Great Divides

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Subordination of Women

Epstein's Great Divides: The Cultural, Cognitive, and Social Bases of the Global Subordination of Women discusses about how women gendered roles are considered subordinate to men’s. For the purposes of this paper, the author's arguments will be discussed, as well as the methodology used in the research and the evidence used to support the author's propositions. Epstein believes that the world is made up of great divides—nations, wealth, race, religion, education, class, gender roles, sexuality and the like (1). Together with these conceptual boundaries is also the creation of physical and social boundaries. Among the many divides, the most persistent and deepest divide is on the sexual aspect. Meaning, it is gender which determines an individual’s quality of life, position in the hierarchical society, and even the chance of survival (Epstein 2). This dichotomous separation marks individuals for life. Epstein mentions several arguments that support her claim. For one, cultural meanings attach the categories of female and male, including their attributions of character and competence (Epstein 3). Society then views women as child bearer. As a woman …show more content…

For example, women destroy gender barriers when they are able to study medicine and practice law (Epstein 10). Women in the legal profession and the medical field prove that their specialties and aptitudes are limited to being a domesticated housewife. They too, can aspire just like men. When women are educated equally with men, they are also able to acquire work regardless of gender labels. The evidence used by the author is based on the researches and books by renowned authors who write raging sex aggregation. Throughout, the author is able to support her claim with the aid of factual information, not plainly basing on her opinion regarding the issue at

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