work, in-house childcare can greatly reduce the anxiety that comes with their children spending forty hours a week alone under someone else’s supervision. To be able to check in on their children, and spend lunch hours with them, is something that today’s parents are seeking. Fifty-four percent of women, and forty-nine percent of men, believe that more flexible hours would contribute to a parent’s ability to balance their job (Mason 1).
The latest from the American people
Q: Which of these things, in particular, would need to change in order for working parents to balance evenly their job, their marriage, and their children?
Source: Better Educating Our New Breadwinners by Mary Ann Mason, The Shriver Report, 2009.
Businesses, like Microsoft, Ernst & Young, and Aflac are finding that integrating these policies into their workplace is translating into business success (Holland par. 1). If we ever hope to see more women in the workplace and the wage gap reduced, more companies will follow suit.
We not only need to change workplace policies to better integrate the job market and reduce the wage gap, but there are other areas as well that need improvement. Among the most important improvement is changing the way young women view education and the possibility of becoming more than a low wage earner in life. Women need the self confidence to realize their potential and to know that they do not have to depend on a man to live a comfortable life. Women can have it all and the more our mothers teach our daughters and sons the possibilities, the more we will see the gender war come to a close. “Because mothers provide the primary female model for most children, those mothers who have higher education, and thus greater openness to feminist ideas, are more likely to pass on their gender-egalitarian ideals to their male and female children” (qtd. in Bolzendahl and Myers 766). By increasing women’s interest in high-paying fields like science, engineering and mathematics, we better prepare them to compete in the high-wage job market. According to Lisa Rowles, an Ivy League graduate and scientist who has thirty years in her field, her love of science came about because of her mother’s encouragement. When she realized that she excelled in the field, doors opened up for her and she began a career that she feels truly validated by. When asked how women can take more notice in technology and science, she felt that women need to believe that they can excel in these fields and that society and their religious community will support them.
By decreasing the wage gap, we would move our country forward into the future. For that to happen, we need a paradigm shift of our entire society. The change starts at home, in the classroom and between the sexes by altering the mind set of young men and women. A revolution is needed to change the way men view the home and their roles inside it. No longer is it a woman’s job to work, and take care of the responsibility that a family entails. The men of younger generations are learning that the more they help out around the house, the happier their wives are, and the more self esteem and energy they have to be successful and give back to their families. No longer should men feel threatened by women in the workplace or view them in a negative light when they are trying to succeed in their job. Tara Dooley illustrates that, “Women who are competitive and assertive are often penalized for not being feminine or likable enough. Those who are feminine are often deemed incompetent” (par. 27). No longer should an identical resume to another be passed up because of a person’s sex or family status.
America needs to get more benefit from everyone in society, not just from one sex or one race. There are talented women across America that can strengthen the workplace. Research has shown that women high up on the corporate ladder have a positive effect on the company. As an example, Anna Quindlen reports that “Fortune 500 companies with the most women in top positions yielded, on average, a 35 percent higher return on equity than those with the fewest female corporate officers” (par. 7). This is a statistic that should not be surprising, but to many, it just is.
The glass ceiling can be broken and gender equality is something that can be realized in our lifetime. Instead of competing with one another, the workplace should be a cooperative environment where women are free to add their talent to the company. Fathers need to realize that supporting their wives with household responsibilities will only help their family. Finding ways to work together to be a better example for our children is needed in order to have a truly healthy society. It will not only benefit women, but it will also help our children realize what the possibilities are. With more women and men deciding to be role models there will be more mothers and fathers leading a good example for their children who will ultimately follow in their footsteps. Women have made tremendous progress and it is time now for our nation to help write the ending to the struggle we have faced for so long.
Works Cited
Bolzendahl, Catherine & Myers, Daniel. “Feminist Attitudes and Support for Gender Equality; Opinion Change in Women and Men, 1974-1988.” The University of North Carolina Press. (2004) 83(2): 759-790. EBSCO. Web. 19 Sept. 2010.
