Category: Gender

Introduction

Education is often seen as a way to success in most families today. Thus, it is a crucial aspect of the social setting. However, equal access to learning has not yet been attained in a society where multiple factors affect how kids access education. Household income is one of these issues that is assumed to play a crucial role in access to education. Thus, family earnings and their correlation to education achievement are critical topics that have been discussed severally (Bartik & Hershbein, 2018). In addition, these domestic earnings are essential in defining the family’s status both economically and socially, hence determining the kind of edification the children will acquire in their lives. Apart from that, other factors that affect children’s schooling include the gender, race, and political stability of a country (Bartik & Hershbein, 2018). This paper seeks to review how household income affects educational attainment and the wage gap between females and males and its reasons.

Interrelation Between Household Income and Degree Attainment

Various types of household income affect educational attainment in different ways. These earnings can be grouped into well-paid or high-income homes and poorly paid or low-income families. Well-paid households have been ascertained to have a high degree of accomplishment of their kids in college (Wolla & Sullivan, 2017). This can be attributed to factors such as most of the parents being educated, the children being more accessible to more learning materials, and children being taught soft skills that will complement hard skills trained by the education system (Bartik & Hershbein, 2018). The above can be explained by two theories: the ‘Investment theory,’ which postulates that high-income parents translate to comfortable housing, a well-balanced diet, books, other training materials, and refreshing holidays for their children (Cooper & Stewart, 2020). This would, in turn, make the children free of stress and focus more on their studies and perform better. The ‘Family stress theory’ suggests that in high-income households’ parents have less or no financial stress, which influences the conceptive and physiological outcomes that positively impact the children’s performance in education (Cooper & Stewart, 2020). These families have the optimum environment that favors better education attainment.

Moreover, parents with higher incomes are most likely to become public figures and very influential figures. Thus, they have access to human capital and could help schools by offering such resources (Cheang & Goh, 2018). These parents can also influence government institutions and push policymakers to pass policies to provide more resources for schooling and put more emphasis on education (Cheang & Goh, 2018). This could, in turn, enhance the education sector. Thus, the children of such individuals will, in the end, obtain better training. In addition, such public figures could also empower learning institutions to develop a better social culture in schools, which will directly affect their children’s health positively hence, higher degree attainment (Cheang & Goh, 2018). This places students of high-income parents in a better position to excel in their education.

Low-income household students have been associated with low degree attainment (Wolla & Sullivan, 2017). These children are denied access to crucial resources in learning; hence they struggle from kindergarten to college level and may drop out at the college level due to financial constraints. College requires well-prepared students in academic and time management skills (Copper & Stewart, 2020). Learners with low incomes are likely to begin school behind their age mates from high-income households (Copper & Stewart, 2020). This has led to students from low household incomes having poor education foundations and substandard cognitive ability. They also hardly possess soft skills such as time management which affects their college education and may lead them to drop out of college. Insufficient finance causes disadvantages to students hence low degree attainment in low-income households.

However, parents’ income on students’ performance may not overly correlate with degree attainment in every case. A comprehensive systematic research done by Copper and Stewart in 2020 reveals that other factors could also affect the student’s performance. The study resulted in some of the students from low household incomes excelling without many hindrances related to finances. Despite that, there was a significant interrelation between household income and degree attainment. Copper and Stewart proposed that more expert teachers could be posted to schools with students from low household incomes to develop some conscientious framework for these kids. This would then aid in preparing these students for college education and acquiring more financial grants, thus, increasing the number of students attaining degrees.

The Wage Gap Between Female and Male Analysis

There are multiple influences that contribute to the wage gap between genders. The female gender earns eighty-three cents for every dollar a man makes (ILO, 2019). According to the ILO (2019), these factors include a few women in leadership positions, duration of work shift, maternal leaves, level of education knowledge, and women-dominated profession. There are about 50% more men than women in high-level management positions (ILO, 2019). This is because this group tends to concentrate on human resource managerial positions than other administrative spots, lowering the salary compared to their male counterparts in different executive positions. This is still causing a salary rift between women and men.

The salary margin between men and women is due to the different working hours outlined concerning different genders. Males and females are paid differently according to the number and time of working hours. Women are paid lesser than men as they leave early to go home to nurse their older folks or children and do the unpaid home chores (ILO, 2019). This dramatically reduces their salary scale or level as compared to men who can work for longer hours. Therefore, society should step up its efforts to ensure both genders play equal roles in family responsibilities to give more time to women to work and narrow the wage gap.

Women in the employment sector are forced to leave the workforce for various reasons. Women leave employment for maternal leave or nurse their ill loved ones or children as society expects them to do (ILO, 2019). This reduces their time in the workforce, and by the moment they are back to their workstations, their male counterparts have increased their salaries, thus, widening the wage gap. These career breaks can force other women to opt for part-time employment since full-time occupation may not be available, as employers prefer male employees as they rarely have career leaves (ILO, 2019). This disadvantages women in terms of wage pay as part-time salary does not offer packages with full-time employment.

The difference in education levels also contributes to the wage gap. A higher level of education means more excellent pay. However, 45% of women with advanced degrees in the USA earn lesser than their male colleagues with just a bachelor’s degree (Coron, 2021). This is attributed to women making decisions to pursue lower-paying advanced degrees. For example, regarding females and males with MBAs, females are likely to pursue advanced degrees in marketing and publicize low-paying fields. In contrast, males will pursue higher-paying areas like financial work (Coron, 2021). This contributes to the gender rift despite being in the same career field.

Decreasing the way gap would be so profitable to both the genders and the government as well. It is projected that a decrease in the salary rift between men and women, according to the continuing trend, would result in an increase of six trillion US dollars in taxes by the year 2025 (ILO, 2019). This would be a tremendous boost to the global gross domestic product (GDP) since it is the purchasing power of the entire population (ILO, 2019). This could be done by enterprises developing a genderless professional culture and offering equivalent stipends for male and female employees.

