A examination of the impact on women and children, especially in poor families, gender inequities, child support, social and psychological aspects and remarriage.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 9 sources, 2000, $ 47.95
From the Paper "Divorce in the United States is especially devastating to women and children because it contributes to the feminization of poverty. Divorce is an issue that is currently being addressed by various political leaders who see a high divorce rate as evidence of social decay, and there are efforts under way to make divorce more difficult by returning the emphasis to fault. Marriages are subject to a number of divisive forces, from external pressures such as job loss, illness, infertility, and the need to care for aging parents. Some marriages survive, while others do not. People also have habits and attitudes which may be divisive and which they may not be able to overcome in marriage. Divorce tends to be harder on women than men because men are more likely to have careers and jobs while the women are more likely to be dependent; in addition, women who do or can work..."
From the Paper "The American family faces many challenges. A multitude of urgent demands, internal and external, creates stress on the family structure. These ever increasing demands tax families' ability to survive and thrive in contemporary society. Our understanding of the configuration and operation of the family changes as research dispels society's deeply rooted myths. The ongoing effort to gather better data yields new information that provides sociologists and others with a more realistic view of family life as it exists today. One of the most significant changes has occurred in women's role in the family.
The role of women in the family has shifted significantly. Women were described as housekeepers and mothers by Catherine Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe (212) in 1879. The role of homemaker and mother now incorporates being primary wage earner..."
Abstract The paper examines the role of women in this Arthur Miller adaptation of Ibsen's play, "An Enemy of the People". The paper shows how female suppression is a crucial part of the play, as well as the contrasts between the characters Petra and Mrs. Stockmann.
From the Paper "Though women are not the focus of the play, their role in An Enemy of the People is an important issue. It is important to recognize everyone's role in a literary work, because the author might be using these roles to voice some opinion or theme. In this adaptation by Arthur Miller, the subservient lives that women led during the play's era is a small, yet insightful part of the overall story. In fact, the book version of this play did a better job of handling the issue, because it was more realistic in regards to women's status in society than the performance was."
Tags: status, Randine, housewives, independent, Peter
This paper chronicles the civil and women's rights movements of the United States, taking note of significant events and accomplishments for both fronts, as well as identifying the most influential figures in each of the movements and their contributions.
Abstract This paper outlines both the women's and civil rights movements, including their origins and evolution. Included in the discussion of the civil rights movement are momentus events like A. Philip Randolph's famous threat to protest in 1941, the many freedom rides conducted by CORE, Martin Luher King Jr.'s famous speeches, etc. The women's rights movement is covered thouroughly as well, including the influence of the Betty Friedan founded NOW organization, and legislation such as the pay act of 1963 and momentus court decisions such as the 1973 Roe vs. Wade case. Both movements are traced from their origins up to the current time.
From the Paper "As World War II commenced, African Americans and women in the United States were not much better off than they were in the late 1800?s. Blacks were no longer slaves, but the same was true by 1890. Women had gained the right to vote nationwide with the passage of the nineteenth amendment in 1920, but they still were not anywhere close to having the rights that white men did. Starting with the World War II period, women and African Americans began to organize massive movements for their rights, and these movements have effected great change in American Society. Today, women and blacks have more rights than they ever had before, and today's society has been greatly influenced by both the civil rights and women's movements."
Tags: 1960, america, demonstration, friedan, march, parks, protest, rosa, society
Abstract This paper discusses how society oppressed women during the 1930s, when the story takes place. Women have been oppressed in numerous societies since time began, and the United States is no different. This story vividly illustrates how women suffer in their struggle to raise a family, especially when they struggle against society norms.
Table of Contents
Introduction with Thesis Statement
Short Introduction of Author
Illustration of Female Oppression in Story
Mother's Neglect
Mother's Regret
Doing chores
Society's Sanctions
Society's Blame on Mother and Daughter
Mother as a Victim
Conclusion
From the Paper "The oppression of women by society has never been a secret. In fact, many works of literature have well documented it since the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Olsen demonstrates a classic example of this domination in "I Stand Here Ironing." The story illustrates the oppression of women during the era of the Great Depression in the United States, and how difficult that oppression made life for women. It also shows its affect on later generations, when it affects the daughter Emily's life, too. She has to take care of the younger children, and really never has a childhood of her own. Her mother remembers, "I was a young mother, I was a distracted mother. There were other children pushing up, demanding" (Olsen). In the story, it is obvious that society's oppression of women created the situation that forced a mother to neglect her young child. As the mother irons, she remembers, and the story draws the reader into her world."
Abstract The paper addresses the issues of women in sports, the changing trends and the struggle involved in accomplishing the desired place in athletics. It describes how the field of sports since 1970?s, has been the obtrusive battleground to fight for the equality of sex. he paper describes how women's participation in sports has increased dramatically since the passage of Title IX.
