March 2010
New reproduction technology and Sexuality
A pregnant Man”, does this statement grab your attention? I wonder why? Is it just because it is something unusual or just because we are not used to such statement? This statement has been the headline of many newspapers, magazines and TV programs for a long time. Again, does this statement make you feel surprised, shocked or abnormal? I also wonder if people are going to change their views about sexuality because of this statement. All these questions could lead to the main topic of this essay which is to find out how could new reproduction technology change people’s perspectives about sexuality. There is an ongoing debate about sexuality and whether it is biologically or culturally constructed. In this essay, the biological and social debates are going to be discussed to examine how these social factors might change people’s view of sexuality.
The biological debate about sexuality is that the main purpose of sexuality is reproduction which humans share that with all species (Bancroft 2002, p.15). However, among humans, other than biological factors, social and cultural purposes have been developed gradually due to technology (Bancroft 2002, p.15). Cultural factors are different such as having sex for pleasure, having sex in the age when reproduction is not possible for women and of course new reproduction techniques such as IVF (Bancroft 2002, p.15). Most biologists ignore the fact that sexuality can also be for non reproductive purposes as mentioned above (Weeks 1986, p.20). Researches on sexuality topic have shown that biological factors are still the dominant and the most powerful even with the existence of these cultural and social factors (Bancroft 2002, p.15). This shows that there has been a controversial debate around the purposes of sexuality. Freud (1898) supported the idea of separating sex and reproduction as he viewed them as separate because of cultural, philosophical and religious factors (Benagiano, Carrara and Filippi 2010, p.97).
All these factors mentioned above have led people to think differently about sexuality. Technology has interfered everything in people’s lives even sexuality (Goren 2003, p. 488). Nowadays, the reproduction and sexuality concepts are almost independent and consequently many people have changed their idea about sexuality (Benagiano, Carrara and Filippi 2010, p.96). As a result, the main focus of this paper is that how people have changed their biological views about sexuality due to some cultural factors and technology (Benagiano, Carrara and Filippi 2010, p.97). The phenomenon of gay and lesbian relationships and then parenthood has led many people to reconsider what sexuality and reproduction is (Erwin 2007, p.100). Furthermore, new reproduction technology such as, IVF, contraception and deciding the sex of the baby are the main reasons for changing people’s viewpoints towards sexuality (Benagiano, Carrara and Filippi 2010, p.99). Each of these factors would be separately discussed to examine both sides of sexuality and reproduction debate.
First of all, a background of how people view sexuality in the past is very important to mention to compare between the viewpoints in the past and nowadays. In the past, the western societies such as the Christian culture believe that the main purpose of having sex is to reproduce (Weeks 1986, p.26). This shows that people before were only concerned about the biological side of sexuality and ignoring the other factors related to sexuality. However, nowadays, the link between sexuality and reproduction is no longer very relevant thanks to new technology (Benagiano, Carrara and Filippi 2010, p.98). A century ago, to have a baby without having sex was almost impossible (Benagiano, Carrara and Filippi 2010, p.98). For example, in the United Kingdom, a new sociological shift of understanding sexuality away from the biological basis has evolved in the 1960s and 1970s (Richardson 2007, p.460). New reproductive techniques such as Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART) and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), have been introduced by doctors, scientists and professionals in the 20th and 21st century (Benagiano, Carrara and Filippi 2010, p.99). These new technological techniques have led people to think differently about the whole process of sexuality and reproduction. People have started to believe that sex is not only for procreation because of social changes. The first social change is that more women nowadays enter the workplace so they need to control their fertility by using the new technique, contraception (Abramson and Pinkerton 2002, p.158). The second social change is Gay and Lesbian movement which has led people to rethink about sexuality in general (Abramson and Pinkerton 2002, p.158).
Talking about historical background, religious facts should be mentioned to view how religions view new reproduction technologies. Almost all religions were against the notion of changing the viewpoint of sexuality because of the notion of reproduction is a gift from God which is not negotiable (Benagiano, Carrara and Filippi 2010, p.97). I think this is really relevant as some religious countries allow new technology such as IVF but limiting it to only the wife and husband (Schenker 2000, p. 72). However, all these facts were in the last decade while nowadays religions have changed this notion and promoting using reproduction technology to have babies. For example, Islam encourages medical treatment if procreation fails to produce babies (Schenker 2002 b, p. 409). This shows how some followers of a specific religion would be encouraged to seek medical help and use new reproduction technology as to satisfy their religious beliefs.
After listing some historical facts about sexuality and reproduction, I am going to discuss some examples of technological ways to enhance sexuality and also some social changes.
