My Experience Of Gender As A Minority Male Of Saudi Arabia And The United States Of America

Westerners often hear of how oppressed women are in Saudi Arabia. As a result, one might expect these women to be vocal about their challenges living in such a country. However, contrary to the assumption that they are unhappy, they are quick to defend their country, saying that their often overbearing abayas are parts of their tradition. These women say that they still enjoy freedoms and that “[i]t is Western women… who have been manipulated into becoming the toys of men” (Kristof 272). Even so, they still receive unequal treatment from men. Saudi women journalists must stay in their own rooms when they work while men do not. Because of these types of segregated and deleterious practices, Nicholas Kristof argues in his essay “Saudis in Bikinis” that the West is not being paternalistic in trying to advocate for women’s rights in Saudi Arabia; they are trying to free women who have never tasted true liberty. It is

Although Saudi Arabia and America are allies, they differentiate with their own set of unique customs and traditions. In the American culture, the media is a free press that sometimes issues ‘uncontrolled’ information to the public, often resulting in debates. The Arab media, however, is monitored by the authorities, and sometimes with the command of the Islamic clergymen. The media in Saudi Arabia is often manipulated and censored. Another difference is teach country’s religious beliefs. In the United States, Americans have their own individualistic view on faith where each person is entitled to decide what religion they wish to worship. Americans can even decide if they want to practice a religion or not. However in Saudi Arabia, the retention of the

Saudi Arabia is commonly known for its strict moral values and customs regarding religion and women. Gender discrimination is a global conflict but it is prevalently seen in Saudi Arabia. Gender discrimination is so poignant in Saudi Arabia because there are strict sets of moral guidelines and ideologies that Saudi Arabian culture implements on its people. Although Saudi Arabian men impose restrictions on women for the sake of upholding their cultural beliefs and family’s honor, there is no doubt that Saudi Arabian culture is male dominated and holds misogynistic views on women, but progress is being made.

Since the inception of time, there have been differences between what society has considered masculine and feminine. Men were seen as strong, assertive and courageous while women were stereotypically viewed as emotional, compassionate, and loving. Young boys and girls were shunned and bullied for showing traits belonging to the opposite gender and, in some places, still are. In 1974, Doctor Sarah Bem developed the Bem Sex-Role Inventory by interviewing students to compile a list of stereotypical masculine and feminine traits in order to measure Androgyny - having equally high levels of both masculinity and femininity traits. Through obtaining a score from this inventory and finding which sex one’s traits are most like, one is able to introspect in order to better understand what conditions or events were influencers and how one’s interests reflect their gender status. After receiving my results

In order to better comprehend the issues in which I will be examining, it is important to have an understanding of the difference between sex and gender, the role and definition of a 'patriarchal society',

And as I grew older, I began to see how differently I would’ve grown had we chosen to stay there. Everything about me would be different in Saudi Arabia, and I see glimpses of that other self when I visit from time to time. Social life is organized immensely differently than in America, and because Saudi Arabia is an Islamic state, Islamic law is embedded into the culture and gender norms are emphasized in all aspects of everyday life. In Saudi Arabia, I must wear a full length Abaya that covers all parts of me but my eyes. I would not be allowed to drive. I would have to be

     This paper takes a look into the lives of three males breaking out of their gender

The concept of the masculinity of real men and femininity of real women has been questioned from one age to the next/ from one culture to another. Upon interviewing three people I have been able to identify cultural patterns. When one looks at society from a broad viewpoint we see a divergence among cultures because of the cultural bias’s implanted from an early age. Additionally, movements by men and women have been fortified because of the reactions to the rationales projected by different cultures. Throughout society the concept of real men and women has been inundated by differentiating cultures allowing for a mixing of belief systems however, someone’s principal belief comes from their family heritage.

In chapter seven, of Social Inequality Forms, Causes, and Consequences, gender identity and sexual orientation are discussed. The chapter discusses transgender;

Additionally, on page 104 of our textbook, it states that Arab Americans “believe in a more collectivist orientation” (Manning 104). Individuals tend to take care of themselves. The Arab culture is also male dominated and majority of Arabs are Muslims. Arab-American students could explain to their classmates their traditions or customs. They could explain their restricted diets or women who wear Hijabs, could explain the significance of them.

I knew that wearing my hijab would identify me as a Muslim, but I was not aware that it would also cause me to be the target for my community’s ignorance. I never thought that it would distance me from people that I grew up with or that people would interrogate my parents about my hijab. I also constantly felt out of place and misunderstood in my community and my society until I realized that the place that I once held in my society had changed. My place in my society had changed the moment I decided to wear my hijab. I was no longer viewed as the smart Bengali girl with the silky jet-black hair; I was no longer just that girl. I was the girl who wore a hijab, and with wearing a hijab came greater responsibilities, my

This paper will address the harmful effects of a male-supremacist society and how the patriarchy affects individuals who are not male. Research indicates that, in order to fix this problem, society must seek to provide equal opportunities and redefine gender in the process. Gender inequality has existed since the beginning of civilizations, such as in China and Afghanistan, and is deeply entwined with history and culture. In the novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, he explores the gender double standard in traditional Afghan culture.

We have discussed topics that relate to women’s sexuality, privilege, racism, the evolution of feminism, types of oppressions that take place in our society, and we have slightly touched upon the topic of LGBT. For this short paper project, I attended a program here on campus named Racism, Classism, Heterosexuality, Sexism, and Colonialism.

Throughout today’s society, almost every aspect of someone’s day is based whether or not he or she fits into the “norm” that has been created. Specifically, masculine and feminine norms have a great impact that force people to question “am I a true man or woman?” After doing substantial research on the basis of masculine or feminine norms, it is clear that society focuses on the males being the dominant figures. If males are not fulfilling the masculine role, and females aren’t playing their role, then their gender identity becomes foggy, according to their personal judgment, as well as society’s.

Gender segregation is still common in the Middle East and both genders are expected to fulfill their designated roles within society. There is a lot of pressure for both genders to marry and to not do so is considered “social disaster”. Arranged marriages are not uncommon, especially among the more traditional families (Whitaker) and in this relationship, men are generally considered the “active” partners while their wives are the “passive” partners (Tolino 5). These ideas are prominent throughout society in the Middle East and create problems for individuals who do not conform to their assigned roles, specifically members of the LGBT community. LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, although all gender and “sexual minorities” are considered part of this community (Human Rights Watch 69). LGBT individuals face struggles all around the world, but their problems are more pronounced in the Middle East, where the concept of homosexuality is vastly different than in the West. People in the Middle East generally view homosexuality as a “Western invention” and there is no clear distinction between “sex” and “gender”. The classification of an individual as “gay” does not always relate to “a physical act with someone of the same gender”. A male could be considered “gay” simply for not conforming to gender roles or acting feminine (Simmons 1). In the Middle East, members of the LGBT community face extreme inequality, primarily in the form of homophobic laws with