Gender In Religion

Gender Roles in Islam and Confucianism Emily Foley, Bert Shao and Eliza Abdu-Glass Fall 2009 AP World History A-Block

Islam

• The word “Islam” translates to “submission” or “surrender” (submission to God) • Muslims worship the same God as Christians and Jews, but God commonly referred to as Allah • Islam is a “natural” religion, because anyone who submits themselves to God’s will is a Muslim, making Adam and Eve the first Muslims •Islam is the “youngest” monotheist religion (Muhammad was born 570 years after Jesus’s birth • The Holy Book of Islam is the Qur’an, the word of God as relayed to Muhammad

Islam, con’t • In the modern world, Islam has over 1.2 billion followers, making it the world’s second-largest religion (after Christianity) • Islam is broken up into two major sects, Sunni and Shiite

Gender Roles in Islam (Women) • When praying in mosques, men and women are separated to

eliminate distractions • Women became forced into seclusion under Islamic law (shari’a) and wore veils (only in some Islamic countries) • Women wear the hijab or burqah to avoid being treated as sex objects and so men will focus on their inner beauty and intellect • Respectable women did not pursue careers outside of the household

Gender Roles in Islam (Men) • Men were permitted up to four wives (and • • •

concubines) Some Muslim men cover their heads (they wear turbans, fezzes, prayer caps, etc.), but it is more about custom than religious necessity Some men wear beards though it is not usually a necessity, but a preference to honor Muhammad Men often give their wife a gift (land, money) in celebration of their union

Confucianism

• Started by Confucius who lived between 551– 479 BC. • Confucian ideas were written in a book called the Analects • Emphasizes filial piety which is respect for ones elders in the form of the 5 relationships. -Ruler to Subject -Father to Son -Husband to Wife -Elder Brother to Younger Brother -Friend to Friend • Based on a system of ethics and morals • Promoted by the Han dynasty because of its Emphasis on political virtue and social order •Later, Neo-Confucianism developed as a form of Confucianism during the Song dynasty.

Confucianism: Society/Religion (Women)

• Women were placed beneath men in the social • • • • •

hierarchy Women's role is to be a good wife and a wise mother Their role should be domestic, inside and backstage Denied formal education, and therefore considered unqualified for public service Women had to obey the father before marriage, the husband during marriage, and the son after the death of her husband. Had to observe the 4 virtues: to be faithful, diligent, cautious in speech, and modest in manner.

Confucianism: Society/Religion (Women), cont

• Mothers authority might be high especially in •

• •

the extended families of the upper class The birth of a daughter was not as happy an event because females could not contribute to the family as far as material resources, care for the parents in old age or, most importantly, could not continue the family name. Secluded in the innermost parts of the home during marriage Could not inherit property, and married off by parents

Confucianism: Society/Religion (Men)

• Men considered to be superior • Boys are the primary sources of support and care for •

• •

the elderly parents, “To raise a son is security for old age.” During the Han Dynasty the relationship between men and women developed into a superior-inferior status. “The ruler is yang, the subject yin, the father is yang the son yin, the husband is yang, the wife yin.” (Dong Zhongshu) Men could have many wives The male role is public, “outside” and on stage

Confucianism: Society/Religion (Men), cont

• Young men from rich families were often sent to • • •

school, however, occasionally villagers would gather the resources to send one of their smartest sons to school. The oldest son of a family would inherit property and position The title of emperor was also passed on to the oldest son of the family. Only after the birth of a son, was a woman’s position in a family secured.

Confucianism Today • Almost all of today’s followers live in mainland China or Taiwan • Today Confucianism is often founded intermingled with Daoism and Buddhism. • Commercialism and revolutions in China have forced Confucianism to decline severely • Confucianism is now separated from public education

Islam Today

• Today Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world; Muslims • • • • •

make up about one forth of the population Many woman have a choice of whether or not they wear a hijab (veil) when in public In Saudi Arabia Muslim women must be fully covered in public and are sexually segregated; women cannot drive In Iran women must wear a scarf and a long coat (chador) in public In most Muslim countries today, women are allowed to work Many modern Islamic nations have outlawed polygamy (marriage to more than one wife)

• In the present, many Muslims have a choice of which

customs they choose to follow, but many Islamic countries have their own rules of what can and cannot be done/worn.

Bibliography • Adams, Paul V, et al. Experiencing World History. New York: • • • • •

New York University Press, 2000. Print. “Confucian.” Eastern Philosophy. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2009. . Esposito, John L. What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. Print. “Gender (Roles) in Islam.” Safra Project. N.p., 2001. Web. 19 Oct. 2009. . “Islam Today.” PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2009. . Kheirabadi, Masoud. Religions of the World: Islam. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, 2004. Print.