Dooley, Tara. “Women in the Workplace The Road to Equality paved with Detours. Perception of gender roles, and children, can affect pay work. Houston Chronicle 6 September 2010: 1. ProQuest. Web. 18 Sept. 2010.
Gilbert, Neil. “FAMILY LIFE: SOLD ON WORK.” Society 42.3 (2005): 12-17. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 22 Set. 2010.
Holland, C.C. “Family-Friendly Policies from Family-Friendly Companies.” BNET.com (2007). Web. 18 Sept. 2010.
Marklein, Mary Beth. “College gender gap widens; 57% are Women.” USA Today. (2005). Web. 19 Sept. 2010.
Mason, Mary Ann. “Better Educating Our New Breadwinners.” The Shriver Report. (2009): 1-13. Web. 19 Sept. 2010.
Quindlen, Anna. “Everyday Equality.” Newsweek 148.13 (2006): 84. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 20 Sept. 2010.
Savitsky, Zoe. "Inertia and Change: Findings of The Shriver Report and Next Steps." Berkeley Journal of Gender, Law & Justice 25.(2010): 172-198. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 18 Sept. 2010.
Personal Pieces of Writing
Fear is the sound of my husband’s boots as they hit the floor
I can no longer taste the freedom of my childhood
I once had a mother that sang to me and a father that would kiss my cheek
No longer can I see them
This man has taken my youth, my light, my beauty
I am forever tainted
I feel his breath on my skin and I ache for love
No longer am I alive to feel the warmth of the sun
I open my mouth
the sound desperate to escape
Doesn’t anyone hear my cry?
I feel the blood once inside me slowly falling to the floor
And I ache for love
I savor the end in my mouth
No light
And I am lost in darkness
Forever
I have two beautiful children, Jackson and Kiley, ages four and one and a half and I have recently decided to be a stay at home Mom. I never understood what it meant to be a Mother before I had children, but the minute they were born, I realized that all the sacrifices I would now make throughout my life, all the joy and heartbreak I would experience in the years to come would be neatly wrapped up in the title of “Motherhood.” The love and emotion that I felt was like no other. I knew that day that I would do whatever it took to keep them safe and to give them the opportunity to flourish into the people they were destined to become. I made the choice to stay at home with my children because I wanted to make sure they were raised with respect, intelligence and unconditional love.
I have the utmost respect for people who run daycare centers, but I knew that a Mother’s nourishment early in a child’s life could not be replaced. I was uncomfortable with the thought of someone else taking my place and raising my children. A child’s experiences throughout their life can either change their spirits in a positive or negative way and I wanted my children to be able to have their first few years of life spent with all of the love that could fill their hearts. I didn’t want the choice I made to possibly diminish all my effort of positive influence. I wanted to be the one to inspire them, to teach and encourage them and to learn together about their world.
This decision to stay home would not come without great sacrifice. The primary burden has been financial, which has been the biggest source of stress and anxiety for us. Over the course of parenthood, we have suffered job loss, financial debt, and moved in with family in order to stay afloat.
We have been hit hard, but despite the negative, my life has changed in unimaginable positive ways. The love and emotion I feel as I watch my children grow, learn and become individuals is indescribable. To be there to hear first words, to everyday feel the warmth of their cuddle, to know that only Mommy can kiss a bump like no other fills me up to the brim with pride. I am constantly aware of how lucky I am and how blessed I am to be present for it all. I genuinely appreciate everyday with them and I know in my heart that I am doing something remarkable. What I am giving up doesn’t compare to what I am getting in return.
I am comforted to know that even though we have given up a relaxed two income lifestyle and might not have expensive clothes or drive a fancy car, I am raising two of the most respectful, compassionate, and loving children I could have ever imagined. My children might have hand me down shoes to run with, but they are running with the knowledge that two loving parents are behind them, ready to catch them when they fall. That, to me, means more than the status of my bank account. I know that our decision for me to stay home was the best thing I have ever done in my life and the sacrifices we are making now are the right ones for the future.
