Patriarchal Research Articles

Discourse of the Marginalized: A Critical Analysis of Mulk Raj Anand's The Old Woman and The Cow

Women have had lower social status in Indian traditional culture. The primary objective of the study is to critically evaluate Mulk Raj Anand’s novel The Old Woman and The Cow from a feminist perspective. By adopting this approach, the research aims to illuminate the marginalized voices within the narrative and explore the novel's treatment of gender, power dynamics, and societal norms. The analysis of the novel is grounded in feminist criticism, focusing on the portrayal of female characters, their agency, and the challenges they confront in a patriarchal society. The methodology involves closely examining the text, paying careful attention to character development, narrative structure, and thematic elements. The study reveals how Anand’s novel provides a platform for marginalized voices, emphasizing the resilience and agency of women in the face of adversity. It underscores the role of literature in challenging societal norms and advocating for social change.

Incarcerated Power: Tracing Foucault’s Footsteps in Nawal El Saadawi’s Woman at Point Zero

Abstract Many researchers have approached Nawal El Saadawi’s Woman at Point Zero from different perspectives; however, little has been done to show the complexity of the main character, Firdaus, and her transformation through the story. The present study focuses on the process of character transformation from what may seem to be a state of misery to that of disobedience and heroic resistance. Foucault’s theory of power, as followed by the third-wave feminists, can shed further light on the dynamic change in the personality of the central character. The study reveals that the laws in a patriarchal society, the protagonist’s lack of awareness, and her irresistible fears are the main reasons for her predicaments. The study also shows that the main character, Firdaus, as a free subject, is not always a passive recipient of power but from time to time, she also makes her presence felt. By telling her story, she tries to share her idiosyncratic form of power with other women and inspire them in their struggles against social inequality and male chauvinism.

The Relevance of Agrarian Reform to the Sustainable Development Goals: Analysis of Community Land Empowerment for Food Sufficiency and Gender Equality through the Fishbone Diagram Method

Abstract: This study aims to examine the state of food sufficiency and gender equality in Purwabakti Village and the relevance of community land empowerment programs in achieving food sufficiency and gender equality. The research follows a qualitative case study approach, collecting data through interviews, observations, and document analysis. Data were analyzed qualitatively using the fishbone diagram method, focusing on four primary variables: human resources, machinery, methods, and materials. Data on malnutrition and stunting indicate that issues of food vulnerability compromise food sufficiency in Purwabakti Village. Furthermore, gender equality remains a challenge within this predominantly patriarchal society. Women tend to fulfill traditional gender roles with domestic responsibilities, while men assume public roles. This patriarchal rural society generally accepts the predominant land ownership by men (as heads of households), reflecting gender inequality. The fishbone diagram analysis indicates that, despite some progress, community land empowerment programs still exhibit limitations in addressing the SDGs, particularly the goals of “zero hunger” and gender equality. Keywords: Access regulation, Rural Communities, Gender inequality, Patriarchal Culture, Woman Empowerment

Young Bedouin-Arab Men’s Ego and Pride: Do Traditional Masculinity and Positive Attitudes Toward Polygyny Shape Responses to a Wife’s Refusal?

Cultural traditions in Israel’s Bedouin-Arab community encourage and permit men to take up to four wives, a practice supported by Islamic teachings. Despite legal prohibitions against polygyny in Israel, such marriages remain common and have profound effects on women, children, and broader society. This study explores how traditional notions of masculinity and positive attitudes toward polygyny influence young Bedouin men’s reactions to a hypothetical scenario in which their wife refuses to accept a polygynous marriage as a threat to men’s ego and pride. The sample consisted of 459 young, unmarried Israeli Bedouin-Arab men, aged 16 to 25, a demographic frequently under family pressure to marry, making the issue of marriage highly relevant. We hypothesized that traditional masculinity and favorable attitudes toward polygyny would be positively associated with heightened perceptions of ego and pride threats in response to a wife’s refusal. Participants were randomly assigned to imagine either their wife refusing a polygynous arrangement (n = 228) or accepting a polygynous arrangement (n = 231) and then reporting their anticipated emotional responses. The results showed that traditional masculinity was linked to positive attitudes toward polygyny, and both were significantly associated with increased perceptions of ego and pride threats in the refusal scenario but not in the acceptance scenario. The findings suggest that men with strong masculine identities and favorable views of polygyny are especially vulnerable to feeling threatened by a wife’s refusal. This supports social construction theory and underscores the role of cultural norms in shaping emotional responses. The discussion highlights the psychological impacts of polygyny in patriarchal societies and calls for culturally sensitive interventions that challenge traditional norms while fostering psychological resilience and gender equality.

