Women and Reading: A Historical Perspective on Benefits and Perils - Essay Sample

Introduction

In the past, reading by women was viewed as a way of jeopardizing the family and marital structures. There were drawings and illustrations made to reflect the fear that women would be attracted by books and abandon their domestic duties. Other images depicted the hazard of appealing women with books as being associated with their sexuality. However, it is relevant to note that reading is associated with certain benefits. There is the element of mental stimulation, which, according to studies, can slow the development of conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The brain will be kept active and engaged, thus preventing it from losing power. Women can be convinced to read by being informed about its benefits, given access to reading materials or resources, and as a way of expanding their level of knowledge.

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One of the ways that women can be encouraged to read is by explaining to them the benefits. Improvement of their vocabulary is one of the benefits that they will obtain as a result of reading. There is also the aspect of stress reduction when one engages in reading an exciting story. It has been observed that a novel that has been well written can transfer one to other realms. Also, an engaging article will distract a person and keep them present at the moment. In this way, tensions will be drained, and one will then relax. Women usually have numerous duties or responsibilities to take care of, especially in the home environment (Gates). However, they can be convinced to balance their life and work at home by reading as it eliminates tension and enables them to relax.

Women can further be encouraged to read as a way of expanding their knowledge. They should be informed that the knowledge they gain is increasing and proliferates. When one has a strong knowledge base, then it will be easier for them to learn new things and solve problems quickly as well. Their general knowledge will also be expanded when they read a wide range of books (Bradley and John 49). Therefore, women can engage in reading books with topics such as science and technology, a subject that has often been associated with men. They can further expand their knowledge on issues of motherhood, health, and even diet.

On the other hand, convincing women to read can be done by giving them reading materials. Some of them may be interested in partaking in the exercise but lack the necessary resources. By providing them with a wide variety of reading materials, it will encourage them to read and increase their interest as well. Also, some reading materials may be costly, and this may obstruct most women from reading (Gates). Hence, their availability will be a great way of boosting their interest in learning to acquire relevant knowledge.

Opposition

The initiative to encourage women is excellent due to the benefits that they will reap from the exercise. However, it is relevant to note that some people might oppose the idea of convincing women to read due to specific reasons. Some people may fear that when women are allowed to read, they will be too empowered. There have been transformations concerning gender inequality, and women are now allowed to partake in tasks that were previously viewed as being only for men. However, not everyone wants to see women prospering, and this may be a factor to utilize to oppose them from being given reading materials (Horne 5). When women read, they may be regarded as a threat to men in some people's perspectives.

Additionally, the society has always viewed women as being under men. As such, in some contexts, they are discouraged from raising questions on any issues as they will be viewed as being disrespectful. As such, convincing women to read may be regarded as a way of empowering them to raise questions when told to do something. They may fail to be submissive as a result of being empowered knowledge-wise.

Also, convincing women to read has been observed to create a space where they can collaborate and share ideas. In the end, this can lead to the alteration of policies, norms, and associations outside the home. One of the most efficient ways of attaining this is by giving women access to a wide variety of knowledge. Numerous countries around the world have been observed to have solidarity groups that are the first step of women isolating themselves from home and undertake in collective action and further mobilize for social change (Gates). As such, in some societies, this may not be positively perceived as it may be viewed as a way of creating chaos.

Counter Argument

Individuals who fear to empower women on the basis that they will be a threat to men should comprehend that they will only enhance their conditions. For instance, when a man and woman are knowledgeable, they will share practical ideas and strategies that can be aimed at improving their living standards or even raising their children in a better way (Gates). Women who are exposed to knowledge will thus support men with more information that they may not have developed individually.

On the other hand, women who convinced to read and thus acquire knowledge will raise questions but with positive intentions. One may be heading in the wrong direction, but then the woman will be there to correct them and further give the right strategy to undertake. It is relevant to view knowledge or information acquisition among women positively. They may have fundamental ideas to bring transformation in a particular situation. Besides, they may assist in raising children in the right way, mainly because they are mostly regarded as the pillar of the home. Their access to books should thus be encouraged as it means the family and even the society will significantly gain (Bradley and John 51). Also, when more women have acquired relevant knowledge, their possibility to be influenced in criminal activities will be minimized.

It is relevant to note that the success or well-being of a community relies on the efforts of every individual, male and female. Men can collaborate to create transformational ideas, and women can do the same as well. Women can sort elements that cannot be well solved by men, and thus, their access to knowledge should be encouraged. The collective actions undertaken by women when they isolate themselves are usually geared towards the positive development of every party in the society and should thus be encouraged (Horne 7). Also, social changes are generally aimed at affecting the lives of everyone regardless of their gender.

Furthermore, the world has been championing gender equality, and this should be factored in allowing people to partake in different activities. Women should be given equal rights as men when it entails access to books or reading material. They should both be allowed to gain knowledge as it will even promote better understanding and harmony in the society (Gates). By giving women access to books, it will disrupt the negative and narrow cultural norms that place women in the kitchen and men in the working environment.

Conclusion

Convincing all women to read would be quite beneficial to all the parties around them, that is, their family, friends, and societies. They can be engaged in critical discussions targeted at bringing development and which will have an impact on numerous parties as well. When women engage in reading, it further means that the world will have a large number of people who are educated and, as such, promote equality. The spread of awareness will also be increased as individuals who are misled by false beliefs can partake more harm in society than good. As such, the use of logic and scientific reasoning behind every action will be increased. The world will also progress when women partake in reading. They will apply the knowledge acquired to create more opportunities, an element that is crucial in the current world where education and technology ensure that prospects are not hindered by geography.

Works Cited

Bradley, Matthew, and Juliet John. Reading and the Victorians. , 2015, pp. 49-52.

Gates, Melinda. The Moment Of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes The World. Pan Macmillan Australia, 2019.Horne, Victoria. "Danger! Women Reading: Feminist Encounters with Art, History and Theory." Women: A Cultural Review 30.3 (2019): 1-9.