The first reproduction technology that has led people to change their views about sexuality is the introduction of In Vitro Fertilization, IVF technique (Benagiano, Carrara and Filippi 2010, p.99). The idea of IVF was introduced by Dr. Roberts Edwards, the IVF pioneer (Edwards: The IVF pioneer 24 July 2003). The notion of IVF was rejected in the beginning by most scientists and some even described it as condoning murder (Benagiano, Carrara and Filippi 2010, p.99). However, after the birth of Louise Brown, the first IVF baby in 1978 in Oldham, many have changed their notion about IVF (Infertility 'could be wiped out’ 25 July 2003). This shows that the idea is successful and people have started to have faith on it as Louise was the proof of this success. Edwards discovered that having a baby can be done without any sexual activity after putting sperm and eggs together under the microscope and eventually a new human life can be developed (Edwards: The IVF pioneer 24 July 2003). As a result, nowadays most men and women who have fertility problems can become parents because of the new technology IVF (Infertility 'could be wiped out’ 25 July 2003). This new and great discovery shows that having a baby can be separate from sexuality as many believe and as a challenge to nature. “It was amazing, and then I knew that the whole field was opening up before my eyes, Dr Edwards said. (Edwards: The IVF pioneer 24 July 2003).
Another aspect of IVF is that it has been like an industry for some (Rogers 2010, p.1). For example, a fertility clinic in London offers eggs of women to those who cannot have a baby naturally. The first British woman to receive egg donation is called Ceila, 38, businesswoman and her pregnancy is now normal but her request is not telling family and even the children in the future about this process (Rogers 2010, p.1). This simply shows how some people are still not comfortable with the idea of IVF. At the same time, the whole process of offering human eggs for sale shows that IVF has become tourism as described in The Sunday Times (Rogers 2010, p.2). Moreover, the winner of the egg prize would choose the donor according to race, background and education (Rogers 2010, p.1). This illustrates that people nowadays are using the idea of IVF as a way of gaining money (Rogers 2010, p.1).
On the other hand, some such as Feminists oppose the idea of IVF for some reasons (Steinberg 1997, p.34). One of these reasons is that IVF might be harmful for women’s health and social status (Steinberg 1997, p.34). To illustrate, for the social status, this might be true as society might view infertile women negatively (Steinberg 1997, p.34). Concerning health problems feminists argue that IVF might cause more fertility problems to women (Rogers 2010, p.2).
The second phenomenon which encourages people to change their viewpoint about sexuality with the new technology help is Gay and Lesbian parenthood. The increase number of gay and lesbian parents who have children has raised some questions about what family and sexuality really mean (Erwin 2007, p.100). The ideal image of any family is a man and a woman who have sex and then produce children as media portrays (Erwin 2007, p.100). However, as the number of gay and lesbian families has increased in the United States, people have started to rethink about the ideal image of the American Family (Erwin 2007, p.100). According to the 2000 US census Bureau report, 103,252 of lesbian couples raise children and this is almost 34% (Erwin 2007, p.101). This shows that the number of lesbian and gay couples who raise children is increasing. As a result, this affects how people think about the whole process of sexuality and family image in their mind. In addition, this also indicates that not only heterosexual couples can have babies by having sex but homosexual couples can have babies as well thanks to new reproductive technology (Erwin 2007, p.101).
On the other hand, Gay and Lesbian face some difficulties using IVF which is one of the most famous reproduction technologies nowadays (Steinberg 1997, p.34). First, some professionals and doctors just refuse to treat gay and lesbian couples for some reasons (Steinberg 1997, p.34). Moreover, some clinicians expressed in Warnock Report that they prefer doing IVF on heterosexual couples not lesbian or gay couples (Steinberg 1997, p.34). “I would personally have reservations about doing for Lesbians – I feel a child should much preferably have a father as well as a mother in their formative years and this also applies to divorced women”, one of the medical professionals said. This quote shows how some people, especially medical professionals, are still concerned about the use of IVF among Gay/Lesbian couples and how this might affect children in the future. In my opinion, I kind of agree with medical professionals about children’s future as the babies of Gay/lesbian families would grow up having either two fathers or two mothers which is really confusing. Also, I think those children would be viewed by society as weird or just different and this might have a negative impact on children. However, this might take years for people to normalize this phenomenon as people simply are not used to such thing (Steinberg 1997, p.34). For example, people just couldn’t accept the idea of marriage among homosexual couples a century ago but nowadays some countries allow homosexual marriage such as Canada (Erwin 2007, p. 100). Putting restrictions to who should receive IVF treatment and who should not is absolutely up to the medical professionals’ perspectives as what’s the appropriate family (Steinberg 1997, p.37). This is the reason why Gay and Lesbian couples might defend their human rights (Steinberg 1997, p.37). Additionally, this shows how clinicians are powerful as they could be selective to whom they might use IVF for (Steinberg 1997, p.37). Moreover, Legislative policies such as children act (1989) define the proper family is the heterosexual one while the government act (1988) described Lesbian and Gay families as pretended families (Steinberg 1997, p.37). In my opinion, this might be true as Gay/Lesbian families might be unhealthy environment for children. To sum up, although people have changed the way they think of sexuality, family and reproduction, people still struggle to fully accept homosexual families with children. Time would be the only solution for people to accept such new type of families.