Does women's political participation promote green innovation? Global evidence

AbstractA long‐standing theory is that men value technology, while women focus more on human welfare and living conditions. Using data from 101 countries between 1996 and 2019, this study examines the impact of women's political participation on green innovation. Our results show that a one‐unit increase in women's political participation is positively associated with a 0.081 unit increase in the standard deviation of green innovation. This effect is particularly significant in developed countries where women's political participation is above the global average. Analysis using the method of moments quantile regression (MMQR) shows a more pronounced effect at lower quantiles of green innovation in high‐carbon countries, due to women's heightened environmental sensitivity. Furthermore, implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, bureaucratic quality, and law and order strengthen this relationship. Accordingly, we identify countries that should prioritize improving women's political status, especially in patriarchal and Muslim societies.

Womanhood as Imagined in Shivani’s Novels and Short Stories

Abstract Gaura Pant, popularly known as ‘Shivani’ or ‘Diddi’, was a prominent Hindi writer who contributed immensely to India’s rich literary landscape. Her works reflect nuanced exploration of gender and women’s identity within pre- and postcolonial India. Despite being brought up in a traditional Hindu household, her literary works still managed to traverse established boundaries, challenging patriarchal hierarchies and advocating for women’s empowerment. She published forty prominent literary works along with hundreds of newspaper columns and articles. Most of them are original works in Hindi. This paper unearths prominent themes and constructs within her various short stories, originally written in Hindi, and her well-known novel Bhairavi: The Runaway. While contextualizing her writings with reference to her own life, the paper concludes that Shivani’s works, in exploring the ordinary lives of women within a patriarchal society, are feminist in nature.

The Arab Woman In Israel In A Tight Spot: Academia And Career Versus Marriage And Family

This study concentrates on the impact that marriage has on the personal development of Israeli Arab women in the field of higher education and employment. These women are a minority within a minority as they belong to Israel’s Arab ethnic community but are also a gender-segregated minority within their patriarchal society. Whereas other studies touch on the overall struggle of Arab women to reach personal fulfillment despite intense family life, the focus of this study is specifically the marriage itself as a watershed in the young Arab Israeli woman’s life. To fully understand the challenges constructed by marriage, 25 Israeli Arab women were interviewed in-depth on a university campus. The findings indicate the negative effect that traditional marriage has on these women’s personal futures. The study concludes on the optimistic note that the interviews also revealed a deep awareness among young Arab women of their personal rights and liberties.

Postdoctoral struggles in the Global South: insights from India.

The global postdoctoral community faces many challenges including low pay, irregular benefits, little job security amid cost-of-living hikes, challenges to mental health, and power imbalances. Conclusions from the 2020 and 2023 global postdoctoral surveys by Nature highlighting these struggles are highly skewed towards respondents from the Global North, underrepresenting the Global South. Here, we address the postdoctoral struggles of scholars in the Global South who are more vulnerable due to low-income economy and patriarchal society that discriminates against women. We argue that neglecting postdoctoral researchers in basic science fields, women and scholars from local and regional universities will affect global academic and research outputs. We recommend sustainable, long-term solutions such as "Postdoc Representative Body" ensuring just and wider postdoctoral benefits at country level to secure postdoctoral benefits in the Global South.

What Roles Do Women Have in the Political Worlds in Hamlet and Macbeth?

