Half the Sky In the world today, we often have stories of violence and politics brought to our attention. This can be through the internet, television, news stations, newspapers, articles, or something we most often use, our cellular devices. In the book Half the Sky, by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, stories regarding the horrendous reality of women and young girls across various underprivileged countries across the world are told. The stories presented in this book are definitely not the easiest stories to read, but they emotionally draw in the reader. These women and young girls are mistreated, abused, routinely raped, mutilated, sold and trafficked, forced into prostitution and unable to attend school. While revealing the stories …show more content…
The authors hypothesize that modern women die in childbirth due to national, international, and cultural indifference to their lives. For example, Ethiopian girls are sold against their will to polygamous men as their wives. During their time as wives, they are often abused and harshly worked, even during their pregnancies. Women in Sierra Leone are devitalized by conditions, such as fistulas, and are shunned by their societies. There are also very poor facility conditions which hinder these women and girls when it comes to getting assistance. Many are also brought up in believing that women are meant to suffer, which causes them to have a deprecating mindset towards themselves. When it comes to it, many still believe that women have no right over their pregnancies. Laws instilled by Christian, Republican presidents led to a rise in unwanted pregnancies, unsafe, illegal abortions, and the death of many young women and girls. The authors believe that giving women the access to contraceptives is necessary. Another big topic within the book is women's education. The authors tell a story of a poor Chinese girl who is granted the ability to receive an education. That same girl then went on to graduate, get a high-paying job, provide housing for her family and provide tuition for other girls who had situations similar to hers. The authors show the effect that just one educated girl can have in society. Kristof and WuDunn share the belief that having educated women enhances the standings of the
She compares to the mournful emotions of the audience of describing the difference of students that are “highly successful” and the “disillusioned” students. The highly successful students are the students that work hard and have good grades. The disillusioned students are the opposite that have little contact with teachers and do not care for what grade they are given. The issue of emotion that comes from these two is there is always going to be students that do not try hard enough to succeed in having a better education for themselves. More of the higher percentage are girls that are successful and boys are not so successful. She explains that because of this higher percentage, that the highly successful students will get more attention from teachers, parents, and
This article does not contain a comical sense to it but has a dark, serious tone that is used to show the disturbing realities of this world that these people live in. The article using multiple rhetorical questions that are meant for the reader to think about and place themselves in the described world. This allows them to place themselves in this world and visualize the harsh reality and fear that this world truly holds. The audience is again those people who are not part of this world but are supposed to be in the position of “on the outside looking in” as this description tries to set them in this world within their imagination. This news article breaks its genre conventions as it is not the usual detailed-packed account of a situation you see on the news that simply describes the news it is talking about. Instead, this uses questions to stimulate the reader to envision their own idea of what is happening, while using some supporting details to sway the reader the way I want them to think. Differently, this does keep the convention of having a serious, and dark tone that most of the new news stories and articles
For as much as has been written about the crime of abortion and infanticide, equally much as been said against forced maternity, marital rape, and woman’s lack of control over her own body, all circumstances resulting in unwanted pregnancy and unwanted children. Such circumstances all stemmed from unique family, social, or health issues, with no one cause resulting in the abandonment of a child. A lack of knowledge about both sanitation and about women’s health resulted in the deaths of mothers during birth. General poverty and migration from farms to city centers made large families more difficult to support financially. Giving up a child because it could not be economically supported by its family was a common occurrence. As abortion became more stigmatized and criminalized, children who were the product of rape or wedlock were also abandoned. Deaths related to the Civil War also dramatically increased the numbers of orphaned children. Within the pages of The Revolution, it is asked: “Women who are in the last stages of consumption, who know that their offspring must be puny, suffering, neglected orphans, are still compelled to submit to maternity, and dying in childbirth, are their husbands ever condemned? Oh, no!” (2)
Factory Girls by Leslie Chang is a book that looks into the lives of two migrant workers in China, and the author carefully scrutinizes their journey in search of a better life. Having a sense of self-fulfillment, both of these characters desire success, and they will go above and beyond anything to reach their purpose in life---which is, transitioning into a higher class. With their independent-driven mind set, both are able to reflect upon themselves the necessity and extravagance appropriate to their knowledge. Both show different flaws in how they handle economic exigencies, however they are able to face those with simplicity just by recognizing their dreams and ambitions. Nonetheless, both characters show different innovation and imagination, and thus having those characteristics creates a sense of agency which symbolizes as a “whole” to all Chinese migrant workers.
women. The abortion rights movement has since its earliest days argued that poverty is one of the most compelling reasons why women must have...
As one knows, some unwanted pregnancies could often be harmful and distressing for a woman. Women should have the right over their body to choose to sustain the fetus or not. In the past decades, women did not have their freedom of abortion in many countries of the world. There have always been controversies going on about abortion. Each individual has dissimilar views on the legality of abortion. Some people are against abortion for personal religious purposes and beliefs. For those who don’t believe in abortion, it is because they see it as killing a fetus, which is a human being. Others support abortion because they believe in women’s rights. Laws of abortion vary in each country, and abortion is not legal all over the world. It is illegal under any conditions but only permitted to save woman’s life if in countries such as Brazil, Nigeria, United Arab Emirates, and Ireland. However, abortion is legal without any restrictions in countries like Canada, Albania, and Italy. It the past decades Abortion was considered as criminal act in Canada. “If an abortion was carried out without such approval, the woman was liable for imprisonment for 2 years, an...