Interview with Senator Kate Kelly
Q. When looking at the Idaho State Senate and House of Representatives, I see that about 24% are women. How do you feel about that number and what has your experience been being a woman in politics in Idaho?
A. I think being a woman in the Idaho Senate has made me stand out and allowed me to be a role model for younger women (like you!) which has been good. When I entered the Senate in 2005, we had only 4 women out of 35 senators. We have doubled that number and I am glad for that and hope that my example has helped to inspire others to public service.
Q. Do you feel that you face challenges related to your gender?
A. No.
Q. Have you ever felt discriminated against or had any experiences where you felt that you were not heard or promoted because you were a woman?
A. No.
Q. I read on your profile that you have three children. Have you faced any challenges dividing your time between work and family and has that ever been an issue for you in your career?
A. Balancing a family and a career is a challenge for every mother and the right balance is different for each mother and each family. My situation has been complicated by the fact that I have been a single mother since my kids were small, but I have been able to find a good balance.
Q. Have you ever been passed up for any opportunities because you were a woman and/or had family responsibilities?
A. Not that I know of.
Q. How can you advise women to get into politics or to further their education in fields where they can better integrate the job market?
A. Find a mentor and take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.
Interview with Lisa Rowles PG
Lisa Rowles PG (professional (and licensed) geologist)
Environmental Hydrogeologist
Department of Environmental Quality
State of Idaho
Environmental Hydrogeologist
Department of Environmental Quality
State of Idaho
Q. What made you decide to become a scientist?
A. I wanted a good job that offered flexibility. My first major job was working in an electronics company in Silicon Valley and I met alot of people who hated their jobs but didn't feel like they could leave because they made good money and didn't know how to do anything else. I wanted a job that I liked and made good money. I also didn't want to get into a rut like those in the electronics field and geology offered flexibility (I could work inside or outside, in the city or the country) I liked that.
Q. Who encouraged you to choose this profession?
A. My mom suggested I take a geology class as my first science requirement during my first year in college (she had taken a field trip with a geology class to the Grand Canyon and had a really good time). My first geology professor was a really good teacher and was instrumental in helping me realize what a good career geology offered me. It was also really satisfying to be able to look around me and see what I was learning.
Q. Did you have other interests?
A. I was an art major when I started in college and was taking both art and general education requirements when I decided to switch to a science major. (I did alot better in my science classes then I ever thought I would)... I decided to pursue geology because I wanted a good (and flexible) job and didn't want to be a waitress to support my art. I decided that while art could always be a hobby, science probably never would so decided to stick with the science when in college.
Q. Are you happy that you chose this profession?
A. Yes, it has been everything I had hoped it would be. I have worked in downtown San Francisco and the deserts of Nevada. I have slept in a tent under the stars all summer and worn hiking boots all day. I have worked in an office and worn nylons and pumps. I have thought about pure research (when at the US Geological Survey), looked for oil (with BP), looked for gold (with Noranda), cleaned up soil and ground water from urban contamination (in an environmental consulting firm), and worked for the state to regulate polluters and help keep drinking water safe. It has offered flexibility, fun, intellectual challenge and good pay.
Q. Do you have any ideas how our nation can educate women to choose high-paying professions?
A. The first thing we need to do is provide science classes in primary and secondary school so girls and young women aren't so afraid of science and engineering related subjects. We also need to support women going to college and believing in themselves.... and believing that they can get a good job and make a difference. I never realized that I was smart and analytical until I went to my local junior college and was offered a variety of classes and felt the support from my professors. Women have to believe in themselves and that they have more to offer than just menial labor..... whatever we can do to get women started on the right foot and not to feel intimidated... is the best thing we can do.... and make sure they have the opportunity to learn..... Junior Colleges are absolutely the best for that. Not as intimidating as a big 4 year school and classes tend to be smaller.
Q. How can women take more notice in technology and science?
A. Women need to believe that they can excel in these fields and that society and their religious community will support them.
