Women on the Market - questions by Amber M.
1. The author states that in Cameroon that sexuality and sexual self-mastery means “wisely managed restraint, good judgment, and self-dominion that matter.” How do you think this compares to ideas in the US?
2. As a woman’s honor is based on her ability to control herself and a mans based on his ability to control women and children. Yet, women are also expected to be financially independent. How do you think a woman being financially independent would affect her husband’s ability to control her?
3. This article says that marriage rates are falling in Cameroon because it is becoming more important for women’s status. What do you think about a woman being judged based on how faithful her husband is/good her marriage is?
4. Do you think women moving form local men to men on the internet will change the culture? Will men become more faithful and begin to view marriage differently? Why?
5. A woman is expected to be financially independent, but also expects a man to give her money and gifts to show his love. What do you think about the role money plays in this venture to find love?
1. I think that societal expectations for women from Cameroon are very similar to the expectations that are held for women in the United States. I think that for the most part in many cultures women are supposed to maintain an image of purity whereas men are not held to this standard at all.
ReplyDelete2. I think that if a woman is independent it is harder for her husband to control her because she is not depending on him and can do for herself. Also, if the woman is seen as a better provider for the family then the husband will have a harder time managing his wife because she instead would hold all the power and not him.
3. I think that marriage should be about both partners in the relationship. Marriage in my opinion is a union so if either partner is unfaithful then this essentially breaks the union. I think that in Cameroon the women are held to a higher standard then men, so although it sounds harsh, the women of Cameroon really take marriage seriously as it could potential benefit or ruin their image in their society.
4. I do not think that by moving towards men on the internet it will change the local men from being unfaithful. However, I do think that by seeking men on the interest the culture in Cameroon will change, due to more women reinforcing this idea that they must marry men from a different country, so that they can find a faithful partner because in their own country they believe they will not be able to find men who will be faithful to them.
5. I do think that this value of money is a valid criteria when it comes to finding love for some people. I think people want to be with other people that they know they can financially rely on especially when it comes to developing a family. Money is not the only thing people should worry about but it is important to consider when it is especially certain couples’s goals to buy a house, have kids, and other material things.
1. I think that the sexiality and sexual self mastery in the US is progressive in comparison to many countries but women in other parts of the world generally are demanding more which was shown in the article. I think that the US has this perception that women are don't practice good judgment or restraints, which leads to slut shaming and is also misogynist and unrealistic.
ReplyDelete2. I think that a women being financially independent gives women more options, so if she wanted to make it look like her husband was controlling her in order to please him... she could or if she wanted to completely revoke him of control over her... she could. Being finally independent gives women the freedom to control their own lives.
3. I think it's unfortunate but it's sadly the reality, especially in African countries... I lived in Nigeria when I was younger and there is definitely more pressure on women to get married, sustain a good marriage and also have children. There is so much more to life but marriage is a societal pressure that becomes a priority in many people's lives.
4. I think that Cameroon women finding men online will change culture because it showing that women aren't going to settle for just what is in proximity, but I don't know if that will make men more faithful but it can provide a warning, that women aren't willing to tolerate just anything.
5. I think that marriage in many ways is a partnership that goes beyond love, which is why money plays an important role and is shown through gifts, many of these gifts exchanged while they are still getting to know each other is probably symbolism for the man showing that he can provide for the woman and her being financially independent is probably symbolism for her showing that she can provide for herself if she needs to.
Wrap-up:
ReplyDeleteThe idea of women needed help controlling themselves seems to be a part of every culture. The United States and Cameroon share this idea of restraint rather than complete abstinence being a judgment factor for women.
The financial independence of a woman will make it harder for her husband to fill his normal position of provider and control his wife. It also gives women a freedom that they did not have before.
The women in Cameroon experience an extreme amount to pressure to have a good relationship whereas the men are not. It is unfortunate that these women's image has so much to do with their marriage when they do not control their husbands and the men are not expected to have a strong marriage.
Women finding foreign husbands online will help show local men that things such as infidelity are becoming less tolerated, but may not have any effect on how the men actually act. The desire for a committed, loving relationship is what draws these women to online relationships.
Finally, money plays a role in any relationship, it is not all about love. While love is important to these women they also need to know the man they are with will contribute monetarily to the union and provide as a husband. Gift giving is a way for men to prove they are prepared for a serious marriage.