Conclusion

In conclusion, parents’ level of income influences the parenting obligations of some individuals, which, in turn, affects how a child behaves, thus impacting the kid’s educational performance directly. Most high-income parents provide a better environment and chance to their children to excellently attain their education in better environments. Low-income parents also impact students’ self-esteem and cognitive and physiological behavior that influence their performance and future decisions. The gender wage gap is still a critical issue despite improvements from previous years that need to be tackled. Additionally, society and enterprises play some crucial part in ensuring equality in gender is exercised in regard to wage distribution.

References

Bartik, Timothy J. & Brad Hershbein. 2018. “Degrees of Poverty: The Relationship between Family Income Background and the Returns to Education.” Upjohn Institute Working Paper 18-284. Kalamazoo, Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. Web.

Cheang, C. & Goh, E., 2018. Why some children from poor families do well –an in-depth analysis of positive deviance cases in Singapore. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 13(1), pp. 15-25.

Copper, K. & Stewart, K., 2020. Does household income affect children’s outcomes? A systematic review of the evidence.Child Ind Res, 14(2), pp.981-1005.

Coron, C. (2021). Measuring the gender pay gap: The complexity of HR metrics.Employee Relations: The International Journal, 43(5), 1194-1213.

ILO. (2019) Global wage report 2018/2019. Geneva.

Wolla, S., & Sullivan, J. (2017). Education, Income, and Wealth. Page One Economics, 10(3), 1. Web.

Introduction

The media fraternity has and continues to play a significant role in shaping numerous trends in most issues within the society. Media programs and their representations can influence the perceptions of people concerning the nature and functions of different gender in the society (Hermes, 2011).

Studies conducted about the contribution of the print and electronic media indicates that the ability of individuals to comprehend their position in the society depends heavily on the influences of media. In this study, the research seeks to explore the significant relationship that exist between media representation of the concept of gender, and the image shaped via the media as the social mirror through which the society views its self (Hermes, 2011).

Significance of Study

Although numerous studies have studied effects of media on social issues, limited emphasis, confront the role played by media images in shaping the perceptions about different gender (Eisend, 2010). The research findings at the end of the study shall serve to enrich the current literature contributing toward the topic.

Additionally, the study offers an insight into the role played by the media in stimulating gender perceptions. More specifically, this research shall be beneficial in contributing toward the development of field of sociological studies. The research serves as a basis for conducting future studies.

Research Problem

Today, the topic about the role played by the media in influencing individual and general perceptions of people about the opposite genders occupies a greater space within the realms of debate (Eisend, 2010). Media studies reveal that the varied media channels have varying capacities in influencing the level of perceptions about different gender.

Although it is arguable that media representations can potentially dictate the society’s image about a given gender, other studies suggest the absence of statistical evidence about the effect of media in shaping gender

Review of Literature

Often, the way in which the girl-child is portrayed in the public space tends to lower her social value while favoring violence against girls. While media has the capacity to mould educative tendencies toward redefining the status of female gender in the society, gender stereotyping remains widespread within the mainstream media. These stereotypes have the potential of reinforcing historical attributes and behavior via advertisements and children-based programs.

Although the nature of media programs have acted to negatively influence both gender, studies indicate the females have suffered heavily due to media programs such as mainstream pornography. In a study taken by Robinson et al, they noted that although media studies have contributed negatively toward the creation of negative stereotypes, limited studies have shown focus on the effects of media on the perceptions of gender via the influence of youth pornography.

Gender studies across the world reveal that media has acted to underscore the value of female in the society. In illustrating this assertion, surveys conducted have suggested that the female have continued to receive less coverage on significant issues shaping the progress of the society.

On the other hand, extensive coverage on aspects that tend to misrepresent their values has exceeded usual attention. These tendencies offer exclusive examples of how the media achieves its commercial benefits through skewed representation of the two opposite gender. In a separate study concluded by Eisend (2010), the results show that women within the society continue to occupy less space in the mainstream media especially on aspects that paint their critical value.

According to Eisend (2010), cultural stereotyping has the potential of underscoring the relevance of gender value in the society through gender related advertising. In a similar but separate study, Hermes (2011) found that gender perceptions followed strictly from the manner in which the media fraternity models the position of each gender in the context of value creation.

Research Questions

This research study shall develop and explore four fundamental questions requisite in explaining and gaining understanding of the concept of media and gender. In explaining the phenomenon under study with a view to achieve the research objective, the study develops the following questions:

1. To what extend does the media influence the level of gender perceptions among individuals?
2. Is there a positive correlation between media representations and the nature of image portrayed in the society?
3. Does gender image depend upon the value-images played by the media?
4. Do media channels contribute to gender parities among individuals?

Objectives of Study

The research seeks to assess the impact of media representation on the immediate perceptions of individuals about opposite gender. In order to provide this explanation, the research aims at answering the fundamental study questions formulated in order to achieve its objectives. Thus, the research formulates three principle objectives that shall assist in formulating a theoretical foundation capable of explaining the phenomenon. The objectives shall include:

1. To explain the degree to which media influences gender perceptions among members of the society.
2. To explain the relationship between media representations and gender perceptions among individuals
3. To determine the effect of media on value creation among different gender
4. To explain the significance of media information on development of gender values

Research Design

The research shall exclusively utilize the available and relevant literature that document the impact of media and its contribution toward shaping gender perceptions. A critical analysis of the abundant literature relevant to the study topic shall be undertaken in a view to gain an initial understanding of the concept of media images and their relationship with gender perceptions.

Besides utilizing relevant secondary data, the research shall employ a qualitative study aimed at developing themes to explain the phenomenon in their natural setting. Therefore, the design plans to utilize interviews and questionnaires with a view of gaining insight into the role played by media in shaping behavior. In general, the study anticipates utilizing a mixed research methodology, which shall benefit from the advantages of both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Data Collection and analysis

The research data shall be collected through interview reports and questionnaires. The researcher shall organize the qualitative data into homogeneous groups from which to explain the underlying themes. To analyze data, the researcher shall utilize the statistical software (SPSS) through analysis of variance (ANOVA). In the foregoing analysis, the study variables include both independent and dependent variables.

In this case, the media images shall form the independent variable while gender perceptions shall take on dependent variables. To test the significance of the data, the researcher shall conduct a test-test using 95% level of significance. Additionally, the study shall use descriptive data analysis in order to determine the mean, median and modes as the central measures of tendency. The researcher shall conduct the analysis of data and explain the findings of the study.

