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.