People's Life Experiences and Perspectives Tend To Differ Due to Their Gender - Research Paper

Introduction

In the society, it is established that individuals undergo different life experiences based on their gender. There is a big difference between men and women perspectives on different situations. Likewise, men and women go through different life experiences, for instance, women get pregnant, bear children and have the responsibility to take care of the children. On the other hand, men carry n different duties such as taking care of the family by providing for the family. An important way in which people's life experiences and perspectives tend to differ due to their gender is depicted by the texts "Between the Sexes, a Great Divide" by Anna Quindlen and "the clan of one-breasted women" by terry tempest. "Between the Sexes, a Great Divide" describes Quindlen's personal experience of her boy and girl party as well as her life as a wife. She feels that she has a lower status of power in relationships with men. "the clan of one-breasted women" by terry tempest describe a woman who is born I a generation where all her mothers and grandmothers have been killed by cancer. William is affected by her family cancer history because she is a woman but men are not affected by the disease. Although the various studies of significant efforts that societies and organizations have put to show their value for the gender equality by investing in initiatives to reach it, there are still significant differences in gender appearance in most of the social and organizational institutions.

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The society influences the way people think and this influences their perspectives. "Feminist Perspectives on Sex And Gender (Stanford Encyclopedia Of Philosophy)" article indicates that women experience oppression in the society. The author states that people perceive women in a cultural or social view and this perspective distinguishes sex from gender. The author argues that despite the fact that sexual objectification is the common condition defining the woman gender, its demonstration differs considerably. Therefore, despite the fact that women generally are all sexually objectified, the experience needs to be uniform; the objection is different with white and black women. The author stresses on the gender realist fact which he notes to be something that both women and men share by virtue of their gender, hence a certain social position that has to do with reproductive behavior.

In Quindlen's story "Between the Sexes, a Great Divide", she shows how women are forced to follow men wishes and therefore they are treated as objects. Quindlen portrays this objectification by demonstrating a situation where a boy forces a girl to dance with her in a party. The boy is reaching out to the girl as "...one of the taller, better-looking boys, perhaps dogged by two slightly shorter, squeakier acolytes, would make the big move across the chasm to ask the cutest girl to dance" (Quindlen 601). The reader learns that the dance floor treated the boys and girls unequally. They were not supposed to mix because they are not equal and as a result, the boy had to approach the girl and invite her to a dance. He is certain that the girl would accept her because he was the tall and better looking compared to others. The dance floor is what separates the boys and girls. It is a barrier to divide the two genders. He uses power to compel the girl to dance with him. In the society, women perceive themselves as weak and less powerful, unlike the males who are confident, brave and powerful in different situations. Women obey their wishes not because they think that they are right but because they have to obey the powerful individual.

Gender stereotypes are challenge women experience in the society. The society expects women to behave in a certain manner. Journalist Demetria Lucas D'Oyley wrote a Washington Post, stating "Go ahead, ladies, make the first move. You'll date more attractive men" and stated, "But no matter how many cute guys I spotted, I never said anything, not unless a guy approached me first... men don't like it when a woman plays 'the man's role'". In this article, she highlights various society expectations of males and females in the relationship and again after they get married. She perceives there are stereotypic roles and responsibility enacted by the society based on one's gender. These roles include men would approach a woman in a relationship or marriage proposal, women role to marry and take care of children and husbands among others. Women should put their families' welfare before their own. They are expected to be compassionate, loving, caring, sympathetic and nurturing. If a woman does not possess such attributes, she is considered no-feminine and the society treats her differently. And a woman should then find the time and look beautiful and sexy for her man. It is solely the responsibility of women to look after children. This is a traditional perception of women which are stereotypic.

