In the text, Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions, Chim
ID: 3503410 • Letter: I
Question
In the text, Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions, Chimamanda Adichie advises her friend on how to raise her daughter as a feminist. She describes how gender roles limit the daily lives of Nigerian woman but she also argues that women and men everywhere should evaluate the way gender roles impact their lives. Consider how you or the women in your life are valued and perceived, and consider the gender messages you/they receive from family, culture/society, and media. Next, identify specific gender messages and evaluate the impact they have on men/women. Finally, Adichie argues that gender roles are "complete nonsense" and we should eliminate them. Your argument should assert to what extent you agree or disagree with this conclusion. Be sure you also consider the impact of gender roles on men and boys as wellExplanation / Answer
I come from an Asian culture,I am an Indian,and in my country patriarachy system has been extremely evident since ancient times.Men are considered stronger than women,women are restricted to homes whereas men are allowed to work outside,women are forced into early marriages with older men and asked to raise children early in their lives.They are not given the freedom to take their own decisions and follow what their husbands.But this has mostly been and still is prevalent in rural areas in India. I come from modern India,wherein my parents and family have never differentiated between daughter and son.We have been given equal opportunities,raised in the same manner and never been told our gender roles. Its considered OK in my family for a man to cry and a woman to not get married early and have children. Women of my family have been always encouraged to be financially independent,to get education and work and not just do household work.My family and relatives,have raised the boys of the family to do household chores,to cook,to be sensitive towards women,respect them and not consider themselves alpha males. So,my upbringing has never been defined by gender roles. But,around me,I have seen stereotypical gender messages,like in my friends families and other relatives,wherein girls are still considered inferior to men and are "trained" to be a "good wife" when they get married.They are taught how to cook, and other household chores,how to respect one's in-laws etc. Though getting a job and education has never been restricted,all the girls as my friends and family are well educated. Men are also told to be strong and responsible,the pressure of earning a living and taking of care of the family is no less on a man. I definitely agree,that gender roles should be eliminated.Nobody has the right to define anyone into boxes and especially women,telling them how to lead their lives,starting from what to wear to how to talk. Men honestly are never so rigidly defined but yes,the pressure of being a "man" of the house is enough to stereotype them.If a man is sensitive and cries,he is considered to be a "girl",whereas,crying is a normal human emotion which everyone is entitled to.Men are taught be stronger and tough but women are taught to be sensitive and caring. Gender roles dont allow people to embrace their sexuality truly and feel confused about their identities sometimes,that is why they should be eliminated. Let people live the way they want,and how they want.Everyone needs to be strong and sensitive,and experienced human emotions in a similar way,and everyone deserves equal opportunities to work or not work,basically live their lives on their own terms.