Household duties are traditionally, in many cultures, considered the province of women. Even after they receive an education, women often stay home and raise the children rather than put their energy into building a career. The labor that women perform in the home including cleaning and childrearing duties is almost always unpaid work, leading to a situation in which women are essentially domestic servants. Moreover, with educated women in the home, the world continues to be dominated by a patriarchal structure in which men remain in positions of political, social, and economic power. In "Maid to Order," Barbara Ehrenreich argues that the modern and post-modern feminist movement has created a massive and meaningful shift in the role of women in society but the author points out that this change has only so far impacted the lives of wealthy white women. Although the author misses a few key points, Ehrenreich is correct in noticing that the demonization of housework by wealthy women has led to a situation in which women of color and poor women are left behind. Women of color continue to be trapped by the old norms and values in which women occupy the private sphere, whereas men are in the public sphere engaged in important positions of power in politics, business, or manufacturing. When the first few waves of feminism took root in society, household duties including housecleaning became demonized as representing patriarchy and sexism. Many women wanted to work outside the home and take part in the public life that was once reserved only for men. When this shift in cultural values happened, however, the men did not rush in to fill the gap at home. Instead, the extra wages garnered by the secondary breadwinner in the family was used to hire a professional cleaner to manage the household chores. That professional cleaner was, ironically and unfortunately, usually a woman of color. Ehrenreich finds the outsourcing of household chores problematic because of the fact that many of the paid professionals...
This aspect of the author's argument remains strong throughout "Maid to Order."
Positive Discrimination -- Do We Need it? For centuries, the global community has strived to eliminate discrimination against minority groups. For centuries, women had been emotionally and/or physically abused; they were prohibited from voting and working. Today, they are allowed to work outside the household, but they are still paid less than their male counterparts. Additionally, the responsibility of raising the children and completing the household chores remains heavily preponderant among
This meant that men held positions of power and authority in all the public spheres including economics/business, politics/the law, and the bearing of arms. Men also possessed social status that women did not have, enabling the perpetuation of a patriarchal society. By applying Freudian psychoanalysis and feminist theory, I will analyze the personality of the independent, strong, risk taker, and smart Alexandra Bergson in Willa Cather's O Pioneer! As Smith
Era through the Great Depression The goal of this essay is to discuss the Progressive Era through Great Depression and for this purpose; two major events that changed the face of American history during this period would be discussed extensively. Furthermore, detailed and comprehensive light would be shed on the historical events that had been successful in changing the face of United States and its society, politics, culture and economy. The
There are no interventions for women who face abuse or assault. Also, since the beginning of the conflict, there has been a dearth of women's input and participation in public life (Security Council). In Somali, war and civil conflict have resulted in a shrinking of opportunities for women in public life. Women are further burdened with threats of violence and difficulties with meeting their household and care-giving duties. The inadequate
A third reason is that members of the staff or leadership teams are barely taught to think of and use gender in delicate ways. A last reason given is that without the gender justice lens, the work of social justice organizations and the feminist movement overall will be negatively impacted. 11.) Describe the author's arguments in regards to the 3 aspects you listed in #2. First, democracy was viewed as only
Schlesinger describes four main themes relating to the notion of a shared household. These are: Collective responsibility for medical care or cost- Family members have collective responsibility and commitment in regard to certain burdens (such as paying the rent or household chores). In a similar way, politicians first argued at the end of the Progressive era that the American nation -- qua family -- owed special responsibility in regard to its
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