The third social factor that has helped people to change their idea about sexuality is some women have sex in menopause period. Menopause period for women, 40 years and above, is the period when women cannot produce any eggs then cannot have babies (Benagiano, Carrara and Filippi 2010, p.99). Most people think that women during menopause are asexual persons (Benagiano, Carrara and Filippi 2010, p.99). This means that women do not have sex because they cannot get pregnant. However, recent studies have shown that women and men can be sexually active until the end of life (Benagiano, Carrara and Filippi 2010, p.99). This illustrates that having sex is not only for reproducing especially for women (Benagiano, Carrara and Filippi 2010, p.99). According to a study conducted on undergraduate students in various American and British universities, the results have shown that most students think pleasure is the main purpose of having sex (Pinkerton, Cecil, Bogart and Abramson 2003, p. 341).This shows that most people especially new generation believe the desire for having sex is for pleasure and not only for reproduction (Pinkerton, Cecil, Bogart and Abramson 2003, p.341). Again, this is another proof that people are reconsidering their perspectives about sexuality gradually (Benagiano, Carrara and Filippi 2010, p.99).
There are other factors which have affected people and then led to reconsider their thinking about sexuality. One of these factors is the new technology that can decide the sex of the baby (Schenker 2002 b, p. 401). An example of the new technology is infertility treatment called Ericsson’s liquid albumin method (Glass and Ericsson, p.381). Ericsson’s liquid albumin method allows any couple to have male babies (Glass and Ericsson, p.381). This shows that new technology not only helps any couple to get pregnant but select the sex of the baby as well. This also indicates that people are no longer dependent on nature to have a baby because of technology (Schenker 2002 b, p. 401).
All these factors mentioned above will lead me to talk about the case study of Thomas Beatie, the pregnant man. First of all, the most common fact among all societies worldwide is that women are the ones who get pregnant and give birth to babies (Maher 2008, p. 279). However, this fact has been changed in the Western Societies in the 1980s and 1990s due to new fertility technology (Maher 2008, p. 279). Moreover, this fact does not apply to Thomas Beatie , 34, who was born as a girl called Tracy and then transferred to a man in 2002 (ABC News 2008). Thomas met his wife, Nancy, before the transferring operation and then got married (Channel 4 report 2008). What is interesting about Thomas’s case is that he kept the female reproductive organs and that’s why he could get pregnant as his wife cannot have a baby because her womb was removed (Channel 4 report 2008). The whole debate about Thomas is that some people consider him a woman as he still has female organs while others consider him a miracle as he is a man and pregnant (Channel 4 report 2008). In my opinion, Thomas is in between as he has both male and female organs. Many doctors refused to treat Thomas to get pregnant and give birth (Channel 4 report 2008). This shows that doctors cannot believe the idea that a man is pregnant so they refused to treat Thomas. Eventually Thomas gave birth to a baby girl and naturally not by cesarean in 2008 (ABC News 2008). This shows that Thomas is fully female as his reproductive organs are still female. As a result, the whole debate about Thomas is that is Thomas a man or a woman? Also, are people really going to change their views about reproduction and its relation to women and men? Many questions cannot be answered as people are different in their points of view. When Thomas was asked about the reasons why people consider him a phenomenon, he said “people are just not used to see ‘a pregnant man’ and I just used my female organs to become a father” (ABC News 2008). This proves the idea that Thomas’s case is just abnormal and unusual. “We are a woman, a man and a child and it is ironic that we are so different but yet, we are just a family just the same as anyone else”, Thomas said (ABC News 2008). This quote concludes Thomas case as he expresses his situation as normal while others just cannot accept the fact that a man can give birth!