Works Cited

Eisend, Martin. “A meta-analysis of gender roles in advertising.” Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science 38.4 (2010): 18-440.

Hermes, Joke, “On Stereotypes, Media and Redressing Gendered Social Inequality.” Journalism Studies 12. (2011): 61-63.

Robinson, Tom et al. “Violence, Sexuality, and Gender Stereotyping: A Content Analysis of Official Video Game Web Sites”. Web Journal of Mass Communication Research 13. (2008): 1-17.

Introduction

The research question: Does gender influence the educational level of a person?

The research question is relevant to the chi-square test because gender and education level are the two variables that exist on a categorical scale. While gender exists in two categories (male and female), educational level exists in four categories (ordinary level, advanced level, college level, & university level). According to David and Sutton (2004), the chi-square test is applicable in testing the existence of a relationship between two categorical variables. In this case, gender is one categorical variable while education level is another categorical variable. Since the research question seeks to establish if gender influences educational level, it compares observed and expected education level in a given population. Concerning the research question, one can expect that education level does not vary according to gender, but observations may show otherwise. Thus, the establishment of the relationship between gender and the education level requires a chi-square test.

Hypotheses

The null hypothesis

H₀: There is no significant gendered difference in education level.

The null hypothesis predicts that gender and the education level are two categorical variables, which are independent and unrelated. In essence, the null hypothesis holds that gender has no association with the education level of an individual. In the chi-square test, the null hypothesis holds if the chi-statistic is less than the critical value and the p-value is greater than a given significant level.

The alternative hypothesis

H₁: There is a significant gendered difference in the education level.

The alternative hypothesis assumes that gender influences the education level of an individual. Essentially, the alternative hypothesis holds that gender and the education level are related or dependent variables. For the alternative hypothesis to be true, the chi-square statistic must have a value greater than the critical value and p-value that is less than a certain significant level.

Types of Error

In the interpretation of the hypothesis, type I and II errors are prone to occur. Rejection of a true null hypothesis results in the commission of type I error. The rejection of a true null hypothesis indicates an outcome of false positive. In this study, if the null hypothesis is true, its rejection implies there is a gendered difference in education level, which is a false positive. In contrast, failure to reject a false null hypothesis makes one to commit a type II error, which shows false negative. Type II error prevents researchers from ascertaining the existence of certain relationships. In this case, failure to reject a false null hypothesis prevents one from accepting a true alternative hypothesis. Therefore, hypothesis testing at significant levels such as 0.05 and 0.01 is appropriate in reducing rejection of a true null hypothesis.

Methods

Sampling

The study will sample 100 participants from the population in Chicago city. In selecting participants, the study will employ the convenience method of sampling because it is cheap and easy to conduct. Since the study seeks to establish if gendered difference exists in the education level among people who are in the city of Chicago, it will select 50 men and 50 women (N = 100). Moreover, the study will sample individuals between the ages of 30 and 40 years. People who fall under the age bracket will participate in the study irrespective of their racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Procedures

In the research question, gender is the independent variable. Gender is an independent variable because it does not depend on the education level. In an experiment, researchers manipulate the independent variable for it to influence the other variables (Jackson, 2012). In this case, the researcher manipulates gender by ensuring that study participants have equal gender for the findings to be statistically valid. Gender is a discrete variable because one can be either a male or a female; there is no intermediate value or category. Moreover, gender is a qualitative variable because it describes certain qualities of people that are not measurable in terms of digits. The scale of measuring gender is a nominal scale, which exists in categorical form (male and female). Operationally, gender is a nominal variable that gives an attribute of a person as either male or female.

The education level is a dependent variable according to the research question. The education level is a dependent variable because it varies from one person to another. Given that it is a qualitative data, the level of education has discrete values, which have no intermediates. In this view, the level of education is a categorical variable with categories such as ordinary level, advanced level, college level, and university level. The scale of measurement applied in the educational level is ordinal because the education level progresses from the lowest level to the highest level. Thus, the ordinal scale is the appropriate scale for the education level as per the research question. Operationally, the level of education comprises of ordinary level, advanced level, college level, and university level.

Results

The appropriate statistical test for the analysis of the collected data is the chi-square test. Since the chi-square test is applicable in testing if there is an association between two categorical variables, the study seeks to use it in establishing if gender has any significant relationship with the educational level of people in Chicago city. Thus, the chi-square test will present a contingency table that shows relationships between gender and educational level. Romesburg (2004) states that the contingency table provides a detailed view of the relationships between two categorical variables, which expound the chi-square test. Moreover, the chi-square test will present the chi-square value (Pearson Chi-square) and p-value. Therefore, the chi-square value and the p-value is important in testing the null hypothesis and drawing the conclusion of the study.

Discussion

The biases of the study emanate from the sampling method that study will employ. Since the study will employ the convenience method of sampling, there is a high probability that the potential participants will have high levels of education due to their confidence to participate. Also, as the study targets participants between the ages of 30 and 40 years, there is a high probability that most will have high levels of education. Regarding the test, chi-square requires that the collected data must exist as nominal or ordinal data in compliance with one of the assumptions. Additionally, another assumption requires variables to have two or more categories, which are independent. In hypothesis testing, one can conclude that there is a significant relationship between gender and education level if the p-value is less than 0.05 (p<0.05). In contrast, if the p-value is greater than 0.05 (p>0.05), it implies that there is no significant association between gender and education level. Given that the chi-square test measures the association between two variables, one cannot derive the existence of causal relationships between gender and education level. However, the results of the study are significant in establishing if the gendered difference in the education level is present in Chicago city.

References

David, M., & Sutton, C. (2004). Social Research: The Basics. New York: SAGE Publisher.

Jackson, S. (2012). Research methods and statistics: A critical thinking approach (4th ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth.

Romesburg, C. (2004). Cluster Analysis for Researchers. New York: Lulu Publisher.

