Introduction
A concept of power can be treated in different ways. It can be defined as the right or ability to influence and control other people or some happenings. It may touch different spheres of life, its global and individual aspects. The issue of power is often associated with political authority and is typical of men. However, women should not be treated as powerless and stay abused or controlled. There are many other aspects of power such as economic, social, spiritual, etc. where women can embody their power. Besides, female power greatly depends on the cultural background.
Women Power
The Asante Confederacy in Ghana can be an example of women’s economic power. It is a rare case of the matrilineal community. Although women have some official authority positions, there are more men in power. In this community, women have more influence in the field of trade, thus having economic power. Since economic independence is crucial for Asante women, they are involved in farming and trade equally with men. They are the leaders of the regional market being in charge of all trading questions.
Gradually their power progressed from solving internal market disputes to negotiating on the external level. Consequently, Asante females do not fight for power with men but share the spheres of influence.
The power of women may be observed not only in politics or economy which are traditionally dominated by men. In some conventional societies with long cultural traditions, the power of women is realized in the domestic or private sphere. The men here are involved in the public sphere. They solve political issues, manage military operations, work on the legal system, and govern the economics. At the same time, women are responsible for the private sphere and are accountable for children and households.
Such division is characteristic of patriarchal societies. This type of power can be observed in Japan, especially with Japanese employees working abroad. A Japanese wife is expected to follow her husband anywhere. Her task is to create a traditional Japanese home. On the one hand, this tradition may seem discriminating. However, it is also a kind of power. It includes being a mother, wife, homemaker, and taking care of family members. It is a kind of hidden power that is often unnoticed but has a significant influence on the emotional and physical health of the family.
In some traditional patriarchal societies, the accepted gender structure may change unexpectedly. Typically, women follow their men in immigration. However, the situation is opposite for nurses from the Indian state Kerala. If they choose to leave the country, their husbands follow them. The fact of choosing a nursing profession confronts marriage traditions. In the Keralite community, the girls are not allowed to communicate with men who are not their relatives.
However, a nurse deals with different patients, both male and female. It gives them some particular power which may be called professional. Together with some power, the nursing profession may have ethical consequences. Young women study away from home and due to this fact they are often suspected of sexually inappropriate behavior. Nevertheless, Indian women change traditional patriarchal concepts when getting an education and earn money which is conventionally male prerogative power.
Conclusion
On the whole, women tend to be equal to men when it comes to power. They often succeed and have an impact on society making important decisions. However, the major female power may be in their weakness and the ability to influence the powerful men.