Abstract This paper explains that, ultimately, Nietzsche has little important insight to offer on the subject of women, a disappointing oversight from a philosopher who repeatedly offered such perceptive and daring views on many important subjects. The author points out that Nietzsche argues that much of a woman's philosophy becomes distorted, including the maternal instinct, and that a woman's desire for children ultimately becomes a way for the woman to make up for her sexual indiscretions. The paper relates that Nietzsche reveals sexist attitudes in the terms that he uses to refer to women, which include cows, cats, and birds. This was an especially strong insult in the language of the time, which saw these creatures as lower animals that were far inferior to man in many important ways, including the use of reason and intellect.
From the Paper "Despite the clear disapproval of the racist and sexist aspects of his work, Nietzsche has nonetheless made a clear and important contribution to both modern philosophy and to the culture of the modern western world. His often-quoted idea of the "superman", his views on the will to power, and his shattering statement that God is dead, have made an undeniable impact on the political and social landscape of Europe and North America. He is one of the rare philosophers whose name sparks instant recognition in almost any North American, a true testament to the lasting power of his ideals, and the degree to which work has infiltrated modern life."
Tags: attitudes, contradictory, sexist, society, language
Abstract This paper discusses the highly controversial issue of abortion, beginning with a look at the famous case that made abortion legal and the moral and legal questions that make the subject so controversial. The paper presents arguments on both sides of the debate and concludes with the author's own opinion and how she was influenced by the research done for this paper.
From the Paper "The expulsion of a fetus from the uterus before it can survive on its own. This is how Merriam-Webster?'s Collegiate ?? Dictionary defines abortion. From the beginning of its legality, abortion has been a hotly debated subject. In 1973 the Supreme Court ruled in Roe v. Wade that a woman?'s right to privacy gives her the right, free from state interference, to terminate a pregnancy. In this ruling, Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun divided pregnancy into three stages. In the first stage, called a trimester, abortion was to be legal for any reason for the woman, whether the reason was medically or socially driven. In the second trimester, state?'s interest in the health of the mother gave it the right to regulate abortions. In the third trimester, at the time of viability, the state?'s interest in the potential for life would allow for them to only make legal abortions available for the life or health of the mother. This is where we derive the definition provided above for abortion."
Abstract This paper focuses on the historical personage of Ida B. Wells as displayed through secondary and primary reports, with special attention given to the public and social interconnection of her political goals.
From the Paper "In her early life, a more personal attenuation can perhaps be attributed to the life of Ida B. Wells in terms of the absence of her standing within political organizations, but she was still very concerned with social networks from a young age, and showed herself to be unflagging in her efforts to advance the cause of black women everywhere through her
own individual example. Wells became an orphan at a young age but remained dedicated to education, and when her family was split up after a Yellow Fever epidemic in Mississippi, she fought to retain control of her siblings and keep her family together by getting a teaching position. This shows that family and togetherness were important to Wells from an early age; she did not profess individualism and the conviction that she would be able to "make it on her own" as an orphan, but instead struggled to keep her family network together by making personal sacrifices."
Abstract This paper explains that the moral legitimacy of marriage between same-sex partners hinges on marriage being perceived as a religious foundation or as a social, economic coupling. The author points out that, in countries that exclusively have monogamous marriages, some opponents argue that allowing same-sex marriage will promote the legalization of polyamorous marriage or other types of marriage they find objectionable. The paper relates that proponents of equal marriage rights for same-sex couples state that over 1,000 federal rights and benefits are denied same-sex couples by excluding them from legal marriage, which goes against the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which provides for equal protection under the law.
From the Paper "Same-sex marriage is marriage between partners of the same gender. This type of marriage is currently legal in only a few countries around the world. In the United States, the degree of legality of same-sex marriage varies between different states. In the U.S., the debate over whether or not to make same sex marriages legally binding remains one of the most controversial political debates of this century."
Abstract This paper examines how Shakespeare's views on women clearly define his plays and how, by using the women as some of the most powerful and stage dominating characters his plays possess, he shows a remarkable gift for breaking down the barriers that held women captive. To many, Shakespeare was a man living in a man's world, but scratch the surface of those who understood his plays and the man himself, and we can see that Shakespeare was a feminist, and those ideas came out in his plays.
From the Paper "The patriarchal system was alive and well in Shakespeare's time, one need only look at some of his female characters like Desdemona and Ophelia to see the system at work. Ophelia, was completely at the mercy of the male figures within her life, is certainly a victim figure. In Hamlet's treatment of Ophelia, Hamlet waffles and spins between protests of undying love and cruelty, not entirely sure of where his own intentions lay while he is attempting to cope with the news of his father's murder. Hamlet uses Ophelia as a tool in his revenge plan throughout the play, thus adding more to her role of victim."
