The Gender Divide Between Men And Women

In the essay “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid there are references to many social problems that were prevalent earlier in society that still apply to today’s society. In this essay the author is giving advice to her teenage daughter where she teachers her the “proper” etiquette and what was expected of a woman in her view. In this story the author Kincaid seems to be the mother and the teenage daughter is probably her daughter, in a different way of viewing she may be the daughter herself reflecting on the past, but it’s not very relevant to the meaning of the literature. In this essay I will explain how the way women are viewed in today’s society have changed, as well as what remains of the past that has yet to be overcome. I will also try and analyze and give my theory as to why Kincaid decided to write her story the way she did.

Have you ever thought about what the sun and moon would say to each other if they were given an opportunity to communicate? In her article “Between the Sexes, A Great Divide”, Anna Quindlen shows the differences between the genders, like sun and moon, and the divide that exists between them, which starts from the first high school dance, where boys and girls are far away from each other, and all the game is about who is going to do the first move. I mainly agree with Quindlen, that “it is the dance that’s important, not the difference,” but there are some points that I have a different opinion, such as the conclusion is which the writer comes. Only one thing is certain• there are not only differences between men and women, but there are

In Jamaica Kincaid’s story, Girl, a mother is talking to her daughter about all the proper things she must do to be considered a good girl to her family and to the public, and when she grows up, a proper lady. She must follow the rules that are given to her by her own mother and by society. The mother also teaches the daughter how to act when things don’t go her way. She is told that along with being a proper lady, she must also be able to get what she wants and be independent. This story was written in the late 1970’s and gender roles, for women, back then were not being “followed” because women wanted equal opportunities (Women In the Workforce). “Gender stereotypes are beliefs regarding the traits and behavioral characteristics given to individuals on the basis of their gender” (Deuhr). This essay will discuss the gender roles that were given to women in the story, during the late 70’s, and in today’s society.

The short story ‘Girl’ by Jamaica Kincaid demonstrates the importance of the feminist theory and depicts how marginalized women were in the setting of the West Indian / Caribbean society through brilliantly employed satire. The story illustrates the “place of woman” as narrated by the author, asserting the woman’s personhood and autonomy in regards to one of the major tenets of the liberal feminism. In the beginning of the story, it seems as though one is conditioning another on the rules, manners and expected living responsibilities of a woman. However, Jamaica Kincaid perfectly and carefully connects the constructed livelihood faced by each and every Caribbean girl growing up. It is consistent in showing the reader the lack of feminism and what it was like being an exploited woman in a patriarchal society. Along with the setting, the piece uses the aspects of feminism and geographical space to make the piece more relatable and solidifies the

When I first read through Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl,” I’ll admit my first reaction to the piece was relief at the short length. However, as I processed what she was writing, my appreciation for the piece deepened. It is rapid and blatantly lays out the standards that Kincaid was held to during her childhood. It is written as though the reader is on the receiving end of a harsh set of rules, seeing their brutality from Kincaid’s perspective. Originally, I believed Kincaid’s purpose for writing this piece was to highlight the stark contrast in the treatment of men and women.

Jamaica Kincaid’s short story “Girl” is of a compound relationship with her mother that comes out in the mother-daughter vibrant in the story. The mother, clearly a major figure in the young girl’s background, tells the young girl of various duties related to being a young, honorable lady. Her mother gives the daughter guidance to make her the "suitable" woman she should in fact be. What makes a woman? Masculinity and virility have long been distinct and alienated along gender appearances that meant to traverse; a man or woman who does not fit the typical picture of their firm gender-influenced boundaries is avoided and categorized.

Elena Gonzalez Hoggatt-Abader Engl 101 September 29, 2015 The Demands of Womanhood Society plays a key role in determining how people are supposed to fulfill their roles in society—specifically their gender roles. This means that typically the norm is that men are to be the head of the house and are to be the financial supporters while women are typically categorized as being the homemaker and caretaker. The complexity and importance of being a woman the “right” way is shown through Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl”, a short story reflecting her growing up in Antigua.

