Abstract This paper looks at the realities behind the remarkable success story of the U.S. Welfare Reforms. The statistics show huge gains in employment and standard of living, but this paper shows that many of the improvements are temporary and not always correct in real terms i.e. U.S. median wage same as it was 27 years ago. Also discussed are race issues, how it is easier for whites to move out of welfare, whilst for ethnic minorities it can be seen as punitive. The paper contains many governmental figures and independent statistics showing alternative realities.
From the paper:
?The Welfare Reform Act of 1996 looks like a smashing success: it has successfully reduced welfare rolls by more than half, and cut the number of welfare recipients from 4.6 million to 2.4 million in 1999. Many welfare recipients have left the system. Instead of receiving cash grants, parents had to learn skill sand enter the labor force. They also faced a five-year lifetime limit for welfare assistance.
"But numbers are never simple. The truth is that few are thriving in this new system. The numbers show success, but if one looks beneath the surface to find out if women have truly become self-sufficient, a different story emerges. In many ways, the welfare reform act is a broken promise. Women have not truly received help to access decent jobs, and have not gained economic independence.?
Abstract This paper takes an in-depth look at the life of feminist Vera Brittain through analyzing her autobiography, "Testament of Youth". The author discusses Brittain's experiences during World War I, her relationships, and her frustrating struggle as a female attempting to enter a male-dominated university while also working as a nurse."
From the Paper:
"Vera Brittain's education, social background and war experiences greatly affected her attitudes about life and her relationships with the various people in her life. She had enough courage and conviction in her principles to believe that a woman's point-of-view was worthy of being recorded during this period. Many feminists have developed due to turning to education, careers or writing in order to free themselves from the limitations of their place, time and gender. In this way, Brittain's obscurity, youth and sex are reaffirmed by her construction of her life, so that others might view who and what she is."
Abstract This paper describes in detail both polygyny and polyandry all over the world. The topics covered include an in-depth look polygamous practices of African tribes, tribes of New Zealand, Mormon groups of Utah, citizens of Tibet and Nepal, and more. The paper also includes the influence of Catholicism, Christianity, Mormonism, and Islam on the practice of polygamy.
From the paper:
"Polygamy is made up of polygyny and polyandry. Polygyny can be loosely described as a man having more than one wife, and polyandry is a woman having more than one husband. Polygamy is in more individual societies than monogamous relationships, but far more people ascribe to monogamy than polygamy. As Pettitt explains, "Polyandryous marriages or polygynous marriages are found in many parts of the world. In fact, one study discovered that among 475 different societies, 378 were basically polygynous, 31 approved of polyandry, and only 66 were basically monogamous. The most populous countries are monogamous, and this form of marriage is therefore accepted by far the greatest number of people" (64). One reason for polygamy is made clear by Pettitt, "Men accept the idea of sharing a wife, just as a women accept the idea of sharing a husband, provided that this is a socially sanctioned form of marriage contract" (64)."
Abstract This paper presents a detailed understanding of the life and accomplishments of Golda Meir, Israel's first woman prime minister. The writer takes the reader through an exploration of Meir's life and the accomplishments that she is credited for.
From the Paper "Our history is peppered with leaders who made a difference. It is only in recent years however that women began to smash the political glass ceiling and begin making differences in the way the world is run. One of the most influential female world leaders of all time didn't wait for others to break the glass ceiling. She barged right through it as if it wasn't there. Golda Meir was an inspiration to all she came in contact with. From her poverty stricken childhood to her career that made her famous Meir had perseverance and fortitude that made her the Prime Minister of Israel that she was."
Tags: female, inspire, leader, prime, minister, israel
Abstract The paper examines spousal abuse from the point of view of the victim, focusing on abused women. The paper relates cases that received much media coverage as well as lesser-known cases. Finally, the paper examines the role of society in maintaining the rate of spousal abuse, as well as what can be done to reduce it.
Contents:
Introduction: What is Spousal Abuse?
How Common is Spousal Abuse?
Who are Battered Women?
Why do Battered Women Stay with their Abusers?
A Brief Historical Overview of Spousal Abuse
What is to be Done about Spousal Abuse?
