Debt

Women are feeling the economic crisis of the world’s debt. For when taxes increase and economic adjustment programs alter situations, women feel the brunt of the change. For “when governments cut back spending on social and heath services to cope with their debt burden, poor household, of which women headed households are a disproportionate share, bear the brunt of these cuts” according to Seager. In addition, in 2008 it was estimated that women make up seventy percent of the world’s poor, and that only eight percent of the World Bank’s executive directors are women. Lastly, Seager mentions that it is the income from women working that keeps households going.

The fact that the World Bank is made up of mainly male executive directors, and that they make decisions that greatly effect mostly women disgusted me. Women need to have a say in the processes that are being made to reduce world debt. In addition, how much of the debt of the women was caused by a male figure? Possibly a man caused a woman to become pregnant, and then kicked her out onto the street with no money. Or maybe he left her with a huge house payment with no source of income. Situations such as this occur in many countries on a daily basis, and the women are left with the mess to clean up. It is unfair for men to abuse their power and put women in such places in life.

This is in accordance to the fact that women make less money than men typically. How is a woman suppose to repay her debt when she does not even make decent wages as compared to men? The fact that jobs are typically managed by male figures, and this influences their pay is unjust. Plus, males control the amount of money that woman must expend on taxes and property each year. Obviously more women need to have roles in the development of financial projects, and they need to be compensated more fairly than the current situation.

Seager, J. The Penguin Atlas of Women in the World. Brighton: Myriad Editions Limited, 2009,
90-91.

Working For Wages

Women are in the work force, keeping jobs, and trying to make a living. However, “occupational segregation” leads to discrepancies between the wages that men make as compared to women. Typically women are being paid less than the male population, and even though equal-pay legislation is trying to slim the gap, it is not always very effective. According to Seager, “this earnings discrepancy reflects several factors: outright gender discrimination, the concentration of women in female-dominated jobs, and the higher percentage of women working part-time.”

While equal-pay legislations insist that males and females be paid the same amount for the same job, this doesn’t overcome the fact that there is “occupational segregation” in which women typically do not hold the same jobs as men do. This can be from their gender, race, or class. How are women suppose to earn their equal pay if they are unable to attain the job in the first place? In addition, majority of the people in control of the equal-pay legislations are probably males with more power, who can then use this power to hinder women. They probably realize that what they are doing is not going to solve the problem, however, they are probably hoping that since they are putting forth effort, even though it may be a small amount, that people will not question their motives. I believe that equal-pay legislations are just trying to cover up a problem that they know they cannot fix, and keep the power within the hands of those who currently have it.
On another note, women are typically forced to have to work twice as hard to prove that they are just as capable as men are. This unequal determination for less pay seems to be swinging the power balance in the favor of males. Women have proven that they are just as competent and physically capable as men, however, males just turn their heads at this movement. How are women ever going to be paid equally if no one will acknowledge our strengths, goals, desires, intelligence, and capabilities?

Seager, J. The Penguin Atlas of Women in the World. Brighton: Myriad Editions Limited, 2009,
62-63.

Domestic Violence

In this chapter, the magnitude of domestic violence was explored and analyzed. In some countries, such as Egypt and Zambia, women believe that is okay for husbands to beat their wives when they mess up something such as food preparation. In the UK, a report of domestic violence is filed every minute, and such charges account for 16 percent of all the crime in the country. Also, in the United States, more than one billion dollars is expended on medical costs due to domestic violence. According to Sieger, “domestic violence is a means of keeping women ‘in their place,’ literally confined to relationship, household, or family structures defined by patriarchal authority… violence against women is often ignored or even condoned by the state on the grounds that it is a ‘private’ matter.” In addition to this, many abused women do not even report the incidents; however many shelters have been created in several countries to provide a home for women who have suffered from domestic violence.

Domestic violence is a tragedy, for a person should feel safe in their home, not fear for their life. From battering to rape, this form of male domination is unacceptable and lessens the value of women. As individuals and persons, women should not have to succumb to the fists of her partner, and instead she should be respected. Domestic violence can also be hard to get away from, and can come in different forms, such as verbally or physically. Personally, I have been picked up and thrown across the room by a boyfriend, and verbally abused for long periods of time by him. However, I thought that I loved him, and that he would change; he didn’t. In situations such as these it is hard to see the overall picture and know that you are in a dangerous situation. This sort of abuse happens often in relationships, and it is often too late when women realize what is going on.

