GENDER ROLES IN MUSLIM CULTURE
The Muslim culture is historically male dominated. In the past it was considered normal for there to be male supremacy within the culture. A major issue with in the culture has been woman's rights. In the Quran it says that a man is to be the keeper of a woman. In a marriage a man is responsible for the material well-being of his wife, including food, clothing, and housing. In return the wife is responsible for providing physical companionship to her husband and complying with his requests. It is also said in the Quran that men and women have equality in spirituality, responsibility, and accountability. Islam sees a women as a mother, wife, helper, and supporter. Although equality is stressed in the Quran there is a significant gap between men and women's status especially in rural areas. This gap impairs a women's economic growth and development, and inequalities in social, religious, cultural, and gender. (Al-Mannai)
Muslim men began to protect and hide their women after foreign values that were being imposed on them started to threaten them. Islamic women are held back by the customs and social attitudes. Women's rights are restricted due to the culture and extreme religion interpretations. The culture is usually strong and isolates themselves from other cultures. Many women are unaware of their rights to run their own business, keep financial independence after marriage, and to learn. (Al-Mannai)
Americans believe that Muslim women are restricted by their religion, but that isn't the case. Muslim women are actually restricted by their local culture. Another misbelief of Western cultures is that Islamic women are oppressed and unequal. Islamic women in fact have rights that Western women only recently attained. Western cultures believe that because Muslim women dress modestly, they are being controlled. Muslim women believe because of their modest dress there will be more appreciation to who they actually are and highlights her personality instead of being held to an unattainable standard of beauty that is held by the Western cultures ("Women in Islam").
The gender roles of Muslims is much like those of the 1950's in America. Since the 50's women have grown into the workforce and out of the role of a stay-at-home mother and housekeeper that Muslim women are still expected to do.
Muslim men began to protect and hide their women after foreign values that were being imposed on them started to threaten them. Islamic women are held back by the customs and social attitudes. Women's rights are restricted due to the culture and extreme religion interpretations. The culture is usually strong and isolates themselves from other cultures. Many women are unaware of their rights to run their own business, keep financial independence after marriage, and to learn. (Al-Mannai)
Americans believe that Muslim women are restricted by their religion, but that isn't the case. Muslim women are actually restricted by their local culture. Another misbelief of Western cultures is that Islamic women are oppressed and unequal. Islamic women in fact have rights that Western women only recently attained. Western cultures believe that because Muslim women dress modestly, they are being controlled. Muslim women believe because of their modest dress there will be more appreciation to who they actually are and highlights her personality instead of being held to an unattainable standard of beauty that is held by the Western cultures ("Women in Islam").
The gender roles of Muslims is much like those of the 1950's in America. Since the 50's women have grown into the workforce and out of the role of a stay-at-home mother and housekeeper that Muslim women are still expected to do.