Abstract An argumentative speech about women's rights and status today. The author argues that even though women today theoretically have been given more power and say, in practice women still lack authority and equality to their counteractive male society.
From the Paper "A "feminist" speech, which won the national semi-finals of a public speaking competition, written on the subject "Votes for women - should the suffragettes have bothered"? It looks at the issues surrounding this ever topical and controversial subject, and many of the obstacles facing women, even in today's "equal" and permissive society."
Tags: differences, discrimination, equality, feminism, sexism, suffragettes, women
Abstract The following paper discusses the story by Rebecca Harding Davis with an aim to show the beginning of a resurgence of interest in a woman whose first major work wrought radical changes in how fiction would be written and read in America.
From the paper:
"Life in the Iron Mills" has been called ?one of the revolutionary documents in American literary history.? The same year it was published by Atlantic Monthly, then America's leading national magazine, the country became embroiled in the Civil War.
"The narrator of this story is very familiar with, but at the same time very removed from the world she describes. She takes the reader on a tour of a factory town and an iron mill, where a young man named Hugh Wolfe shovels coal for the iron furnaces. Hugh is worshipped by his cousin, Deborah, who while visiting Hugh at the Mills steals the wallet of leading males citizen of the factory town when he comes through the mills for a tour and notices, along with the other men on the tour, the "korl woman" figure sculpted by Hugh."
Tags: feminism, woman, revolution, civil, war, narrator, discrimination
Abstract The following paper critiques "The Yellow Wallpaper" under both a feminist light as well as a psychoanalytical light. It has been called an important feminist essay, as well as a "Poe-esque" horror story. This essay puts particular focus on recent examination of the story that seems to have begun in the early 1970?s, the dawn of the ?women's movement.?
From the paper:
?Even in the beginning of the story, the narrator understands and admits on "dead paper" that ?perhaps that is one reason I do not get well faster.? John describes his wife's condition as ?temporary nervous depression ? a slight hysterical tendency.? The narrator explains, ?John does not know how much I really suffer. He knows there is no reason to suffer, and that satisfies him.? And as early as the first page of this story, the narrator admits, ?You see he does not believe I am sick!?
Abstract This paper takes a view at the role of the mass media and advertising in furthering the stereotypes of African-American women. It compares the general role of stereotypes in advertising in a historical context to that of present day stereotyping. It also examines the role advertising has on the public in self-propagating the stereotypes.
From the Paper:
"Women might find themselves attracted to one shade of coral lipstick rather then another. But on a deeper level, advertisements present to us a world in which we must always be conscious of being looked at, of having to abrogate who it is that we ourselves think that we are for who it is that we should be as we have been told by society/people who create the images in ads. Thus if for look at the way in which African-American women are portrayed in ads and copy of women's magazines (as well as the ways which they are made invisible) from 1950 to the present we see a number of ways in which definitions of female beauty are limited in such a way as to preclude African-American women."
Abstract This paper discusses the legal basis of the situation of women in the military, and relevant court cases such as Hoyt v. Florida, Taylor v. Louisiana, US vs. St. Clair, Rostker v. Goldberg, Craig v. Boren, and Schlesinger vs. Ballard. Discusses myths and truths regarding women and military service. Argues for equal rights, equal obligations, and equal opportunities within military and civilian spheres.
From the paper:
"Men and women are treated unequally in regards to military service. Men are required to register for the Selective Service when they turn 18, while women are exempt. While women are allowed to perform most jobs in the military, they are still restricted from some combat roles. This gender inequality stems from antiquated notions of female weakness and domesticity, which have no legal validity in our society today. Furthermore, limiting women's roles in the military violates women's rights to be full and equal citizens of the United States, with all the privileges, obligations, and duties that carries with it."
Abstract The following paper examines the philosophy of Bradstreet, one of the greatest (and only) female writers of early American history, as a study in doubt, conviction, and compromise. It reveals how her philosophy is a study in trying not to believe what one believes.
From the paper:
"There is in her work little of the thought out philosopher, for she must too often deny her own ability to think to be able to put forth a coherent system of thought. Nonetheless, the struggle that exists mutedly through-out her work is philosophy in itself, and it says: Deny what you must to be what you must, for this is the way to social peace and even to heaven".