Q. Have you ever felt discriminated against?
A. I never have felt discriminated against but I know other women who have. It is my opinion that you get back what you put out. Although I realized early on that I needed to work harder and do better than my male counterparts to get noticed ---I always expected to be treated fairly and I was. Some of the women I have worked with had a chip on their shoulders and when any little thing happened that they didn't like, they blamed it on sexual discrimination..... and that put an aura around them and I believe caused their discrimination. I expected to be treated fairly, I worked hard, and didn't blame my gender on anything that was going wrong. I felt responsible for my behavior and the outcomes of my work and didn't blame anyone or anything.
Letters of Inquiry
Kasey McLaughlin-Price
201 West Louisiana Avenue
Nampa, ID 83686
The Asia Foundation
P.O. Box 175
Kabul, Afghanistan
To whom it may concern:
I am a student at the College of Western Idaho and I am currently doing a research project on the women of Afghanistan. I have been so saddened by my research on the intolerable conditions of Afghan women. My heart breaks for the abuse they have seen and endured. As an American woman who lives in a society where my rights are protected, I am saddened by the unbearable conditions that these women face. I am writing to you today to ask what I can do, as an American, to help? I fear that Americans are uneducated about their conditions and are unaware of the abuse. What can we do to raise awareness and bring the Afghan woman into light? I realize that there are many people around the world, like you, who are constantly working to do this. I honor your effort and energy and realize that changing a whole society’s views is a difficult uphill battle. What are some of your efforts that are taking place to help the women of Afghanistan and are you seeing any change? I read about some women rejoining the work community, starting their own businesses. I wonder about the challenges they face and if they fear for their lives? I have also read about their protests and believe that women who are standing up to terror and are putting themselves on the line for freedom are truly the heroes of their nation and our world.
I deeply thank you for any time that you spend in reply and would be so grateful for any feedback that you could give. I will never forget the women of Afghanistan and truly hope that their power will someday be given back. Please let me know if there is anything that we can do as Americans, besides our military presence, to end this battle and give the Afghan women a chance for freedom.
Sincerely,
Kasey McLaughlin-Price
Kasey McLaughlin-Price
201 West Louisiana Avenue
Nampa, ID 83686
Congressman Walt Minnick
33 E. Broadway Avenue, Ste. 251
Meridian, ID 83642
Dear Congressman Minnick,
I am a student at the College of Western Idaho and I am currently doing a research project on gender equality in America. I would be honored if you could take the time out of your busy schedule to answer a few of my questions. In doing my research, I found that many women are struggling to balance their personal and professional lives. Women in America are statistically paid less and many female college graduates are receiving degrees in lower-paying fields than men. I was wondering if there are any actions taking place in Idaho that educate women on the benefits of a not only a college education but also about the opportunities available to them to receive education in high-paying fields like science and technology? Not only have I noticed that women are failing in receiving education in high-paying fields, but also that there is a lack of family-friendly policies in the workplace. Is there any effort taking place that makes companies aware of this problem? What is your view on the future for women in Idaho? I would be grateful for your opinion on the direction of these issues and any awareness that you can raise that would benefit the women in our state. Women are not only lacking the education to prosper, but are also responsible for educating the next generation on how to survive in our suffering economy.
I would be so grateful for any feedback that you could give me and for any effort on your part to increase awareness. You are the voice for the people of Idaho and have the capability to reach the citizens of our state. It is a big responsibility that we have afforded you and I would be appreciative for any time you could take to help the struggling women of Idaho and our country.
Sincerely,
Kasey McLaughlin-Price
9 to 5 - A Film Analysis
The movie 9 to 5, a comedy written and directed by Colin Higgins, is about three working women, Violet Newstead, Doralee Rhodes, and Judy Bernly who are all struggling in their own way to be successful in life. Each of the women has different obstacles to overcome. For instance, Violet is a widowed mother of four, Doralee is a married secretary who receives no respect, and Judy is a new divorcee with little work experience. They have little in common with each other except that they each share a workplace that holds them back from developing their talents.