The extent to which domestic violence is prosecuted needs to be increased, and more shelters need to be made for women who have been hurt. In addition, women need to be shown that it is not okay for their husbands to beat them when they have done something wrong. If these measures are taken, hopefully they will cause a decrease in the amount of domestic violence that occurs each year.

Seager, J. The Penguin Atlas of Women in the World. Brighton: Myriad Editions Limited, 2009,
28-29.

Rape

Rape is a common problem throughout numerous countries in the world. In the U.S. alone, an estimated 700,000 rapes occur each year. In addition to this, many rapes and sexual assault go unreported due to social stigma. Rape does not always happen with a stranger, and instead, majority are committed by people that the person knows. It is a problem in jails, hospitals, refugee camps, and throughout communities. Sieger states that, “rape is not ‘having sex’; rape is violence intended to assert male power and control… Rape is often exercised as a ‘privilege’ of power.” In addition to rape, child sexual abuse is also a large problem, along with marital rape. Each of these takes advantage of the weaker person, and the male dominates them to his dismay.


When I read how many people are raped in the United States each year, I gasped, literally. I could not believe the number, and how it is significantly larger than any other country. But then I began to reevaluate it and think about my personal experiences over the past few years, and the number seemed more tangible. I personally have been put in difficult situations, that if I had not gotten out of them, may have ended in a disaster. College campuses seem to be locations where rape is fairly common, and that it probably goes unreported most of the time. In addition, high school students are starting to drink at younger ages, which influences their decision making processes, and may cause them to put their selves in bad situations.

The thought of child sexual assault makes my stomach churn in disgust. I don’t believe that this represents power, instead it shows weakness in only being able to dominate someone who is much smaller and less capable than the adult. Also, with marital rape, it seems that the fact that they are married makes it seem ok to the power figure to take advantage of their partner. I’m sure that many of these instances go unreported or unprosecuted due to the circumstances. This is very unfortunate because it is still not right.

Rape and sexual abuse is obviously a problem, especially in the United States. Further measures should be taken to address this situation, and to try to prevent it. In addition, prosecution of those convicted should be more thorough, and have larger consequences. As a female, I know that I can be controlled very easily by a man who is stronger than me. This inequality scares me, and has significantly influenced my personal decisions.
Seager, J. The Penguin Atlas of Women in the World. Brighton: Myriad Editions Limited, 2009,
58-59.

Beauty

In this section, it focuses on the beauty industry, cosmetic markets, and the lengths that women go to in order to achieve a higher level of beauty. It is stated that, “women undergo a staggering amount of suffering in the pursuit of beauty. Around the world, but especially in the rich countries, tens of thousands of women each year have their bodies cut, shaped, stapled, tucked, and manipulated to conform to prevailing standards of beauty.” However, this is not the only form of manipulation that women endure to change their appearance. In the U.S. alone, fifty billion dollars was expended on cosmetics in 2007. However, this may also be reflected in the fact that the U.S. has had the most winners of the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants. U.S. women seem to be fairly occupied by trying to achieve the ideal body type, otherwise they would not have disposed of so much money on the products.

I believe that these numbers are staggering. Why do women feel so much pressure to conform to an ideal created by the white male population? Obviously the image displayed in the media is influencing women, and causing them to have insecurities about their natural appearance. It seems unreal that with the fact that women are typically paid less than men, that we would spend so much of our income on unneeded commodities. On the other hand, men, who make more then women, do not have to expend so much money to alter their bodies, for the ideals for men aren’t as vigorous as they are for women. This contradiction is startling, especially in a time when women are fighting for equal rights. Should there be so many discrepancies such as this? Should men have the power to make us want to dispose of our income on these products and services? Women need to show that their natural beauty is much more attractive than having altered it. We need to gain our power back, and not let men cause us self doubt and to spend our hard earned money.

Seager, J. The Penguin Atlas of Women in the World. Brighton: Myriad Editions Limited, 2009,
52-53.

Remarkable Journeys: Poor, Single MOthers Accessing Higher Education (2004)

“Remarkable Journeys: Poor, Single Mothers Accessing Higher Education (2004)” Women’s Lives: Multicultural Perspective, New York: McGraw Hill, 2007, 383-385.


This entry was remarkable to me. It was filled with great ideas on how to reestablish single, lower income mothers back into the work field and to provide them with useful tools and knowledge that will help them be successful. The idea behind it all is that single women need the support and help to engage them in finding jobs, and they need specific help so that they can provide for their families.