Table of Contents:
Gender Discrimination and Women Sports Participation
Role of Title IX in Women's Sports Participation
Increased Sports Opportunities for Women
Increase in Men's Support for Women Sports
Practical Implications to Increase Women Participation in Sports
Getting Results Through Increasing Awareness
Removal of Myths
Augmenting Press Coverage
Getting Authorities Intervene and Take Adequate Actions
Conclusion
From the Paper "Sports are another field where racial differences and gender biases are common. Women equality to play, to prove their abilities and to compete with men on the field is still a primary goal on the women rights association's agenda, those organizations working to ameliorate the contemporary conditions of the womenfolk. However gone are the days when women were willing to conform to the roles of a domestic wife, an obedient daughter and a dutiful sister. Women of today are not only well educated but they are also aware of their rights as human beings. With the signing of the Title IX, women became adamant in accomplishing equality of sex in the field of sports, apart from other disciplines."
Abstract This paper examines Maxine Hong Kingston's short story " No Name Woman" finding that the tale is a profound exploration of traditional Chinese culture, the differences between Chinese culture and American culture, and a stern condemnation of the traditional roles of women in a Chinese society. The author discusses how te story is told through the eyes of three very diverse narrators, who all serve to convey a very different impression of the events.
From the Paper "In No Name Woman, Maxine Hong Kingston uses differences and similarities in the three separate narratives to explore the mores of traditional Chinese culture, the differences between Chinese culture and American culture, and ultimately to condemn the traditional roles of women in a Chinese society. Clearly, the disparate narratives of the mother, aunt, and narrator all reveal a very different viewpoint on Chinese culture. The mother is clearly supportive of the aunt's final fate, and symbolizes the traditional view of women in society. In contrast, the aunt's narrative allows the reader to understand the effect of a traditional view at a personal, individual level. The narrator's struggle to make sense of the story through her Americanized perspective also helps to reveal a great deal about traditional Chinese culture. Further, the juxtaposition of the narrators? exploration of the story and the narratives of the mother and aunt allows for a revelation of the differences between American and Chinese culture. The aunt and mother's traditional viewpoints allow us to better explore and understand the Americanized view of the daughter, and vice versa. The grim acceptance and disapproval of the mother's traditional views creates very little sympathy for the traditional view of women in Chinese culture."
Tags: maxine, hong, kingston, chinese, narrator, culture, story
Abstract This paper provides an explanation of the history behind the development of the Barbie doll. It discusses how, from the beginnning, the doll was controversial and how it has been ever since. This paper argues that the Barbie culture is harmful not only to young women and girls, but also to young men. It states that women are not Barbie dolls, nor should they be.
From the Paper "The year: 1991. The occasion: My eighth birthday. My house was full of giggling third grade girls, and the pile of gifts was looming high near the cake. My parents eyed the mountain warily, knowing full well what the majority of the rectangular 13-inch boxes contained. They were inevitable gifts at that age. In fact, they were expected gifts at that age. I tore into them one by one, the bright bubble gum pink flooding my senses, as Barbie reared her perfectly coiffed head. For a female child in America, or a female child, period, Barbie is an unavoidable influence on development, both physically and mentally. I was to become a statistic?by the year 1996, it was reported that 99 percent of girls between ages eight and ten had at least one Barbie, while the average girl had eight (Rogers 13). Though the Barbie doll was created with good intentions, and though proponents today continue to fight for her rights, today Barbie does more harm than good for her followers."
Abstract This paper examines the role of Islamic law and fundamentalist ideology in the growing instances of violence towards women in various Islamic countries. While the paper focuses largely on Pakistan, where religious laws have allowed a disturbing number of atrocious murders against women to go unpunished over the years, the paper also discusses the progress that has been made in some Islamic countries regarding women and the law. The roots of honor killings are examined, as well as the reasons why the violence is always erroneously blamed on Islamic principles. Finally, solutions are proposed regarding what can be done by the international community as well as individual countries in order to protect women.
From the Paper "In light of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, much media attention has been garnered on Islam and particularly on extremist Islamic factions that support violence. Yet, despite all the focus on international terrorism and violence in the name of religion, there is one brand of terrorism seldomly brought to light; the blatant violence against women that is so prevalent in many Islamic countries. Miriam-Webster dictionary describes terrorism as ?the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion.? If we are to accept this definition, then we must also accept the fact that women in many Islamic countries are continuously the target of terrorists, and the government, society and often their own families are the very perpetrators of this terrorism. While the means by which women in these countries are terrorized vary greatly in degree (from systematic exclusion of participation in societal roles outside the home to domestic abuse and "honor killings") all similarly cause women to live in constant fear for their safety and lives. As global awareness of these conditions grows, so does the responsibility of helping to protect the women affected by it. By closely examining the conditions and mindsets that allow such horrors to go unpunished, particularly the role of Islam in law, solutions may be yielded and policies instituted to protect the human rights of women, finally putting an end to this neglected facet of terrorism."