Although 9 to 5 takes place in the 1980’s and is a parody of the issues facing women in the workplace, today’s woman can relate to the characters in the movie by experiencing some of the same barriers of gender inequality. While outright sexual harassment has been greatly reduced, women still face obstacles regarding equal pay, equal respect, and family-friendly policies, like the lack of in-house childcare and flexible hours that continue to make balancing women’s personal and professional lives difficult.
Violet, a senior supervisor at the company with nearly 12 years experience, continues to be overlooked for promotion because her boss refuses to hire a woman to do what he believes is a man’s job. She has many ideas on how to make the workplace a better and more efficient environment for the employees; however, instead of being listened to, her boss, Frank Hart, takes her ideas and claims them as his own. The movie takes an interesting turn when the clever ladies kidnap their boss, change office policies and revolutionize their workplace.
The workplace setting in 9 to 5 is portrayed as a bland and cold environment; the office color palette is gray from top to bottom. The message being sent to the workers is to show no personality, creativity, or compassion for the women working there. Employees are not allowed to work part-time, have any personal items on their desks, and women are not paid equally to men. Mr. Hart makes his opinion clear about the place women hold in the office when he refers to working women as “his girls.”
Violet trained Frank Hart, along with the man for whom she was passed up for promotion. When Mr. Hart lists the reasons why Violet is passed up for promotion, he states that “Clients would rather deal with men.” Violet realizes that she will never gain a foot up at the company with Frank Hart steering the course. Even worse, when Violet suggests a new color-coding policy for files in the office, Frank Hart told her that the idea needed more work, then secretly gave it to his boss and claimed the new idea as his own.
After the ladies kidnap Mr. Hart and fake his presence at the office by signing documents directed to him, they implemented policy changes that showed a 20 percent rise in productivity and greatly increased office moral. Some of these policies consisted of job sharing, flexible hours, part-time work, in-house childcare, and equal pay. The office was also painted a bright yellow, color was introduced all over the office to improve mood, and personal items like plants and family pictures were allowed on the employees desks. Violet and her cohorts even put into action a rehabilitation program for employees with alcohol problems. The whole atmosphere changed from cold and dark, to bright and cheerful. The employees could not be happier and the policies effectively cut down on absenteeism. Even the Chairman of the Board came to reward Frank Hart, who happened to return to the office just in time to be sent to Brazil for his ability to turn things around for the company.
Vincent Canby, in his review in the New York Times, describes Violet, Judy and Doralee as “office revolutionaries” (para. 2), and rightfully so. The women completely transformed their workplace into a positive environment and changed the lives of women in the process; something Frank Hart did not care to do.
Even though 9 to 5 is a comedy and most of the movie is an unrealistic dramatization of workplace dynamics, the director does touch on issues that working women in the twenty-first century can relate to. Higgins’ underlying message that women somehow need to be revolutionary in order to create and see real change rings true to the heartstrings of the American woman. The ability to juggle all of the roles in life seems to be what women have to do to try to compete in the work world. Women cook, clean and take care of their children all before they go to work and return to repeat the process (Gilbert 12). If husbands and partners would see these household responsibilities as equal, women would be more likely to not only survive in the workplace, but flourish.
Almost 20 years after this movie was made, American women still struggle with gender inequality issues. Even now women battle with balancing their jobs and their many responsibilities at home. Boise Weekly’s Carissa Wolf agrees that “we still have the same workplace issues we had 20 years ago…noting the wage disparities, the under-representation of women in high-paying professions, and the number of companies that have yet to enact woman-and-family-friendly policies, such as in-house childcare” (para. 33). Women have yet to gain enough quality support from society, their families, and their workplace. A revolution is needed to change society’s view of women’s roles and their many demands. Women are unable to have it all without proper support. Now is the time for change. Change starts at home by husbands and partners helping out to balance a woman’s responsibilities, in the workplace by implementing policies like in-house childcare and flexible hours that will ease the workload, and in the mind-set of our society by recognizing equality and the change that needs to take place. America is not living under Frank Hart’s thumb any longer and we need to take advantage of the talented Violets that can revolutionize the workplace.
