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7/30/2019 Government vs. Women: Rights Belong To Everyone
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Government vs. Women: Rights
Belong To Everyone
By Lu Wang
Copyrighted by Lu Wang 2012
7/30/2019 Government vs. Women: Rights Belong To Everyone
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Have you ever thought about
What life would be like if you, as a proudly successful married business woman, coming
home to a cozy family dinner made by your husband, who takes care of practically all the
house choirs from mobbing the floor to changing babys diapers? Or, take a quick look of your
company employees; have you noticed any ratio differences in sex? Is this trend rather
consistent in every other industry worldwide? Then, you remember the chaotic social and
economical controversy in China regarding the one-child policy after it took effect in 1979.
To control the increasing overpopulation problem in the Peoples Republic of China, the
Chinese government had adopted the policy to limit on one child per family in the late 1970s.
While the number of population had drastically decreased, the issue of gender-selected
abortion, abandonment and infanticide could not be prevented. Government has played an
important role in womens right in human history. From the very beginning when society was
created and known, government acted as a major factor in influencing the superiority of men
over women; however, with increasing awareness of womens rights, initiated bySusan B.
Anthony and progressed by activist groups such asICADV, sexual equality is finally
foreseeing.
Throughout history
men have obtained the sovereignty in society, andwomen have been treated as the lower
class of the two genders. Philpott, Dan, in his published article named "Sovereignty", defines
sovereignty as the supreme authority with a well defined territoriality, and it is the mutually
acknowledged source of legitimacy. This supreme authority can be observed in a typical
family when the men have the right to command and take control of various aspects of the
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-child_policyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-child_policyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-child_policyhttp://susanbanthonyhouse.org/her-story/biography.phphttp://susanbanthonyhouse.org/her-story/biography.phphttp://susanbanthonyhouse.org/her-story/biography.phphttp://susanbanthonyhouse.org/her-story/biography.phphttp://www.ilcadv.org/about_icadv/herstory.htmlhttp://www.ilcadv.org/about_icadv/herstory.htmlhttp://www.ilcadv.org/about_icadv/herstory.htmlhttp://plato.stanford.edu/entries/sovereignty/http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/sovereignty/http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/sovereignty/http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/sovereignty/http://www.ilcadv.org/about_icadv/herstory.htmlhttp://susanbanthonyhouse.org/her-story/biography.phphttp://susanbanthonyhouse.org/her-story/biography.phphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-child_policy7/30/2019 Government vs. Women: Rights Belong To Everyone
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family life. The women, on the other hand, collectively acquired the custom and tradition to
obey without any objection. According to theConfucianism, which was the most honorable
social political teaching in China, men were superior to women in a sense that men provided
financial support and possessed the responsibility of taking care of parents and children. One
can not be surprised that when the one-child policy took effect in the Chinese government in
1979, abortion of female fetal, abandonment and infanticide of baby girls were commonly seen.
Many studies have conducted to describe the methods of abortion against female fetus. These
includes the earliest stage of obtaining blood sample, to either transvaginal or transabdominal
ultrasonography. After the sex has been determined, the family has up to 15 weeks gestation
to decide whether to keep the child. In this case, million of female fetuses were aborted every
year, and thousands of female children gone missing or reported dead so the family is granted
the permission to have another pregnancy. The one-child policy created huge problems in the
Chinese social and political culture. It encouraged the sexual superiority of men over women
and greatly influenced the social-economic values of women in the society. It also created an
uneven sex ratio in the overall population; many have foreseen and expressed concern that
prenatal sex selection may reduce the number of families in the next generation.
After seeing the tremendous impact
of One-child policy on women, human rights group stood up to emphasize illegality of sex-
selective abortion, abandonment, and feticide. Policy makers in China are attempting to
provide financial incentives to parents who have a female child. In the United States of
America, anti-abortion activists have pushed congress to pass legislation that outlaw abortion.
One distinct case of sex-selective abortions was carried out by live Action, a pro-life group,
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who sends actors posing as pregnant women into Planned Parenthood clinics and investigate on
female fetus abortion. They constructed a pattern of interviews in regards sex-selective
abortions, and the process was captured in a series of videos called Gendercide: Sex-Section
in America1. When the actor-patient expressed her will on terminating the fetus life if the
tests will detect a baby girl, the staff did not provide adequate education or advise on sex-
selective abortion, but on the other hand, encouraging the late-term feticide. Although the
spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood have explained the situation by terminating the staff
employment for not following proper protocols for highly unusual patient scenario, the public
started to realize the global context of gender preference and to the need to call for solutions.
