Christian Fundamentalism: Patriarchy, Sexuality, and Human Rights Susan D. Rose’s writing focus on the inequalities between men and women that are brought upon by religious beliefs that integrate themselves into numerous social and educational aspects of society. Rose explains that the Christian fundamentalist movement spread patriarchal viewpoints and inequalities in their desire to assist men into remaining the sex that leads and controls, over the rights of women. Noted examples of platforms that promote extreme sexism and gender inequality include the movements created by the “Promise Keepers” and the “Christian Coalition.” Certain platforms such as the ones mentioned previously, often push for government action, asking for the creation …show more content…
Rose states that sex educations in many schools are fueled by an evangelist viewpoint, which promotes information that may oftentimes not even be medically accurate. The main conflict with the promotion of a sex education that is intertwined with evangelist viewpoints, is that the education provided is not accurate, nor realistic, and therefore can be more harmful to students than helpful. The sex education programs provided revolve around programs that advocate abstinence-only relations. The issue with promoting abstinence-only sexual education programs, as noted by Rose, is that the programs do not halt many social problems that can be solved by promoting factually based sex information to young adults. An important factor to consider when evaluating the damage created by abstinence-only programs, is the fact that they do not prepare teenagers and young adults with the information to decide on safer choices when it revolves around their own autonomy. Rose supports her claim with information that proves that abstinence programs do not work in the manner in which its advocates wish it will; she reveals information that locations with only religious based abstinence only programs have higher rates of teenage pregnancy, which contrasts to areas having …show more content…
Being raised under religion may sometimes mean one’s opinions and morality is incredibly influenced by the content they are exposed to in their religion’s guidelines or examples, which can often times be patriarchal and entirely revolving around men. However, it is greatly unfair for individuals in power, such as in governmental roles, to create and dictate laws and create legislation based upon their religious beliefs and force these laws upon people who may not even share such beliefs. Religious based legislation may seem a viable solution to stop the many challenges occurring in society today, such as the spread of a very sex based culture, however, there are many other manners to aid faults in a society that will more easily facilitate change in the right direction. Such as was written in Rose’s text, although advocates of religious based programs may believe influencing young minds with the concept of religion will allow them to make the choices the advocates believe are the moral choices, they seem to not understand that they are creating the spread of misinformation and therefore hurting more than
A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power involves the issues of discrimination and injustice towards women all over the world. Former President Jimmy Carter has raised awareness to everyone in society and made them realize the pure wrongdoings that have occurred. Not only does Carter explain the horrible mistreatment of women throughout the world, he presents a “call to action” that can help stop the madness. Men always establish themselves to be above women and women have been mostly forgotten about. Today, things are much different and a lot of women play the dominant role in society. Women are continuing to propel in the work force and prove that they can do what men do.
Gender inequality has been a major issue for many centuries now. Societies insist in assigning males and females to different roles in life. The traditional stereotypes and norms for how a male and female should present themselves to the world have not changed much over time. But individuals are more than just their gender and should have the right to act and be treated the way they want. The novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
It has been almost thirty three years since the first federal funding was put to use in “. . . sex education programs that promote abstinence-only-until-marriage to the exclusion of all other approaches . . .” according to the article “Sex education” (2010) published by “Opposing Viewpoints in Context;” a website that specializes in covering social issues. Since then a muddy controversy has arisen over whether that is the best approach. On one hand is the traditional approach of abstinence (not having sex before marriage), and on the other is the idea that what is being done is not enough, and that there needs to be a more comprehensive approach. This entails not only warning against sex, but also teaching teens about how to have “Safe Sex” (“Sex Education,” 2010).
Reflective of the predominantly conservative mindset of the early to mid 1900s, the sex education programs in the Florida education system seem to focus primarily on “abstinence-only-until-marriage” (Support SIECUS). In other words, these programs preach that completely abstaining from any sexual activity is the only way to avoid potentially devastating consequences, such as teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Although this idea may be true, it is based on the faulty premise that all teens will adhere to such a policy, therefore, eliminating the need to educate them on other precautionary measures, such as contraceptives. Unfortunately, such hopes have proven to be unrealistic, resulting in the need for these programs to be readdressed.
The primary argument which most advocates for abstinence only education have is that sex before marriage is immoral, not appropriate and that abstinence is the only completely effective method of preventing teen pregnancy and STI contraction. These advocates also emphasize that condoms are not a sure-fire way of preventing pregnancy and STI contraction. Many of the proponents for abstinence-only education believe that educating youth with information concerning sex and contraception will embolden them to become to begin or increase sexual activity. Such advocates accredit the lowering of teenage pregnancy to abstinence only education (Collins, Alagira, and Summers 12-13).
Today’s young Americans face strong peer pressure to be sexually active and engage themselves in risky behaviors (Merino 100-109). Anyone deciding to have sex must first think about all the risks involved. Kekla Magoon, author of Sex Education in Schools, says that “half of all teens aged 15 to 19 years old in the United States have had sex” (Magoon 64-65). It is currently not required by federal law for schools to teach Sex education and those few schools that do teach Sex education have the decision to determine how much information is allowed. Advocates from both sides of the Sex education debate agree that teens need positive influences in order to make practical decisions (Magoon 88-89). Opponents of Abstinence-only education believe it fails because it does not prepare teens for all the risks of sex (Magoon 64-65).
