Political Pawn

Throughout history, women have been regarded as of lesser value than men particularly in the public sphere. This is the result of gender stratification. Gender stratification refers to the issue of sexism, “or the belief that one sex is superior to the other” (Carl et al., 2012, p. 78). The theory that men are superior to women is essential to sexism. Sexism has always had negative consequences for women. It has caused some women to avoid pursuing successful careers typically described as “masculine”—perhaps to avoid the social impression that they are less desirable as spouses or mothers, or even less “feminine.”

In the year 1531 the famous political philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli’s wrote a treatise entitled The Prince. It explains the proper guidelines for a prince to successfully lead a republic. Although this sixteenth century politician’s main purpose was to unite a separate Italy, his political theories have been taken into deep consideration and are commonly exercised in politics today. If Machiavelli were alive today he would agree that qualities of the current president Barack Obama coincide with his prince-like standards and make him the ideal candidate for the 2012 Presidential Election.

Throughout centuries men have been seen as the gender that have more rights than women. According to Diane Elizabeth Dreher’s 1986 book, Domination & Defiance: Fathers and Daughters in Shakespeare, she explains that a woman during renaissance England, “was to conform patiently and silently to the will of her father and, later, to that of her husband, accepting commands, correction, physical abuse, with sweetness and humility” (16). As a result of a renaissance society that promotes and even encourages this type of behavior, men believe that they have more power. When someone believes that they have more power than another person a pattern of disrespect, and in the most extreme cases, physical and emotional abuse are likely to follow. In Hamlet, Shakespeare contrasts two female leads of the play, Ophelia and Gertrude, through reduction to appearance, instrumentality, and silencing in order to show that during this time period, the objectification of women in the play was parallel to the objectification of women during renaissance England.

My experience, or “biography” with gender and gender inequality can be attributed to what C. Wright Mills’s calls “history”, or the social world. According to Mills, our individual lives interact with society to formulate our experiences. This perspective “enables us to grasp history and biography and the relations between the two within society” (C. Wright Mills 3). As discussed in Module Twelve: Gender, Work, and Family, women and men are placed into two separate spheres; the private sphere and the public sphere. My life experiences relate to the private sphere, which is associated with femininity and domestic work. Society reserves the public sphere for men only, in which they are dominant and “breadwinners”. This is the sphere that I have been conditioned by society to not pursue.

Patriarchy is a social system where men dominate and govern most of the world’s economical, educational, familial, health, political, and religious systems. This political social system that insists that males are inherently dominating, superior females, has been taking it toll on different demographics. To maintain dominance, men exude their sensitive, inferior “masculinity” through various forms of psychological control, manipulation, violence, and terrorism. The subservient role-playing woman has to orchestrate to patriarchal chime by being nurturing, obedient, passive, and weak

While we humans live in a society governed largely by men we have little idea of what a matriarchal society would be like as it clearly doesn’t exist in today’s society. For centuries we have fought for gender equality, but we are reminded in films, plays and novels that Women are submissive and the weaker gender. Shakespeare’s written tragedies had clearly showed his patriarchal perspective with his character Ophelia from Hamlet, whose motivation and dominance is powered by Her father Polonius. Gertrude is another women from Hamlet who is represented as a weak minded, dependant character who has no power or control over what she does. If we look at these two characters from a Feminists point

i have been fellow to a beggar time and again beneath occasions which avoided both folks finding out whether or not the alternative became worthy. i have still to be brother to a prince, though i once got here near to kinship with what could have been a veritable king and turned into promised the reversion of a nation —navy, regulation-courts, revenue and coverage all whole. but, to-day, i substantially worry that my king is dead, and if i want a crown i should move and hunt it for

There are many examples of when a women needed a man by her side to feel otherwise. For example the play Hamlet, Ophelia as a figure who is incomplete or incapable by herself, she needed her father to tell her what and what not to do. In act I scene III King Polonius tells Ophelia that he is not allowed to be with Hamlet. “For Lord Hamlet, Believe so much in him, that he is young And with a larger tether may he walk Than may be given you: in few, Ophelia, Do not believe his vows; for they are brokers, Not of that dye which their investments show, But mere implorators of unholy suits, Breathing like sanctified and pious bawds, The better to beguile. This is for all: I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth, Have you so slander any moment leisure, As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet. Look to 't, I charge you: come your ways (Act 1 Scene 3).” King Polonius does not want Ophelia to marry Hamlet because Hamlet is royalty and Ophelia is not. Royalty are supposed to marry into

I belivie that in the past and even today men are seen as the stronger sex. They are the ones who make the destions and control most things. This fact makes me want to work more harder and stronger to be able to take care of my self. I see my self as being able to be independent and deserve to be happy. And I want everyone to to feel and see themselves this way. I'm also fully aware that I'm not quite ready to be completely independent. My age has a lot to do with that. Most people wouldn't rent out an apartment at 17 years old. But as I continue to grow and change I will become more mature and capable of reaching that leaves of independence.

It must be said that men of power create the structure of life--which is not necessarily profitable or fitting to women, nor to the human race in its entirety. Women do not live in this structure:“They lead beautiful lives--women. Lives not only divorced from, but irrevocably excommunicated from, all reality” (156).

However, they can be controlled to some aspect. There are still lots of research going on for developing proper drugs or vaccines for the treatment. You can do a lot if person close to you are suffering from this disease. Providing mental and emotional support is a major one.

Oppression volumes the voices of white supremacists, which mutes the black voices, creating more, struggles and challenges for blacks. In Kathryn Stockett’s book The Help, it shows the struggles black maids face in Mississippi. This inspires Miss Skeeter, a white woman to make a difference in the lives of black maids by raising awareness through a book, to stop segregation. During this period, she faces many struggles because of murders and gangs. On the other hand, in Bob Dylan’s poem “Only A Pawn In Their Game,” he shows the struggles the poor white people and black people face. Politicians brainwash poor white people and use them to murder blacks. In The Help and in the poem “Only A Pawn In Their Game” white supremacists oppress the black

In fairytales, royal women are typically regarded as delicate, sophisticated creatures, controlled by the kingdoms to which they belong. However, it is the strength within these women that is far more admirable than their outer appearance could ever be. This is why looking at royalty as perfection—a gift of beauty, wealth, and dignity—creates a widely known myth that hides the unattractive truth behind the royal life. Although you should always seek to look beyond the surface, “The Princess in the Suit of Leather” shows that upon deeper inspection you ultimately get hit with the harsh reality of conservative gender roles.

Many men believe that women aren’t aggressive enough and strong enough to handle the sometimes-high pressure that comes with some positions. Others believe that women are better off taking the traditional gender role and staying home to take care of the family and household chores. Men only do twenty to thirty percent of the housework, and this is the expectation of many people on society today. My personal opinion on women’s mobility in society is strong, considering I am a woman. I believe that women, regardless of how we are “supposed” to act, should have the same opportunities as men. Gender roles tell us we are supposed to be submissive, quiet, and tender hearted. Therefore, we would not be able to handle a power position is society

There is one undeniable fact of life; if you are human, you will get sick. This last week of college has been a trying time for me. After the first two weeks of college having gone with out a hitch, I should have guessed something bad was coming. I managed to get sick, in fact, I have never felt so terrible in my life. My throat was swollen, to the point I could not swallow, my stomach felt as if it were reenacting World War I, and I was over all physically drained. Yet, regardless of how poorly I felt, the world moves on. Everything from, extracurricular activities, classes, my study plan, and life in general, continues to march on in sickness and in health.