Other cases of women being abused
physically and mentally can be found in other countries across the globe. The incident that
was reported in The Newyorks Time magazine entitled Afghan Girls, Scarred by Acid, Defy
Terror, Embracing School described the cruel reality that Afghanistan women are subordinate
and unable to receive education like men. Women in general are not allowed to go to school.
The ones who actually do, such asShamsia Husseini, would have to endure excessive physical
and mental challenges by men. For instance, an unknown man attacked Shamsia by pulling her
burqa and sprays her face with burning acid, leaving her facial features with scars and
discoloration and blurred vision. This act of violent from a completely stranger reflects the
root of gender status. Men exercised their power ruthlessly and unlawfully over women.
Despite all, women are became more encourage to go to school then ever, the Mirwais School
for Girls was constructed by the Japanese government to encourage girls to go to school and
1 Video: Sex-Selection in America: Part 1 Undercover in Texas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=U2H3ZDnBtuw#!
http://youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=U2H3ZDnBtuw#!http://youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=U2H3ZDnBtuw#!http://youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=U2H3ZDnBtuw#!http://youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=U2H3ZDnBtuw#!http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/14/world/asia/14kandahar.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/14/world/asia/14kandahar.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/14/world/asia/14kandahar.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/14/world/asia/14kandahar.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0http://youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=U2H3ZDnBtuw#!http://youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=U2H3ZDnBtuw#!7/30/2019 Government vs. Women: Rights Belong To Everyone
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receive education like men. This is a sign of social revolution, that women are refused to live
life as subordinate, being abused physically and mentally by the society. They believe that by
receiving education, they can better themselves, better the traditional view on women, and
better the social value in women.
With the increasing cases
of women being abused physically and mentally, sexual inequality has to come in an end.
In Dan Philpotts articleSovereignty, the Catholic philosopher Maritain criticized
absolute sovereignty for its intimidating strength, and they sought to place limits on its power
and authority. In other words, the supreme authority of men over women in the society has
gone overboard, and the society needs to
place a stop to it by increasing awareness of
sexual inequality. Not having the rights to
vote from the very beginning, one woman
stood up and opposed the government. Her
name isSusan B. Anthony. She was the first
woman devoting to fight for womens rights
to vote. Gathering and inspiring other
women activists to work together, she
revolted against the government and co-
founded theNational Womans Suffrage
Association withElizabeth Cady Stanton.
The NWSA played an important role in
http://susanbanthonyhouse.org/her-story/biography.phphttp://susanbanthonyhouse.org/her-story/biography.phphttp://susanbanthonyhouse.org/her-story/biography.phphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Cady_Stantonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Cady_Stantonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Cady_Stantonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Cady_Stantonhttp://susanbanthonyhouse.org/her-story/biography.php7/30/2019 Government vs. Women: Rights Belong To Everyone
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influencing government policy making. This includes the opposition to the Fifteen
Amendment to the United States Constitution, which prohibits the government from denying a
citizens right to vote based on race, color or previous condition of servitude, unless women
were included in the context. With the tremendous amount of effort, Women had succeeded
in 1920 based on the Nineteenth Amendment, which stated that the right of citizens to vote
shall not be denied on account of sexual differences. This was an important advancement for
women in seeking equality in social status. It encouraged women activists in continuing
raising their voices against unlawful treatment by the society, earning more rights that they
deserve as human. Unfortunately, gaining to right to vote by Susan B. Anthony and NWSA
was only the beginning for woman; they did not gain everything they deserve like the men due
to long history of gender preference. Women continue to suffer till present time.
In our world today
women are looked at as inferiors to men in the work place. When compared to men, women
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are usually paid significantly less for the same type of work. Women working office jobs
average around half the wages that men earn. Men have been treated with more respect by
employers, giving them an advantage when it comes to raises and promotions. There are cases
of women being raped or sexually harassed by men at their place of work, yet very few of
those cases were resolved. Since supervisors usually side with men, many women kept quite
about being harassed due to the fear of retaliation. For the ones that do speak out, most
received no little justice for the suffering that was imposed upon them. Women should stick
together that form a louder voice to speak out against the inequality to women in the work
place around the world.
