Question 1:
Consider the roles of women and views of women in both Sioux and Victorian American culture. How are they similar and different? What do the similarities and differences tell you about how women were controlled by both societies at the time? Why were women restricted in those ways?
My response: Since the start of time, there has been a difference between men and women in the society. There was not different that women were controlled in the Sioux and Victorian American societies. Both of the cultures emphasized on the sanctity of marriage. The Sioux women were treated as objects because virginity was highly prized (Ambrose p.138). Also, both of the cultures forbade extramarital and premarital intercourse. “The Sioux girls were always chaperoned by older women and the intimacy between unmarried teen-agers was well-nigh impossible” (Ambrose p. 138). Furthermore, both of the societies were expected the women to be faithful. The divorce was easily accomplished by the adultery (Ambrose p. 138). It is uncanny how both societies exhibited similarities in how they controlled their women.
I think the reason that women restricted in those ways is the social construct. The social construct is the societal arrangement that governs or influences the behavior and action of people in that society. During that era, the roles for women were taking care children and to look after the household. Women were not allowed to take up jobs outside the family. In both societies, the actions of the women reflected on the men. Consequently, the Victorian society required women to look innocent but also sophisticated and propriety. The Sioux society required women to exhibit purity by preserving themselves for marriage. The restrictions that were meted on women at this time were done in order to reinforce the traditionally approved division of labor. Additionally, the society was marked by male chauvinism. As such, women were dominated by men.
Egalitarianism considers all humans to be equal in fundamental worth or social status. The Sioux were historically a patriarchal society with very defined rules pertaining to gender, for example; women were to walk five feet behind the men during processions, or the men were the ones who harvested wild rice while women were sent to harvest all other types of grain. Given the division of labor in their society it is difficult to consider the Sioux nation as egalitarian. Furthermore, as stated above the Sioux women were treated as objects, not necessarily people, and therefore when these gender roles are so clearly defined and set in stone it is impossible for them to be treated as equals. This was probably due to the fact that men wanted to keep traditions and keep the power of women, so not allowing them to have more power, meant that they were always below men.
Question 2:
Are any of the attitudes about women in Sioux and Victorian American culture still impacting American culture currently? Explain what aspects of culture are similar or dissimilar. How do you know? Give at least two examples of attitudes about women to exhibit the roles women played in these three different cultures.
My response: There are different attitudes about women today compared to the attitudes that were presented in the Sioux and Victorian societies. Nonetheless, some attitudes from that period still permeate the society today. In the two societies, attitudes towards women were that they should take jobs that involve taking care of the family and meeting the needs of their husbands. This attitude still shapes the society today. Women are taking up such jobs among other reasons for fear of criticism that they are behaving against the cultural standard.
In the Sioux and Victorian societies, women were not allowed to pursue careers. Instead, they were confined to meeting the needs of the family and those of their men. Conversely, women in today’s American society are career leaders. For instance, women in today’s society unlike the Sioux and Victorian societies are heads of organizations. Where men were viewed as the sole providers in the family, there has been a paradigm shift. Presently, women are heads of some households and also provide for their families. Another attitude towards women that was present in the Sioux Culture that is dissimilar from the American culture today is the view that women should be innocent. Unlike the culture today, the Sioux era prohibited extramarital and premarital sexual intercourse. In the present American culture, premarital sex is rampant among the young generation. The rate of divorce attributed to extramarital sexual intercourse is also high. The Victorian culture required women to look sophisticated and well put. This is still evident in today’s American society where the desired woman is collected, sophisticated and educated. It is evident that both the Sioux and Victorian American cultures played an integral role in the evolution of today’s American culture. Where the present culture retained some of the attitudes from the Sioux and Victorian cultures, it completely overhauled other attitudes. Either way, the Sioux and Victorian culture have left an indelible mark on the American society.
My response: need about 125-150 wards.
While women in society have definitely come a long way, many cultures still think of women as inferior to men. With the amount of traveling and immigration that occurs throughout the world, these views come to all nations even those countries where women are considered “equal”. Perhaps it is because men do not believe that women have the emotional capabilities that men have to “run the world” or perhaps it is because men feel that a women’s place is still in the kitchen. Regardless of the reason, the greatest gift that women have to overcome these narrow guidelines that are found all over the world is through education, because with education, comes inter-mixing of the genders and only then can men see the true worth of women in society.
Be careful for these:
- I am a Chinese student, so please use the simple English words and short sentences to answer those two questions (I have just highlighted). .
- Do not need any outside sources.
- This is not a paper. You just need to answer the questions.
