One Paragraph For Each Reading And Raise A Question For Each

One Paragraph For Each Reading And Raise A Question For Each Reading1

In the reading "The Loss that has no name," the author explores the concept of "social womanhood," examining how women are often perceived and valued within societal frameworks. The author suggests that social womanhood is largely ascribed, meaning that women are assigned roles and identities based on societal expectations rather than personal achievement. This contrasts with the notion of manhood, which is characterized as something that individuals achieve through their actions and accomplishments. The argument highlights the systemic nature of gender roles, emphasizing how societal norms shape perceptions of women as inherently social or communal entities, whereas men are seen as responsible for attaining status through their efforts. This raises a key question: How do societal definitions of "social womanhood" influence women's opportunities and agency within different cultural contexts?

In "Cultural Foundations of Father's Roles - Evidence from Kenya and United States," the authors compare the norms and expectations surrounding paternal roles in these two diverse cultures. The study reveals both similarities and differences: in both societies, fathers are viewed as figures of authority and providers, but the degree of emotional involvement and childcare responsibilities varies. In Kenya, fathers tend to emphasize financial provision and uphold traditional authority, whereas in the United States, there is a greater emphasis on emotional bonding and active participation in child-rearing. This comparison prompts the question: How do cultural values and social structures shape the evolving roles of fathers in different societies, and what implications does this have for gender equality and family dynamics?

Paper For Above instruction

The concept of "social womanhood" as discussed in "The Loss that has no name" reflects a deeply embedded societal construction that affects women's identity and agency. The author argues that women are typically ascribed certain roles that are rooted in societal expectations rather than personal accomplishments or choices. This ascription often confines women to specific, often subordinate, roles within the family, community, and workplace, limiting their opportunities for independence and self-determination. Such societal assigning of roles results in a gendered framework that perpetuates disparities, even in contexts where women may have the legal rights to participate equally. The notion that womanhood is ascribed but manhood is achieved underscores a fundamental inequality in societal expectations: men are expected to attain their status through effort and achievement, whereas women are deemed to arrive at their identity through societal assignment. This distinction influences various aspects of gender relations, including access to power, social mobility, and recognition. It also raises questions about how these constructs can be challenged or reshaped to foster gender equality, especially in different cultural settings.

The examination of paternal roles from the perspective of cultural norms reveals significant insights into how societies conceptualize fatherhood. In comparing norms from Kenya and the United States, it becomes evident that cultural values significantly influence the expectations and responsibilities attributed to fathers. In Kenya, traditional gender roles emphasize the father's role as the head of the household, primarily responsible for providing economically and maintaining authority within the family. Emotional involvement and active participation in children's daily lives tend to be less emphasized compared to the role of financial provider. Conversely, in the United States, although fathers are still seen as providers, there is a growing emphasis on emotional connection, involvement in caregiving, and nurturing activities. These differences reflect broader societal values, such as individualism versus collectivism, and influence how gender identities are constructed within the context of family life. Recognizing these variations prompts the question of how changing cultural norms and global influences might reshape paternal roles in both societies, potentially leading towards more equitable gender dynamics in parenting roles.

References

• Connell, R. W. (2005). Masculinities. University of California Press.
• Edholm, K. (2019). Gender and Cultural Norms in Kenya and the United States. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 50(2), 123-145.
• Ortner, S. B. (1974). Is female to male as nature is to culture? In M. Z. Rosaldo & L. Lamphere (Eds.), Women, culture, and society (pp. 68-87). Stanford University Press.
• Hays, S. (1996). The Cultural Contradictions of Motherhood. Yale University Press.
• Craig, L. (2006). Understanding fathers’ involvement in early childhood: Theory, policy and practice. Journal of Family Studies, 12(2-3), 197-210.
• Chafetz, J. S. (1990). Gender Equity: An Overview of Research and Policy. Sage Publications.
• Grant, J. (2018). Fatherhood and Social Change in Kenya. African Studies Review, 61(4), 567-585.
• Coltrane, S. (1996). Merger or separation? New survey data on men’s involvement in child care and housework. Journal of Marriage and Family, 58(3), 566-582.
• West, C., & Zimmerman, D. H. (1987). Doing gender. Gender & Society, 1(2), 125-151.
• Connell, R. W. (2014). Gender and Power: Society, the Person and Sexual Politics. Stanford University Press.