2 essyas inside. seperate them to 2 diffrent files. and Copy the refrences too to the other file.
Running head:
WOMEN STUDIES ESSAY
1
WOMEN STUDIES ESSAY
2
WOMEN STUDIES ESSAY
Alexander Degtiarov
University of Maryland University College
Part one
American Antiquarian Society (AAS) online exhibition is an American exhibition that covers women issues in America from the past to date. The purpose of the American Antiquarian Society (AAS) online exhibition is to highlight the work of women in the society. Entitled, “A woman’s work is never done,” the exhibition sends a message to the people that women can take up any work and do it to perfection. In order to emphasize the intended message, the exhibition covers several aspects of the work done by women. The role of women in work has been categorized into several aspects that include domestic work, women as performers and artistes, women in teaching and education, women as merchants, women and war, women and factory workers, and women miscellaneous occupations (American Antiquarian Society, 2004).
The curators have used several photographs to illustrate the role that women played in the various work occupations in the society. In each of the photographs in every category covered in the exhibition, details regarding the photograph such as year the photograph was taken and its meaning have been given. For this reason, anyone going through the exhibition will be able to understand the photographs because the curators have given sufficient information on each of the photographs.
From viewing the photographs in American Antiquarian Society (AAS) online exhibition, one can be able to learn that women are hard workers who take any of the roles that come their way (Bowles and Klein, 1993). For example, the exhibition has showed photographs of women in the factories, women treating soldiers in the battlefield during a war, women teaching children in school, women doing artwork, and women participating in trading activities among others.
The strength of the American Antiquarian Society (AAS) online exhibition is that there is adequate information given on the exhibition. For this reason, anyone visiting the website is able to get relevant and sufficient information about the roles of women in various occupations. On the other hand, the weakness of American Antiquarian Society (AAS) online exhibition is that it has not addressed the issue of diversity in the presentation of its photographs. In most of the photographs, only white women are mostly covered. Women from other races rarely appear in the exhibition.
The most meaningful part of the American Antiquarian Society (AAS) online exhibition is where the issue of women and their role in the war is covered. In most of the cases, men receive appreciation when a battle is won. In fact, they are known as war heroes (American Antiquarian Society, 2004). Although few women participated in the war on the battlefront, the women were also heroics just as the men. The women held key roles that played an important role in enabling the men to win the war. For instance, there is a photograph showing a young woman taking care of a wounded soldier. In the war, most of the women took care of the soldiers; others provided food to the soldiers while other participated in the battle. Therefore, the contribution of the women in war was immense.
The messages from the photographs in the exhibition indicate that most of the women in the American society were treated as homeowners or homemakers alone. This may be partly because most of the women chose to stay at home and to take care of the things at home. The society at that time believed that the place of the woman was in the house. In addition, people never recognized the work and effort of the women. When works at home or in the office, that can still be termed as work (American Antiquarian Society, 2004). However, many people did not appreciate the work and role of the women working. One cannot be able to know the trends in other parts of the world because the exhibition only covers women in the United States.
In the exhibition, the issue of diversity has not been addressed, as one would expect. The exhibition is inclined to show women of a particular race, religion, and culture. In the exhibition, white women have been given more coverage that women from other races. One can even count the number of women from other races who have appeared in the exhibition. In addition, there are no women from other religious backgrounds such as Hindus or Muslims in the exhibition. Therefore, the exhibition has not adequately addressed the issues of diversity among the women.
Finally, American Antiquarian Society (AAS) online exhibition has largely used a historical context to illustrate the work that women have done. The use of historical information plays an important role in relaying the intended message. This is because it is in the past societies that women were disregarded and the work that they did was not appreciated.
Part Two
The National Women’s History Museum (NWHM) is one of the most renowned online exhibitions in the internet that covers women’s issue. Titled “From ideas to independence: A century of entrepreneurial women,” the exhibition covers a number of issues that women have faced from some decades ago, up to now when women have become independent. National Women’s History Museum online exhibition has used several photographs to cover many issues that face women in the whole of the world. To begin with, some of the issues highlighted in the exhibition include Chinese history, American history, Women in politics, women coalition organizations, the role of women in World War II, historical marks left by women, rights for women, the role of women in facilitating reforms in the world, women participation in elections, women in industry (National Women’s History Museum, 2012). In addition, the exhibition also covers women in education, women in the Olympics, women in the media fraternity, women representation in the legislation process, women changing history, women in early film, African American women claiming their citizenship in America, early Jewish American women, women participation in daring games, and women in motherhood (National Women’s History Museum, 2012). This exhibition is used to show how women have come from far to the place they are today. The main message being passed across by the exhibition is that women can also take part in all the activities that men have participated therefore; the women are equally as good as the men.
