Women and Islam

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that the Western perception of Islam is of a religion that is especially restrictive of women. Islam is seen as living in the past and as failing to modernize, while Islam sees its restrictions as socially constructive and as elevating women rather than keeping them down. The writer maintains that such differences in perception are based on historical differences and also on the way the West has changed and now expects others to do the same without necessarily making the case in a way that appeals to Islam. The writer discusses that many of the Arab states and the states turning to fundamentalism manifest the harshest restrictions on women, while some of the more liberal Islamic states show more Western influences. The place of women in Islamic society derives largely from the historical structure of Islam and from the degree to which outside influences have been allowed. The writer concludes that as the various countries of the region struggle with the conflicting forces of tradition and modernization, women are pawns in the struggle, made to adhere to restrictive laws to assert Islamic rights over Western ideas.

Outline:
Introduction
Gender Roles
Islamic Social Order
Women in Islam
Works Cited

From the Paper:

" Masculinity-femininity is a dimension that is reflected in social attitudes toward men and women and in expectations placed on each. Islamic society is more traditional than American society today, though full equality of the sexes has not been achieved in America as yet, either. Once again, the roles of men and women in Islamic society are determined by Islamic law and the Quran. There has been a religious element in shaping the way men and women are viewed in American society as well, but as America has become more secularized, that influence has lessened. Definitions of masculine and feminine have come under increasing question and challenge, and the roles of men and women in business and society have become more equal and less related to gender. In Islam, Muhammad is meant to represent perfection, and the faithful are meant to follow his teachings and to be as much like him as possible. Those who achieve the perfection of Muhammad are highly revered as saints or holy men, and people give any living holy man great respect... "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Ahmed, Leila. Women and Gender in Islam: Historical Roots of a Modern Debate. New Haven: Yale University, 1992.
• Binder, Leonard. Islamic Liberalism. Chicago: Chicago University Press, 1988.
• Eickelman, Dale F. The Middle East: An Anthropological Approach. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1989.
• Esposito, John. Islam and Politics. Syracuse, New York: Syracuse University Press, 1991.
• Haddad, Yvonne Yazbeck and John L. Esposito. Islam, Gender and Social Change. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.

More papers on Women and Islam:

• Essay # 72918 : "Women and Islam"
• Essay # 36032 : "Women and Gender in Islam"
• Research Paper # 99882 : "Women in Islam"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: