Abstract This paper focuses around the "American Dream" in which women sought to achieve equality. It includes an in-depth explanation of their dream, a section on the limited rights and political and social norms that kept them from achieving their dream and a section on how their activism brought equality.
From the Paper "During the Progressive Era, all Americans had an essential dream or motivation that accounted for their presence in the United States. Be it good work for the Irish, or a fair banking system for the Farmers, each group was motivated to succeed and achieve their dreams, in order to better their lives or the lives of their children. Women were no different. Women struggled to achieve equality; equality as a citizen, equality in the work place, and equality at home. (The Declaration of Sentiments: Report of the Woman's Rights Convention)"
Abstract This paper details the state of nursing up until the mid nineteenth century and gives a history of the life of Florence Nightingale. The paper explains her contribution to the development of nursing theory and its application to nursing practice. It shows how she raised nursing to the level of a medical profession with high standards of education and important responsibilities. The paper also explains her promotion of public health care systems.
From the Paper "Nurses, until the mid nineteenth century, were usually volunteers (often men and women belonging to various religious orders) with little or no training. As late as the end of the 18th century nursing was considered an unsuitable occupation for "proper" young women, partially due to the fact that hospitals in those days were dirty and unhygienic places where patients invariably died. As a result, nursing care was commonly provided by persons who had been imprisoned for drunkenness or who could not find work elsewhere."
Abstract An overview of the status of women, starting from antiquity (including their status in the Far East), and ending in the present day, emphasizing American women, and their prospects for education and economic advancement.
From the Paper "There are and always have been very distinct divisions in the roles of men and women. These divisions are deep-rooted in economic, social and religious beliefs throughout history. Women have played many roles in societies throughout history. Through the centuries, almost every society has developed very distinct ideas of what activities are proper for women. In some societies, there is no greater honor than to be a woman and in turn a mother. Yet, as in some Asian cultures, the lives of women are of such less value than those of men that the practice of female infanticide has become a widely used device for population control. Over time, many reasons have been given for the gender inequality that exists in society. Women are supposed to be weaker, less aggressive and more caring and nurturing than men. However, the most applied barrier of equality, especially in the workplace, has been woman's ability to bear children (Hanmer 19). Because only women have the ability to bear children, it has often been viewed that it is thus a woman's ultimate obligation to do so. There has been no scientific evidence though that women have what is called maternal instinct, that is, a natural desire to bear and care for children (Hanmer 115). From the earliest of times, motherhood has helped to divide men and women since women primarily stay at home while pregnant and nursing. Likewise, men have traditionally taken jobs away from the home. In primitive times, this practice may not have suggested inequality between the sexes. Yet, in our modern times the tradition of women staying at home rearing children while men work outside the home has left many women economically dependent on a man to provide the material necessities of life. "
Abstract The paper provides a critical analysis of Christine De Pisan's medieval book, "Treasure of the City of Ladies". Originally composed in 1406. The author describes the emphasis of the book on the treatment, roles and lives of women throughout all classes in medieval society.
From the Paper "By addressing all classes of females in society the text expresses that exploitation and oppression were not just conditions suffered by the peasant class. The author espouses consistent, redundant expressions of women's roles throughout all classes, demonstrating that feminine life was in constant comparison with the image of feminine perfection in medieval society, one of religious virtue and piety. "
Abstract This paper examines the controversial issue of abortion and argues that the pro-life decision is the morally right one.
From the Paper "There are many hard and truthful facts about abortion, especially in America. ?There are seven hundred thousand abortions performed each year in America after nine weeks of pregnancy. All abortions, ninety-five percent, are done because of means of birth control. Only one percent is performed due to rape or incest, one percent because of fetal abnormalities, three percent due to the mother's health. In America since nineteen seventy-three approximately forty million babies have been killed due to abortion. In Canada, since nineteen seventy, over one point seven million babies have been killed due to abortion.?(available on-line)3."
Abstract This paper describes the stereotypes and biases that are seen in the media on a daily basis.The author gives a detailed look at how these stereotypes affect society and the values and morals instilled in children.
From the Paper "In today's ever diversifying society one detrimental problem that remains is that of stereotypes and biases. Do the people in our country need to see more negative portrayals than they already are" Within certain types of media, minorities and women are often times portrayed negatively. Within this research paper, two television shows will be analyzed in terms of age, race, gender, target audiences, socioeconomic differences, stereotypes and biases, clothing and presentation, and the role of characters. Aside from the characters in the television shows, products being advertised will also be evaluated. Often times an advertising company will choose a target audience and present the goods in a specific style, meaning the company will choose different age brackets, background voices, and special effects. Most importantly, the effect these shows have on children will be discussed. Children look at television characters as role models, and this research paper will test these programs to see if integrity and proper moral standards are displayed.?
Abstract This paper is about representations of women and celebrities in the media and their effects on average American women. Some of the topics discussed in this paper are the media's portrayal of actresses and celebrities and their affects on teenagers and women, the differences and changes in images of celebrities through the past few decades, the "Culture of slimming" , the objectification and subjectification of women, the psychological, social, physical, and mental effects on the average women, and the power of the entertainment industry.
From the Paper "Over the past few decades, the so-called "norm" for a female figure has drastically changed from voluptuous and curvy to waif-like thin. Many female celebrities have been known for their figures. Historically, Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield were two women who each wore a size 12 and were glorified by men all around the world. Today, celebrities from the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Calista Flockhart are admired for their abilities to become and stay so thin, almost appearing sick. As celebrities come and go, women compare themselves to whoever is "popular" at the time."
Abstract This paper is a literary critique about the novel "Pride and Prejudice". It comments on the view of marriage as portrayed through the characters in the novel.