Situation

There have been numerous cases of violence against women in the Arab world over the years. Additionally, the culture of the citizens of the UAE has been blamed for the general mistreatment of women and girls. The Freedom House (2005) reveals that Sharia law has been interpreted to suggest that women are of lesser importance than men. In fact, as Dajani (2014) explains, studies have shown that the number of gender-based violence in the region increased to 840 in 2013 from 313 in 2010. In addition, women have been perceived to be less intellectual, such that a majority of their decisions has to be made by their male relatives. Due to this, the proposed campaign aims to reduce prejudice in the community against women and improve the weak perception about women.

SWOT analysis

Strengths

• Encourage women to speak out for themselves.
• Build confidence in the girl child so that she can be determined to fulfil her dreams.
• Change male perspectives on women and their value in the society.
• Encourage women to demand for their rights from their government.

Weaknesses

• It is difficult to convince the reserved and conservative women on the importance of the campaign.
• It is challenging to get well known and respectable men to join the course.
• The difficulties are enhanced by the Islamic culture.

Opportunities

• There are some cities in the United Arab Emirates that have embraced change and support the fight against discrimination and violence against women; for example, Dubai.
• Leaders from Dubai can be easily convinced to join the campaign and bring on a wealth of knowledge. They would demand respect from the public.

Threats

• The religion of the citizens will be a significant threat as most of the times the leaders of the UAE have argued that their actions towards women are justified by their religion.
• The campaign might also be threatened by security issues because it targets the interpretation of the Koran, something that is very delicate. Currently, terrorists have killed hundreds of people in the name of defending their religion and beliefs.

Objective 1

To raise awareness about the issue and decrease it or try to prevent it from happening

Objective 2

To empower women and encourage them to embrace the freedom of speech in order to speak for themselves

Secondary Research

Veerendra (2013) reveals that treatment of women in the UAE has been under debate for numerous years now. Dajani (2014) explains that the issue of domestic violence has become worse over the years, such that legislatures have called for new laws on the issue. It is crucial to understand the reasons why domestic violence is very common in the UAE before analysing what has been done so far to help in the prevention of the problem.

Mahdavi (2011) argues that religion and culture are the core factors that enhance both emotional and mental violence against women in the UAE. The whole of the UAE uses Sharia Law to govern its citizens, which apparently means that the predominant religion in the area is Islam. Many Islam enthusiasts and religious leaders have argued that the religion determines the treatment of each person in the society.

Religion has been used to draft punishments that are instilled using Sharia Law. In the same vein, the culture practiced goes hand in hand with the religion (Krause, 2008). For example, according to the Islamic faith, women are not supposed to wear tight clothing or show parts of their body to the public. The culture adheres to this norm by encouraging women to wear loose and long dresses and cover their hair and face. Finley (2013) argues that women in the region do not show off any skin to the public even, when they go swimming. If a woman has to swim, then she has to do so with her long dress and swim somewhere men are not allowed so that the men do not see her hair.

It suffices to mention that culture has also been blamed for the reserved nature of women in the UAE. Many women in the UAE do not believe they are good enough to go to school or work (Kelly & Breslin, 2010). This is undoubtedly a form of mental abuse. The abuse has been ongoing for so many years such that it is common to find women refusing to take up jobs or send their female children to school.

Womenshealth.gov (n.d.) explains that monitoring is the most common emotional abuse in the UAE. According to the Islamic culture, a woman has to be monitored at all times. To some, monitoring is so extreme that they cannot even go outside without a male relative accompanying them. The married women go out in the company of their spouses or brother-in-laws, while daughters go out in the company of brothers or their dad only. The close and constant monitoring make it difficult for women in the region to sit down together and talk about their issues. The everyday things that affect women are also deemed a taboo to say, and the person monitoring the women has to ensure that such topics are not discussed. The monitoring can also be so intense that the woman cannot be left to be on her own.

In addition, the UAE women do not report any form of physical violence against them. Dajani (2014) asserts that many women are beaten up and physically tortured by their male relatives, especially if they do something that the male relative does not approve. The women see no need to report it because religion and culture have been interpreted to agree with this form of ‘punishment’. Even if the women decided to report the abuse, a majority would not know the right person to go to.

Chaudhry (2013) also observes that many of the women are humiliated in front of other people. The humiliation is often done in the presence of other men, who will then continue to embarrass the lady in question. This affects the woman’s self-esteem and confidence. The male relatives also control how the woman uses money. This is one of the issues that have created a lot of debates. The religious leaders in the region have explained that it is the man’s responsibility to check the usage of money in his household.

Therefore, if a woman is to work, then it means that the man cannot control the money she earns as salary. In some singular, yet shocking instances, there are male relatives who have encouraged the women in their families to work only for them to demand to be in control of the salary the woman gets. It suffices to mention that there have been advanced campaigns that have tried to correct the situation in the UAE. However, it is arguable that the campaigns have not done enough, given that there are still cases of domestic violence and emotional and mental abuse in the region.

Objectives

As mentioned, there are two objectives that the campaign will ride on. This section will contain two sub-sections that discuss both objectives.

Objective 1

The first objective is to raise awareness about the issue and decrease it or try to prevent it from happening. This is the informational goal of the campaign. It is crucial at this juncture to clearly define the objective in order to avoid confusion during the campaign. Indeed, women and men in the UAE are aware of the emotional and mental abuse that takes place in a majority of the households in the region. This objective aims to raise awareness of the actions that can be taken when such domestic violence occurs. Many women are not aware that action can be taken against men who mistreat them.

It suffices to mention that there are parts of the UAE where women are still abused openly, unlike in Dubai, where the government has tried to curb the problem. In such cities, it will be important also to include a campaign for the awareness of human rights. This campaign will target not only the women in the region, but also the men so that they can be educated in other civil ways of expressing disappointment. They can also be educated on the dangers of such violence. Keddie (2012) argues that it is crucial for men to understand that what they do to their women is wrong, given that many men believe they do the right thing as it is supposedly encouraged in the Sharia Law.

It is also important to note that religious leaders have to be included in order to interpret the teachings of the Koran to the people, given that this part of the campaign is informational. They will also use religion to provide information on why any form of violence and abuse is wrong.

