Cultural Attitudes against Women - Essay Example

Cultural Attitudes Against Women There has been an intermingling of different cultures in the current world, resulting in a reduction of the cultural influence in many frontiers. The perception taken against women has completely changed in the 21st century in comparison to the view at the beginning of the 20th century. This does not mean that the perceptions that the culture took towards women has died. Traditionally, almost all the cultures across the world had an inferior view on women; this contributes to the preexisting disparity seen even in today’s setup. However, the view taken against women as inferior humans is far from being won. The traditional alienation might have ceased but the role-play in the society has given them a lower level of responsibility, this part of the culture. Therefore, the cultural attitudes have not significantly changed to warrant a view that women can match men. The proposition by Woolf that women are supposed to be provided with equal chances as their male counterparts is still valid. Our culture has granted women equal opportunities in various aspects such as education and in the provision of social services. The constitutions of the country and the various states contain the bill of rights that provides protection against gender discrimination. It is also evident in the society that gender discrimination on any grounds is being termed as immoral. Despite these aspects, there is an inherent view that women have a lesser capacity as compared to men. Having a global view, most of the senior leadership positions and most influential people continue to me men despite the number of women being higher than that of men globally. Despite the challenges associated with a woman having ‘a room of one’s own,’ it is necessary so that the community will continue to change the views held against women (Woolf 1). This makes the arguments by Woolf in the 20th century to have a strong support. The cultural view has not been eroded, gender stereotyping is very prevalent. However, compared to other states especially the developing countries, United States is far much ahead in eliminating gender biasness in relation to cultural alignment. Male dominance is still a key aspect in the society; this trend is not expected to be broken any time soon. The males have taken all the key positions in organizations and in governments. The laws have been implemented to encourage gender balance but the women are always on the lower end of the divide. The United States is a mix-up of almost all cultures across the world. All these cultures have varied perceptions against women, most of which are inclined to perceiving them as a weaker gender and have different responsibilities from those of men. Jessica Valenti (1) points out that women are “Suffering under the mass delusion that women in America have achieved equality”. Though there are reputable names in the country that show women are taking up the traditional positions taken by men, the fight is far from being won. The likes of Oprah Winfrey, Hillary Clinton, Susan Rice, and Tina Fey among others represent just a tip of the iceberg that is characterized by a male dominated society, and is not representative in any of the positions that should be taken by the women. It might look like an advancement but looking at the past the same issues addressed by Woolf are still preeminent; women are sidelined at the expense of their male counterparts. A number of developments are attributable to the breaking of some of the cultural barriers. The government has tried to implement measures to protect the women. However, the success of the interventions made is brought down by the male mentality and attitude that continue to dominate the population. The atrocities committed against women are still prevalent. It is no secret that rape cases are still evident. In addition, trafficking as well as violations and discriminations have not ceased. On the other hand, domestic violence against women ensues (Srinivas, Allen, & Sakamoto 18). This clearly demonstrates that the gender imbalance has a long way to go. Just as Woolf proposes, feminists will need to focus on the journey and the efforts made. If it means independence in order to achieve these objectives, then that way should be followed. The picture that has being created in the eyes of the public concerning women empowerment is an empty rhetoric that should be viewed with a cautious eye. Most of the women have settled on this mediocre way of thinking as their positions continue to be taken up by their male counterparts. Woolf proposes that a woman should have her own room in order to write a work of fiction. The current society requires women to go beyond this state of independence to a level where they are able to compete effectively over the available ‘rooms’. The orientation of the gender discrimination has taken a new turn, all contributed by the attitude towards women. Susan Douglas (13), calls the view taken by the society today as ‘enlightened sexism’. This is a shift from the ‘primitive sexism’ that Woolf was addressing where girls were not allowed to go to school and were supposed to give to marriage at the will of the father. The pervasion brought by this form of enlightened gender discrimination creates an opportunity for individuals to continue harboring male chauvinism that brings forth an attitude against women. Not only are men harboring the attitude that results to biasness against women, but also there are women organizations as well as individuals that advocate that equality is not right. The Independent Women’s Forum argues that the role of men and women are different and thus it is natural that women cannot equal men. The global picture also makes it difficult for women to realize the issues that confront them in America. Other parts of the world exhibit the extreme violations of human rights like what Woolf was talking about when she used the analogy using characters, Shakespeare, and her sister. Women appear to be the targeted in most spheres irrespective of their innocence. A good example was evident during the 2008 campaign where two women were seeking high profile political posts. Both Sarah Palin and her counterpart Hillary Clinton were major targets of sexism an aspect that could have contributed their lose in the presidential elections. Other cases include that of the assault case against Rihanna by his embattled boyfriend, Chris Brown. When the society exhibits such views even at the high profile levels, where it is expected they will exhibit a high degree of civilization, then it means there is an attitude against women that still dominates in the society. The scenario may have changed as a result of people becoming more civilized, but the civilization has revolved the gender attitude to advanced levels. American women rights have been developed to ensure that the right to vote and to work ate guaranteed in addition to the laws that prevent domestic violence. However, the largest chunk of the work on the complete liberation of women from the bondage of cultural attitudes remains unresolved. In conclusion, the dimension in which culture perceives women has not changed much. The issues addressed by Woolf in the 20th century have slightly changed. However, gender discrimination has evolved and has taken a different view. Some of the issues addressed by Woolf such as girl child education as well as forced marriages are evident in other parts of the world but the American society is beyond that. That does not mean gender disparity does not exist. Aspects of rape, domestic violence, targeting women in high profile positions, assault, and legalization of abortion are some of the issues that cast doubt on the true freedom and equality for women. Works Cited Srinivas, Shanthi., Allen, Robert, W. & Sakamoto, Shiori. Cross cultural study of attitudes toward women as managers in four countries.1999. Web. 14 Mar 2014. http://www.sba.muohio.edu/abas/1999/srinivsh.pdf Valenti, Jessica. For women in America, equality is still an illusion. Washington Post. 2010. Web. 14 Mar 2014. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/19/AR2010021902049.html Woolf, Virginia. A room of one’s own. New York: Harcourt Brace & Co., 1989. 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