The curators at the National Women’s History Museum have mainly used photographs to pass their message across to the viewers. Each of the photographs in the exhibition in the museum has a label that gives a brief description of the photograph. On scrolling over the photograph, one is presented with an option of reading more about that photograph. For example, when one scrolls over the photograph labeled women in industry, some information pops up. The information on that photograph is that the photograph investigates the development of women’s participation in the paid labor force during; the industrial revolution, which started in 1800 and ended in the year 1880, the long progressive era from the year 1880 to 1930, and World War II (1930-1945). For this reason, the curators have done a commendable job in presenting information about women roles in the best way possible. The information presented in the exhibition is in depth hence, the viewer gets to learn a lot about women’s roles.
From the site, one is able to infer that feminism plays an important role in the society. It nurtures and contributes to the development of the society in many ways (Hooks, 2004). Through motherhood, women are able to nurture the society to be what it is today. In addition, through their various contributions to the society, women are able to contribute to the development of the society to what it is today.
The exhibition by National Women’s History Museum has several strengths. The first strength of the online exhibitions is that it is filled with substantial information that enables the user to understand and appreciate the role of women in the society. In addition, with the substantial information from the online exhibition, one is able to understand how far women have come from to the position they are today. The other strength of National Women’s History Museum online exhibition is that it has represented women from all over the world without biases based on race, religion, ethnicities, age, or any other factor. For this reason, a person visiting the exhibition will be able to understand the achievements and efforts of women from across the world.
The most useful part of the exhibition by National Women’s History Museum is that it has shown the woman’ place in the modern society. When one visits the exhibition, one will notice that the modern woman has been placed at the top of the exhibition. The picture of the modern woman shows three business executives from across the world. This shows the modern woman has overcome many challenges to reach to the place that are today. In addition, it shows that the women can today become business leaders and also leaders on other aspects in the society.
The exhibit reveals that the American society did not think highly of the women. The women were not regarded as equals to the men but rather they were treated like lesser human beings. For example, the photograph titled rights for women tells one that women were the first people to protest in U.S. history. In addition, more information on the photograph illustrates that women underwent through a lot of suffrage during those times.
The manner in which women were treated in America is the same manner in which women were treated in other parts of the world. In fact, in some places of the world, women did not have a place in the society. They were viewed as just objects to be seen and not to be heard (). For example, in the photograph titled Chinese American women, one learns that Yoke Leen once marched into a county courthouse and demanded an acknowledgement that defines her freedom, in the case that any man tried to lay claim on her.
The exhibition by National Women’s History Museum is one of its kind. In the photographs posted on the exhibition, women diverse backgrounds have been covered in the exhibition. There are black women in the exhibition, white women, rich women, poor women, women with various abilities, and women from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. For example, the photograph entitled “African America women claiming their citizenship,” black women are represented in the exhibition. There were no evident biases based on race, ethnicity, class, or ability in the manner in which the exhibition highlighted the roles of the various women.
Historical information has been used to communicate a lot about the role of the women in the various fields of the society. From the historical information, one learns that the women have played a big part in education, in World War II, in industries, in politics, in legislation, in motherhood, in early film, in the Olympics among many others.
Assignment 2
Abortion
Introduction
Abortion refers to the “termination of pregnancy before fetal viability” (Littleton and Engebretson 508). In this definition, a ‘viable fetus’ refers to one that has thrived for at least twenty weeks after conception. Abortion can broadly be classified into two categories:
1. Spontaneous Abortion: Also known as a miscarriage, this type of abortion refers to the termination of pregnancy without human interference (naturally) (Littleton and Engebretson 508).
2. Induced Abortion: This refers to “termination of pregnancy before fetal viability by medical or surgical intervention” (Littleton and Engebretson 508). This category can further be subdivided into two subcategories:
(i) Therapeutic Abortion: This is usually performed by medical practitioners due to inherent health risks that may be associated with carrying of the pregnancy or due to fetal illnesses.
(ii) Elective or Voluntary abortion: This occurs when a pregnancy is medically terminated at the request of a woman (Littleton and Engebretson 508). In this case, there are no health risks that are associated with carrying the pregnancy; rather, the woman simply does not wish to carry the pregnancy to full term and deliver the baby.
