International Women's Issues

I am currently taking a International Women's Issues class this semester. It is very interesting so far. Each week, we are asked to read a certain chapter and then write a "reaction paper" over the chapter and put our opinions in the paper as well. I thought I would share one of my papers with the class because I thought it was relevant in a way with women in politics. It is important to see how much of a struggle women in international countries have. Most of the time it is because they have socially, politically, and economically disadvantages which is very sad.

Emily Wilson

Reaction Paper 2

Chapter 2 of Women Across Cultures helps clarify the fact that there is a need to study women’s cultures around the world. It also helps to see and understand the importance of different issues that women across the world face each and every day. According to the text, “men’s economic, political, and legal power are all related to women’s status” (Burn, 2011, p. 18). I personally believe that this is a huge issue as to why women are not and have never been treated as equal as men. I believe that this is a very sad thing. Women have always been looked too as being lower class compared to men for several different reasons. I believe that if this were to have been different several years ago, then women would not have to face so many different issues each and every day due to being treated as equals.
  The author states, “there are a number of way in which females are treated as property of men as commodities to be bought and sold” (Burn, 2011, p. 23). This statement alone is very upsetting and helps paint a better picture of what women in other cultures are treated like. Some of the ways that women are treated as property include sex trafficking forced marriage, trafficking of women and girls, brideprice, and bridekidnapping. (Burn, 2011).  I can see where it makes sense to treat women differently based on things like physical strength because obviously most men are stronger than women. However, being used for things like sex trafficking and being taken advantage of all is not right at all in my opinion.
Not only are women treated as property in several different cultures, they are also treated violently as well. (Burn, 2011).  The author states, “Women’s lack of political power means that legal and police protections against domestic and sexual violence are often absent or minimal” (Burn, 2011, p. 25). Their lack of political power often prevents them form being able to leave an abusive relationship. I believe that this is so unfair. Why are women being taken advantage of because of their lack of political power when certain countries don’t let me participate in anything legal in the first place? This to me is very unfair. This chapter as definitely opened up my eyes on how imbalanced women are treated.