Objective 2

The second objective of the campaign is to empower women and encourage them to embrace the freedom of speech in order to speak for themselves. This is the motivational objective of the campaign. Other than ensuring that women know where they can go if abused, it is also crucial that they are given the power to speak. In a community where women’s voices go hush when men speak, it is safe to admit that this will be the most challenging part of the campaign.

However, as mentioned, there are well known and respected leaders who can be used to ensure that the campaign is successful. Dubai is one of the cities that have tried to reduce domestic violence against women. Leaders in this city will, thus, be the best to interact with in terms of encouraging women in other areas to speak out for their rights.

In the same breath, it is recommended that the campaign for the freedom of speech also includes religious leaders because culture is crucial to the citizens of the UAE. It is important that religious leaders also are part of the campaign team to make the citizens comfortable enough and help them understand that they will not be going against the teachings of the Koran.

References

Chaudhry, A. S. (2013). Domestic violence and the Islamic tradition. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. Web.

Dajani H. (2014). Domestic abuse in Abu Dhabi triples in three years. The National. Web.

Finley, L. L. (2013). Encyclopaedia of domestic violence and abuse. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. Web.

Freedom House (2005). Women’s rights in the Middle East and North Africa: Citizenship and justice. Oxford, UK: Rowman and Littlefield. Web.

Keddie, N. R. (2012). Women in the Middle East: Past and present. Oxfordshire, UK: Princeton University Press. Web.

Kelly, S. & Breslin, J. (2010). Women’s rights in the Middle East and North Africa: Progress and resistance. Oxford, UK: Rowman and Littlefield. Web.

Krause, W. (2008). Women in civil society. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan. Web.

Mahdavi, P. (2011). Gridlock: Labor, migration and human trafficking in Dubai. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. Web.

Veerendra, M. (2013). Human trafficking: The stakeholders’ perspective. New Delhi: SAGE. Web.

Womenshealth.gov (n.d.). Violence against women. Web.

Thesis: The Mark on the Wall is a riddle, the reflection on which stimulates associations and feelings about gender politics and identity, thus forming a continuous stream of consciousness shifting in the direction of displaying ideational phenomena.

Consciousness constructs bizarre structures; however, whether this process is part of identity construction is a question that requires an answer. The Mark on the Wall by Virginia Woolf is a stream of thoughts reveals a person’s inner world. The heroine sees the unknown stain as an opportunity to delve deeper and achieve self-awareness by discovering that the mark is a snail. In the beginning, the narrator states: “how readily thoughts swarm upon a new object” (Woolf 196). Not constrained by the boundaries of information, the intertwined associations allow the imagination to uncover the truth. She begins with the nail, which “swarm upon” symbolic reflections on the essence of life (Woolf 196). The narrator doubts whether people understand each other despite the shell that hides their identity. Non-disclosure leads to a world “not to be lived in” (Woolf 198). The inner life of the house’s occupants is likewise unexplored, since everyone sees the shell. Even Shakespeare and other historical figures can be fiction, far from the absolute truth. The narrator shapes identity, moving from insecurity to self-awareness, comprehending the illusory nature.

The flow of the author’s thoughts on identity is closely intertwined with feminism, as through the heroine’s self-discovery process, she critiques the diminished significance of women. The sign on the wall has no shape and symbolizes skepticism which forces the heroine to reflect on questions regarding the limitations of the individual, particularly the female gender, in society (Neverow 59). The narrator’s uncertainty about the world during World War I leads her to look at the world from an unconventional perspective and become aware of the unrealized rights that are hindered by imposed stereotypes. An illustration is a passage demonstrating the narrator’s frustration with dictated standards: “I would like to stumble into a pleasant train of thought” (Woolf 197). Moreover, after some time of reflection, the author’s skepticism increases. For example, the author notes: “Men, perhaps, should you be a woman”, redefining gender constructions and demanding an equal society (Woolf 197). Therefore, the author is mindful of the common intimidation in this society, contemplating it through metaphorical components, thus emphasizing the urgent need for transformations.

Thus, the shifts in the narrator’s reflection enable her to see the genuine essence of the world order and transcend the boundaries of space and time, thus creating a unique flow of consciousness. This discharge represents questions, associations, and feelings which has shifted a reflection on abstract phenomena (Goldmane 81). It began with a stain on the wall that prompted thoughts of identity, the illusion of the world, and gender roles. These examples are stable concepts, but they all were interpreted in a way that demonstrates the inner world of a human (Goldmane 81). All these elements are the same parts of the thought process, which permits one to realize the obsolescence of the existing world order. After the interpretation, every reader can realize the value of reflection and understand how the flow of thought can affect identity and insight into the world.

Works Cited

Goldmane, Jane. “Virginia Woolf and Post-Impressionism.” Virginia Woolf: Critical and Primary Sources, vol. 3, 2021, p. 81.

Neverow, Vara, Susan Wegener, and Amanda Golden. “The Virginia Woolf Society.” Virginia Woolf Miscellany, vol. 97, 2021, pp. 59-60.

Woolf, Virginia. The Mark on the Wall. Thornwillow Press, 1917.

Introduction

Gender-responsive development is ensured in all areas of activity via the activities of non-profit organizations and community engagement. Gender development may be facilitated by community engagement, effective stakeholder and non-profit organization participation, and education policies and programs that use locally feasible and culturally suitable methods (Viruell-Fuentes et al. 2102). While gender roles are generally accepted, there are regional and cultural differences in how they are expressed. In this regard, it is crucial to engage in different events promoting the issues of women and gender.

Tracy Reese: Hopes for Flowers

American fashion designer Tracey Reese specializes in creating vivacious, feminine clothing for modern ladies with her trademark rich, vivid colors and distinctive designs. The design ethos of Tracey Reese is founded on the desire to highlight the beauty of women of all shapes and sizes. Tracey Reese has changed her company approach to focus on a slower, more sustainable fashion model as she continues to develop (UM Stamps). The collection Hope for Flowers by Tracy Reese, which was ethically designed and made, was introduced by Tracy in 2019 (UM Stamps). Each item is manufactured using eco-friendly components and organic textiles made in facilities that value and maintain a high standard of living, in addition to paying fair salaries.