From the Paper "The term "spousal abuse" may seem self-explanatory. In the purely definitional sense it refers to the abuse of one of the individuals in an intimate relationship. Usually the relationship is that of a marriage, other times that of a domestic partnership. Slapping, hitting, kicking, burning, punching, choking, shoving, beating, throwing things, locking out, restraining, and other acts designed to ?injure, hurt, endanger, or cause physical pain,? to one's spouse would come under the definition of abuse. (Berry, 1996, p.3) The term also encompasses emotional abuse, such as a spouse's consistently doing things to ridicule or demean their partner, refusing to let their spouse seek work outside the home, see friends or handle money, or threatening to hurt or abscond with the children. The term can also refer to sexual abuse (rape) or stalking, which often occurs when the abused partner attempts to leave the abusive relationship. Ninety-five percent of the victims of battering are estimated to be female under this definition of spousal abuse. However, men can abused as well, most commonly in a verbal fashion, or in regards to the custody of children."
Abstract This paper is a detailed look at the treatment of women in the three major religions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity. The author discusses the inequalities that females face, from the slightest to the extreme. The paper looks at the religious texts that guide both men and women, the Torah and the Koran, and also discusses female dress, conduct, modesty and the abuse that women face at the hands of men.
From the Paper "The role of women in organized religion has been an issue of discussion and debate for many years. It gained significant attention as the "women's rights" movement gathered momentum, and it has been fueled further by recent global events. After the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, interest in religious practices in Afghanistan gathered a lot of attention. That is because the recently deposed Taliban government had extremely harsh restrictions on virtually every aspects of an Afghan woman's life. While most people realized that the Taliban held an extremely distorted view of what the life of a Moslem woman should be, many people didn?t know what a more reasonable interpretation of women's role would be within Islam. In addition, little mention was given in the media to the role of women in other major religions."
Abstract This paper discusses and evaluates Woolf's unique literary style with reference to her pioneeering novel 'To The Lighthouse'. It discusses Woolf's revolutionary theories which underpinned the Modernist movement in English literature. It also explores Woolf's unique style which contravenes reader expectations and the conventions of traditional story writing.
From the Paper "Through Woolf's unique devices of style, To the Lighthouse becomes a richly layered montage and, consequently, reading it creates a constant sense of uncertainty and confusion. Her aim is to reflect the feelings of disorientation and chaos experienced by people in real life at that time, as their world was rapidly changing due to technological advances, scientific theories and capitalism. The First World War compounded this disturbance and literally shattered the universal values which held society together. Through her inspired portrayal of simultaneity of thought and events in the novel, Woolf leaves her readers feeling almost lost within it."
Abstract This paper moves through different historical events and shows how due to the necessity, society's attitudes towards fashion changed accordingly. It examines events such as the world wars when women joined the work force and had to dress appropriately and the move to more relaxed work attire in the current market.
From the Paper "Fashion is not just art, it is a measure of social attitudes for a particular period in history. Today, a woman cyclist will most likely be wearing spandex and skin-tight bicycle shorts. Her male counterpart will be wearing the same. What is acceptable now would have been scandalous in our mother's time. This paper will illustrate through example that fashion is a reflection of societal attitudes."
Abstract An examination of the inadequate methods America's society still attempts to use in dealing with the issue of domestic violence. Also included in this paper is a brief discussion of the effects of domestic violence on women and the history of domestic violence in the United States.
From the Paper "How is America's society handling the issue of domestic violence? To answer this question, one must know what domestic violence is, how it is perceived in our society, and how it has been perceived in the past. One must also understand how this abuse affects women's lives and self-perceptions. Once understood and combined, these factors form a dilemma that has raised many questions not only in the personal lives of Americans, but also in the minds of lawmakers and law enforcement across the country. Although some people would like to think otherwise, this issue touches a place deep inside the private areas of couples and families in every home in the nation. Every woman knows a friend or family member who has been in some sort of abusive incident, or has been in an abusive relationship herself. Still, women continue to deny that these events take place, therefore allowing the problem to grow."
Abstract The paper defines the term pornography and how it differs from erotica and obscenity. It shows the obscure origins of pornography, the first historical evidence found on the walls in the ruins of Pompeii, and how pornography is viewed in today's society. Finally it touches on the effect of pornography on society.