Works Cited
Canby, Vincent. “Nine to Five, Office Comedy.” Rev. of 9 to 5, by Colin Higgins. The New York Times 19 Dec. 1980: Para. 2. Web.
Gilbert, Neil. “FAMILY LIFE: SOLD ON WORK.” Society 42.3 (2005): 12-17. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 22 Set. 2010.
Wolf, Carissa. “We’ve Come a Long Way Baby- Or Have We? The State of Feminism in Idaho. Is Feminism Dead?” Boise Weekly. (2010) Web. 18 Sept. 2010.
9 to 5. Dir. Colin Higgins. Perf. Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, Dabney Coleman, and Sterling Hayden. 20th Century Fox, 1980. Film.
Hope for Change
Abstract
Global gender equality is suffering, especially in Afghanistan. The women of this war-torn country are in desperate need of basic human rights and the world must answer their cries. Included in this essay is a glimpse into the lives of the women in Afghanistan and the abuse and issues that they face. I not only hope to shed some much needed light upon these women, but to also make case for why they need our help. Gender equality in Afghanistan cannot happen without the world putting pressure on the deep-seated values of its country. The time for change is now so the women of Afghanistan can stand a chance for not only freedom, but survival. For most women in Afghanistan, life is full of fear, pain and dread. For decades, the war-torn country of Afghanistan has seen more than its fair share of civil war, poverty and drought, making it a prime place for crime and terror to run free with no consequence. Home to over 23 million people, Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world and one of the highest illiteracy and maternal and child mortality rates on the planet. (Annan par. 2)
Women have borne the brunt of the country’s turmoil for years and have seen violence, mutilation and rape to themselves and their children. They have been given little respect or dignity and continue to struggle with basic civil and human rights. As Belquis Ahmadi so eloquently said, “Afghan women have lost lives, family members, basic human rights, human dignity and the right to be respected. Soon they might lose something that destroys humanity. They might lose hope.” (as qtd. in TIME Magazine par. 1) While women in America are struggling to attain an equal standing in the workplace and balance their personal and professional lives, the women of Afghanistan are silently fighting an entirely different battle; the basic right of freedom. For gender equality to ever exist in Afghanistan, the world must stand up to fight terror so the women of its country are protected and empowered to pursue the education, health care and political voice they so desperately deserve.
Life for the Afghan woman changed dramatically with the emergence of the Taliban. From 1996 to 2001, this political group greatly worsened the treatment of women, making it a strict law that women could no longer work, find medical care or receive education. The Taliban enacted laws that took away all women’s rights and personal power. They were no longer able to leave their house without being completely covered with a traditional burqa, and could only leave if they were supervised by a family male escort. Abdullah Qazi, in The Plight of the Afghan Woman, explains further that “women who were doctors and teachers before, suddenly were forced to be beggars and even prostitutes in order to feed their families.” (par. 1) The Taliban took away every freedom, making the women of Afghanistan powerless and degraded.
Even though the short reign of the Taliban has ended, the superior attitude of the male population lingers and women are still afraid. Only recently, women are starting to venture out and regain their place in society. Women are slowly returning back to work and are helping with the little economic growth that Afghanistan is seeing today. Without women working and contributing to society, the country is bound to stay in a depressed state with excessive poverty. If all members of a society can contribute their talents and strengths, the world will see a better community with everyone pulling together. If half the population is weighting down the society and is not allowed to support progress, there will be little hope for change.
There are many women’s groups and organizations trying to institute change and support the women in Afghanistan, such as the Revolutionary of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA) and Afghans for Civil Society. The Asia Foundation is one of those groups that continually maintain a presence in Afghanistan. The organization conducted a survey in 2010 where they interviewed 6,467 Afghan citizens “on security, development, economy, government, corruption, and women's issues to assess the mood and direction of the country.” (Afghanistan in 2010, par. 1) As seen in the graph below, many Afghans view education and illiteracy as the number one problem facing Afghan women, along with lack of job opportunities and rights coming in second and third.