Reese is now developing a craft studio in Detroit that offers women in marginalized neighborhoods employment opportunities. She also started a program for Detroit public school children to enhance their cultural experiences. She launched the Hope for Flowers arts enrichment program to give Detroit’s youngsters more accessible opportunities to engage with the arts and culture (UM Stamps). Detroit adults and children will be able to use the studio’s free weekend and evening seminars and workshops. The curriculum is designed to cultivate local creative talent and revive sustainable living practices that have fundamentally been a part of Black culture, primarily focused on enhancing the arts. A crucial aspect of the event is the recognition that changing the perception that sustainability is an exclusive idea is the first step in influencing sustainability in communities of color (UM Stamps). Hope for Flowers’ artisans will take part in educational sessions as part of its activities to show how local artists can both work and benefit their communities.

Within the event, Tracey discussed the road to ethical design in this session, as well as the goal of Hope for Flowers, which is to empower women and young people in order to have a good social influence. In essence, it provided a variety of functions by outlining both novel concepts and pressing problems. Through her efforts, Tracey developed fresh concepts meant to illustrate the application of sustainable development and the significance of gender in the advancement of society through the arts. She called attention to the issue of diminishing elitist black culture as well as women’s art. She has made an effort to demonstrate that everyone can take part in various community involvement activities through her apparel line and activity projects. Due to its adaptability and Tracy’s assurance in not just portraying women’s gender and sustainable development concerns but also truly bringing them to life, this event may be seen as a success.

Experience from the Event

Even though my engagement in this event was restricted to observing, I still felt very involved in the principles and general concept of Hope for Flowers. The ability to examine gender and women’s concerns from various angles, particularly the idea of sustainable development, was seen as a key component of this experience’s contribution to self-development. Similar to the activities of music gatherings through concerts and group workshops, art and fashion have an influence on community participation. It was a lovely experience to be pushed to reflect more deeply on the underlying ideas of sustainability and gender while also feeling engaged and delighted by the program.

Intersection of Gender

Since they mutually produce and support one another and, as a result, cannot be isolated from one another, the primary axes of inequality in modern countries are thought to be inexorably connected. A novel approach to social inequality, called intersectional theory, has the power to reveal and explain previously unrecognized health disparities (Viruell-Fuentes et al. 2101). The interplay of gender, racism and class was the main topic of the event. Focus has been placed on the African American identity, with the argument being made that it is crucial in determining how gender and women’s concerns are understood. The event emphasized the intersectional approach by emphasizing that marginalized groups along the axes of inequality are deemed visible minorities.

Conclusion

Activities that promote community involvement can assist in ensuring an integrated strategy at every level of gender and development. Additionally, it is crucial to consider each person’s unique experience of belonging to a certain gender while addressing gender. A true grasp of the origins and gender roles in a community or group is necessary for effective gender development intervention. The event showed the intersectional approach manifested in art and fashion, bringing up acute issues and the way how community engagement can shift women and gender understanding and development.

Works Cited

“Tracy Reese: Hope for Flowers.” YouTube, uploaded by UM Stamps, Web.

Viruell-Fuentes, Edna A., Patricia Y. Miranda, and Sawsan Abdulrahim. “More than culture: structural racism, intersectionality theory, and immigrant health.” Social Science & Medicine vol. 75, no. 12, 2012, 2099-2106.

In defining gender analysis it is the method used in demonstrating the relationships between men and women better. Race analysis, on the other hand, is the policy that improves a particular commodity’s economic outcomes. The two analysis are not similar even though they are both analyzed in numerous schools (Assari, 2018). Both gender and race analysis are displayed by the society’s’ eye which and varies them on where to be applied and to what degree.

Gender and race analysis are different because race improves the economic outcomes of an item. In comparison, gender analysis examines the differences in norms and roles men and women have in division of labor. For instance, a man can participate in car or bike racing as it is mostly displayed as men activity while women may see it challenging in participating in such games (Assari, 2018). Therefore, comparing the two males are designed to do particular activities and women have their specified activities as well. The difference between the core they undertake is the determinant whether they race will occur or not. Women lacks some skill in operating various machines and race analysis requires skilled personnel which is different to gender as it suggests that both male and female should be equal in every activity undertaken.

Employment of race and gender analyses will be appropriate. Age and other statuses of both genders should not be considering in applying the studies as the analyst will be able determine better business competition. The analyst should place both genders in different departments and see which gender is appropriate for a particular operation as it will promote racing between them. Both analyses will create awareness for the analyst, this is because they will know which business is appropriate for every gender.

Reference

Assari S. (2018). Does School Racial Composition Explain Why High Income Black Youth Perceive More Discrimination? A Gender Analysis. Brain Sciences, 8(8), 140. Web.

Introduction

In today’s world, there is still a lack of gender equality in many areas of social life. One example of such problems with inequality is commonly seen as different wage levels. It is likewise often mentioned that men and women in the same job positions do not have the same work or professional responsibilities and administration attitudes. However, from an objective perspective, it is possible to assume that this problem is on a considerably more diminutive scale than is commonly believed but still exists.

General Discussion

Historically, women’s role in society has been minimized and experienced total discrimination. Most often, this happened due to people’s religious beliefs, and it still can be seen in some Muslim countries today. Consequently, when it became possible to work in the same jobs as men, the problem of lower pay for women emerged. Over time, laws in the form of the Equal Rights Act of 1963, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Discrimination in Hiring Act of 1967 came into being (Örtenblad, 2021). The Specific Act on Normalization and Equalization of Pay Levels was passed in 1997 and regulated the control of absolute equality of rights for all citizens of all genders. The most recent law can be considered the Prohibition of Discrimination Bill, which includes a concern for equal pay under H.R. 5 (U.S. Congress, 2021). The U.S. Congress is currently drafting its passage and implementation.

Many opinions stand on the fact that there is a problem in today’s labor market. Most of the complaints are voiced by feminist activists and social activists who observe human rights (Saari et al., 2021). Opponents of this thesis argue that there is no problem at all and cite current hiring statistics that show that women are far more likely to be selected for management positions or promotions and less likely to be fired (Blau and Kahn, 2020). Nevertheless, either extreme suggestion makes no logical sense, and an optimally formed attitude toward the situation must include a median between the two positions for the resolution of the issue.