Abstract This paper discusses the theory of cultural relativism as it relates to gender and sexuality from an anthropological cross-cultural perspective. It discusses how the "Western" perspective, as the dominant culture, defines the experiences of women who have experienced FGM in certain ways, namely in terms of Western medical discourse. This definition neglects to address the subjective experience of the women and how they define themselves and their own experience, thus giving an incomplete picture of the socio-cultural framework in which FGM takes place. Included also is a discussion of the problems of applying sociological theory to the intricacy of real-world human affairs.
From the paper:
"Cultural relativism states that what is morally good and bad is collectively defined by the people in a culture, and therefore there is no objective way to judge between cultures. Thus, an act in one culture that seems barbaric to an outsider ? such as female circumcision ? cannot be thus judged, because the outsider has his own value system that is not relevant to the culture. In this paper, I will examine the theoretical and ideological underpinnings of this perspective, the problems that arise when it is applied to actual cultural diversity, and alternative ways of looking at the space between cultures. I will specifically investigate the controversial topic of female genital mutilation, and explore the problems involved in approaching the practice from outside the culture it is practiced in."
Tags: constructionist, criticism, deconstructionist, foucault, social
Abstract This essay discusses the history of women in the Middle East. The author examines this from the rise and fall of pre-Islamic matriarchal society, and concentrates on the status and role of women through the birth of Islam to the Umayyad and Abbasid Empires.
From the paper:
"Women were considered of equal, if not higher status than men in many pre-Islamic societies, they were matriarchal. Catal Huyuk, a Neolithic settlement from around 6000 B.C.E. is one example of a culture where there is strong evidence showing that women were of such status. Leila Ahmed also claims that studies of the region have showed that "Supremacy of a goddess figure and elevated status of women were the rule rather than the exception"? According to Ahmed, ruins were found to have women in the larger burial platforms, and paintings and decorations mostly consisted of female figures."
Tags: abbasid, ite, kharijite, qarmation, shi, umayyad, culture, figure, islam
Abstract The author looks at the issue of cohabitation and whether or not it is really a viable alternative to marriage. Several issues are investigated including, the legal, social, economic and religious ramifications, at each of the different ages and stages in a person's life in order to determine the success or failure cohabitation.
From the Paper "Alternative views suggest that cohabitation represents a more progressive approach to intimate relationships. Young people today are more willing to exercise choice in sexual and domestic arrangements, unlike their parent's and grandparent's generations. In the past few decades there has been a significant rise in the visibility and acceptance of the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender community. Same sex partners account for 11% of cohabitating relationships. Young people see cohabitation as a lack of financial entanglement and as a promoter of independence. Living together without marriage, while once unheard of in society, has become commonplace. Unlike homosexual couples, whose fights to create a legal union is front-page news, cohabitation is even promoted by some parents."
Abstract This paper is a literary analysis of Nathanial Hawthorne's novel, "The Scarlett Letter". The author discusses the heroic attributes of the main character, Hester Prynne, how she evolves through the tale, and how she values those she loves and wishes to protect.
From the Paper "Hester Prynne is a selfless heroine of literature. Her character raises many questions about morals, love and dignity and many might argue that she is not a heroine at all. Some may view Hester's actions as silly youthful pride. However, Hester's pride is not silly, it is to be admired. Even as an old lady, far from youthfulness, Hester returns to the village and bravely wears her "A" again."
Abstract This paper provides an in-depth biography of author Virginia Woolf. The author also discusses "A Room of One's Own" by Woolf and gathers some of Woolf's essays on women and literature. The writer discusses these essays in the light of modern women's liberation movements.
From the Paper "Woolf lays out several conditions that are necessary for women to be able to write literature. They include leisure time, privacy, and financial independence. She contends it has been much harder for women to write literature because throughout history they have been deprived of these basic needs. The title comes from the line "a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction."
This paper details what life was like living on the home front during World War II. It cover aspects of the men, women, and children living in the United States.
Abstract This paper is an in-depth explanation about what life was like for those who did not go off to combat duty in World War II. A summary is given about how the United States entered WWII and then is followed by aspects dealing with women working, children assuming new roles, and men away at war. The author describes the intense hardships and the sacrifices of war.