From the Paper "19th century England had serious social problems from the heyday of Royalty and Nobility. One of the most significant of these was the tendency to marry for money. A person sought a partner based on the dowry receivable and their allowance. This process went both ways: a beautiful woman might be able to snag a rich husband, or a charring and handsome man could woo a rich young girl. In these marriages, money was the only consideration. Love was left out, with the thought that it would develop as the years went by. In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen comments that marriage in her time is a financial contract, where love is strictly a matter of chance. This is clearly evident from the very first line of the novel: "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife" (Austen, 1). "
Abstract This paper discusses the issue of female discrimination in the workplace. The author examines the glass ceiling, a concept used to describe an imaginary barrier that prevents women from climbing the corporate ladder because a glass ceiling prevents then from climbing higher.
From the paper:
"In summary an organizations culture and values are reflected by their ability to both meet the needs of working mothers and to promote women in the organization. The debate exists as to how much the glass ceiling impacts working women, organizations need to address the needs and promote their female employees, otherwise they are missing out on a talented pool of workers. As women continue to play a bigger role in corporate America, they deserve the same opportunity to advance as men do."
Tags: discrimination, corporate, sex, employment, ladder, women, working
Abstract Historians have always looked to literature for insight into how a culture functioned, what it valued, and how its people lived. Today, when studying the Middle East, many would not only read the Qu"ran, but also "The Arabian Nights", the folklore. The paper shows that when we read "Arabian Nights" we understand a great deal more of how the Arabic people actually lived. Perhaps the most evident discrepancy between the teachings of the Qu"ran and the "Arabian Nights" tales pertains to the view and treatment of Middle Eastern women.
From the Paper "This method of seclusion is dramatically illustrated in The Arabian Nights where we hear the story of the demon that locked his wife in a chest and carried her about as if she were his private property. Yet ironically the authors of the Arabian Nights convey in this same story that not even this extreme could prevent a willful woman from knowing other men."
Abstract This paper examines how Kate Chopin uses setting, imagery, symbolism, and irony in "The Story of an Hour" to demonstrate the negative effects of living in a society in which women are subordinate to their husbands.
From the Paper "Chopin is able to illustrate the small world Louise lived in by having the entire setting take place in one room. After Louise hears the news of her husband's death, she retreats to her room and "would have no one follow her" (635). This indicates that she had only one place to which she could go to be alone. It is from this room that Louise able to look out at the world. It is also important to note that when Brently returns home, he opens the ?front door with a latchkey,? which indicates that Louise was literally locked inside her own house. We can see that the extent of Louise's entire world was her house. Of course, the story takes place in just one hour, as well. By placing Louise in such a limited setting, Chopin helps us understand how women had very little freedom."
From the Paper "The 1960s were a time of social upheaval in American history, a time of protest against established institutions. Several groups perpetuated this upheaval with organized movements. The most widely known and supported were the blacks, women and students. Certainly, the organized movements represented a larger protest of certain sections of society against society's standards and established institutions, though each of the groups manifested this protest with reference to different issues. "
A look at Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" as a historical account of gender roles, marriage, and society in the early 19th-century, and the character of Elizabeth Bennet which constitutes a critique of traditional norms of women's behavior.
947 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 1 source, 2000, $ 33.95
From the Paper "Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice can be read as an historical account of gender roles, marriage, and society in the early 19th-century. Most of the characters in the novel embody traditional 19th century standards. However, the character of Elizabeth Bennet constitutes a critique of traditional norms of women's behavior. Her independence, intelligence, and bold personality do not hold to a traditional 19th-century view of women. Elizabeth's rejection of Mr. Collin's proposal does not conform to the submissive role that women were expected to adhere to. Elizabeth has no respect for the existing economic classes as seen by her rude disposition to Lady Catherine on her trip to Hunsford. Further, Elizabeth's carefree and independent nature simply does not agree with the traditionally expected role of women."
From the Paper "A little girl's first exposure to beauty often comes early, possibly when she is given a makeup vanity or dress up clothes. Most parents are not aware that these simple gifts begin a vicious cycle of salon visits, beauty routines, and other means of making oneself live up to a "standard" of beauty. Even the very idols that young women look up to are promoting this beauty standard, by doing things such as getting cosmetic surgery at a very young age. These idols set the standard of beauty for young women, encouraging them to obtain cosmetic enhancement when their bodies have not yet fully matured. Many people wonder what makes a woman attractive. The media produces an image with big eyes, long hair, and most importantly, big breasts. Because society places such an emphasis on beauty and voluptuousness, more and more women each year are racing out to have cosmetic surgery. (Fig 2.3) Many of these women have no idea what the risks and side effects of these surgeries could be, and with breast augmentation rated as the second most common cosmetic procedure, this lack of knowledge is scary."
Harlem Renaissance writer uses the life story of a character named Janie to reveal how non-conformity and independence can be used to overcome social class restrictions and racism.
1,175 words (approx. 4.7 pages), 5 sources, 2000, $ 40.95
Abstract The paper provides an analysis of the book "Their Eyes Were Watching God", by Harlem Renaissance writer Zora Neale Hurston. The author discusses the central theme of rejection of materialism and societal hierarchies based on class, wealth, race and sex by the incorporation of individualism and non-conformity.
From the Paper "Janie easily leaves her elevated position in the community to begin a new life with Tea Cake. Hurston implies that the pursuit of individual dreams can bring intellectual freedom, an enlightenment that is infinitely more valuable than material wealth. Despite obvious differences in age and social status Janie at last seems to have found true love. ?Janie looked down on him and felt a self-crushing love. So her soul crawled out of its hiding place.?
Tags: authors, black, distinctions, female, independence, non