Thus, a variety of factors contribute to the payment gap, including age, race or ethnicity, and health status, in addition to gender. However, a pay cut based on gender is the most common complaint in these cases. Employers’ use of an employee’s previous salary data in shaping a job offer does not help to address inequality. Moreover, the frequent organizational inappropriateness of employees discussing their salaries with management is an aggravating factor.

Unfortunately, it is still impossible to completely deny the existence of the problem of wage inequality because society has not yet resolved this issue. As long as there is noted at least one case of such attitudes toward women in the context of work processes, paying no attention to the situation is wrong. Rejecting the legacy of discrimination, segregation, and disrespect for people based on their gender implies equalization in all spheres of life (Saari et al., 2021). Accordingly, all such cases must be noticed, condemned, and resolved as properly and correctly as possible.

On the other hand, the size of the problem in some cases is greatly exaggerated. Undoubtedly, the very significance of the situation is obvious, but its prevalence is relatively diminutive. Virtually all employers today have fixed salaries for each position, and the gender of the employee makes no difference (Saari et al., 2021). Moreover, these types of mismatches can arise due to accounting errors, the victim of which is not necessarily a woman. The resolution of such problems is mandatory and left to the employer while being regulated by law.

Part of the opinion of the wage gap is shaded by the higher level of earnings among occupations that women do not usually prefer. However, physically demanding or hazardous tasks often do not involve men alone. Moreover, they are not popular among most women precisely because of the physical inadequacy of the profession. Moreover, the wages in such occupations are often not excessively high since the most impressive income is earned by those who work not physically, and there are no restrictions. Be that as it may, the tendency to employ women in leadership positions because of the perception of their higher efficiency has not been criticized or rejected by society, signaling the potential existence of double standards.

Furthermore, comparing different industries and companies is difficult to call objective. Most studies on the issue publish statistics about the difference in salaries between men and women from different organizations or unrelated professions, which is incorrect and most likely just a provocation of the informational cause (AAUW, 2020). In addition, linking reasons in the form of a mismatch in the level of education of a profession or the lack of a desired job in the immediate vicinity is irrelevant to the topic of discussion. However, for unknown reasons, sometimes a person’s lack of the necessary education when hired for a position is equated with discrimination. Such an attitude toward an existing severe problem belongs to populism and is hardly acceptable since not only does it not contribute to its solution, but it also scatters the attention of government and society.

Resolution Methods

People’s levels of engagement in society should be entirely consistent with their desire and aspiration. Based on this assertion, two basic strategies can be proposed to address the problem of wage equality for men and women. The first involves the introduction of more serious measures for employers who have such a wage differential for their employees. Part of this option is being worked out in H.R. 5, the 117th Congressional Bill mentioned above (U.S. Congress, 2021). However, there is no widespread dissemination in the news segment of the digital space, which implies the need to raise awareness of the problem among people.

The second method is the active implementation of counseling in the format of call centers or community centers. The addition of a function to handle inquiries about wage discrimination already exists, but more attention needs to be paid to it in order to solve the problem. However, the main point should be to realize that the problem is unique to people in the same job position in the same organization and cannot include comparisons to other firms or occupations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the existence of the problem of pay inequality in modern society can be confirmed. Solving such issues requires the active attention of the state and society, while its exaggeration or denial is not helpful and does not carry a practical commitment. Moreover, inequality has no place in today’s world because such an attitude toward human rights in a developing environment is unacceptable and hardly comprehendible.

References

Blau, F. D., & Kahn, L. M. (2020). “The gender pay gap: Have women gone as far as they can?” In Inequality in the United States: A Reader (pp. 345–362). Routledge. Web.

H.R.5 – Equality Act. (2021). U.S. Congress. Web.

Örtenblad, A. (Ed.). (2021). Debating equal pay for all: Economy, practicability, and ethics. Springer International Publishing.

Saari, M., Kantola, J., & Koskinen Sandberg, P. (2021). Implementing equal pay policy: Clash between gender equality and corporatism. Social Politics, 28(2), 265–289. Web.

The simple truth about the gender pay gap. (2020). AAUW: Empowering Women Since 1881. Web.

To Be or Not to Be (a Woman)

“We make her paint her face and dance

if she won’t be slave, we say that she doesn’t love us

If she’s real, we say she’s trying to be a man

While putting her down we pretend that she is above us.”

Woman is the Nigger of the World. John Lennon, 1972.

The term “nigger” in the song title mentioned here is American slang for a black person. It is meant as an insult when said by a white person to a black. Ex-Beatle John Lennon’s description of being a woman, then, certainly gives me pause when it comes to imagining myself as a member of the opposite sex. In what has forever been a “man’s world,” what is the downside of being a woman?

More than anything else, I think that being treated as an object rather than a subject would be difficult to bear. It’s the packaging that counts; the make-up, the hair, the nails, the movement of the hips, the high heels. The work, the time, and the money that go into creating the package day after day hardly seem worth it, to me at least.

Bad enough to be an object, but to be a possession, too? Like my car, or my CD player or my television set? When one of these items breaks down or wears out, it’s often easier to just get a new one. It seems to me that men do the same with women. She’s too old? Simply get a younger one, a newer model, if you will. And it’s perfectly okay for a man to look and flirt, but if “his” woman does the same, it must be because she doesn’t really love him. It couldn’t be because she is just human, like him.

To be real – with no make-up, dirty hair, bad breath, foul language (when called for). Decisive, assertive (usually characterized as “aggressive” in women), opinionated, unafraid of challenges, valiant. In a “man’s world,” these are not qualities one normally associates with femininity.On the Other Hand

“You can bend but never break me

’cause it only serves to make me

More determined to achieve my final goal

And I come back even stronger

Not a novice any longer

’cause you’ve deepened the conviction in my soul.”

I Am Woman. Helen Reddy, 1972.

Oddly enough, the same year John Lennon was singing about woman as the “nigger of the world,” Australian singer Helen Reddy was extolling the virtues of being female. These lyrics, too, give me pause when imagining myself as a woman. The strength and sheer determination that I read in these lyrics actually make me a bit envious.