The debate on abortion has been heated and has evoked strong reactions from different segments of the population. Politicians, scholars, women rights activists, religious leaders and ordinary citizens have weighed in on the issue with varied opinions. The debate “has split whole societies into two camps, which call themselves pro-life and pro-choice” (Parliamentary Assembly Committee on Equal Opportunities for Men and Women 5). Whereas opponents (pro-life) argue that abortion should be banned, some even opposing therapeutic abortion, proponents (pro-choice) argue that abortion should be legitimized and all efforts made to ensure that women have access to amenities that can facilitate safe abortion.
For Abortion
Abortion, whether therapeutic or elective, should be legalized. Women should be allowed to make decisions on whether to carry fetuses till delivery or to abort. In case they decide to abort, the government should ensure that mechanisms for conducting cheap and efficient abortions are availed to these women.
Beneficial with Strict Regulations
Overall, with strict regulations, abortion can lead to a better life for the individual and society as a whole.
Body
Why People are against Abortion
Despite my disagreement with opponents of abortion, they do offer reasonable points of view for their position on the issue. One of them is their assertion that “a fertilized ovum is a human being from the moment of conception onward and from this perspective, a fetus has a right to live, and a woman does not have the ability to override that right by choosing an abortion” (Alexander et al. 116). Though a sperm and an ovum are scientifically alive before conception, the only time when the two resemble a living form that can be considered human is after conception. After conception, a zygote has all the features of a human being, albeit in an undeveloped form. The only thing that it requires is nourishment from the mother for it to grow. Therefore, the zygote, just like a normal child who has already been born, undergoes development of body parts after conception. Opponents of abortion have constantly argued that the child’s right to life should be protected by the constitution, just like its mother’s right to life is.
Another strong reason given by pro-life activists to support their argument is that the same reasons being presented by supporters of abortion are the same that were presented by supporters of slavery centuries ago. In a famous case in 1857, “the US Supreme Court decided, by a 7 to 2 majority, that according to the US Constitution, black people were not legal persons” (Cain 8). According to this court, black people were not to be regarded as human beings. They were the owner’s property and he was at liberty to do whatever he wanted with them; he could purchase or dispose them off for money, or even take their lives. Abolitionists were up in arms against this ruling. They argued that it was unfair to “discriminate against an entire class of living persons solely on the basis of skin color” (Cain 8). However, supporters of slavery asked abolitionists not to compel those who wished to own slaves to give up the practice. After all, they argued, abolitionists could choose not to own slaves and leave slave owners alone.
One century and fifteen years later, the same Supreme Court ruled, by the same margin (7 to 2) “that unborn people were not legal persons” (Cain 9). According to the court, unborn persons have no human rights whatsoever, they are owned by their mothers, who have the right to do whatever they want with them, including killing them. Pro-life activists were up in arms against this ruling. The asserted that it was not just immoral but also “discriminated against an entire class of living persons solely based on their age (too young) and place of residence (womb)” (Cain 9). However, pro-choice activists asserted that pro-life people should not compel pro-choice people to give up abortion. After all, they argued, pro-life people could choose not to have abortions and leave abortionists alone. The fact that the above argument draws parallels to slavery, which was a barbaric, savage and evil crime is very compelling.
Yet another compelling argument presented by pro-life individuals is their contention that abortion contravenes most religious laws. Major religions have clearly banned abortion. For instance, the Bible, on several instances, affirms that life begins in the womb and should be protected. “For you created my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb” (New Jerusalem Bible, Psalms 139.13-16). The Bible also asks people to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves…….defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31.8-9). Being religious myself, I find this argument really compelling.
Benefits if against Abortion
Those against abortion cite several potential benefits. These reasons include respect for human rights. According to them a fetus is a human being and his or her right to life should be guaranteed. They also cite the development of a society that respects God’s teachings and is more religious as a potential benefit.
How Abortion Affects the Society (Makes it Better)
There are many reasons why abortion should be legalized. The most compelling is to save lives. Though some pro-life activists vehemently oppose any form of abortion, including therapeutic abortion, it is important to carry out the procedure on women who are at risk of losing their lives. In certain instances, doctors may recommend the termination of a pregnancy as a result of unmanageable risks. Some of the conditions that may necessitate therapeutic abortion are “high blood pressure, severe renal disease, tuberculosis, cancer, heart disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and a wide variety of relatively rare conditions” (502). If a woman suffering from one or more of these diseases is forced to carry a pregnancy to full term without surgical intervention, she may lose her life, as well as that of the unborn child. To save the mother’s life, it is important to abort the child.