The purpose of this paper is to explore the important role of female characters in the political world in William Shakespeare’s tragedies Hamlet and Macbeth. By analyzing Queen Gertrude, Ophelia, Lady Macbeth, and the three witches, the paper reveals the influence of women in the political realm and the limitations they face. Centering on Hamlet, the essay begins by analysing Gertrude’s influence on the Danish political landscape and Ophelia’s dilemma in the struggle for male power. The article then turns to Macbeth to explore how Lady Macbeth’s ambitions for power and the witches’ supernatural abilities influence Macbeth’s political decisions. The article points out that despite their political potential and influence, these female characters remain constrained by patriarchy and are often seen as tools in the male power struggle. Finally, the essay summarises the common themes and differences between the female characters in Hamlet and Macbeth, and reflects on the place of women in the political world and the challenges they face. Through an in-depth analysis of female characters in Shakespeare’s works, this thesis aims to deepen the understanding of women’s experiences in political struggles, as well as their efforts to attain power and self-actualization in a patriarchal society.

Impact of fundamentalism on human capital, women's social status and demographics: Evidence from Islamic state of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Iraq

I analyze the impact of the religious fundamentalists’ rule on regional human capital development and women's social status by exploiting the unexpected rise and fall of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in northwestern Iraq (2014∼2017). I find a large downward impact of exposure to ISIS rule on female human capital and an upward one on fertility rate for women who were school-aged at the time of ISIS occupation. These women express more patriarchal family norms and are more likely to belong to a polygamous union, implying a decline in women's social status. This decline in human capital and the rise of patriarchal family norms doesn't cause a significant negative impact on the development of their pre-school-aged children, possibly implying that these women didn't decrease parenting effort for their children. In summary, even a brief period of extremist rule has potentially large impacts on human capital development and culture.

A violência física nas relações conjugais no município de Vitória: uma análise das denúncias da delegacia especializada em atendimento à mulher em 2015

Gender violence is the result of the social relations of male domination and female submission, built, millenary, by a patriarchal system. From 1980, however, in the fervor of brazilian feminist movements, the Delegacia Especializada em Atendimento à Mulher (DEAMs) were created with the objective of combating this violence, which can occur in different ways and has become the object of study of research. aimed at improving public policies in the country. Using as a primary source the police reports registered in the DEAM of the city of Vitória in 2015, this article aimed to investigate the relation between the permanence of physical and conjugal violence and a capixaba society molded from patriarchal principles.

ANCIENT GREEK EXPERIENCE OF POLITICAL AND LEGAL REGULATION OF OIKONOMIA AS A BALANCE OF INDIVIDUAL AND GENERAL

The paper examines the political and legal means and ethical principles of harmonizing the interests of the individual and the general in the economic activity of ancient Greek society in the 8th–4th centuries BC. Explore the reform of the economic sphere, reveal the meaning of oikonomia, its structural components in the imagination and state legal practice of the ancient Greeks, highlight the shortcomings of legal regulation in matters of capital accumulation to level out the contradictions of the individual and the general. The ancient Greeks were aware of the antagonism between the individual and the general, understood the dynamic essence of their relationship and formed ethical and legal means of harmonizing the manifested contradiction. As a result of the pan-Athenian agreement, polic was determined as the dominant sphere, where oikonomia acted as a separate subject of citizen activity and consisted of three meanings: a) archaic form of blood-family economic activity, closed in itself, despotic in its essence and therefore destructive for the general; b) a household that naturally provides everything necessary for a patriarchal family and provides the opportunity for its owner to become a “master of industrial relations management.” Individual management experience ensures freedom for each citizen and can promote the interests of the general; c) chremastics is an element of оікіа. This type of activity, under the influence of egocentrism and an anti-human position, naturally threatens the common because it destroys the solidarity and democratic foundations of the policy. Therefore, certain types of chremastics (usury) were prohibited, and the type of activity itself was placed under ethical and legal control – in the form of voluntary charity. This policy was not effective and the way of managing authority was replaced by the state-legal way of managing domestic policy. Since the formation of the professional state apparatus and the formation of the Athenian Empire, oikonomia and chremastics have been transformed from a multiple phenomenon of the internal life of policy into a political lever of the external activities of the state. Athens was transformed into a large archaic оікіа – the majority of citizens and the state itself were enriched unlimitedly. Chremastics have become the dominant activity and value of the public sphere in Athens. This became one of the levers of a new imbalance of individual and general interests, the decline of ancient Greek civilization.

Exploring the Influence of Masculine Norms on Suicidal Ideation and Help-Seeking Behavior.

