Abstract This paper examines how arranged marriages have been greatly successful and continue to be the gateway to wedlock for almost all the communities in India. It attempts to understand why arranged marriages have been more stable in India and other Asian countries than love marriages in the Western world, together with the advantages and disadvantages of this approach to marriage. It shows how there is a cultural influence that is closely linked with the practice of arranged marriages and discusses this traditional approach.
Outline
Introduction
Arranged Marriage (What It Is)
Indian Marriage
The Engagement
The Bridal Makeup
Henna the Traditional Decoration
Arranged Marriages in Japan
Marriages Statistics and Misconceptions
Conclusion
From the Paper "Indian tradition is amongst the oldest and still vibrant systems in the world. In spite of the impact of foreign rule and the consequent culture influx it still stands out as a strong nation resonating with a unique cultural heritage. Arranged marriages have been a part of Indian system for a very long time and it is dated to be there since the very birth of the institute of marriage. The first step in the marriage process is the Horoscope. Indians pay much attention to horoscopes. After preparing a detailed horoscope the parents exchange it with prospective boys and girls. The services of the horoscope matching centers are also utilized. Once the horoscopes are compared for their compatibility the parents initiate the next step, that is they arrange a meeting to see the girl."
Abstract This paper discusses how, like most religions, gender roles are an important part of both Christianity and Judaism. It shows how both of these religions have very specific roles for men and women, which constitute key theological areas of both faiths and how, because Christianity arose out of Judaism, some of the gender roles are similar. It also looks at how Christianity has some unique gender roles of its own. Further, how the gender roles in both Judaism and Christianity have changed and evolved over the centuries.
From the Paper "Women, as keepers of the house and home, had special tasks to perform when preparing for the Sabbath. On Fridays before sunset, they had to work hard to finish the cooking and clean the house ("Women's Role in the Rituals"). They set the table for the first Sabbath meal and put all things that remind people of work out of view, as no work is permitted on the Sabbath. The woman of the house lights two candles on a table and says a prayer of blessing for the family; when this is completed, the Sabbath has officially begun ("Women's Role in the Rituals"). This is one of three ritual acts specifically given to women to perform in the traditional Jewish religion. Afterward, the man of the house blesses his children"first sons, then daughters"and then blesses his wife. The family then begins the first meal of the Sabbath. The last meal of the Sabbath is concluded with another prayer from the woman of the house."
Abstract This paper examines the life, work, and leadership of Margaret Sanger, an advocate for women's rights and, in particular, reproductive rights. It looks at her selfless fight to legalize contraception in an era in which many were ready to hear such a message, but many others were ardently opposed to her work and to the possibility that women might, indeed, gain greater rights in American society.
From the Paper "Sanger believed that it was the right of everyone to have enough information about birth control to make their own decisions about the morality and practicality of using it and began a magazine titled The Woman Rebel that attacked the restrictions placed on the circulation of information about contraception by the an 1873 piece of federal legislation called the Comstock Law. This highly restrictive law made it a crime to distribute any device or medicine that could be used as a contraceptive or abortificient or any information about birth control or abortion or even to cite in print the name of any sexually transmitted disease. The law also banned doctors and nurses from providing such information to their patients."
Tags: reproductive, rights, contraception, comstock, law
Abstract This paper looks at the origins of affirmative action, considers the pivotal role that the Warren Court ruling on Brown vs. Board of Education played in affirmative action policies, and highlights their purpose. The paper, while recognizing the need for affirmative action and expressing an overall positive opinion of the concept, also details some of the negative consequences of affirmative action programs, mistakes made in their implementation, and suggests a need to revitalize present affirmative action programs.
From the Paper "Affirmative action statutes have in recent years been struck down in a number of parts of the country. Despite this fact, affirmative action remains important in this nation and the premise behind it ? that all Americans should be given an equal opportunity to succeed, especially in some arenas such as school and the workplace ? remains even more important, especially in the area of education. Much of the social, political and economic progress that African-Americans have been able to make in the second half of the 20th century came about as the result of legal and social challenges to the second-class education that they had been receiving. Without a continuing, firm commitment to providing equal education opportunities to all children, the continuing differences that exist among different groups of Americans as defined by race (including everything from average salary to expected lifespan) will never disappear."
