9: Women, family and gender issues.

Range of interpretations of what Islam "Says" about the conduct of women and relationships between men and women. can be suggested that "patriarchal assumptions" are present in Muslim majority societies....refers to "patriarchal family" that is linked to "extended networks of kin" (social system controlled by or overseen by men) Inferiority of women built into shar'ia provisions going back to Qur'an. Patriarchal assumptions also structured into the Arabic language of Islam. Qur'an improved condition of women compared to pre Islamic period. traditionalists believe Qur'an is final word of God and represents ideal state......modernists argue it just reflects conditions of the time and principle should be honoured rather than literal word. legal tradition shows much flexibility in mediating Qur'anic prescriptions on social life with varying consequences for the condition of women...but in practice only well off or women from powerful families have made use of such opportunities. much regional and cultural diversity in attitudes to women, work and child rearing....often depends on regional history where there may not have been a history of seclusion. in Sunni tradition....woman's guardian often has right to choose her partner for her. In Shi'a tradition...women regarded as equal partner. men have greater divorce rights and custody rights. Shi'ite tradition allows for  temporary marriage for sexual purposes. Muslim tradition unapologetic about Muhammad's multiple marriages and sexual prowess.....point to political motivations of the time such as tribal alliances. Muslim tradition strongly affirmative of sexual activity within marriage. Mahram taboo forbids married women from mixing with men except for male relatives with whom marriage is forbidden.....has drastically limited women's opportunities outside the home. in most religious ritual....separation of the sexes reinforced by tabbos on menstruation and child birth. dress reflected occupation in pre-modern Islam...this is not reflected in "standardised Islamic dress".....rather a post colonial desire for authenticity. Some argue it emancipates women...allowing them to participate with men publically without being looked at as a sexual object......some adopt veil due to family pressure....practicality sometimes dictates...ie: cant wear it working in the fields. law changes in post colonial era: 1) liberalising or secularising...law codes brought into line with western norms. 2) return to Islamic norms and Hadud punishments....impact varies depending on how they have been implemented. Islam and feminism problem for feminists: Qur'an is unchangeable word of God...and includes issues where gender difference is specified. attacking patriarchal assumptions in Hadith is less controversial. processes leading to change of role of female in Muslim public domain: economic change puts pressure on women to complete waged work alongside men.......mass literacy and education directs women professionally into similar roles as men. Veil that covers the face should not be confused with Hijab that covers a woman's hair can be viewed as a uniform....all look the same...camouflages rich clothing negating ostentation...expresses solidarity etc. in 1950's many discarded Hijab through modernity and emancipation......changes occurred....by 1980's Hijab again popular...disillusionment with Arab progress that favoured the west....view of over permissiveness of westerners...also gives freedom from unwanted male attention and access to women's solidarity and influence. little in Qur'an about gender relations...verse 4.34 indicates men as protectors and maintainers of women....then 2nd verse seems to authorise punishment of women. many other verses put this verse into perspective...stressing mutuality, equal divorce rights, common origin and love and mercy. Qur'an instructs both genders to cover genitals, and women to conceal breasts and decorations like jewellery. (fewer restrictions on older women)....muslim women should wear an outer garment so they are recognised as a Muslim. Four main Sunni law schools differ on view of veiling....3 consider it obligatory....one does not. Men must dress modestly...always loosely covered from navel to knee in public and should not wear tight, sheer, revealing or eye catching clothes. many cultural and historical variations on dress. hadith states "he who wears clothes of pride in this world will be dressed in humiliating clothes in the next life"

New Page