Wife Seclusion
Wife seclusion limits the movement of Muslim women. They cannot leave their homes without their husbands or their permission. They must be covered head to toe and cannot speak or meet men outside their family. Women who are divorced, widowed, or can no longer have children, do not have to follow these rules as strictly. This cultural/religious practice is said to violate women’s rights since the women must rely on the man in order to speak and stand for them. It is controversial because it is a woman’s choice to take part in this cultural and religious practice. Who are we to judge the way these women live when we, ourselves with all our freedoms end up cheating, divorcing, and end up in far worse scandals. I think this practice calls for men to be strong and financially adequate so that they can afford to have their women in seclusion. With limited interaction there is no deceit from the wife and creates a tighter knit family relation. Of course they have their own cons, but overall it is the norm and it is a way of life that these women have chosen to respect.
Mwilu, Lwanga. "Human Rights and Choice: Examining Cultural Practices That Disadvantage Women." Consultancy Africa Intelligence - Assist | Inform | Empower. 30 Apr. 2010. Web. 13 Feb. 2011. .
Great topic. This is definitely a very controversial issue in regards to human rights, but when looking at it with a cultural relativist perspective, it is actually very understandable. As you said, look at our own culture where cheating, lying, and deceit has become common place especially in the area of sexual relationships and family (although that is a generalization). The difference between strict muslim culture and western culture is vast; almost like two totally different mindsets. But at the same time, although many of them accept this seclusion as part of their culture, I am sure there are some women who feel socially confined and suppressed.
ReplyDeleteALthough you bring up valid points, I do not belive that all the women have a choice in whether or not they want to live this way of life. More than likley they are brought up with this type of backround,and/or are born into this way of life. Furthermore, I don't believe that women should rely on men for literally everything. ALso, with the man having so much power, it may cause him to take advantage over his wife. Have you researched the cons about it? Would you like to live a life in seclusion? Although our society has its cons, at least we as women have a CHOICE in what ever we want to do. We choose who we want to build relationships with , where we want to get an education, what career path we want, and even what religion we choose to practice, that is IF of course we choose to practice any. I understand that we can not judge nor disrespect someone else's religion but I am a strong believer that women should stand up for themselves and not rely on men.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with both what you and JSnavely have said. I think that comparing the lives of the Muslim women to ours can lead us in the direction of ethnocentrism. I know that there are many Muslim women who are very happy with this cultural practice, as well as some who are not, but it is not out place to believe that our way is better. Very different, yes, but not necessarily 'better'.
ReplyDeleteLook at the protests in France in response to a law that women would not be allowed to wear headscarves. The Muslim women in France were outraged, because they feel that the headscarf is not a prison but a part of their modesty, and identity.
I would not like for my life to be like that, but I was not socialized and raised to believe in the norms and practices that these women were. I would imagine many of them would not want their life to be like mine.
Its hard to decide this topic as a violation of human rights or not. Its seems as if the women of the Muslim religion accept this norm and are comfortable with it because to them its important in their culture. We cannot judge those types of morals they believe in because you right in our society we have many failed marriages.
ReplyDelete