In the article, it discusses that “individuals and communities accrue enormous social, cultural, and financial benefits when low-income, single mothers are supported in post secondary educational endeavors.” This idea makes perfect sense, because higher education means additional knowledge, that always proves useful in the working community. In addition, higher education also leads to more substantial jobs, giving way to higher salaries. By having a greater salary, women have additional income that can be used to provide more resources for their children, to take care of their home, and in turn, help the economy with additional spending. With additional money, this takes them out of the struggles of being a lower income household, and leads to greater security and less stress. It only makes sense that if women are provided with this additional assistance, that they can prove to be more useful to society, and be able to carry out their responsibilities as a parent more successfully.

It is behind this thought and belief that the ACCESS Project was created. “This project is an educational, social service, and career program that assists low-income parents in [their] efforts to move from welfare and low-wage work to meaningful and secure career employment through the pathway of higher education… the program supports students academically as well as helps them overcome substantial obstacles such as lack of adequate childcare and transportation, domestic violence, homelessness, hunger, and low self-esteem.” It is incredible what this program does, and the stories of women involved in it were inspirational and insightful. The program truly changes lives for the better, and helps women get back on their feet. By providing them with the necessary elements to be successful, they have made it happen, and changed their lives around.

Knowing what this program is capable, it’s interesting why more programs such as this one aren’t available. Rather than having people on welfare, and using tax payer’s money, wouldn’t it make sense to make it so that they were capable of maintaining decent jobs, and therefore not having to be on welfare? In addition, wouldn’t it make sense that if they had money, that they could help the economy? It seems worth the financial input to make more programs such as the ACCESS Project so that women could be more financially independent. I believe if this program is analyzed, altered to be even more successful, and provided throughout the nation, that there would be a great increase in the productivity of single women, and tax dollars would not be wasted to as much of an extent as they are now. Welfare, homelessness, and the lack of childcare have been known issues for decades. It is time that these issues are addressed in a way that provides the most desirable outcome.

Unity Statement (1980)

“Unity Statement (1980)” Women’s Lives: Multicultural Perspective, New York: McGraw Hill, 2007, 525-527.

In this article, women expressed their concerns for the male dominated government impeding their rights as women, as individuals, and disrespecting their homes and the world they live in. They believe that the government is abusing its power, and therefore hindering their beliefs.

Maternally, the women want their home lives to be respected. They “want enough food, decent housing, communities with clean air and water, [and] good care for our children while we work.” In addition they “want to be free from violence in our streets and in our houses… [and] the right to have or not to have children.” Obviously they are worried about male officials not understanding the needs of women within their homes. They need healthcare that will protect their family, and laws or rules that will diminish the violence that is present in their communities. Which, this is very understandable because motherly instinct includes the protection of their families. No one should feel fear from where they live, and they shouldn’t have to worry about not being able to provide their families with the medical attention that they need. Items such as these should not be refused or not provided for, because the well being of society depends upon it.

The women want to be respected in the work force, and compensated for it. They “want work that is useful to a sensible society… intend to form women’s groups or unions that will demand safe workplaces, free of sexual harassment, and equal pay for work of comparable value… [and they] expect [their] experience [and] skills to be honored and used.” By demanding these aspects, their intelligence, strength, and skills to be used to the best of their abilities, and that they will be helpful to society. Women have value, and are just as capable as men. It is time that this is acknowledged and understood. They can influence the workforce and prove useful if people will just recognize it. Men do not have to be the main form of labor, for women can do anything men can do if their minds are set for it. Over time women have shown this, holding higher ranks in the corporate world, leading in scientific endeavors, and making strides that were never believed to happen. Why shouldn’t women expect respect in the working community? By demanding this respect, women can change the world, and build stronger companies that can help the economy.

Lastly, women believe that they “are right to be afraid,” and that “life on the precipice is intolerable.” They are scared that the male structure in corporations and government will influence their lives to a point where it cannot be overcome. They want their voices to be heard, to not be oppressed for their sexual orientation, and that the world they live in to not be subjected to use by corporations to increase military security. It can be seen that their lives are being reined in by a male dominated society, and that their views are not being addressed. By attempting to make their voices heard, they hope this will alleviate some of the silencing of their beliefs, and that headway will be made. This is the first step in the right direction; towards women’s rights, equality, and power.