Abstract This paper explains that the novel, "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe, is a story of a Nigerian family in the colonial times of African history. The author points out that the main character, Okonkwo, sees women in this novel as weak and soft, while the men are masculine and strong; women certainly are not equal to the men in Ibo society. The paper shows that Achebe uses the women of the novel in relationship to the white people because the men of the Ibo do not treat their women any better than the white people treat the Ibo.
From the Paper "Even at the end of his life, Okonkwo cannot take responsibility for his own actions. He has driven away and disowned his son, he has alienated his wives and children by beating and berating them, and he has even gone into exile. Yet, he is still desperately afraid of appearing weak ? like a "woman." He does not learn from his experiences, and he does not learn that there are far worse things than appearing womanly. His son, Nwoye, is happy in his life with the whites, but Okonkwo cannot even accept that happiness. He is a sad figure, and it seems right somehow that he commits the ultimate act of weakness, suicide, because it is clear from the beginning of the story that Okonkwo cannot learn and grow."
Tags: nigeria, africa, colonial, inequality, white
This paper argues the need for Japan to assume responsibility, both morally and legally, for the use of the "comfort women", sex slaves in a systematic, planned system ordered and executed by the Japanese government during World War II.
2,020 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 63.95
Abstract This paper explains that, until recently, the Japanese government has been able to deny responsibility for the part it played in the atrocities committed against the 'comfort women'. This denial of responsibility has had a huge impact, not only on the victims, but also on the collective community of Japan. The author points out that the Japanese government denied its responsibility for playing any part in the organized sex slavery. However, in the early 1990s, with the first lawsuit filed against the Japanese government and the surfacing of documents that directly implicated military officials in the organized prostitution of comfort women, the Japanese government had no choice but to take a new stance on the previous denial of responsibility for these crimes, recognize the moral responsibility for these crimes, and apologize for them. The paper stresses that legal responsibility is also necessary because Japan has made no reparations to the victims, no acknowledgment of legal liability, and has undertaken no prosecutions against the war criminals who committed these crimes.
From the Paper "The term "comfort women" was the official name given by the Japanese Imperial Army to the military's organization of forced prostitution across the Japanese Empire from 1931 to 1945. An estimated 200,000 women were recruited by force, coercion, or deception into sexual slavery by the Japanese Imperial Army in order to satisfy their sexual needs during the period of World War II. Women were taken from their homes in Korea, China, the Dutch East Indies, Taiwan, Malaysia, Burma and the Philippines and were sent to locations throughout Japanese occupied Asia where they were imprisoned in facilities know as "comfort houses". In these 'comfort houses', they were raped daily by soldiers, forced to endure torture and abuse and even murdered. By the end of the war approximately 25% of these women had died. Those who did survive were scarred both physically and psychologically for life."
Abstract Susan B. Anthony was a famous historical figure who fought hard for human equality. She believed in women's rights, as well as equal rights for African American slaves. This paper shows that, through touring the country to speak publicly, lobbying, petitioning, as well as writing for her newspaper, "The Revolution," Anthony helped to contribute to the passing of the 19th Amendment, as well as give a voice to those who were not being heard. The paper examines her life as a hard-working abolitionist, activist, and reformer whose courage and dedication can be credited for where women and African-Americans stand in today's society.
From the Paper "Susan B. Anthony also fought hard for women's rights to property and equal wages. In New York State she spoke at meetings, collecting signatures for petitions and lobbying the state legislature. Largely due to her efforts, the state of New York passed the Married Women's Property Bill in 1860 which allowed married women to own property, keep their own wages, and have custody of their children. She spoke out against prostitution in Chicago in 1853 stating that women turned to the streets by prostituting for income because they could not receive equal wages in the workplace. She encouraged working women from the printing and sewing trades, who were excluded from men's trade unions, to form Workingwomen's Associations."
This paper discusses the Romantic period of British literature, from approximately 1785 until 1830, which was spurred in part by the French revolution and followed the Age of Enlightenment period of literature.
Abstract This paper explains that the Romantic period is about the ordinary and the outcast becoming glorified; romantic literature parallels romantic domestic life: Men spend their time talking of great ideals while women go unrecognized for meeting those same ideals as they get down and do the real work. The author points out that, after Wordsworth and Coleridge, Lord Byron is the next big name in the Romantic period of British Literature. The paper relates that the women writer of the Romantic period, such as Mary Robinson, Mary Wollstonecraft and
Anna Leticia Barbauld, also were predominantly members of the aristocracy, but, by the virtue of being women of their era, they were more down-to-earth.
From the Paper "Wordsworth and Coleridge are essentially credited with starting the Romantic Era of British literature with the publication of the Lyrical Ballads. Wordsworth and Coleridge were heavily influenced by Milton and this shows the "Preface to Lyrical Ballads," in which Wordsworth defends his poetry, but not without making dozens of references to Milton throughout. The Lyrical Ballads themselves are very difficult reading, obviously intended for the elite. Then we have the "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" in which we have a tale set up much like the Odyssey in which the "Ancient Mariner" has an epic adventure in which he is taken to the South Pole by a storm an kills an albatross which causes bad luck and releases spirits, but fortunately for our narrator he is saved by the "grace of the Holy Mother" and is witness to such epic-style special effects as ghosts, miracles, and reincarnation. This certainly does not fall under the heading of "glorification of the ordinary." It is another epic."
