Reflect on the changing role of women in society. Draw on examples from China, the United States and Singapore in your reflections.
It is undeniable that women's role in society has change over the years. Instead of being expected to stay at home and manage the households, women can now choose to work alongside their male counterparts or even go overseas. Instead of not being given the chance to learn, they are now well educated and many have even succeeded other men, such as Indra, chairwoman and CEO of PepsiCo, Oprah Winfrey, a famous talk-show host worth more than $2.7 billion, and many others.
In China, women are now allowed to choose their own husbands, or even to be single, something impossible in the past. Furthermore, women has ascended up the various social ladders to reach the top of various sectors, be it political or economical. However, in the rural regions, women are being discriminated against. Baby girls are being abandoned in favor of boys who can continue the family line, largely due to the "One Child" policy.
In America, women have made much more progress than their counterparts in China. For example, Hillary Clinton is the first first lady to run for public office in 2000, becoming a senator for New York. Later, she even tried for the nation's first female president, before conceding and serving as the secretary of state. Before her career in politics, however, she had a brilliant education at the Yale Law School before becoming the first female partner at Rose Law Firm. All these breakthroughs represent the progress which women have made in America. However, feminism in America seems to have evolved into a different matter. As quoted by Carrie Lukas, vice president for policies and economics at the Independent Women's Forum, "they don't seem to want to recognize their success, or that women really do have equal opportunity today". In my opinion, modern feminism has evolved to encompass politics, harnessing politics to advertise themselves. During the recent elections, candidates Hillary Clinton and Obama, and even Sarah Palin were heavily criticized by feminists, despite this reflecting the gender equality they had been fighting fighting for so long.
I feel that Singapore is a very unique country. Being in the Straits of Malacca, it is open to the exchange of ideals from the East and the West. Thus, women in Singapore are treated more equally, and women have as many opportunities as their male counterparts as compared to China, where women seldom climb to the top of the political ladder. Singapore, being a democratic and pragmatic country, does not allow tradition to create stereotypes of women, but rather grade them according to their capabilities.
In my opinion, women should be respected for their dedication towards equality, but they would be foolish to not recognise it when it is in front of them. As the Chinese saying goes, give them an inch and they will reach for a yard. Women are being respected internationally and are being given more freedom and rights. Instead of acknowledging that, if feminists such as those in America continue bickering for more opportunities and equality, one day their male counterparts may just walk out on them and leave them to their own devices. It is advisable for a community of these feminists to meet together in a symposium and decide on their objectives on equality. Although the original suffragettes have largely succeeded in their quest for equality, the younger generation has little idea of the past scenarios and thus take this successes for granted, unlike the Chinese who appreciate their current treatment and thus there is little feminist protests or riots, let alone attacks on politicians.
In conclusion, although women has have an improved social status, they have to learn to treasure it well and reflect on their past conditions, instead of continuously pushing for gender equality to the extent that it has become a major political issue.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
CDE Reflective Journal 1
For this reflective journal, I will be commenting on youth apathy towards politics, with examples from China, the United States, and Singapore. Firstly, let's start with the "Me Generation". Does it truly exist?
In modern society, most people are more concerned of their personal interests than of the general good. However, in China, there is little interest in demanding voting rights, let alone overthrow the country's communist leaders. The "Me Generation" does exist, but not just in China, but also in the States and Singapore.
I believe that it is only when their personal interest are compromised will they start taking part in politics. In China, youths, when wrongfully accused by corrupt officials or when they are unable to cope with the sudden change in policies, go online and gather support to retaliate or protest against the government, earning them the nickname of 愤青, or "angry youths". Similarly, be it in America or Singapore, students and other citizens will vote for politicians who best represents their interest, such as the college students who voted for Obama, when Obama promised cheaper loans for college students and revitalization of community colleges.
During lesson, it has been mentioned that youths in China do not participate actively in politics due to various reasons, such as fear of being treated as a political prisoner, or unsure what overthrowing the government will bring to the country. In my opinion, it is not necessary to be actively involved in the country's politics. Plato once said that if the masses take the role of the rulers, the society will be thrown into chaos. Thus, as long as the rulers rule well and the citizens prosper, there should be no issues.
Furthermore, when the citizens become too politically active, decisions cannot be made swiftly and decisively, as the people may constantly change the government on a short notice. Too many cooks spoil the broth, if protests keep erupting over every minor policy the government makes, and the government spends time to listen to every whine and complain, the nation will be unable to prosper.
