Monique and the Mango Rains. Gendered Inequality from an Essay

Monique and the Mango Rains. Gendered Inequality from an Anthropological Perspective - Essay Example Women, however, are not allowed by law of the land to own any property and in case they do, then it is assumed to belong to the immediate male over them. They are not to be listened to since their views are underrated. Traditionally and historically, some chores are considered ‘masculine’ and no woman is allowed into these fields no matter their qualifications. This is male dominance and sexism, which fiercely promotes gender inequality in the society. These are some of the truths that have shaped unspeakable gender inequality. In the book ‘Monique and the mango rains’, Kris highlights on the different areas where women have been discriminated against in the Mali community, bringing about gender inequality. This essay highlights these concepts of inequality and how they have hampered women rise to higher positions in the community. Kris presents a personal encounter of the life situations in the western country; Mali, painting a pathetic picture of what wome n undergo. Women, here, are given less significance by the community as a whole. They are not given adequate maternal care in the case of reproductive health. In the building of the economy, the feminine gender is neglected. Even the little that they earn out of their hard work is planned for inappropriately by the men who control them. They are given no option to choose or decline marriage, whereby, they are mostly forced into it. It is very worrying, how they are multitasked with most of the chores in their homes and community (Holloway & Bidwell, 2007). There are various components that are seen as promoting gender inequality among the Malian women portrayed by Holloway. Some of these components include issues on reproductive health. It is, for instance, mentioned that, among the community of over 1,400 occupants, there is only one midwife; Monique. She is overwhelmed with activities ranging from helping expectant mothers to deliver, advising of health since they are mostly malno urished and even on matters of birth control, which is almost unheard of in this society. This is too much for only one woman; therefore, most of the reproductive health issues are left unattended to. Mortality rate among pregnant mothers is given as very high; every one women out of 12 die out of reproductive related issues (Holloway & Bidwell, 2007). There is the component of gender inequality on the part of economy streamlining. The only salaried working woman mentioned here in the Mali community, is Monique. She is seen working the whole day in a makeshift birth centre under a torn roof. Her salary, however, goes to the extravagant father-in-law and unfaithful husband. She cannot be able to plan for her salary independently. This shows that a woman in Mali is voiceless even in managing her own resources. Outside this clinic picture, the woman is also overworked. There are, however, no accounts of productive use of these funds, which mostly goes to their male relatives. They are left with little, if any, to manage and help in economic growth matters. The Malian women have the most disadvantageous part in forced marriages. It all starts with Female Genital Mutilation (F.G.M.), which to them is universal. This argument is developed from the instance where we are told that Monique thought that this rite was universal, that even Kris must have undergone it. This rite is the first step in developing

How do various societies construct gender identities,sexual practices Essay

How do various societies construct gender identities,sexual practices and gendered bodies - Essay Example Anthropologists are primarily concerned with finding solutions to human problems. They eventually have to create a body of knowledge so as to be better placed to tackle human problems and devise appropriate solutions. Anthropologists are usually trained in one of four areas, one of which is socio-cultural anthropology. This area of interest explores social patterns coupled with cultural practices. When one dives into the mechanics of society workings, certain features are common to each and every community. In connection to this, there also exist differences in characteristics, traditions and customs. This article will endeavor to expound on such differences, however, the focus will be on gender identities, sexual practices and gendered bodies. With this goal in mind, five articles will be analyzed so as to quench the thirst on these three factors. Analysis Gender identity is the classification of one as either male or female. It is how an individual sees himself or herself. It is th e apparent manifestations that result from the personality of an individual. It has the ability to reflect on ones gender identity. Gender identity is self identified and results from intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Many at times gender identity can be confused with gender roles. The latter denotes behavior manifested by factors acquired through observation; this can be exemplified by behavior and appearance. Thus, the gender role is often an outward expression of a person’s gender identity.... Many physical sports are considered the bed play for men. As such, men view sports as a male’s only endeavor. This ought to be regarded as male chauvinism (Eugenides, n.p.). The American society best exemplifies this by aligning sports with the male sex. Society has accepted the notion that the brazen nature of male dominated sports is proof enough that it should not be associated with women in any sense. This stereotypical approach has also been adopted by advertisers. A close look at the transformation of the advertisement from a decade ago gives elaboration on this issue. Society has, since the dawn of time, associated sports with the consumption of alcohol. There apparently seems to be something about the adrenalin that comes out of watching contact sports that stimulate the consumption of alcohol. To give assumptions why this is the case will be to indulge into the creation of conjectures without content. As such, this writer will refrain from such endeavors such wild end eavors. Advertisements created in the 1950s to 1960s depicted the consumption of alcohol to be a non bias activity, meaning that both male and female population was expected to partake in it equally. However, as time goes by it has emerged that sports and alcohol is now synonymous with the male gender. This clear alienation of women from the picture is quite a fact that the American society has adopted. Since the 1970s, alcohol has been regarded as the end reward of a day’s work (Messner 484). Apparently, women never perform a hard day’s work since men are the only ones who are worthy of this reward. The American male population seems to source their gender identity from the consumption of alcohol and watching of contact sports. To cement this fact, the men have and are