Abstract This paper examines how gender roles of women vary greatly between cultures. Specifically, it looks at two that stand out the most - gender roles of women in the country of Afghanistan of Taliban culture, and the working class woman of the western culture, namely the United States. It analyzes how these roles are constantly evolving and adapting based on individual circumstances, ongoing global conflicts, and cultural adaptation.
From the Paper "By comparison American women do not have the limitations set forth by an evil dictating government or a society that views them as lesser individuals. However, that is not to say that women in the United States haven't had it rough through the course of history. Even our society has viewed women as lesser and not as great as man. One of the more prominent examples of this, is the American woman's right to vote. This right did not come into written law until the 1920s, led by skilled organizers by the names of Carrie Chapman Catt and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Stanton once said, "Resolved, that it is the duty of the women of this country to secure to themselves their sacred right to the elective franchise." (Krasner-Khait, 2004, 6p,) In addition to the right to vote, many African-American women in the United States were slaves and led a rough abusive life. "
Abstract This paper documents Plato's attitude towards women with evidence and dialogues regarding his ideas about the place of women in an ideal society. It looks at how Plato's view of women seemed to change over his career and how he favoured equal education for them in the "Republic". It also discusses how although he believed that, on average, women were of lesser intellectual talent, he admitted that many women were better than many men and that everyone should be given a chance to prove him or herself.
Outline
Plato's Ideal State
Plato's Thoughts on Women in "The Republic"
Guardians
A Feminist View
Respect
Conclusion
From the Paper "Early in book 5, Socrates sets out his plans for having both male and female guardians. The focus here is essentially a repeat of what is said in previous books: the education is to be the same and the military training should not differ. In effect, all that applies to male guardians should, broadly, apply to female guardians. Plato conceives of the guardians as a distinct class and basically says that there is the ruling class of guardians, who are politically and socially sexless. While he maintains that men and women certainly have different natures, Plato highlights the point that this does not mean that they cannot do the same or similar tasks and have the same roles in the society. He illustrates this point by an example where he compares bald men and those with hair, to men and women. The different nature in the bald or hairy has little effect on their social incorporation, and so neither should this differ when discussing women."
Abstract This paper shows how media images affect women and influences them to play a part in the Barbie Doll image. It analyzes the different effects caused by those media images and the writer concludes that until the media stops sending these messages women will continue to be affected.
From the Paper "With the new obsessions of weight loss, plastic surgery, and Hollywood stars, women believe they are not normal unless they fit into the so-called "Barbie Doll" image. Young girls are feed body images when they pick up their first Barbie-doll. Yet, research as found that the Barbie-doll would not be able to live if she was human. Her body would be too tapered to hold less than a half of a liver and her back would be too weak to support weight the her upper body (Gerber, 2). No longer do some women base their self-worth on personality, morals, or values but having an unblemished body with designer clothing that are wore by celebrities. Women are reading magazines and watching television, which project the image of rock-hard abs, long skinny legs, and huge breast. The media influences these unattainable images for women through model ads, television commercials, and by boosting Hollywood stars as examples of how women should look. The media influences the way women consume products from the market and her mental well being also."
Abstract This paper discusses the glass ceiling, a term referring to the barriers that seem to invisibly preclude women from advancing to the most senior level positions within business, law, academia and other fields. The paper presents a number of reasons that women face impediments to career advancement, supporting each with citations from experts and statistical data. The paper concludes with a review of an ethnographic study conducted at a hospital, consisting of four women in executive positions. The paper presents the study's findings and extrapolates from them general insights about the glass ceiling.
From the Paper "Despite female managers' high ratings in the study, relatively few have achieved a senior level in their companies (Patterson, 2005). Among Fortune 1000 companies, only seven have female CEOs, according to a recent article in Barron's magazine. According to Catalyst, a research firm, women hold 10.6% of board seats at the nation's 500 largest companies, a small increase from the 8.3% they held in 1993. Also, women who hold director-level positions say they lack the influence their male counterparts have on such critical issues as management succession and executive compensation."
Abstract This paper reviews and critiques the book "The Second Shift" by Arlie Russell Hochschild, which addresses issues related to work-life/home-life balance. The paper discusses the book's focus on the division of labor within the home when both partners work outside of the home, including the resulting gender inequality.
Abstract This paper explains that, in the Middle East, there is a societal belief in the superiority of men. The author explores the ways in which laws and customs based on religious beliefs and social and governmental policies violate women's human rights in Middle Eastern countries. The paper outlines the steps women have taken to attempt to protect these rights.
From the Paper "On December ..., the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Declaration sets forth thirty Articles that listed certain inalienable rights of all human beings."