Contrary to what some opponents say, legalizing abortion has the overall effect of reducing abortion-related deaths. When abortion is criminalized, women who are desperate to secure an abortion resort to self-induction or consult unqualified personnel. Instead of visiting qualified medical practitioners in safe facilities, they visit unscrupulous individuals in unsafe and unhygienic environments. Consequently, most of these women end up dying or developing severe complications that render them infertile or drastically reduce the quality of their lives. Each year, unsafe abortions lead to an estimated 70,000 maternal deaths and about five million disabilities in women (Ahman and Shah 1149). Legalizing abortion will ensure that all women have access to safe and legal mechanisms of securing abortions and thus reduce these deaths and disabilities.
Yet another reason to allow women to abort is to safeguard both their physical and psychological health. Sometimes, a woman may be in a position to carry the pregnancy to the full term. However, doing so may severely damage her physical and/or mental health. For instance, it is totally inhuman to force a woman who has been impregnated as a result of a rape incident to carry the pregnancy and deliver the rapist’s child. The woman should be allowed to terminate the pregnancy if she wishes to. Carrying the pregnancy and subsequently delivering the child can be traumatic and may have a huge psychological toll on her health. After all, she may neglect the child after birth or even abuse him because he is a constant reminder of the trauma the woman went through during the rape incident. The mother may not view the child as an innocent victim; rather, she may end up viewing him as a replica of the rapist. In the end, an innocent child ends up suffering for a crime that is not of his own making.
Another reason why abortion should be legalized is to reduce its prevalence. Statistics indicate that abortion is more prevalent in developing countries where laws are more conservative. In countries where laws are more liberal and abortion is legalized, fewer women resort to abortion. According to The Center for Bioethical Reform, “83% of all abortions are obtained in developing countries and 17% occur in developed countries” (Center for Bioethical Reform 3). Countries such as Netherlands, where abortion is legal on demand, have much lower rates of abortion than countries like Peru, where abortion is totally prohibited unless the mother’s life or health are in danger. A report by the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men titled Access to Safe and Legal Abortion in Europe concluded that “a ban on abortions does not result in fewer abortions, but mainly leads to clandestine abortions, which are more traumatic and more dangerous” (1). A 2007 study also showed that abortion rates were steeply declining in developed countries, where laws on abortion are flexible and are conducted safely, than in developing countries, where more than 50% of abortions are done unsafely (Sedgh, Henshaw, Singh, Åhman and Shah 1340).
One possible reason why abortion rates are higher in countries where the practice is banned by law is the fact that women in these countries do not get psychological guidance and counseling that forms part of the abortion procedure in countries that have legalized abortion. Before a doctor secures an abortion, he is obligated to inform his or her patient of all possible outcomes, as well as physical and psychological consequences of carrying on with the abortion. His or her client is also required to attend a counseling course. Some of these counseling courses have resulted in women changing their minds and deciding to carry the pregnancies to full term and delivering healthy babies. This would not be possible in situations where abortion is illegal.
It is also important to give women the right to choose the fate of their unborn child as well as giving them control of their bodies. When laws prohibit abortion, they effectively limit the woman’s freedom. A government or its laws should not exercise authority over such private issues as what happens in a woman’s womb. It should be left to the woman to decide whether to carry the pregnancy or not. Failure to give women this option breaches their fundamental human rights.
Where is Abortion Legal and How Does it Work?
It is impossible to list abortion laws as they apply to all countries. This is because these laws vary from country to country. However, it is possible to come up with some general observations. For instance, in most countries, with the exception of Laos, Maldives, Vatican City, Belize, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Tuvalu, Chile and Uruguay, abortion is allowed to save a mother’s life (McManus 30). Abortion is legal on demand in most of the developed countries (McManus, 30). These include Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, France and Denmark (McManus 30). However, in some countries it can only be performed during certain stages of fetal development. For instance, it may be allowed during the first trimester and banned during the second trimester (McManus 31). Again, the definitions of these trimesters vary widely from country to country. In almost all countries where it is allowed on demand, there are strict procedures that medical practitioners have to adhere to before performing the operation on a woman. For instance, they must inform her of all the possible consequences and counsel her. They must ensure that the ultimate decision to terminate the pregnancy comes from the woman herself.
Reference:
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