However hopeful the citizens of Afghanistan might be, Afghan women are continuing to see the backlash of the large part of society that is unwilling to change. Taliban laws are continuing to be implemented in rural areas where the torture of women is outside of police legislation. Even in areas where police are supposed to enforce the laws of the country, many of these men and their crimes are going unpunished because of corruption. The United States military is also planning on leaving the country and will no longer have a presence in Afghanistan. Life for the Afghan woman could potentially go back to being ruled by the Taliban.
Right now the only thing that Afghanistan can offer its women and children is the hope for change and that this violence and terror will someday end. The world community needs to put pressure on the societies that degrade their women and limit their futures. No longer can we turn a blind eye to the women of Afghanistan and the torture that they face. Countries must stand up and take a place to protect her, helping not only the women of Afghanistan, but also safety throughout the world. The women of this country are the key to the reconstruction of Afghanistan and must be allowed to take a stand if peace is to ever be achieved in this violent nation. Hillary Clinton commented that “A post-Taliban Afghanistan where women’s rights are respected is much less likely to harbor terrorists in the future…a society that values all its members, including women, is also likely to put a higher premium on life, opportunity and freedom.” (par. 8)
Hope has to remain in our hearts that the women of Afghanistan will someday be free and able to live their lives without fear. Until that happens, the world must remain diligent and not tolerate terrorism or the horrible abuse that goes along with it. Women especially who live in countries where freedom and equality are alive, must stand up and be the voice for the women of Afghanistan. The time is now for the women of this war-torn country to have the freedom that all humans born in this world deserve. It is their right and citizens of the world should not stop until they have that freedom.
Works Cited
Abawi, Atia. “Afghan Woman whose Nose, Ears Cut Off Travels to U.S.” CNN (2010):1-2. Web. 27 Nov. 2010.
Annan, Kofi. “The Situation of Women in Afghanistan.” Women’s Summit for Democracy (2001) : 1-6. Web. 16 Nov. 2010.
Ayubi, Najla. “Women’s Biggest Problems in Afghanistan.” The Asia Foundation (2010): 1. Web. 1 Dec. 2010
Clinton, Hillary, Belquis, Ahmadi. “New Hope for Afghanistan’s Women.” TIME Magazine (2001): 1-3. Web. 16 Nov. 2010.
Marzel, Lee. “Afghan Women Burn Themselves to Flee Abuse.” RAWA.org (2009):1-4. Web. 16 Nov. 2010.
Qazi, Abdullah. “The Plight of the Afghan Woman.” Afghanistan Online (2010):1-2. Web 27 Nov. 2010.
Rawa. “Rawa’s Standpoints.” Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (2010):1 Web 21 Nov. 2010.
Zulfacar, Maliha. "The pendulum of gender politics in Afghanistan." Central Asian Survey 25.1/2 (2006): 27-59. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 26 Nov. 2010.
My Reflection
Starting out in English 102, I had very little faith in my writing skills. I lacked the self confidence to believe that I could pass the class. It has been over ten years since I have attended college. I spent most of my time in those past years running a business, raising two beautiful children and finding my true passion; working with animals. My main reason for returning to school is to finish what I started, something I have always regretted not doing when I was young. Not having a degree has always bothered me and I am finally in a place where I can attain my dream.
When I first made the decision to return to school, I didn’t realize how much I would learn about myself. I did not know that I had it in me to grow as much as I did. Looking back on my experience, my growth as a writer, as a student and as a person has changed the view I have on myself. I now know that I am capable of accomplishing anything I set my mind to. I believe this will not only help me in the future, but will also help the way I live my life and the way I raise my children. I am no longer afraid that I am not good enough, because I know that I am.
When first choosing my topic for the semester, I must admit that I knew nothing about the gender inequality that not only faced the women in America, but also the horrible oppression that the women of Afghanistan endure on a daily basis. In my research, I learned so much about the deplorable conditions and the unfair treatment that no woman should ever have to bear. The women in America, even though they have their own struggles, know nothing of suffering compared to these women. This treatment truly opened my eyes to this world and made me grateful for the life I have. My writing drastically improved when I became passionate about my subject. My first essay on American women was very hard for me because I lacked the passion that was created when I researched Afghanistan’s treatment.