In addition to Thomas Beatie case, Mr. Lee Mingwei is a Taiwanese American artist who got pregnant as well thanks to new medical technology (Associated Press 2001). "With the success of delivering ectopic pregnancies in women, it has become clear that a uterus is not essential to childbirth. We have proven that within the proper biochemical environment, an embryo can indeed implant itself within a male abdominal cavity and thrive’, Dr. Elizabeth Preatner said, a prenatal geneticist and embryologist at RYT Hospital (Associated Press 2001). This shows that men can get pregnant and Mr. Lee is an example of that. Many people are seeking such treatment for men to get pregnant around the world such as India which one Indian woman asked experts in RYT Hospital to treat her husband who really wants to carry their second child (Associated Press 2001). One of the questions raised in this case is whether this is the first stage of gender equality as mentioned in the article or it’s just a revolution that leads all people to rethink about their perspectives about reproduction (Associated Press 2001).
In conclusion, sex and reproduction and technology are related and cannot be separate (Weeks 1986, p.25). “Sexuality is not given, it is a product of negotiation, struggle and human agency”, Weeks said (Weeks 1986, p.26). This quote is really a good conclusion to this topic as sexuality cannot be separate from all other factors but they interrelate and create. Societies worldwide are changing due to new medical discoveries. Technology has a big impact on people’s lives nowadays as it makes people’s lives easier. Obviously new reproduction technology has started to change people’s thoughts about sexuality by making almost everything possible and accessible in that field. . More questions need to be asked such as is the new technology going to change everybody’s opinion or people would stick to some cultural, social and religious perspectives?
Bibliography
ABC News (2008) Barbara Walters Exclusive: Pregnant Man Expecting Second Child [online] available from : http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=6244878&page=1 [accessed 11 January 2010].
Abramson, P. & Pinkerton, S. (2002), "Sexual Pleasure, Procreation and Natural Selection WITH PLEASURE: THOUGHTS ON THE NATURE OF HUMAN SEXUALITY", Journal of Homosexuality,, vol. 51, no. 2, pp. 157-180.
Associated Press (2001) The first man in history to become pregnant speaks up, CNN [online] available from: http://www.malepregnancy.com/CNN/ [accessed 15 March 2010].
Bancroft, J. (2002), "Biological Factors in Human Sexuality", The Journal of Sex Research , vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 15-21.
BBC News (2003) Infertility 'could be wiped out’. [online] Available from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3094209.stm [accessed 21 February 2010].
BBC News (2003) Edwards: The IVF pioneer ,[online] Available from : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3093429.stm [accessed 1 March 2010].
Benagiano, G., Carrara, S. & Filippi, V. (2010), "Sex and reproduction: an evolving relationship ", Human Reproduction Update , vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 96-107Weeks, J (1986) Sexuality , Chichester : Ellis Horwood (chapter 2: ‘The Invention of Sexuality’).
Channel 4 report (2008) The Pregnant Man | Pregnant Man's Diary, Youtube. [online] available from : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYX7ACuTBTY. [accessed 25 February 2010].
Erwin , T.M. (2007), "Two Moms and a Baby", Women & Therapy, vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 99-149.
Glass, R.H. & Ericsson, R.J. (1982), "New Advances in Infertility Treatment and Sex Preselection", Studies in Family Planning, vol. 13, no. 12, pp. 381.
Goren, E. (2003), "AMERICA’S LOVE AFFAIR WITH TECHNOLOGY The Transformation of Sexuality and the Self Over the 20th Century", Psychoanalytic Psychology, vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 487–508.
Maher, J. (2008), "A pregnant man in the movies: The visual politics of reproduction", Continuum, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 279-288.
Pinkerton, S., Cecil, H., Bogart & L. Abramson P. (2003), "The pleasures of sex: An empirical investigation", Cognition & Emotion, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 341-353.
Richardson, D. (2007), "Sexuality Patterned Fluidities: (Re)Imagining the Relationship between Gender and", Sociology, vol. 41, no., pp. 457-471.
Rogers, L. (2010), "IVF doctors to raffle human egg", The Sunday Times, Mar 14, pp.1-2.
Schenker, J.G. (2000), "Women’s reproductive health: monotheistic religious perspectives", International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, vol. 70, no. pp. 77-86.
Schenker, J.G. (2002), "Gender Selection: Cultural and Religious Perspectives", Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, vol. 19, no. 9, pp. 400-410.
Steinberg, D.L. (1997), "A MOST SELECTIVE PRACTICE The Eugenic Logics of IVF", Women's Studies International Forum, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 33-48.
