Women as a Minority in the U.S.

 

 

More will be added to this section as the semester progresses.  We start with some basic foundations (in our western Judeo-Christian heritage) about the nature of women and men.  These foundations are important because from them, stems society's "philosophy" about the "place" of women and men in society.   Even today, many Christian conservatives argue that a "woman's place is in the home."  Phyllis Schafley, who heads the conservative "Eagle Forum"  makes this argument.  (I will post her web page for you to see).  On the other side of the spectrum, organizations like the National Organization for Women (NOW) argue that these beliefs are an example of "false consciousness"-- a belief in an ideology that keeps women from achieving their full potential in society.  Phyllis Schafley should not be regarded as some kind of "kook" on the fringe of society's mainstream values and beliefs.  You may remember that the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)-- placing legislative emphasis on the rights of women--  failed ratification by the necessary number of states in the 1980s.  Phyllis Schafley was instrumental in the defeat of ERA.  Check out the following WEB sites for more information-- (Just click on them): 

EAGLE FORUM  http://www.eagleforum.org/

NOW   http://www.now.org/

 

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I. Origins of dominant ideas about sexuality and women:

A. The Judeo-Christian Heritage (from Reiss Family Systems):

1. (Strong) Ever since the biblical account of Adam and Eve, the general notion has been that women are subordinate to men (Adam's rib) and must be regarded with caution (Eve as an evil temptress with the apple).

2. The apostle, Paul saw sexuality as evil and urged all his followers to be celibate-- (This was part of the "otherworldliness of Christianity."

a. (Corinthians 7:10-12) "I say to the unmarried widows that it is good for them to be as me [celibate].  But if they cannot, it is better to marry than to burn."

b. So, marriage become second best to celibacy.

3. There were other manifestations of the "second class citizenship" that the church assigned to women.

a. In church, they were to cover their heads and remain silent (presumably because they were too stupid to under stand the complexities of the sermon that the male priest was delivering).

b. They were to submit to their husbands in all matters-- remember the words "Submit and Obey" in the wedding ceremony.

c. Of course, they weren't allowed to preach.

d. In fact, in the 6th century the Council of Macon debated whether or not women even possessed souls!

4. St. Thomas of Aquinas quote: "Woman is defective, accidental... a male gone awry... the result of some weakness in the generative power."

a.  (How wrong St. Thomas was!-- We know now that all fetuses, in the early stages of development in the womb resemble females!)  If women had total power in society, scripture may have stated the opposite...  "Man is defective, accidental, a female gone awry...)

 

 

Now, lets fast forward to the 21st century.  Here are some statistics that illustrate the status of men and women in the work force.

 

Race/Ethnicity

Percent of female earnings to male earnings (2nd Qtr, 1999)

Percent of female earnings to male earnings (2002) (Stat. Abstract. 2003, p.423)

White

73     ($506/$689)

78     ($549/$702)

Black

83     ($419/$504)

91     ($474/$523)

Hispanic

84     ($363/$433)

88     ($396/$449)

All groups

74     ($494/$665)

78     ($530/$680)

 

 

White Male

White Female

Black Male

Black Female

Hispanic Male

Hispanic Female

MD weekly earnings (2002)

$702.

$549.

$523.

$474.

$449.

$396.

% of White Male

100%

78%

74%

67%

64%

56%

 

 

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