Background: Men account for 75% of all suicide deaths in Australia. Societally dominant masculine norms have been theorized to be linked with suicidality and reduced help-seeking. However, evidence is needed to establish this relationship further. Aims: To further understand the relationships between 11 masculine norms, suicidal ideation, and mental health help-seeking behavior longitudinally in Australian males. Method: We analyzed data from a cohort of 8,214 males (aged 18-55 years), using logistic regression to examine if conformity to any of the 11 masculine norms measured by the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (CMNI-22) at Wave 1 was associated with suicidal ideation and help-seeking at Wave 2. Results: Analyses revealed that being in the high conformity group for the norm of emotional control at Wave 1 was associated with higher odds of suicidal ideation longitudinally. Being in the low conformity group for the global construct of masculine norms and the specific norms of emotional control and power over women was associated with higher rates of mental health help-seeking behavior longitudinally. Limitations: The CMNI-22 scale's limited construct validity and the use of a single-item measure for suicidal ideation may have restricted the accurate capture of masculine norms and suicidal behaviors in Australian men. Conclusion: These results provide support for the contention that suicidality is a profoundly gendered phenomenon by showing an association between masculine norms and suicidal ideation in men. These norms should be a point of focus of male suicide prevention initiatives.

Empowerment and gender norms among Yoruba women and men cassava producers

Yoruba women have gained a reputation as empowered traders, but their empowerment in agriculture has received less attention. This study examines the empowerment of Yoruba men and women cassava producers in Nigeria's Southwest geopolitical zone. It combines data from an Abbreviated Women Empowerment in Agriculture Index (A-WEAI) survey with results from focus group discussions and key informant interviews. An additional focus is on how norms that foster balanced household gender relations interact with those that produce inequalities. Yoruba men farmers appeared more empowered than their wives in all the domains measured by the A-WEAI in spite of women's high involvement in processing and trade. The fact that the same domains contributed most to men and women's disempowerment points to structural issues that affect men and women unevenly. The study finds signs of emerging shifts in gender norms: women demanded to be acknowledged as farmers and indicated first moves into land ownership. However, the most asymmetric effect of normative constraints experienced by women as a result of unpaid labor, alongside their own income-generating activities tend to neutralize these gains. Hence, the embeddedness of pockets of potentially symmetric institutions in a larger asymmetric patriarchal system of imbalanced resource access and agency does not produce equitable outcomes. Future research should address men's and women's participation in cassava trade and production and their benefits from it more holistically.

A scoping review of street homelessness: What can Papua New Guinea learn from South Africa?

Homelessness is a global social issue that has affected various nations around the world, including South Africa. The instances of homelessness began during the apartheid era in South Africa and have since risen to alarming levels in provinces such as Gauteng, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal, as reported in the 2022 census. Despite the lack of comprehensive research on homelessness in South Africa, this study conducted a scoping review to evaluate research completed on homelessness from independence to 2020 in the country. The scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and involved a systematic search of the Development Southern Africa and Urban Forum databases. A total of 72 research articles were identified, with 10 meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the review, which were then analyzed using thematic analysis. The study identified several key themes, including homelessness as a reflection of patriarchal systems, gender-based conflicts leading to homelessness, proactive and reactive interventions by non-state actors for homeless individuals, and the quantitative focus of research on homelessness in South Africa from independence to the present day. The study presents the applicability of these findings to tackle homelessness in Papua New Guinea and recommends the use of mixed methods approaches to research homelessness in South Africa to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the various dimensions of homelessness in the country.

Gender History and Life History of European Women Musicians in the 19th Century: A Study on Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn and Cecile Chaminade

The research investigates the professional struggles faced by three distinguished female musicians of 19th-century Europe: Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn, and Cecile Chaminade. The research references biographies, correspondences, and other historical records to shed light on the social limitations that hindered their professional development. Even though all three musicians were historically recorded as talented pianists and composers, the popular patriarchal ideologies regarding women’s education, vocation, and domestic roles stopped them from advancing further in their profession. Even for these famous musicians, these beliefs and mindsets constrained them to their families. Their lives serve as a representation of the average European women’s lives at the time and provide further insight into the difficulties and general social conventions those women lived under. The research demonstrates how even the famous musicians Schumann, Mendelsohn, and Chaminade were oppressed and limited by the patriarchal society.

