The Apathist's corner
I have no real concept of gender roles, there where times in my life where my father stayed home and my mother worked. There where also times when my Dad worked and my Mom stayed home. Personally I would kind of like to stay home and have my wife work, i do not feel demeaned or emasculated by it. To be perfectly honest I truly feel like I have accomplished something when I fold 5 loads of laundry and clean the living room... Stacking a pallet of batteries in 110 degree heat doesn't give me that same feeling. My wife on the other hand feels the opposite.
No matter how you look at it, some things are clearly male, and some are clearly female. In my opinion these are things that are tied to our biology. I can't give birth, and even with modern technology I am not going to breastfeed. As far as anything else, it's completely up to personal preference.
I think the Religious rules where highly influenced by the time in which they where written. It was a very harsh and rough time, and the strenuous nature of existence back then dictated that the physically stronger sex did the outside work, leaving care of the hearth to the females.It doesn't take a lot of physical effort to do your average desk job, some women are even better at certain careers, i.e. anything that has to do with education, communication, or caregiving. I'm going to raise my daughter to do whatever she wants, from housewife, to construction worker, my real goal for her is to be happy. I'd like to add that I would prefer to not see her on the pole...
Religious Ideas on Gender Role
Judaism-In this religion women are equal but different, and women have held a position of respect since biblical times. the Talmud (Another Jewish Holy Book) also has many negative things to say about women. Some Rabbis have described women as lazy and jealous, and prone to occult activity. The rights of women in Judaism are greater than the rights of women in the west were just a century ago. They could buy, sell, own property, and sign contracts. Sex in marriage is the woman's right, not the man's. Rape is considered a great sin, and in their culture there is no such thing as the woman 'asking for it', as there is in modern American society. In the Synagogue men and women are separate during prayer, this is to keep everyone's mind on God, and to discourage any sexual pagan activity. Women's prayers do not count the same as a mans do, therefor they are not required to do the same things in synagogue
Islam-The Quran says that women are equal, but that is not reflected in most regional Muslim law. Muslims do not treat women as a commodity or property, they are people, allowed to enter into contracts, and hold jobs in the community. In Islam as in Christianity the woman is to be obedient to the man, but likewise the man must treat the woman with respect and love. Men and women are segregated in the Mosque, but in the home the family prays together. The man leads the prayers.
Being a mother is an honored position in Islam, they teach young children, and are respected for that. In different regions Muslims are seen as severely misogynistic, but this is not how the Quran intended it to be. Men are expected to be the main bread winner, but women can choose to stay home or work.
Christianity-In Christianity, like in Judaism, women are equal but different. Many sects of Christianity expect women to have their heads covered in the church, but men and women are not segregated for worship. In the bible a woman is revered for staying home and taking care of the house, while the man earns wages, and has the final say on big decisions. The modern church has mostly conformed with society, considering the current ideals on gender roles, and agreeing with them. Many sects of Christianity don't allow women to preach, but some do. In the Bible it says that men are supposed to treat their wives as God treats the church. It also adds that men should be respectful of their wives wishes and desires. Women are to submit, and the Bible says in a marriage you should want to submit out of love.
Hindu-In the texts of the Hindu religion women are considered inferior to men. The laws of Manu (A Hindu religious text) depicts women as being entirely subservient to men. Such as a girl is governed by her father, a married woman by her husband, and a widow by her sons. In some texts women are prohibited from hearing the Vedas (like the Hindu Bible), and from engaging in certain rituals, and holding positions or religious leadership. Some texts say that women of higher castes cannot be considered twice born, they must be reborn as men to make serious religious progress. Women are considered impure because the menstruate (this is a common theme in religion).
Pagan- Paganism endorses feminism, and they accept the fact that women now work and can be the bread winners of the household. They consider the sexes true equals, but understand the biologically we are different. Some groups of Paganism might limit their membership to one sex. Pagans celebrate the joyful ways in which both sexes can come together in friendship, love, and sexual union. While respecting that both sexes are equal they celebrate traditional roles, such as the strong male warrior, or the nurturing mother. Basically in Pagan society women can do anything a man can do, and this is celebrated, not condemned.
Here in an interesting link, about a very strong woman, who happened to be a pagan
http://www.unc.edu/celtic/catalogue/femdruids/boudica.html
No comments:
Post a Comment