Good Example Of Family Essay

A reflection on the ancient historical times depicts the fact that there existed pertinent notions, which dictated that women were primarily poised to be mothers. In fact, women were only perceived to perform the sole function of motherhood. However, a reflection a reflection on the contemporary society shows that this has changed. Arguably, feminist culture has moulded women to become more career oriented than stay-home mothers, which was the case in the past. In the contemporary world, women are not attached to men for life, instead, women can engage in various activities that they desire. In a nutshell, feminism offered a comprehensive platform that dealt away with various problems that women experience such as patriarchy (“Women and Family: Post-Feminist Culture”). While it is true that feminism was the most comprehensive factor that led to change in women roles, it is of the essence to note that industrialization prompted the increase in labour demands. This forced women to move away from domestic jobs to work in the emerging industries.
What do you think of the notion that a woman of today makes a choice, if she is able, between going to work and staying at home with her children?
Despite the fact that women in the modern world have a fascinating admiration for their jobs, it is of the essence to note that the love that women have for their family never changes. Precisely, women covet their jobs the same way in which they covet their families. For this reason, given a chance to make a choice between going to work and staying home, the modern woman will be in a dilemma. Feminism culture has often created the notion that working women are more independent than stay-home mothers. However, researches carried out in the recent past indicate that not all working mothers are happy as often poised. The tight schedules and pressure that the working women face as a result of demanding tasks allocated to them make life unbearable for them; hence, making them to wish they could just stay home and fend for their families.
The decision that a woman would take if given a chance to choose to go to work or stay at home with her children will certainly be dependent on various factors. Precisely, such a decision, despite the availability of choice will not occur spontaneously nor in isolation. Instead, the decision will be dependent on the preferences of the woman involved. Whereas it is true that women in the modern world build their lives based on feminist beliefs, there are certain cases where women would sweep such beliefs under the feet and opt to make decisions that are influenced personal related factors (Women and Family: Introductory Themes). One of the most comprehensive factor that would determine whether a woman in today’s world would opt going to work or staying at home is if they can afford either of the options. Women who opt to stay at home with their children will make such decisions basing on their ability to afford giving up the salary they earn while going to work.
In a nutshell, the decision that a woman in today’s world would take if given a chance to choose from going to work or staying at home with her children is not obvious. Such a decision would be determined by the particular woman’s perception on child upbringing (Dworkin 38). Women who are okay with having their children raised by someone else would certainly prefer going to work over staying at home with her children. On the contrary a woman who would like to raise her children on her own would opt to give up her job so that she can get an ample time to take care of her family.
Is the fact that this is presented to woman as their choice already demanding certain things of women that are not demanded in the same way of men?
The fact that it is only the woman who is given a choice to stay at home and take care of her children or go to work is clear indicator that the society demands certain things from women, which it does not demand from men. While it is true that feminism has played a crucial role in alleviating patriarchy and male chauvinism, it is of the essence to note that these vices are deeply rooted in the society (“Women and Family: Post-Feminist Culture”). Perhaps, patriarchy and male chauvinism will never be dealt away with. More than thirty five years ago, feminist movements heightened the expectations and hopes of women in the modern generation. Precisely, women liberation movements or feminist movements challenged the notions that women are supposed to stay at home and take care of children. The movements managed to attain its quests in that a significant proportion of women are now in the work force.
Despite the gains made by feminist movements, there is the need to note that double standards still exist on matters regarding men and women. Like in this case, its only women who have to choose going to work and staying at home to take care of their children. Men, on the other hand are not given a choice to make. This shows that there is a persistent belief that women should fulfil certain demands. In fact, it shows that men are just expected to sit in the comfort zones in that their roles in the society are defined; hence, they do not have to make choice when deciding on the tasks they should undertake. Arguably, the belief system on family values is to blame for the demands that the society places on women and not men (Dworkin 137). The family values agenda has reverted the gains that had been attained by the feminist movements. In fact that assumptions that the feminist movement had regarding the nuclear family and the roles that women should play in this family.