Despite being treated as an object, a possession, a “thing,” in a man’s world, Ms. Reddy is undeterred in her struggle to overcome. Such perseverance is not a quality I associate with most of the men I know (or even with myself, for that matter). One cannot help but admire it.

It seems to me that the traditional stereotype of women as being more “in touch with their feelings” may have some truth to it. To be able to tap into the conviction in one’s soul is truly an admirable quality, one that appears to escape most men. Perhaps it is part and parcel of the so-called “woman’s intuition.” If there is such a thing as “men’s intuition,” what men who at least know of it call “gut feeling” (a more masculine way of saying it, I suppose), it is too often blocked by our focus on the external, the superficial. How liberating it would be to be able to cry without shame, for example. But this can only happen, I think if one is able to access deep inner conviction with the unshakeable faith that, ultimately, strength will come of pain and suffering.

I believe both of these songs demonstrate one thing: being a woman seems to be a far more intense human experience than being a man, at least in very broad terms. I am hard-pressed to think of analogous songs about being a man. Maybe this is because the majority of popular songs are, in fact, written by men. Would I have the courage it appears to take to be a woman? I honestly don’t know.

References

Lennon, John. “Woman is the Nigger of the World.” Sometime in New York City. Apple, EMI. 1972.

Reddy, Helen and Burton, Ray. “I Am Woman.” I Am Woman. Capitol Records. 1972.

According to early feminist scholars, people are not born men or women. Gender roles are entirely a product of social constructions. When boys and girls are born, they have no gender, and the sexual difference between them is fundamentally biological. It is socialization that determines what gender role one would adopt and, in most cases, males are socialized as men and females as women (Lorber 102).

Apart from the issue of gender role, many other human traits are nurtured from an early age through the manner in which children are treated, the nature of plays they engage in, and the toys they play with, both at home and at school (Turner and Goldsmith 304). These not only affect their socialization processes, but also act as key determinants of their expectations in life.

Contemporary studies have proved that play is one of the most effective means of introducing concepts to children (Turner and Goldsmith 304). This is because it stimulates their creativity and curiosity, and helps them to develop key social skills, such as teamwork and sharing. Given the profoundness of play for children, it is inevitable that their toys would have a substantial influence on their perceptions about several issues in life.

When a girl is born, for example, her caregivers, both consciously and sub-consciously, set upon turning her into a woman. They give her a female name, buy her feminine clothes and, as she grows up, she receives feminine toys (Lorber 102). From a traditional point of view, girls are given dolls, tea sets, and other feminine toys.

Through this, they begin to construct a vision of the world where they are expected to look after children and cook for family members. On the contrary, boys’ toys are masculine and they include guns, cars, and model trains, among others (Turner and Goldsmith 304). Here, the underlying lesson is they should learn to be in control. Their toys have a powerful theme around them, since guns and cars, for instance, are tools of power.

Consequently, as they grow up, they expect a society that looks up to them to provide answers and to take control of situations. However, the world is gradually changing and the traditional gender roles are being restructured, which is in conflict with the socialization of children.

Boys would, at some point, realize that they cannot be in charge because of their manhood, but their qualifications. Girls, on the other hand, would come into a world where there is a serious controversy about their traditional roles, which many women have unequivocally rejected as chauvinistic.

As aforementioned, toys tend to influence the way children formulate their interpretations of the world around them, and this may result in them having incorrect assumptions of how the world works. For example, video games, which although not being toys in the strict sense, serve the same purpose, and have a great deal of impact on young children.

While they have been touted for their benefits, such as increasing hand and body coordination, creativity, and imagination, they also give children unrealistic perceptions about life. Many of the violent games, such as GTA, use aggression to solve problems and generally imply that all one needs to do is to be big, powerful and/or cunning. Moreover, they suggest that children can virtually get away with anything. In fact, they go a long way in reinforcing gender roles since most of them are overtly sexist (Cherney and London 722).

Most of the main actors are men. In games, such as Packman, Hit man, GTA Need for Speed, Prince of Persia, male characters are dominant, while female actors are used as the trophy at the end of the game, or just as supporting players (Gallagher 21). This may mislead children of both genders to think that real life roles are structured with the man at the center and the woman on the peripheral.

As a result, it is easy for boys to unconsciously assume chauvinistic attributes, and girls to be more submissive and less aggressive even without being aware of it.

However, this argument has been opposed because children do not necessarily ascribe to the assumptions, but rather construct their perceptions about the world from a variety of social and personal experiences. Opponents claim that when children are presented with toys that represent both gender roles, they tend gravitate toward their interests.

Therefore, it is not that boys are “forced” to play with male toys and vice-versa, but rather they are biologically wired to opt for the more aggressive or complex toys. A study by the Yerkes National Primate Research Center on the impact of biology on the choice of toys, found that male monkeys tend to select boyish toys, while females play with both equally (Hassett, Siebert and Wallen 361).

As a result, the researchers suggested that, although more proof is needed, it is possible that the choice of a toy is inane rather than exclusively motivated by outside influences. While this argument may have some merit, it is inclusive since, at the end of the day, most children, especially if they are the only ones in a home, do not choose their toys. Ergo, girls would get dolls and boy cars, which inevitably manipulate their perception of gender roles.

Works Cited

Cherney, Isabelle , and Kamala London. “Gender-linked differences in the toys, television shows, computer games, and outdoor activities of 5-to 13-year- old children.” Sex Roles 54.9-10 (2006): 717-726. Print.

Gallagher, Mark. Action figures: men, action films, and contemporary adventure narratives. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan, 2006. Print.

Hassett, Janice, Erin Siebert, and Kim Wallen. “Sex differences in rhesus monkey toy preferences parallel those of children.” Hormones and behavior 54.3 (2008): 359-364. Print.

Lorber, Judith. The social construction of gender: The social construction of difference and inequality: Race, class, gender, and sexuality. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill, 2003. Print.

Turner, Charles , and Diane Goldsmith. “Effects of toy guns and airplanes on children’s antisocial free play behavior.” Journal of Experimental Child Psychology 21.2 (1976): 303-315. Print.