Abstract This paper is about the increase in freedom Japanese women experienced during the Meiji and Taisho periods in Japan and the subsequently greater role they had in both the family and the political life of the country. The paper explains how, unwittingly, the Samurai revolution contributed to women's greater liberation and how the combination of increased urbanization along with a higher degree of mobility tended to loosen the traditional strictures on women's physical and social mobility. The paper also points out how the increase in a Japanese middle-class after the Samurai revolution and their corresponding demands for more rights also contributed to greater freedoms for women. The paper makes it clear, however, that the status of Japanese women during this period was never close to being equal to that of Japanese men, but their social and political gains were significant.
From the Paper "The Meiji period, as Gordon outlines in Chapter Five, "The Samurai Revolution", began with a political revolution that returned the country to direct imperial rule under the Emperor Meiji and brought to an end the era of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The emperor took advantage of the restoration of his power to try to push Japan towards the West and to introduce Western concepts of modernization. The effect ? over the period of Meiji rule from 1868?1912 included the rise of a much larger and more powerful middle class in Japan. This came about in no small way because the samurai who lead the restoration understood that their own rising power ? as well as that of the imperial house ? was dependent upon the diminishment of power by the feudal lords."
Tags: role, sex, traditionally, imperial, rule, emperor, tokugawa, shogunate, fuedal, tokyo, edo, shufu
Abstract Every twelve to fifteen seconds, on average, a woman in America is battered by her partner. This paper takes a general look at why this happens, focusing on the three accepted theories: psychological, external, and gender and development approaches. It then examines the steps taken by society and government to fight against this type of abuse, including the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA). The author concludes with her personal opinion on the subject.
From the Paper "Even sponsors of the VAWA have acknowledged that the civil rights provision was a largely symbolic gesture to women (Taylor 102). So, if the most important piece of legislature passed so far to protect women's rights against violence really hasn"t had any effect, when is a policy that is actually intended to help going to be passed""
Abstract This paper discusses what body image is, what exactly is being viewed by women in women's magazines and then why these images have the effect that they do. It then discusses women's reactions, how they make them feel and how viewing women's magazines can affect their self-image. It then goes into detail of what could be done to fix this.
From the Paper "Flip absent-mindedly through any young women's magazine and in between the titles and pages of ?4 Hot New Makeup Looks? and "Little Signs He's The One", you"ll see dozens and dozens of women who all look the same. Women advertising one thing or another, all with the exact same incredible makeup, all with skin highlighted with professional lighting and computer touch-ups, all pouting in that sexy manner and leaning in the same seductive poses" all perfectly sweet, sexy, and skinny. All with perfect bodies."
Abstract Using Stephen Pressfield's "Gates of Fire", the unique role of Spartan women and their influence over men is shown. The paper explains that women were not subservient mothers, but played an active role in polis life and had considerable leverage in directing the men and the state to act.
From the Paper "During the times of the ancient Greeks, women were generally considered inferior to men and afforded very few rights and privileges. In these male dominated societies, a woman's only function was to bear children and attend to the needs of her husband. However, the Spartans thought very highly of their women and granted them more freedoms than anywhere else in Greece. This is because unlike the women in other cities, Spartan women played an active role in the life of the polis. The role of Spartan women was not merely to produce male warriors, but to uphold Spartan ideals and ensure that the men maintained the standards which Spartan society was built upon."
Abstract This paper focuses on the body image of women in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and the United States. It states what is expected of the women by their culture in the physical "ideal" for a woman and contrasts the expectation with the reality.
From the Paper "Before we begin to examine cultural variations on aesthetic ideals, we must first understand exactly what is meant by body image. Psychologists typically define body image as being how we feel about how we look (Henson 1). Personal ideas about body image transcend fact and physiology; our body image is purely psychological. How do we see ourselves? How do we think we are seen by others? How do answers to those questions compare to our own physical reality? Our body image is essentially based "on our perceptions of our bodies and the emotions resulting from those perceptions" (Henson 1)."
Abstract This paper explains that one of the most powerful aspects of "The Yellow Wallpaper" is its narrative form, which demonstrates Gilman's straightforward style. The author points out that the story is a reflection of patriarchal conditions in the 19th century; women were often misdiagnosed and mistreated because they were women. The paper stresses that Gilman's writing style is extremely important in "The Yellow Wallpaper" because it demonstrates the narrator's deteriorating state of mind.
