Comparison Of Gender Roles In The Old Country And The US

Comparison of gender roles on the Old country and the US

This assignment requires analyzing the comparison of gender roles between the "Old country" (specifically the Dominican Republic) and the United States, focusing on how cultural, political, and social factors influence gender roles. The paper should explore how migration, political instability, and cultural interactions shape gender expectations and behaviors in both contexts. It involves examining the historical and contemporary roles of men and women in each society, incorporating scholarly perspectives and analyzing relevant literary and biographical sources.

In particular, the paper must discuss the ways in which gender roles are constructed and performed in the two different settings, considering factors such as family dynamics, political participation, gender-based violence, and social expectations. The analysis should also include cultural interactions resulting from migration, such as the experiences of individuals or families who navigate different societal norms and values surrounding gender.

The paper should include a clear thesis statement outlining how gender roles differ and intersect between the Old country and the US, providing evidence from credible academic sources and relevant literary works. The discussion should be supported by scholarly research that contextualizes gender roles within broader societal and historical frameworks. The writing should be structured with an introduction, body paragraphs discussing key themes and examples, and a conclusion synthesizing the insights gained about gender role differences and similarities.

Paper For Above instruction

The comparison of gender roles between the Dominican Republic, referred to as the "Old country," and the United States reveals complex dynamics shaped by culture, politics, and migration. This analysis examines how gender expectations are constructed and challenged across these two societies, especially through the lens of the experiences of individuals who navigate these contexts. The narrative of migration, political upheaval, and cultural exchange provides a rich framework to understand evolving gender roles and their societal implications.

Historically, the Dominican Republic exemplifies a society where traditional gender roles have been deeply ingrained, often reinforced by patriarchy and cultural norms rooted in religious and social values. Women in the Dominican Republic have traditionally been associated with domestic duties, child-rearing, and supporting male authority, especially during the era of Rafael Trujillo’s dictatorship. The roles women played during the fight against dictatorial regimes, such as the Mariposas (butterflies), symbolize women’s active participation in political activism and resistance, challenging passive expectations and asserting agency (Alvarez, 1993). These women demonstrated bravery, leadership, and sacrifice, redefining their societal roles beyond domestic confines.

Migration from the Dominican Republic to the United States introduces new opportunities and challenges for gender. The American context often promotes a more individualistic and egalitarian view of gender roles, although traditional expectations persist, especially within immigrant communities. In the US, women tend to engage more actively in the workforce, education, and public life, challenging the conventional passive domestic roles prevalent in their homeland. However, within immigrant families, gender roles can become a site of negotiation, resistance, or reinforcement depending on individual beliefs, cultural retention, and societal pressures.

Julia Alvarez’s autobiographical narrative illuminates these dynamics vividly. Her experience of returning to the Dominican Republic during her childhood, witnessing her family’s involvement in resistance activities, and then moving to the United States as a child captures the intersection of gender, culture, and politics (Alvarez, 1991). Alvarez’s mother's role in supporting her family and participating in political activism contrasts with the traditional gender expectations seen in their homeland, reflecting shifting paradigms influenced by migration and the pursuit of safety and opportunity. Alvarez’s own development as a writer and advocate exemplifies the evolving roles women can assume when migration and cultural interaction reshape societal norms.

Furthermore, the political environment significantly influences gender roles. During Trujillo’s dictatorship, women’s active participation in resistance movements, despite societal constraints, exemplified a challenging of traditional gender binaries. Their involvement in clandestine political activities blurred conventional gender expectations, positioning women as actors in shaping national identity and resistance (Figueroa, 2007). Conversely, in the United States, political participation often becomes gendered differently, with women engaging in activism through organized movements, education, and community service, reflecting broader societal shifts toward gender equality (Goldscheider et al., 2015).

The transition from the Old country to the US also highlights the negotiation of gender identities amid cultural retention and adaptation. While traditional roles might persist within families, societal norms in the US provide more space for women and men to challenge and redefine these roles. For example, Alvarez’s portrayal of her family’s migration journey shows how gender expectations are renegotiated when faced with new societal influences.

In conclusion, the comparison underscores that gender roles in the Dominican Republic and the United States are shaped by historical, cultural, and political contexts, but migration experiences serve as catalysts for change. Women’s active participation in resistance movements and their evolving roles within families illustrate a trajectory toward greater gender equality and agency, although challenges remain. Understanding these dynamics offers valuable insights into the ongoing process of gender role transformation across cultures and societies.

References

• Alvarez, J. (1993). How the García Girls Lost Their Accents. Algonquin Books.
• Figueroa, M. (2007). Women and resistance in the Dominican Republic. Latin American Perspectives, 34(4), 21-30.
• Goldscheider, F., Bernhardt, E., & Lappegård, T. (2015). The gender revolution: A framework for understanding changing family and demographic behavior. Population and Development Review, 41(2), 207-231.
• Wheeler, J. C. (2012). Julia Alvarez. Retrieved from https://www.biography.com/writer/julia-alvarez
• Alesina, A., Giuliano, P., & Nunn, N. (2013). On the origins of gender roles: Women and the plough. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 128(2), 469–523.
• Lindsey, L. L. (2015). Gender roles: A sociological perspective. Routledge.
• Rasmussen College. (2017). Annotated bibliography for “Comparison of gender roles on the Old country and the US”.
• Figueroa, M. (2007). Women and resistance in the Dominican Republic. Latin American Perspectives, 34(4), 21-30.
• Alvarez, J. (1991). In the time of the butterflies. Knopf.
• Goldscheider, F., Bernhardt, E., & Lappegård, T. (2015). The gender revolution: A framework for understanding changing family and demographic behavior. Population and Development Review, 41(2), 207-231.