Evidently, Post Feminists had the thoughts that they had attained their quests, but the truth is the battle is far from over. The feminist of the year 1970’s fought with the sole intent of ensuring that women were not defined and understood as secondary to men. However, this is the case in the current situation whereby women are given choices whereas made are not given anything to choose from, perhaps because their roles in the society are well defined. Overall, it can be deduced that feminism has and continues to experience a back clash emanating from the fact that the demands that the ancient society placed on women are relatively similar to the demands that the modern society places on women at the expense of men (“Women and Family: Post-Feminist Culture”).
Family values that the society has set tend to expect too much from the woman than the man. This is perhaps the reason as to why career women often feel some guilt when they spend too much time away from home. This is based on the primary fact that career women at times are forced to endure long conferences away from home. There are certain cases where such guilt has driven women to eventually leave their jobs and opt to stay at home. This begs the question on why should it be that it is only the women that are on the wrong for spending too much time away from home. The men should also be treated in a similar way than being just left to stay away from home for long while not making them guilty. Family upbringing should not be a task that is wholly left for women, but both couples should equally contribute to family progress, especially child care and upbringing. In a nutshell, double standards should not be applied in placing demands on women alone.
If so, does this suggest that the notion that this is the choice of a woman already a pressure and a playing of a role?
The above analysis justifies the fact that the society demands certain things from women which it does not demand from men. Certainly, this suggests that women have no option but to take make a choice and play along. Despite the fact that all such things are evident, post-feminist organizations in the modern world are doing nothing about it. This has led to the development of notions that perhaps post-feminism elucidates the struggle for women’s freedom across various contexts, especially in the family context. Deductively, the demands that the society places on women and not men forces women to “play along.” After child bearing, it dawns on women that they would soon be sending their children to school. As a result, women are hit by the fact that their children will be in an unfamiliar territory (Dworkin 54). This often prompts women to withdraw from their career quests in order to fend for their children, perhaps by establishing home-schools that are presumably safer for their children.
A reflection of the society shows deliberate objectification of women. In various advertising, women are utilized as “objects” that are bound to attract people to purchase certain goods. This depicts the many ways in which the sexuality of women is utilized on way that tend to dent the overall image of a woman. In all instances, women are forced to play along. Women who tend to be liberated are viewed as evil. With regards to this, Dworkin notes that the society tends to expect women to be submissive. However, Dworkin notes that “death” of women begin the moment the women succumb to pressure on them to be submissive. The current texts tends to suggest that women should not conform to the societal expectation of them to be submissive. Instead, women should turn “evil” if that is what it takes for them to gain liberation.

How does our society, through its many and often opposed voices, try to influence this decision for the individual woman?

There are various ways in which the society influences the decision by the individual women to ascend to the demands placed on them by the society. The most comprehensive way in which the society tends to influence the decision by the individual woman aligns with response from feminist organizations who have often fought for women rights. Feminist organizations have failed to offer adequate responses that can address escalating pressure that the society places on women to accede to demands that are placed on women alone. In addition, women have and continue to struggle in the media, and in the general public. The media has often side-lined pertinent women issues that require adequate and prompt response. Overall, the general public and the media have failed to call attention to the pressing issues that face women. This cripples the efforts made by women to go against the demands that the society places on them. Deductively, there is a need for an urgent discussion on the pertinent issues that affect women and their families in the modern world. Such discussions would ease the pressure that women face and that influence their decision on matters that affect them.
What is the connection to be found that unifies all these different voices and opinions and how does the fact that so many people have something to say it speak to you about the ways we understand women in our society?

Work Cited

Dworkin, Andrea. Woman Hating. New York: Penguin Books, 1974. Print.
Women and Family: Introductory Themes. Lecture Notes. Print.
Women and Family: Post-Feminist Culture. Lecture Notes. Print.