From the Paper "The role of women in Homer's Odyssey serves to highlight the adventures and problems that Odysseus must face as he journeys back to Ithaka, his kingdom, after completing his part in the Trojan War. His wanderings cover a 10-year period, and while he has been away from Ithaka, Penelope, his wife, has been contending with numerous suitors for her hand. Of course, Penelope is only one woman with whom Odysseus must deal. Actually, the women in the Odyssey fall into two types: immortal and mortal. In ancient Greece there was more of a choice.
Perhaps the Odyssey is one of the first great epic works which shows women in more than just a subservient position. In ancient Greek society, women were not considered to be of very high social rank. All the important matters of life were carried out by men, except such characteristically feminine functions as (...)"
From the Paper "Throughout human history, the role of women in sports has reflected the changing status of women in society. In ancient Greece, for example, women were not allowed to participate in the Olympic Games which took place once every four years. In fact, if women were caught even watching the Games, they could be "tortured and punished with death, as this was an age when life was cheap and the rule of men was total" ("Then and Now" 55). Despite such persecution, there was for a time a women's version of the Olympics called the "Heraea," after the goddess Hera, wife of Zeus (55). In the second century B.C., Roman forces conquered Greece, and women were again barred from participating in public sports events. Women were eventually restored in Roman sporting events; however, the historic evidence indicates "that women's athletics in the Roman period had more to do with public ... "
This study examines the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament in the Holy Bible: Authorship, date written, brief outline, theological themes and historical setting.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 4 sources, 1991, $ 47.95
From the Paper "This study will examine the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament in the Holy Bible. The study will include consideration of the authorship of the Book of Ruth, the date written, a brief outline of the book, major theological themes, the historical setting, and its place in the Hebrew canon.
The Book of Ruth follows the Book of Judges in the Old Testament. It is a relatively brief book, containing only four chapters, and is named after its heroine. It is set in the time of the judges, as we read in Ruth 1:1: "Now it came to pass in days when the judges ruled . . . ."
The question then arises as to why the Book of Ruth was not made a part of the Book of Judges, having chronicled events which are believed to have occurred at the same general period of time as the previous book."
A look at the legal and moral definitions of acquaintance rape including social myths and stereotypes, incidence, the typical rapist and victim, victim's reactions and the need for social and legal action. Outline.
2,250 words (approx. 9 pages), 6 sources, 1991, $ 79.95
From the Paper "Date rape can generally be defined as occurring whenever a man forces his date to have sex with him against her will. Some people expand this definition to include forced sex by any acquaintance, whether it be in the context of a date or not. Despite these simple definitions, however, there is a great deal of controversy over the precise legal and moral implications of date rape or acquaintance rape. The legal definition for date rape is extremely limited and it tends to place the burden of proof on the victim. A date rape victim will have a difficult time in court if the defense attorney can show a lack of evidence or can imply that the woman is loose or immoral in any way. Thus, in prosecuting a date rape case, it helps if the victim has visible bruises and is a "woman of shining character," because otherwise "the strict constructionist definitions of rape will..."
From the Paper "The position of first lady in American society is not codified anywhere. There is no mention of it in the Constitution and no body of law related to it. The recent active participation of Hillary Rodham Clinton in the role has engendered considerable discussion and even opposition, yet she is hardly the first first lady to take an active role in either politics or government. Eleanor Roosevelt was also a very active first lady, and she was also subject to considerable criticism for her political role. She also had no more guidance than any other first lady as to what her role should be, and she shaped that role to her own liking to as great a degree as possible. An analysis of her background, her political life, and her relationship to the policies of the Roosevelt Administration will show how she managed to shape that role and what she contributed.."
This paper discusses the roles of women in the 1910 Mexican Revolution: Soldaderas, history, lifestyle, relationship with male soldiers, types, motivation, persecution of and leadership.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 11 sources, 1994, $ 55.95
From the Paper "Women soldiers (soldaderas) played an important role during the Mexican Revolution which began in 1910. It has been noted that "practically every soldier" in that war was "accompanied by his soldadera". These women were found in the rebel bands of Emiliano Zapata, Francisco Villa and Venustiano Carranza, as well as in the troops of the regular Mexican army (federales). For the most part, the soldaderas held traditional feminine roles during the Revolution. As such, their main functions were "to cook and care for the men".The soldaderas also served an important purpose by raising the morale of the male troops. In the words of the American journalist John Reed, "the soldadera served as more than a modern commissary, she provided the comfort and companionship that kept the soldier on the move for so many ... "