Authors Jamaica Kincaid and John Steinbeck show the consequence gender roles have by illustrating the everyday with symbols of entrapment and showing the damage inflicted to the individual by having their characters attempt to resist gender roles but, inevitably, crushed beneath them. Jamaica Kincaid begins painting her image of the harmful side effects of gender roles by showing how the innocence of youth is tainted and damaged. In the story “Girl” the reader is privy to what seems to be verbal instructions and lessons from a mother as she teaches them to her child. The lessons range from mundane housekeeping tricks to more unsavory topics.

“Girl” , a short story written by Jamaica Kincaid, allows the reader a point of view from a strict, demanding mother to a young girl. The structure of “Girl” is displayed in a way that the reader captures the commanding tone the mother unleashes as well as a feministic perspective. This story is of relevance to my childhood growing up in a non-progressive household. Several examples regarding marriage, keeping up a household, and behaving like a lady were highlighted topics in the story as well as my childhood.

After warning her of not becoming “the slut I know you are so bent on becoming”, the mother reminds her daughter that she is not a boy, and instead, a girl who do not share the equal social rights and expectations that boys have been acquired for centuries. To provide an example, the mother insists that Kincaid shouldn’t “ squat down to play marbles - you are not a boy, you know”. These statements introduce the clear distinction between male-female relations where a larger question mark is stamped on females’ sexuality and mannerism. It points out the strongest evidence of sexism in the story, depicting a girl's sexuality as a greater issue in comparison to her opposite sex. The gender bigotry surely is huge, however, what made the mother’s voice different from that of the society is her experience with men. For instance, after advising Kincaid on how to love and expect love from a man, she secures her daughter’s heart by stating that “ and if this doesn't work there are other ways, and if they don't work don't feel too bad about giving up”, she then continues on suggesting “how to bully a man; this is how a man bullies you”. It is clear that the mother has had past negative experiences with men, experiences that may introduce such behaviors in a woman. Otherwise, society would surely

In Nicholas Kristof “Saudis in Bikinis”, Kristof makes a clear point in the sense that

Culture, in relation to gender roles, is fundamental in both Jamaica Kincaid’s, "Girl" and Sandra Cisneros’ "Woman Hollering Creek." For long, gender roles have been part of multiculturalism because diverse culture depends on the values and norms of their previous generations. The way women are expected to behave in the society depends on the current values guiding their behavior. Some cultures are over protective of their cultures, as demonstrated by Jamaica Kincaid in "Girl." Kincaid addresses the dangers of female sexuality in the contemporary culture, and how to ensure morality among the feminine gender. Other cultures have defined sex roles and responsibilities for women, as demonstrated in in the story, however, In “Girl,” Kincaid addresses the defined roles of women in society, to preserve cultural values, across all cultures.

The short story “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid is one that deals with the issue of gender equality. Kincaid speaks on the hardships of growing up as a female in a poor country, but her story relates to the global issue of gender inequality. Gender politics is the main theme in the story, with Kincaid making it a clear point that her upbringing was unfavorable due to the different standards placed upon young girls and boys. In the story, Kincaid’s mother attempts to teach her daughter “life lessons”, but the fact is that only young girls would have to learn those lessons; young boys would never be sat down and lectured to in the same way, nor would the lectures have identical intended outcomes.

We live in a society where the similarities between female and males are seen at birth. It begins innocently with the toddlers; girls get pink while boys get blue. The gap between boys and girls develops with time and becomes increasingly apparent. There are still gender stereotypes today, but it is not as bad as it was in the past. Jamaica Kincaid’s short story “Girl” perfectly portrays gender stereotypes. It represents gender concepts as cultural constructs in the period it was written. These conceptions are comparable to current stereotypes about gender. The book gives us a list of commands from a mother to a daughter. Men in the society are dominant to the women, and the set of rules is a product of patriarchy whereby the mother and daughter appear as subordinates to the men in their lives. The article makes one aware of the prevailing masculine hierarchy that exists in a family, and how it creates firm gender roles for females in the society.

Nature vs. Nurture? The debate has obsessed the minds of psychologists and philosophers for many years, each arguing their idea is the right way. ABC aired a TV documentary "Boys and Girls are Different" hosted by John Stossel to show some of the leading feminists ideas and their opponents thoughts.