What Matters for Educated and Uneducated Indian Women: Realizing Identity Struggle for Self and Matriarchal Harmony through Shashi Deshpande’s That Long Silence

This article is an attempt to explore the challenges faced by educated and uneducated Indian women and the kind of silence and secrecy they maintain in the patriarchal society in search of self-identity. At the outset, it is worth emphasizing that men have traditionally been claiming a superior status in Indian Society and women have not been able to find equal face in affairs pertaining to family and society. This paper engages with the ways in which women characters are illustrated and how they are compelled by both the genders to remain voiceless in accepting their lot. The major focus of this article is to throw light on Shashi Deshpande’s views about Indian woman brought up under a traditional set up. The novelist’s diligence in story telling is very much evident in the manner in which the protagonist, Jaya, is portrayed in novel That Long Silence. It is pertinent to note that by virtue of her resilience and abilities, Jaya is able to establish an identity overcoming the challenges imposed on her by the family and society.

Gender Bias in Linguistic Structures: A Comparative Study of French

Language is a form of power that can shape the cognitive thinking of its users and even serve as a tool of domination for those in authority. Historically, language has been an instrument of patriarchy, with its use under patriarchal systems that often serving to suppress women. However, in the modern era, with the rise of feminism, there has been increasing attention to issues of gender inequality. Many linguists have begun to question whether gendered languages exacerbate existing gender biases. Yet, few have undertaken comparative analyses across different language families. Considering grammatical structures and language origins, this paper will examine French from the Romance language family and German from the Germanic language family—both of them are gendered languages. This study will conduct a comparative analysis to identify the gender biases present in these languages and to explain the cognitive and linguistic causes underlying these biases. By highlighting these issues, the research aims to raise readers’ awareness of gender bias in linguistic structures.

Forgiveness and Reconciliation Rituals Practiced in North and Central Gondar Zones of Ethiopia

This study explored forgiveness and reconciliation rituals which are practiced in Central and North Gondar Zones of Ethiopia. Most people in these zones live in rural areas, and they practice a patriarchal family system. The study used qualitative interviews to collect data from 10 adults experienced in indigenous conflict resolution practices. The findings of the study identified common types of interpersonal and intergroup conflicts. Identified forgiveness and reconciliation rituals were performed by male adults. These rituals almost always consisted of three phases: pre-forgiveness, forgiveness, and post-forgiveness. The conflict intermediaries always suggested that warring parties create new social relationships such as inter-marriaige to sustain peace. It was evident that these rituals did not observe gender or age equity because female and youth were not included in the processes. This study highlights the implications of peacebuilding, gender equality, and inclusion policy and practices that these rituals hold.

An Appraisal of the Conduct and Character of Men in the Society: Perspectives of Yorùbá Female Novelists

In Yorùbá literature, the focus has often been on the roles, struggles and societal expectations of women. However, a notable silence exists in the exploration of men’s character. This apparent oversight exposes the prevailing patriarchal system, which has historically cast men into roles defined by fatherhood and as the head of the family. This narrative portrays men as guardians of traditions, providers and the pillars of family structures. Yet, beneath the surface lies the curiosity concerning the authenticity of these portrayals. Two questions become pertinent: one, do these depictions truly reflect the male identity, or are they just shadows cast by a societal construct designed to reinforce established norms? Two, are men truly capable of meeting the standards set for them, or are they merely being shielded from scrutiny by a narrative that perpetuates their idealized roles? Using the Feminist theory and a Sociological Approach, with narratives from fifteen selected novels authored by Yorùbá women, this study scrutinizes the narratives surrounding the portrayal of male conduct and characters in society by questioning the authenticity of the pedestal upon which men are placed and the realities that shape their lives arising from their conducts, and the character displayed. Findings from the Yorùbá female novelists’ perspectives reveal that lots of men act contrary to the assumed pattern of portrayal. Their shortcomings are unknown to society because the women in the men’s lives cover up the inadequacies of such men. These revelations confirm that the portrayal of men as superhuman beings does not truly represent their conduct and character in society.