Format: MLA Pages: 4 Sources: 4 Spacing: Double
Type of Service Type of Work Academic Level
Essay Writing from scratch College
Title
Gender and Enlightenment
Description:
Answer
Gender
and Enlightenment
Introduction
The politics of gender
have been ongoing for quite some time as pundits offer different view on the
position of women in the society. For a long time, women had been considered to
be inferior to men. They could not be allowed to take the same opportunities as
provided for their male counterparts. Arguably, women were put in confinement
as subjects to men (Sophia 62). Allegedly, this notion led Sophia to pen down
“Sophia, Woman Not Inferior to Man” to highlight the predicament of women in
the society and their unrecognized prowess. Rousseau Jean-Jacques countered the
assertions through his excerpt “Sophie or the Woman”. He lamented that women
complaints about men injustice was invalid (Rousseau 67).
The cases of teachers like Debra LaFave, Pamela Rogers Turner, and Sara
Bench Salorio
There is arranging debate
on the ability of female teachers being endowed with great teaching prowess compared
to their male counterparts. According to “Woman Not Inferior to Man” women produce more naturally capable
teachers than men. Arguably, women are created with natural talent and
eloquence necessary in the teaching fraternity. According to Sophia (62) “All
the oratory of the schools is not able to give the men that eloquence and ease
of speech” However, there has been an increase in cases of female teachers
having sexual affairs with underage students. Arguably, order women being
engaged in explicit acts with underage men was nothing new (Donaldson-Evans).Sophia
would have stood in support of the alleged teachers. Indeed, “women can
persuade what they please; and can dictate, defend or distinguish between right
and wrong without the help of laws,” (Sophia 62). On the other hand, it is clear
Rousseau would have rebuked the female teachers. He considers women to have
been in a way that they should exhibit modesty in their behavior that should be
appreciated if practiced within the law. Arguably, “In endowing women with
unlimited desires he added modesty in order to restrain them; moreover he has
also given a reward for the correct use of their faculties,” (Rousseau 66).
Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton Candidacy
The world today has seen recognition of women political leaders rising
to the ladder of leadership against the backdrop of male counterparts. For
instance, Hillary Clinton rise to powerful political positions as secretary of
state, her presidential candidacy coupled with Sarah Palin contest for the
Republican ticket indicates transformations towards gender acceptance. Sophia
would appreciate and compliment this agitation to ascend to higher government
and public offices. In her excerpt from the “Woman Not Inferior to Man” she
laments men’s injustice to women, outright power and how the foundation of such
mannish excessiveness should be sapped from it. “They first took the trouble of
public employment off our hands, if their injustice were content with stopping
there….they are not satisfied with engrossing all authority into their own
hands…to confute this mannish extravagance, it will be necessary to sap it from
the foundation on which it is built,” (Sophia 62). Rousseau considers woman
rise could only be under the assistance of men. Arguably, there should have
been a men force behind Palin and Hillary candidature. “In order for women to
have what they need to fulfill their purpose in life, we must give it to them,
we must want to give it to them,” (Rousseau 69)
Women in Combat Zones
The number of women exposed to military frontier regions has been
increasing steadily. The US military opened combat positions to women to fill
220,000 jobs (Bradner). Arguably, women have embraced military duties and
profession just like any other career. Apparently, Sophia had noted the
similarity of the military responsibilities to other professions and as such
women were still well endowed to venture into them just like men. “The military
art has no mystery in it beyond others, which women cannot attain…persuasion,
heat and example are the soul of victory: and women can show as much eloquence,
intrepidity, and warmth, where their honor is at stake, as is requisite to
attack or defend a town,” (Sophia 63). However, according to Rousseau’s
“Sophie or the Woman”, there exists a difference in the moral duties of women
and men. In this regard women should be relegated to please men as the law of
nature but not be exposed to the combat frontiers. He notes that “One should be
strong and active, the other weak and passive….woman was specifically made to
please man….but it is the law of nature,” (Rousseau 66).
Growing Prevalence of Stay-at-Home Dads
More men are taking home duties exceptionally well just like women. The
number of dads staying at home to take care of the home chores and take of
their families has risen. It would be good gesture appreciative of her praise
as Sophia considers both men and women to be endowed with equal propensions and
passion.”And the soul operating in the same manner in the one and the other is
capable of the very same functions in both,” (Sophia 61). In a broad
perspective, taking “feminine duties” at home should be appreciative of the men
but not ridicule them.” And therefore to use these expressions with propriety,
when a man possess our virtues he should be called effeminate by way of the
highest praise of his good nature and justice,” (63). Rousseau hold the opinion
that women should be responsible for taking care of the children at home “she
to whom nature has entrusted the care of the children must hold herself
accountable for them,” (67).
Male Nurses
Recently, the number of
male nurses has been in the rise as more men join the nursing profession.
Considering men as exacerbate patient grievances, increasing treatment costs and
puzzling the profession with hard names, Sophia would have rebuked male nurses.
According to her, medicine should be a preserve for women. Sophia (63) observes
that “Our sex seems born to teach and practice medicine; to restore health to
the sick, and preserve it to the well.” In reference to men she says that
“Indeed, we must yield to them in the art of inventing hard names, and puzzling
the cure….adding to a patient’s grievance with the costliness of remedies,”
(63). Apparently, men should practice medicine but they should take on
different roles but not nursing. There should a distinct demarcation on the
duties of men and women in the medicine fraternity. Rousseau observes that “In following the directions of nature they must
act together but they should not do the same things; their duties have a common
end, but duties themselves are different and consequently also the tastes that
direct them,” (68). Rousseau considers men action to be right and beyond public
opinion. He argues that “A man has no one but himself to consider, and so long
as he does right he may defy public opinion,” (Rousseau, 69).
Conclusion
Sophia
considered women to have more power and ability or to be equal to men. Women
are born with natural eloquence and talent needed in different professions.
They do not need laws to dictate upon what they should or should not do.
However, Rousseau attributes women control to natural law and as such their
behavior should conform to the tenets of modesty. Although the political
platform has changed, women still find it difficult to ascend to government and
public positions. However, few exceptions have been made and as such Sarah
Palin and Hillary Clinton candidacy implies worth and essential
transformations. Rousseau holds the
view that women and men cannot be equal. The assertion by women that men expose
them to inequalities is invalid. Arguably, there exists a wide demarcation on
the natural duties for men and women. Men are endowed with power and vigor to
undertake demanding jobs while women are naturally weak such that they should
undertaker lesser roles.
Works Cited
Catherine,
Donalson-Evans. When Ms. Teacher Goes After Male Pupil. 12 Feb. 2005.
Web. 4 Feb. 2016 http://www.foxnews.com/story/2005/02/12/when-ms-teacher-goes-after-male-pupil.html
Eric
Bradner. US Military Opens Combat Positions to Women. 3 Dec. 2015 Web. 4
Feb. 2016 < http://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/03/politics/u-s-military-women-combat-positions/>
Jean-Jacques
Rousseau. Sophie or the Woman Government and Politics in the Enlightenement 65-69
Sophia.
Woman Not Inferior to Man Global Patterns of Politics and Culture 60-64
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