From the Paper "World War II led to a new life for many people in the United States. Hard times from the Great Depression were over and there were many opportunities for jobs. Although, people worried about the war that was going on overseas, the war helped businesses. People worked in factories producing guns and tanks and women had a chance to show the world that they, too, could do what men had done. Millions of young men, from all over the United States, became part of the army fighting in foreign lands. The women left behind at home were working at least eight hours a day. Children went to day care so that moms could work. Children also did their part collecting rubber, aluminum, tin, leather, paper, and cloth. This war was a major time for people to come together and support the country they loved. Life on the home front was very different now that World War II had come. Men, women, and children were all affected by the great changes that this war presented. It was time to put an entire country before oneself and deal with the terrible consequences of war."
Abstract This paper explores how the modern individual's needs in the marriage relationship are met. It demonstrates how marriage has grown from a traditional institution governed by rigid roles for husbands and wives, to a loosely defined partnership for companionship and growth. It also exhibits how the freedoms of our society place strains on marriages.
From the Paper "Marriage in the twentieth century has grown from a traditional institution governed by rigid roles for husbands and wives, to a loosely defined partnership for companionship and growth. As freedom in marriage roles expand, more is expected from marriage. Often husbands and wives are expected to have successful professions, be wonderful and involved parents, have a healthy and robust sex life, be each other's best friends, foster each other's spiritual growth, and still have time for separate activities and the community. And this is to be maintained over a life time! With expectations so high, with marriage "supposed" to be fulfilling so many needs, it's no wonder that the divorce rate is also high. The reality is bound to be a let down."
Abstract The paper examines male and female gender roles and discusses how they have magnified the myth of women's equality with men. The notion of gender confusion, and a subconscious fear of independence by women is documented in the research published in 1981, by feminist author Colette Dowling. She labeled this phenomenon the Cinderella Complex, and her research, conducted in the 1970s has served as the foundation for research on male and female roles in today's society. There is an abundance of material available on this topic, some of which are examined and include current research, books and movies that have been released using the theme of "Cinderella."
From the Paper "In the decades following Colette Dowling's 1981 introduction of the concept of gender confusion and misconceptions that she called the Cinderella Complex, women as well as men gradually became more comfortable with the reversal of sexual roles. As society moved toward the end of the twentieth century, the vivid images of the female as the damsel in distress and the male as the protective provider appeared to be fading from its collective consciousness and to be associated much more with the past than with the present. A mass media that had contributed greatly to the repeated impression of these older sexual stereotypes began during this era to promote a perception of the female reflective of her new, improved and much more liberated place within society. Standard-Times correspondent Sarah Guille pointed out this promotional transition in a 1999 article dealing with modern myths and their effects on both media and society. Guille noted that modern scenarios portrayed a Cinderella who, "instead of being carried off in a horse-drawn carriage to a fairy-tale castle with Prince Charming, went to work and could make her own ball gown, build her own castle and take responsibility for her own happily ever after" (Damaged by the Myth)."
Abstract This paper analyzes and compares two types of leadership - the "Wheel" and the "Web". The author sees that the twentieth century was marked by a series of economical, social and political changes that resulted in the restructuring and transformation of a number of traditional beliefs and customary views. This process, he believes, changed the fundamental framework of leadership, transforming it from the "wheel" that supported the Industrial Age to the "web" that forms the heart of the Age of Information. The "wheel" type of leadership is recognized by the fundamental traits of command, control and power and is commonly associated with the male leadership characteristics of individuality and autonomy. On the other hand, the leadership known as the "web", incorporates the basic traits of collaboration, communication and participation and is recognized by the characteristics of organization and cooperation that have come to be commonly associated with modern female leadership . This paper describes the face of modern female leadership as well as famous female leaders.
Table of Contents
I. A Transformation
II. The Face of Modern Female Leadership
III. Contrast, Comparison & Conclusion
From the Paper ""Leaders are visionaries with a poorly developed sense of fear and no concept of the odds against them...they make things happen" ~ Robert Jarvick, inventor of the artificial heart (Leadership). The characteristic mark of leadership and the traits of those who have excelled at it can be traced throughout the pages of world history and down through the centuries of the development of human civilization. Up until the twentieth century, these traits and characteristics showed some modification but little basic and fundamental change. The twentieth century, however, was marked by a series of economical, social and political changes that resulted in the restructuring and transformation of a number of traditional beliefs and customary views. This restructuring process included basic changes in the fundamental framework of leadership, transforming it from the "wheel" that supported the Industrial Age to the "web" that forms the heart of the Age of Information (Guido-DiBrito et al, 1996, pp. 28-29)."
Tags: leadership, male, female, 20th, century, wheel, web, Industrial, Age
