Research Paper: Difficulties for Women in Afghanistan

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Difficulties for women in Afghanistan
In Afghanistan, there are many differences in the lives of males and females. A child’s life is based around their gender, because gender is an important and prized aspect of a person’s life. Both boys and girls do not live luxurious lives, they are subject to disease, malnutrition and war in Afghanistan. However, while these are similarities among the genders, there are many more differences. Roles in economics, education and childhood are some of the many differences in boys and girls lives in Afghanistan. In this research paper, I will compare the lives of boys and girls in Afghanistan to illuminate the differences in gender in this society.
The first difference between males and females in Afghanistan, is their roles in economics. Generally, men are the breadwinners of the family and women are confined to the chores of the household. A male takes care of the economic issues that require going out in public (Lindholm). This includes “plowing, sowing, harvesting, and other farm work, as well as any herding of animals; men build houses and walls, mill grain, set bones, slaughter animals, and cut hair” (Lindholm). The men clearly do all the work that entails heavy lifting and physical activity. However, along with these jobs they are responsible for, men can only have jobs that pay money. Women, on the other hand, are in charge of the domestic activities in the house. This includes taking care of children, cooking and cleaning (Lindholm). Along with these domestic jobs, women are also responsible for “building ovens to bake their bread; intricate embroidery of pillowcases, dresses and quilt covers that are often given as marriage gifts” (Lindholm). A reason that women are economically hinde...

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...ts going on to allow women to receive education and other liberties that men have. The fight for women’s equality will always be an issue, but Afghanistan is fighting to even out the playing field, so that women and men are given the same opportunities.

Works Cited

Lindholm, Charles. “Swat Pathan.” Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender: Men and Women in the
World’s Cultures. Dordrecht: Springer Science+Business Media, 2003. Credo Reference. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.
Najibullah, Farangis, and Haseeba Shaheed. “Baby Girls Seen As Mixed Blessing In
Afghanistan.” RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. N.p., 7 Feb. 2012. Web. 30 Mar. 2014.
"Life as an Afghan Woman | Trust in Education." Trust in Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar.
2014.
Nordberg, Jenny. “Where Boys Are Prized, So Girls Live the Part.” The New York Times. The
New York Times, 20 Sept. 2010. Web. 30 Mar. 2014.

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