From the Paper "Almost from the beginning of the story, the narrator is not quite convinced that her husband's treatment is the best treatment for her. In fact, despite what her doctor-husband and brother tell her, she admits, "Personally, I disagree with their ideas. Personally, I believe that congenial work, with excitement and change, would do me good" (Gilman 475). Instead of congenial work, the narrator is forced to stay in what she refers to as a "haunted house" (474). It is important to note how the narrator does not see a workable solution in her present circumstances."
Abstract This paper presents a detailed examination of verbal abuse within marriages. The writer explores what constitutes verbal abuse and how it can play into a marriage. The writer examines many issues surrounding verbal abuse, including its impact on children and its impact on the victim.
From the Paper "Verbal abuse in a relationship can be insidious. It is something that leaves no external marks but can be extremely damaging. The victim of verbal abuse within a relations can become isolated and depressed which makes it even more difficult to recognize that they are being abused and to get out of the situation. It can become a cycle that last for years and provides a negative example for the children of the union to emulate. Verbal abuse does not get the publicity that physical abuse gets, but it can have the same devastating affects."
Abstract This paper explains the history of women's fashion from the 1900s through the 1950s and how the economy and popular culture affected fashion. It explains in detail how the fashion industry was affected by such things as World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II. It tells about the "roaring twenties" and the flapper style of Coco Chanel, along with Dior's "new look" of the 1940s.
From the Paper "American women's fashion throughout the twentieth century has undergone drastic changes as the years passed. All through the century, fashion was influenced by the economy and popular culture. Women's fashion especially exemplifies the changes of hair, makeup, dresses, pants, shoes, hats, and so many other things which have all gone through massive modifications. The American women of this century have been especially mindful of their fashion, and their concerns have been brought out through what they wear. Each decade has had their own fashion revolutions and disasters, but each has also brought about revolutionary changes in style, that still affects us today and will for many years ahead."
Abstract In this paper, the author addresses many of the issues surrounding sexual harassment in the workplace, such as the risk of offensive language or jokes, perception vs. intent, and the ultimate cost of human gossip. Furthermore, the author attempts, through a more thorough look into the problems and situations surrounding the issues, to shed some light on many of the common misconceptions regarding sexual harassment.
From the Paper "Despite widespread publicity and controversy over the problem of sexual harassment in the work place the growing challenge of preventing such an act continues to infest our work places. Several recent reports indicate that despite the acknowledgment of the continuing problem of sexual harassment, many employers have yet to fully address the problem. Moreover, recent news reports indicate that sexual harassment has found its way from the grunts of the cooperate world all the way to the highest levels of management."
Abstract This paper examines how the stories "Quicksand" and "Passing" illustrate the profound pressures felt by Nella Larsen as a female writer in the male dominated Harlem Renaissance. It looks at how Larsen grapples with the conflicting demands of her racial and sexual identities and the contradictory nature of a black and feminine aesthetic. It attempts to show that while Larsen's literature appears to project feminist concessions to the dominant ideology of romance, marriage and motherhood, it can equally be interpreted as a radical and original critique of female sexual experience, repressed in both literary terms and in Larsen's own contemporary society.
From the Paper "The theme of racial identity is central to the exploration of black womanhood in both 'Quicksand' and 'Passing.' The main protagonist of 'Quciksand,' Helga Crane is portrayed by Larsen to suffer from a dual consciousness arising from her mixed parentage. Helga appears indifferent or even accommodating towards white racism as she accepts her uncle's new wife's racist attitudes, believing that she was 'an obscene sore in all their lives, at all costs to be hidden. She understood while she resented.' Helga is also ambivalent regarding Anne's ongoing racism towards whites in the form of sociological critique, and the condemnation of miscegenation."
Abstract This paper examines Oprah Winfrey's leadership style, identifying her charisma and love for her audience as major factors in her success. It briefly discusses her professional and personal life and her special skills, including her ability to organize.
From the Paper "In the list of the world's ranking mega-leaders there are few women. This is undoubtedly not for any lack of talent or leadership ability among women but more likely because the step between being a good leader and being a ..."