Changes in the world
began many years ago as governments such as Japan, Egypt, Iran, Taiwan, and Brazil made
changes to accommodate women. In Japan, women that were riding on co-ed trains were
often molested or groped. In fear of further physical harm, most women did not fight back.
Since most women that were molested by strangers could not name their suspects, the police
was unable to assist them. In 1912, the Japanese government then implemented a Women-
Only-Cars program and allowed only women to ride the trains and buses during certain hours
of the day. This is an example of status group, which defines as means of power or authority
being exercised by a particular group of people. There are privileges available only to
members of the group and the developments of specific rules or interests are there to further
benefit their members. In addition to women, the program only allowed handicapped people,
elementary school boys, and the womens assistants to ride during the hours set aside for
women to ride.
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themselves and need the governments assistance. In addition, the non supporters from both
genders believe that crime deterrence is a better solution. There should be more cameras and
security readily available on public transportation to make sure that these types of criminals
dont go unpunished. Harsher punishment and longer detention times were also another
suggestion.
With more to come in the future
using social networking sites with the technology today, women can support each other or
work together to achieve a long overdue equality that is owed to them. According to the
Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the government rarely does anything to benefit
the that are beaten by their domestic partners, allowing many domestic violent criminals to get
away with their crimes. Women would be beaten by men if they were disloyal or disobeyed
their male partners. To stop this,ICADVhad set up violence programs throughout Illinois,
hoping to minimize domestic violence in the near future. The Indiana Coalition Against
Domestic Violences vision is to promote healthy relationships by mutual sharing of
responsibilities and respect. This program encourages men and women to become more
educated about
sexual equality
and to work
together to resolve
domestic violence
issues. The men
that beat their
domestic partners usually feel that they are superior and do not allow themselves to share their
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emotional troubles with their partners. Instead, they express their inner discomfort with
physically violence, usually directed towards their spouse or co-habitant. The ICADV aims to
help men understand that men and women are equal, and that men can discuss their problems
with women in a peaceful manner. Domestic violence is a choice, and can be prevented if the
proper steps are taken.
The future holds many things to come
for women and men to deal with such hardships in their lives. Striking against the
government, women have earnedequal payin 1981 with the Pay Equity Strike in San Jose
California. Women have impacted the world with their strikes against the government and
have been victorious many times. In the United States, more and more women are holding
positions of power. Hilary Clinton was the first female to be seriously considered as a
contender or the presidential candidacy in 2008. Even though Mrs. Clinton did not win the
nomination, her effort impacted the world and encouraged women to strive for positions they
never thought they could accomplish. She plans to run for president again in 2016. As we
move forward, womens salaries are greatly improved. Stay-at-home moms are becoming
more scarce, as stay-at-home dads are becoming more common and socially accepted.
Therefore
despite the long history of government influential on sexual inequality, which can depicted
from the One-child policy and the abusive case of Shamsia Husseini, social-political activists
and groups such as Susan B. Anthony and ICADV stood up and change views on fundamental
human rights. More and more examples have risen to demonstrate the wrongful tradition of
gender preference, and more people become aware of the social inequality. The Japanese
https://www.reuther.wayne.edu/node/849https://www.reuther.wayne.edu/node/849https://www.reuther.wayne.edu/node/849https://www.reuther.wayne.edu/node/8497/30/2019 Government vs. Women: Rights Belong To Everyone
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Women-only transportation served to protect women in against mens sexual harassments in
public, and it also took a step in changing the tradition view on power exercise between men
and women. Men are no long the only financial source in the family and political source in the
nation; thus, women deserve the same respect!
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Works Cited:
"National Woman Suffrage Association." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 15
Nov. 2012.
"Susan B. Anthony House :: Her Story." The Official Susan B. Anthony House :: Home. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2012.
"Elizabeth Cady Stanton." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2012.
"Afghan Girls, Scarred by Acid, Defy Terror, Embracing School - NYTimes.com." The New
York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2012
"Illinois Coaltion Against Domestic Violence History." ILCADV. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2012.
"Walter P. Reuther Library (7501) Pay equity strike, San Jose, CA." Web. 15 Nov. 2012.
One-child policy, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Wed, 8 December 2012
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-child_policy
Sex-Selection in America
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=U2H3ZDnBtuw#!
Philpott, Dan, "Sovereignty", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2010 Edition),
Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL =
.
Wolff, R. P., 1990. The Conflict Between Authority and Autonomy, Oxford: Basil Blackwell.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-child_policyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-child_policy