In the article, “More Schools to Teach Abstinence-Plus,” as seen on page A21A of the September 16, 2011 issue, author Morgan Smith tells her readers about new programs being introduced in West Texas to tech teenagers about not only abstinence, but additional how to practice safe sex. The article explains how teenage pregnancy rates in West Texas continue to spike despite the effort to push abstinence on teens. It explains in detail of a new sexual education program where teens are encouraged to choose abstinence but are educated in effective contraception as well. It covers schools in Midland, Texas and how endeavor to switch policy’s is embraced by the majority of community members as an active approach to decrease teen pregnancy. (Smith 1)
Society has long since considered women the lessor gender and one of the most highly debated topics in society through the years has been that of women’s equality. The debates began over the meaning between a man and woman’s morality and a woman’s rights and obligations in society. After the 19th Amendment was sanctioned around 1920, the ball started rolling on women’s suffrage. Modern times have brought about the union of these causes, but due to the differences between the genetic makeup and socio demographics, the battle over women’s equality issue still continues to exist. While men have always held the covenant role of the dominant sex, it was only since the end of the 19th century that the movement for women’s equality and the entitlement of women have become more prevalent. “The general consensus at the time was that men were more capable of dealing with the competitive work world they now found themselves thrust into. Women, it was assumed, were unable to handle the pressures outside of the home. They couldn’t vote, were discourages from working, and were excluded from politics. Their duty to society was raising moral children, passing on the values that were unjustly thrust upon them as society began to modernize” (America’s Job Exchange, 2013). Although there have been many improvements in the changes of women’s equality towards the lives of women’s freedom and rights in society, some liberals believe that women have a journey to go before they receive total equality. After WWII, women continued to progress in there crusade towards receiving equality in many areas such as pay and education, discrimination in employment, reproductive rights and later was followed by not only white women but women from other nationalities ...
National Abstinence Education Association. “Comprehensive Sex Education Is Inappropriate And Harmful.” Do Abstinence Programs Work?. Christina Fisanick. Michigan. Greenhaven Press, 2010. 33-42. Print.
Religion is powerful in that it controls followers’ behaviours and beliefs throughout their entire lives; it is a form of social control. Catholicism is one of the most widely known religions influencing more than 2 billion people around the world (Ross). Within Catholicism not everyone are seen as equals; men have greater privilege than women. The bible and church are from a male’s point of view (Christ 86) and passages within the bible are used to enforce a sexual hierarchy. In fact, the oppression of women begins with the first story in Genesis about creation, which portrays females as being inferior to men and even of an evil nature. This one passage is the main source of justification of oppression of woman in the church (Daly 13). The church and its teachings instil low self-esteem and low self-worth in women; it creates false identities that are supposed to be God’s plan (Daly 3). One has to wonder why women participate in the church and follow its teachings, and how women can overcome the oppression in the church.
I found The Reluctant Fundamentalist to be a very intriguing film staring Riz Ahmed, Kate Hudson, and Live Schreiber. The story is set in Pakistan in the midst of an investigation into the kidnaping of an American professor, who was teaching at the local university. The viewer follows the story of a young Pakistani man as he climbs the corporate ladder in New York City. This story is witnessed in flash back form while the Pakistani man Changez Kahn, played by Riz Ahmed, tells his story to an American columnist Bobby Lincoln, played by Live Schreiber. As I watched the movie I felt as if it were following two plot lines, the first the investigation into the kidnaping of the American professor, and the second Changez’s recollection of his life
The rise of the teen pregnancy rate has caused us to question the effectiveness of the prevention programs that are offered to adolescents. There have been several programs focused on preventing teen pregnancy from abstinence-only to more comprehensive sexual education programs. Abstinent-only advocates believe that abstaining from having intercourse is the only way to prevent unwanted teen pregnancy. While practicing abstinence is the only 100% secure method of reducing this rate, it is not a logical view. Adolescents will continue to have sexual behavior, and it is important in teaching them more precise education when it comes to sex education. With-holding important information and facts about sexual behavior can change an adolescents’ life forever. Whether it be from teen pregnancy or from a life threatening STD.
The government likes to pretend that if high school students get taught the “abstinence-only” method they would never think of taking part in sexual activities. Statistically this is incorrect. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “56 percent of high school students are virgins”(Martin). For the 56 percent abstinence only is doing them well, but there are still 44 percent of high school students engaging in sex without knowing the precau...
feminist discourse represents for feminist women of faith a comfort of not radically departing from their religious tradition nor giving up their religious identity. Secondly, by arguing for women’s rights in religious terms, women get are granted a "green light”, so to speak, to campaign in their community. Thirdly, religious feminist discourse can be considered as an alternative for women’s departure from religion, and instead an attempt to reform it. As I define it, religious feminist discourse aims for revision in the questions of religion and women’s rights.
Throughout history, women have remained subordinate to men. Subjected to the patriarchal system that favored male perspectives, women struggled against having considerably less freedom, rights, and having the burdens society placed on them that had so ingrained the culture. This is the standpoint the feminists took, and for almost 160 years they have been challenging the “unjust distribution of power in all human relations” starting with the struggle for equality between men and women, and linking that to “struggles for social, racial, political, environmental, and economic justice”(Besel 530 and 531). Feminism, as a complex movement with many different branches, has and will continue to be incredibly influential in changing lives. Feminist political ideology focuses on understanding and changing political philosophies for the betterment of women.