Middle Eastern Paradigms

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses women in the Middle East and looks at both the economic and liberal paradigms of Muslim women from the perspectives of authors, scholars and journalists. The paper also notes that in the past Muslim women have been stereotyped as having had little if anything to do with the economic side of life for their families. Authors referenced in this paper point out that part of that erroneous reporting is due to the fact that previously only male anthropologists have conducted field work on Muslim women and their roles in the home and community. The author explains that now there is a more accurate picture to be presented available due to female anthropological research.

Outline:
Introduction
Economic Paradigm - Muslim Women I
Liberal Paradigm - Muslim Women
Economic Paradigm - Muslim Women II
Liberal Paradigm - Muslim Women II

From the Paper:

"Economic Paradigm - Muslim Women I: Anne M. Jennings writes in Middle Eastern Women and the Invisible Economy (Jennings, 45) that there are old stereotypes about Muslim women and their participation in the family economic dynamics, and she believes research is needed in this area. For example, she explains that "thousands" of women earn money outside the home; this fact has been kept hidden largely because of the stereotype that the religion of Islam forbids women to be wage earners outside the home.
"Several reasons exist as to why the facts of female economics in Muslim countries have been unreported. One reason for this, Jennings writes, is that women often work in the "informal sector" - also called the "invisible economy" - and that money is rarely reported to agencies that collect taxes, for obvious reasons. Another reason for the seeming secrecy of women working outside the home is that Muslim males tend to deny that their wives are working, for reasons that are undisclosed by Jennings, but one can easily speculate that Muslim men may not wish to admit that their earnings are not sufficient to provide the family with adequate financial support."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Jennings, Anne M. "Nubian Women and the Shadow Economy." In Middle Eastern Women And the Invisible Economy. Ed. Richard A. Lobban, Jr. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 1998, 45-59.
• Lobban, Richard A. Jr. "Women in the Invisible Economy in Tunis." In Middle Eastern Women And the Invisible Economy. Ed. Richard A. Lobban, Jr. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 1998, 198-214.
• Michael, Barbara J. "Baggara Women as Market Strategists." In Middle Eastern Women and The Invisible Economy. Ed. Richard A. Lobban, Jr. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 1998, 60-73.
• Rajavi, Maryam. "Women, Islam & Equality: Chapter Three: Islam: Beacon of Women's." Foreign Affairs Committee / National Council of Resistance of Iran. Retrieved April 17, 2007 from http://www.iran-e-azad.org/english/book_on_women/chapter3.htm.
• Roded, Ruth. "Mainstreaming Middle East Gender Research: Promise or Pitfall?" Middle East Studies Association Bulletin. (2001). Retrieved April 18, 2008, from http://www.library.cornell.edu/colldev/mideast/roded.htm.

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