From the Paper "The present attitude towards pornography in the United States (and the world) is sharply divided depending on one";s perspective. The traditional conservative versus liberal argument has become more complicated lately by the arguments (and influence) advanced by the feminists. Even the feminists themselves have starkly divergent views about the subject. For example, Nadine Strossen, the president of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and a feminist believes that restriction on pornography is not just a violation of the First Amendment but also ;anti-sex; "
Tags: Kama-Sutra, Ghazal, Marquis, de, Sade, feminist
Abstract The process of surrogate motherhood involves a third party carrying a child for a couple, a single women, or persons involved in same sex relationships. This paper gives a personal opinion of why it is ethically wrong by examining literature both for and against surrogacy. It discusses such issues as bonding and separation and the key issue of breastfeeding, why surrogate mothers are not allowed to breastfeed.
From the Paper "Opponents of surrogacy argue that the surrogacy process creates a separation in the mind of the surrogate mother that she must have the child but not raise the child. Thus surrogacy creates a situation in which a child is created for the purpose of fulfilling the desires of the adoptive parents. The Humanist writes: "To sanction the use and treatment of human beings to the achievement of other goals instead of as ends in themselves is to accept an ethic with a tragic past and to establish a precedent with a dangerous future." (Pyton 2001)"
From the Paper "Michel Foucault, in The History of Sexuality, can definitely be considered a feminist, if one sees feminism as a search for truth about human nature, relationships, and the role and function of power in defining one's identity (including one's sexuality). Foucault argues that since the eighteenth century Western civilization has increasingly become obsessed with talking and thinking about sex as a subject, rather than partaking of "bodies and pleasures" (157). Feminism certainly posits that a woman to be authentically alive must overcome alienation from her body, whether that alienation is imposed upon her by an individual male or by "power" as it is exercised by the entire structure of society. This generalized sense of power is what Foucault posits as the controlling force behind the history of sexuality and the accompanying increase in public discourse ..."
From the Paper "Goddesses, Whores, Wives, and Slaves: A Book Review
This paper will review Sarah B. Pomeroy's scholarly work, Goddesses, Whores, Wives, and Slaves. Pomeroy's book is a social history of Greek and Roman women, beginning with the role women played in ancient Greek mythology in the Bronze Age as well as at the time when the ancient city of Troy fell. The book ends after examining the role that women played in both the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire, and ends during the time of the early Empire, in approximately 565 A.D. According to the author, her book is unique because it is the only comprehensive comparison of women in classical antiquity which has been written in the English language (x). This paper will show that Romen women had more opportunities to participate in the cultural, political, and economic.."
Abstract This paper argues that in her novel, "Mary Barton", Elizabeth Gaskell is trying to offer knowledge as a solution in reducing class tensions and in giving the rich and the poor a better understanding of each other. The paper uses female characters and their roles in the public domain as a medium for demonstrating this.
From the Paper "City life in the 19th century ushered in a difficult and conflicted era for women. Torn between the necessity of remaining in the domestic sphere for the sake of the maintenance of a comfortable family life for all, and the new, frequently arising necessity of entering the public sphere, women of lower classes became obligated to undertake the double burden of balancing traditional roles and roles in the workplace and other public venues. Staying home and entering the public domain both offered many consequences, and left women's practical options unclear, and also created an ever-greater rift between their ways of life, and those of wealthier women, who typically remained entirely in the domestic sphere. Elizabeth Gaskell's 1848 novel, Mary Barton, displays the intricacies of a variety of female lives, rich and poor, public and private, under extremely trying and class-dividing circumstances, those of the Industrial Revolution. Gaskell tends to represent women as actively engaging in public urban life out of necessity rather than out of any personal desire to do so, and she uses the idea of balance as an important issue which also relates to class tensions. Mary Barton's message to women is that they must cautiously advance into the public domain, but not neglect the ill effects and the dangers of such a move, and rather be aware of the positive and negative aspects of life in the private and public spheres. This awareness of both sides of an issue is additionally reflected in Gaskell's compromise-centered views on class tensions and reconciliation, which is to do what one must for one's own station in life, but to remain aware of the effects on others of different classes, and to find a balanced "happy medium" in one's actions."
From the Paper "This study will provide a summary and critical review of Deborah Gray White's Ar'n't I A Woman?: Female Slaves in the Plantation South.
White in this book is trying to bring into the public consciousness the suffering endured by female slaves in the slavery-dependent South. She says that most studies of slavery focus, either deliberately or subliminally, on the male slave. And those "few scholars who study black women fail to note that black women suffer a double oppression: that shared by all African-Americans and that shared by most women" (23). With respect to slavery specifically, White says many scholars conclude that female slaves were better treated than male slaves. In fact most black women of the time plowed, planted, and hoed, did.."
