GENDER ROLES
What is gender roles:
Gender role is defined as a set of social values that determines how men and women should behave in a specific way. The roles of men and women are expected to follow a set of social and cultural norms.
Islamic gender roles: According to Qu’ran, men and women are considered equal in front of God. “The Qur'an says in verse 13 of chapter 49 in the Qu'ran: "O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allâh is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa. Verily, Allâh is All-Knowing, All-Aware." At the same time, Islamic law and practice recognize differences between sexes, resulting in different rights and obligations.” Link. From religious viewpoint, men and women are equal. However, from some culture viewpoints, women are expected to stay mostly at home, and should be responsible for taking care of the family; while men are supposed to be a bread-winner of the family. Justification for such roles may be extracted from the fact that Qur’an referred men as “guardians”,and therefore may shape how muslims define gender roles, giving more privilege to men. Islamic gender roles: “Qur'an verse 4.34, which refers to men as ‘guardians’ (qawamun) (over women), has been used to justify gender roles and male privilege over women.” Link.
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Muslim Women in the U.S. Employment: Women are more involved in American society. According to The Washington Times, there are 59 percent of Muslim American women work. Traditionally, women are supposed to stay at home, and take care of the family. However, Muslim women in the U.S. have more job opportunities, and they are willing to engage in the communities. “Fifty-nine percent of Muslim-American women work; a greater percentage than women in other faiths, according to “Muslim Americans: A National Portrait.” Link Gender Roles are different in the U.S that women are more engage in the society, and social activities: Here is one Muslim women sharing her experience in the U.S. "I had a lot of dreams in Iraq, but I never had a chance to make something of my dreams. When I came here to the United States, the first day I had a chance to do things. This is the difference between my country and America," said Shati, 47, who graduated from university in Iraq but stayed home to raise her three sons." "Shati also likes that in America, Muslim women attend mosque more often than in Iraq and other Muslim countries. In Islam, men are required to attend Friday prayers, but women are not." Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/12/muslim-women-refugees-resettle-in-us_n_1959731.html |