The quote in question represents a view of many people (both males and females). This was a dominating opinion in the past, but even now people still tend to share this viewpoint.
Thus, females were to be in charge of their households without any meaningful rights or responsibilities outside their houses, as people believed that females could not do anything but could only take care of children and their husbands. Females “were assumed to lack political consciousness entirely or inadequate measure” (Basu 3). People could hardly imagine a female scientist.
Some feminist researchers believe that male domination is the result “of men’s desire to transcend their alienation from the means of the reproduction of the species” (Scott 1058). In other words, men managed to take over power over all aspects of women’s life to make everybody forget about the real dominance of females or rather equal importance of the two genders.
Of course, this is only an assumption but it can be, at least, partially, true. The viewpoint that women are inferior appeared and established centuries ago. Religion is one of the primary means to maintain the world order established.
Hinduism and Islam can be seen as some of the most oppressive religions, as there are numerous stories about women’s rights restrictions. Interestingly, these religions postulate the equality of men and women. However, in many texts and in practice, women are assigned to perform only certain roles.
Being a Christian, I have almost no experiences concerning the role of women in Islam and Hinduism. I only know some stories I heard or read in books and newspapers. What I think about the role of females in Islam and Hinduism may be different from reality. Nonetheless, I believe my major viewpoint on the matter is quite correct.
The quote can characterize Islam and Hinduism as females are treated as unequal and inferior to men. Only a few women occupy meaningful posts in politics, business, science, sport, education, medicine. The rest of females have to stay home, be proper wives (or future wives) and mothers. They can only dream about some sort of freedom that can be achieved through performing some roles in society.
Most strikingly, loads of women do not even dream about it as they are taught to be supportive, submissive and feel inferior. Education (especially in areas where Islam is state religion) is based on religious texts and young people learn about the world absorbing the views of those who claim that women do not have abilities or desires to perform any meaningful role outside their households. Thousands of young people start sharing that view and believing that it is the only right world order.
In conclusion, it is possible to state that many people (both men and women) think that females are not capable of being active members of society by occupying high posts and completing certain tasks. This is especially true for areas where people practice Islam and Hinduism.
Women in these religions are seen as inferior (even though in many religious texts, equality is a major principle). Luckily, the modern world is changing and women understand that they can and should take up more responsibilities to make the world better. The progress of women in countries where Islam and Hinduism are official religions show that males and females are becoming more prepared for real gender equality.
Works Cited
Basu, Amrita. “Appropriating Gender.” Appropriating Gender: Women’s Activism and Politicized Religion in South Asia. Ed. Patricia Jeffery and Amrita Basu. New York: Routledge, 1997. 3-14. Print.
Scott, Joan W. “Gender: A Useful Category of Historical Analysis.” The American Historical Review 91.5 (1986): 1053-1075. Print.