I not only lacked passion, but I also lacked the understanding of how to properly write an essay. I learned, with the help of my instructor and tutors, the structure of an essay and in that learning, clarity arrived. Everything came together and writing became less of a struggle and more of an expression of who I was. Who I wanted to be became an attainable reality. I have always had a gift to share a different point of view than others and being able to clearly communicate my view is something that I have always wanted. My writing skills have improved so much that I am now able to speak clearly and eloquently. I went from having no self-confidence, to the humble reality that I have something to offer. I lack the words to tell my reader what that means to me. My whole life has been turned upside down and I am now not only a better writer, but a better mother, friend and wife. The world has new light and I will be forever thankful for the experience this class has afforded me.
Bibliography
Abawi, Atia. “Afghan Woman whose Nose, Ears Cut Off Travels to U.S.” CNN (2010):1-2. Web. 27 Nov. 2010.
Annan, Kofi. “The Situation of Women in Afghanistan.” Women’s Summit for Democracy (2001) : 1-6. Web. 16 Nov. 2010.
Ayubi, Najla. “Women’s Biggest Problems in Afghanistan.” The Asia Foundation (2010): 1. Web. 1 Dec. 2010
Bolzendahl, Catherine & Myers, Daniel. “Feminist Attitudes and Support for Gender Equality; Opinion Change in Women and Men, 1974-1988.” The University of North Carolina Press. (2004) 83(2): 759-790. EBSCO. Web. 19 Sept. 2010.
Canby, Vincent. “Nine to Five, Office Comedy.” Rev. of 9 to 5, by Colin Higgins. The New York Times 19 Dec. 1980: Para. 2. Web.
Clinton, Hillary, Belquis, Ahmadi. “New Hope for Afghanistan’s Women.” TIME Magazine (2001): 1-3. Web. 16 Nov. 2010.
Dooley, Tara. “Women in the Workplace The Road to Equality paved with Detours. Perception of gender roles, and children, can affect pay work. Houston Chronicle 6 September 2010: 1. ProQuest. Web. 18 Sept. 2010.
Gilbert, Neil. “FAMILY LIFE: SOLD ON WORK.” Society 42.3 (2005): 12-17. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 22 Set. 2010.
Holland, C.C. “Family-Friendly Policies from Family-Friendly Companies.” BNET.com (2007). Web. 18 Sept. 2010.
Marzel, Lee. “Afghan Women Burn Themselves to Flee Abuse.” RAWA.org (2009):1-4. Web. 16 Nov. 2010.
Marklein, Mary Beth. “College gender gap widens; 57% are Women.” USA Today. (2005). Web. 19 Sept. 2010.
Mason, Mary Ann. “Better Educating Our New Breadwinners.” The Shriver Report. (2009): 1-13. Web. 19 Sept. 2010.
Qazi, Abdullah. “The Plight of the Afghan Woman.” Afghanistan Online (2010):1-2. Web 27 Nov. 2010.
Quindlen, Anna. “Everyday Equality.” Newsweek 148.13 (2006): 84. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 20 Sept. 2010.
Savitsky, Zoe. "Inertia and Change: Findings of The Shriver Report and Next Steps." Berkeley Journal of Gender, Law & Justice 25.(2010): 172-198. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 18 Sept. 2010.
Wolf, Carissa. “We’ve Come a Long Way Baby- Or Have We? The State of Feminism in Idaho. Is Feminism Dead?” Boise Weekly. (2010) Web. 18 Sept. 2010.
Zulfacar, Maliha. "The pendulum of gender politics in Afghanistan." Central Asian Survey 25.1/2 (2006): 27-59. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 26 Nov. 2010.
9 to 5. Dir. Colin Higgins. Perf. Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, Dabney Coleman, and Sterling Hayden. 20th Century Fox, 1980. Film.
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