It was also mentioned that students in America are politically illiterate. I strongly disagree. For if students are self-centered and interested in personal interests, they must also know of the policies which affect their interests. As I have brought up in class, environmentalists concerned over the recent oil spill have to have an understanding of the policies the president has proposed. Likewise, businessman and entrepreneurs have to learn the policies and taxes levied on them that will restrict their interests.
In conclusion, I feel although there is little apathy from youth towards politics, they are still familiar with it and that it is okay for them not to be too actively involved as long as the country progresses.
In modern society, most people are more concerned of their personal interests than of the general good. However, in China, there is little interest in demanding voting rights, let alone overthrow the country's communist leaders. The "Me Generation" does exist, but not just in China, but also in the States and Singapore.
I believe that it is only when their personal interest are compromised will they start taking part in politics. In China, youths, when wrongfully accused by corrupt officials or when they are unable to cope with the sudden change in policies, go online and gather support to retaliate or protest against the government, earning them the nickname of 愤青, or "angry youths". Similarly, be it in America or Singapore, students and other citizens will vote for politicians who best represents their interest, such as the college students who voted for Obama, when Obama promised cheaper loans for college students and revitalization of community colleges.
During lesson, it has been mentioned that youths in China do not participate actively in politics due to various reasons, such as fear of being treated as a political prisoner, or unsure what overthrowing the government will bring to the country. In my opinion, it is not necessary to be actively involved in the country's politics. Plato once said that if the masses take the role of the rulers, the society will be thrown into chaos. Thus, as long as the rulers rule well and the citizens prosper, there should be no issues.
Furthermore, when the citizens become too politically active, decisions cannot be made swiftly and decisively, as the people may constantly change the government on a short notice. Too many cooks spoil the broth, if protests keep erupting over every minor policy the government makes, and the government spends time to listen to every whine and complain, the nation will be unable to prosper.
It was also mentioned that students in America are politically illiterate. I strongly disagree. For if students are self-centered and interested in personal interests, they must also know of the policies which affect their interests. As I have brought up in class, environmentalists concerned over the recent oil spill have to have an understanding of the policies the president has proposed. Likewise, businessman and entrepreneurs have to learn the policies and taxes levied on them that will restrict their interests.
In conclusion, I feel although there is little apathy from youth towards politics, they are still familiar with it and that it is okay for them not to be too actively involved as long as the country progresses.
Friday, July 2, 2010
CDE Week 1
This week, we discussed about China's "Me Generation". Is it true that this current batch of youngsters are more interested in personal gains than politics for the greater good, as compared to their parents' and grandparents' generations? The various demonstrations and revolutions in China's history has proved that those were the politically active generation, keen to bring prosperity to China.
Although not discussed openly in public, politics is often discussed by netizens, pointing out the flaws of those new policies and also of corruption issues. These netizens range from the young to the elderly, showing no trace of a "Me Generation" online. Why then, is there a lack of opinions in public. According to China's Me Generation by Simon Elegant, the six friends at the start of the article never talks about politics. Why is this so?
There are a variety of factors. The younger generation may have been intimidated by China's violent, political past, and prefer their current peaceful lives to that of ancient times. They may also have been restricted by the government's various policies that discourage free speech.
Therefore, it is rather unfair for the authour of the article to assume on this "Me Generation" in China. This "Me Generation" should be looked for in a democratic country, such as Singapore, where facilities such as the Speaker's Corner are underused.
Food for thought: Not only the current generation, but also the elder generations,are becoming less active in politics. Why is this so?
Although not discussed openly in public, politics is often discussed by netizens, pointing out the flaws of those new policies and also of corruption issues. These netizens range from the young to the elderly, showing no trace of a "Me Generation" online. Why then, is there a lack of opinions in public. According to China's Me Generation by Simon Elegant, the six friends at the start of the article never talks about politics. Why is this so?
There are a variety of factors. The younger generation may have been intimidated by China's violent, political past, and prefer their current peaceful lives to that of ancient times. They may also have been restricted by the government's various policies that discourage free speech.
Therefore, it is rather unfair for the authour of the article to assume on this "Me Generation" in China. This "Me Generation" should be looked for in a democratic country, such as Singapore, where facilities such as the Speaker's Corner are underused.
Food for thought: Not only the current generation, but also the elder generations,are becoming less active in politics. Why is this so?
The Measure of a Man
This post is maintained by Cheong Yu Chong Benjamin of Hwa Chong Institution, Class 4B1, index number 5. Reflections on my last year of secondary school will be conducted here, along with reflections of discussions in various lessons, such as Cultural Differentiation Elective (CDE).
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