Women should wash their clothes, cook for them and take care of their health by making sure that they stay healthy. The responsibility of bringing up children should be for both parents, and therefore men should also create time from their busy schedule and spare some time for families. Women are treated as sexual objects of men. This is seen Cleary through the media where the representations inspire viewers to enjoy in the possessive gaze, controlling, take part in the procedure of sexual objectification. The article narrows the feminism in women to just small images and pictures that sell goods and services by seducing men and arousing their sexual instincts. No matter how hard people may try to reduce the objectification of women it does work since women never enjoy their sexuality, but instead, men enjoy them with sexual pleasure. The men expect women to do all the household chores, take care of the children and also be sexy so as to arouse his sexual instincts. Women are also subjected to domestic violence in the society since she is an inferior subject. In some communities beating a woman is accepted since it is viewed as a way of disciplining them. This is a negative stereotype that should be stopped at all costs since women are mature and have the rights to decide what they can do. Subjecting them to violence makes them feel bad, and their self-esteem goes down. When it comes to the issue of marriage and divorce, women are expected to stay with their husbands until they decide to divorce them. A woman has no say or opinion when it comes to the issue of divorce. The society expects women to be tolerant and patient. If a woman runs away from her marriage, she is treated differently without any clarification of the reasons that made her get out of her marriage. In the job markets, a woman gets lower position compared to men. The reason is that women cannot be able to manage a big business or a large firm since they lack capabilities. This is just a generalization since women attend the same schools that men do and they graduate with higher grades than those of men. Women can be able to handle tough situations and make long-term decisions for firms.

Comparing the stereotypic roles of males and females to "Between the Sexes, a Great Divide" by Anna Quindlen, pronounces the girl who initiates a conversation with the boy as "brave to divide to start a conversation on the other side" (616). During the party there was a division between the girls and boys and girls dance floor hence they were not interacting with the opposite sex. One girl decided to approach the boy by crossing the line that separated them so that she could initiate a conversation with him. All the other girls stayed on their side because they believed that it is the role of the boy to make the move. They looked down on their status because they were females and they perceived that their role is to sit comfortably and wait for men to approach them. However, when the girl crossed the line, a conflict between the two genders arose because boys should be the first to approach the girls and not the other way round. It is assumed normal when boys approach the girl as opposed to when the girl takes the first move. The males perceive that it is their responsibility to initiate and take charge of a relationship and marriage as well.

The government has failed to protect the inferior ender from factors affecting them. Williams, Terry Tempest. "The Clan Of One-Breasted Women", an article by Williams that discloses ways in which the government initiatives deteriorates the condition of female rather than protecting them. The author witnessed how the government tested nuclear weapons which produce severe chemicals to human health.

She explains that breast cancer affects the female gender and she outlines several members of her family who died as a result of these mastectomies. These members of her family include mother, grandmother, and six other aunts. She uses statistic and research while claiming that the rise in breast cancer is connected to the nuclear testing conducted. Since the government wanted to prove its nuclear security it tested numerous weapons that resulted in the death of many women. She fights for equality between men and women by challenging herself on the National Security vs Individual Life. She fearlessly states that the government should protect and not threaten the life of the common woman citizen in the name of accelerating the national security, despite the government arguing that they find no basis that the radioactive fallout can cause harm to any individual. The government realized the effects of these activities on the lives of women but since they care about national security, they continued testing these weapons.

Women face many undermined situations in the society. The two texts show these instances which include a low status of women in the society and male dominance. They also face gender stereotypes and objectification to their beauty. According to these texts teaching women about gender equality and their rights can help them overcome these challenges. Women and men are equal, and therefore there should be gender balance in the society. In the "The Clan Of One-Breasted Women" by Williams, the government performed nuclear weapons despite the fact that it affects women because they undermine them and hence it is not obligated to their well-being. Similarly, the boy who starts a conflict in "Between the Sexes, a Great Divide" undermines the girl who approaches him because he perceives that women should not be in charge of anything. He would rather have them dancing in their floor than giving a woman a chance to show that she is brave than him. The government has a role in protecting all the citizens regardless of their gender. Female experiences in life are different from those of male as depicted in the book "the clan of one-breasted women" by terry tempest where all her she says that "my mothers, my grandmothers, and six aunts have all had mastectomies. Seven are dead" (1). In this statement, the author says that because of their gender they experience different diseases from those of men which Skill them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the two texts "Between the Sexes, a Great Divide" by Anna Quindlen and "the clan of one-breasted women" by terry tempest successfully depicts the different life challenges and perspectives of people due to their gender. This is shown by the oppression of women and male dominance by the male. Objectification of women is another experience in women based on their gender. Male treat women as their sexual objects and want them to look beautiful for them. Many people recognize the dangers of gender stereotyping; yet continue to make these types of generalizations. These sorts of stereotypes can prove harmful; they can stifle individual expression and creativity, as well as hinder person...