The early part of the novel shows women’s place in Chinese culture. Women had no say or position in society. They were viewed as objects, and were used as concubines and treated with disparagement in society. The status of women’s social rank in the 20th century in China is a definite positive change. As the development of Communism continued, women were allowed to be involved in not only protests, but attended universities and more opportunities outside “house” work. Communism established gender equality and legimated free marriage, instead of concunbinage. Mao’s slogan, “Women hold half of the sky”, became extremely popular. Women did almost any job a man performed. Women were victims by being compared to objects and treated as sex slaves. This was compared to the human acts right, because it was an issue of inhumane treatment.
Society can influence one to change their appearance, lifestyle, and moral values. But with one person’s detailed research and in-depth analysis of a few major flaws occurring today, victims of society can have a voice in which they can scream sense back into our corrupt lifestyle in our crumbled society. By the time this essay has been read, about (number) (one child for every 2.6 seconds) innocent humans will have the opportunity of life snatched away from them in a brutal and excruciatingly painful way. Society has an amazing ability to create the impression that this process, a morally incorrect and physically harmful action, is not only acceptable but encouraged. This impression has placed enormous pressure on women who are faced with this option, and thus society must take the responsibility to unveil abortion for what it actually is, an act of murder.
The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan is a piece of literature that displays the power of femininity. Through the past couple of centuries the role that women play in society has drastically changed. Women in various societies have experienced turmoil due to being discriminated against and looked down upon often. Women were viewed upon as being the house caregiver and leaving majority of the other jobs in society to men. Women have moved up the social ladder, politics, jobs, and in households. Femininity is shown throughout The Joy Luck Club. These women each have their own life experiences and stories but through it all they remained strong. Rules and regulations for women in China were very restrictive. Women had to live up to the ideal model of being obedient, hard working, bearing children, hide her unhappiness, and to not complain about anything. In China the women had little worth and were only seen as valuable to their immediate family members. Most of the mothers left China for the reason of improving their daughter’s lives in America. The novel demonstrates various characteristics of how women are represented. The theme of women is demonstrated through the hardships experienced, ethics and self-worth.
...pport.” Cai realized that only women can strength and learn how to write, they could help with the family affairs. Today, many women go to the school because they want to accept the education and being independent without rely on their husbands or sons. Even though, without with their husbands, they still could live well. Also, many men want to married with education women because they want women to help them with their financial jobs.
Another area of the world where women are lacking reproductive rights is Columbia. Many women in Columbia cannot afford contraceptives and abortion is illegal. Women are forced to have abortions by a non-professional or induce them on themselves. Abortion is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality and hospitalization. Sterilization has now become the largest form of family planning in Columbia because contraceptives are not affordable. They either have to take the chance and risk dealing with an unwanted pregnancy or abortion or they have to use steri...
On the same note, the prohibition of abortion often results in deaths of women. Scholars have noted that the prohibition of abortion would not essentially stop women from undergoing the procedures. In instances where they feel that it is imperative that they go through the procedure, they always undertake it albeit in secret and dangerous circumstances where they cannot access medical care (Boonin, 20...
Without access to legal abortion more women 's lives are placed in danger. In 1973, Roe Vs. Wade did rid of back alley abortions and gave the legal access to abortions’ but Before this law was passed, women had undergone back alley abortions that led to hemorrhaging and bleeding, or suffering from severe infections and death (Jacob 7). In addition, “Illegal abortions harmed women physically, increased the risks associated with future pregnancies, and even resulted in death” (“Abortion”). Furthermore, experts estimate that more than two hundred thousand women die each year in developing nations as a result of illegal abortions (“Abortion”). If legal abortion is not accessible, it will not make abortions altogether stop. Many of those opposed to abortion believe that lessening access to legal abortions will cause abortions to stop, but abortion has and will always exist, even if it is illegal; on the street, in back rooms, with coat hangers and under unsanitary conditions (Haugland). Women would turn to unsafe and untrained abortions if legal abortion is not attainable and will place her life in danger (“Abortion”). Consequently, 110,000 women die each year from such illegal abortions and six times as many suffer injury, according to World Health Organization. Today, because of the inaccessibility of safe, legal abortion, some women are resorting to illegal and self-abortions to terminate an unwanted pregnancy (Fried). The more women that are forced into pregnancy consequently add to illegal
That is 545 deaths per every 100,000 successful deliveries. Also, a woman’s chance of dying from “pregnancy and childbirth in Nigeria is 1 in 13” (Abara 2012) Nearly 50% of Nigerian women are mothers before they turn 20. There in inability to access quality 6 health care services, poor access to safe childbirth services and lack of adequate and affordable emergency care. In some parts of the country, religion does not allow women to deliver in the hospital. Also, the husbands are not to be happy to see their wives opening up to a doctor for any from of virginal exanimations. So from a young age, the girl child is taught how to deliver her baby unassisted. This leads to infections and death. Also, gender inequality is imbedded in Nigerian society and culture. Although women do have rights to land, the patriarchal society dictates that their rights are weaker than a man 's. This shows the unequal distribution of power between man and women. Women have a very high fertility rate of six children per woman, due to the pressure on her to give birth to boys who can inherit and own land. As said by Newbury, “If a woman has a girl first, she is more likely to have more children, not use contraceptives, have short periods between pregnancies, and be subjected to polygamy” (Newbury 2004). Each of these factors increases a woman 's vulnerability to
The sight of a mother cradling her newborn baby is a beautiful thing. The love in her eyes for her small vulnerable child is unmistakable. Women who have become a victim to abortion are not able to experience special moments such as these. Abortion impacts the health and well being of the women affected by it. It has become a common way for women to escape a difficult time in their life. At the time, abortion may seem like a good idea. Most women think that it will solve the current problem they are in; this is not the case. Abortion actually ends up creating more problems than the woman can solve. A large percentage of abortions are decided for social reasons; the baby is seen as a nuisance by the mother, she does not want people to think