Sunday, 21 March 2010
Media and women's body image
December 2009
“How media shapes womens’s body image and its effects on women and society in general”,
The topic of media and it’s representation of women’s body image is controversial. There are many assumptions about women’s body image which media portray through various programs and ads. One of those assumptions is that women are more viewed through their physical appearance as beautiful objects than men (Unger, and Crawford, 127). As a result, women’s bodies are the target of sexual desires especially for men (Butcher, Coward, Evaristi, Garber, and Harrison, 27). Also, several researches have shown that women are more likely to care for losing weight and the fear of being “fat” (Kitzinger and Wilkinson 33).The rate of dissatisfaction of body image among women is high especially in the developed countries (Swami, Steadman, and Tove´e, 609). The dissatisfaction is high among specific groups such as high class, non-feminist women comparing to the ones who believe in feminist movement (Swami, Steadman, and Tove´e 609). A Psychology Today survey has shown that 56% of women are dissatisfied with their body image (Swami, Steadman, and Tove´e, 609). Also, women are more likely to be judged according to their physical appearance than men (Unger, and Crawford, 127).
Many researchers have reached the notion that the main cause of such assumptions about women’s body image is due to media representation (Wilkinson, and Kitzinger, 33). It is true that there are other reasons for such assumptions but many argue that media representation is the main cause. This paper concentrates on showing how media represents women’s body and its effects on women and girls. Moreover, I will try to illustrate the other factors that might shape women’s body image in addition to media. Finally, the concentration will be on the study case of Dove campaign that shows the other side of media and its representation and to shape another image of women’s bodies; others argue that this campaign is to make profits more than changing women’s body image.
One of the questions that would be dealt with is how could media shape women’s body image and by which ways? Another question is does media have negative or positive effects on women’s body image? All these questions and issues would be addressed trying to reach a conclusion about the topic of media representation and women’s body image.
First of all, Walter Lippman, a famous journalist in 1992, defines stereotype as individuals are classified by others due to common and shared things (Unger, and Crawford, 107). According to this definition, people might categorize all women as being slim and beautiful because media promotes such image. However, women are different and can not be typical (Unger, and Crawford, 113). This is another assumption and whether to be refuted or proved. This might be clear in the next paragraphs.
Advertisements on TV, radio and newspapers represent women as sexual objects (Butcher, Coward, Evaristi, Garber, and Harrison, 26). Ads use women’s bodies as attractiveness to men. Such ads show women’s bodies as skinny bodies which attracts men. Consequently, women and girls might be affected by such ads and would like to be attractive in men’s eyes (Butcher, Coward, Evaristi, Garber, and Harrison, 26). The images on ads about women’s body represent unrealistic image and do not reflect the real women as mothers, wives and sisters (Butcher, Coward, Evaristi, Garber, and Harrison, 27). Media has started to reflect the unrealistic image of women’s body on children’s programs, story books, movies and magazines (Unger, and Crawford, 113). In my opinion, this shows that media’s target has started with children to promote the stereotypical image of women’s body as children are easily affected.
Moreover, talking about news, women are more likely to be viewed or be mentioned by their physical appearance and their clothes than their abilities (Unger, and Crawford, 115). A study conducted on 221 characters from the most famous TV programs to examine their weight and age; the results were that 69.1% of women working in these programs are thin comparing to only 17.5% of men; also, only 5% of women were recorded as heavy comparing to 25.5% of men (Unger, and Crawford, 116). I think this shows that women are required to be thin to work on TV as it is favorable to hire thin women (Unger, and Crawford, 116). As this study has shown, men do not necessary have to be thin to work on TV but women should as TV producers are interested more in women’s physical appearance than their qualifications (Unger, and Crawford, 116). In addition, fat women are viewed as having unpleasant characteristics and then might be discriminated in the market labor (Kitzinger and Wilkinson 33). I think, this causes problems for women occupying several jobs even if they have the qualifications (Unger, and Crawford, 116). This is also an indication that women suffer from such perceptions and assumptions and always under pressure of such beliefs. Some researches have argued that people who watch many stereotyped programs tend to think more stereotypically about women’s body image (Unger, and Crawford, 117). However, in my opinion, nowadays almost everyone watch TV programs and ads which are full of stereotyped images and some might be affected and others not. Therefore, it is not just about watching stereotyped programs. This illustrates that TV has a big influence on people whether men or women.
Theoretically, the first theory is called “objectification theory” which is mainly about women caring about the external view of body rather than the inside view (Daniels ). Accordingly, this leads women to treat their bodies as objects to satisfy the society (Daniels ). Secondly, the symbolic annihilation is used by Gaye Tuchmna in 1978 to describe how media targets women (Unger, and Crawford, 120). Again, it means to represent women’s body image as beautiful objects rather than useful which is in favor of patriarchal societies (Daniels).
This last and previous point about male dominated culture leads to the effects of other factors on shaping the stereotyped view of women’s bodies. In addition to media, social and cultural factors have a role in shaping those images such as businessmen (Butcher, Coward, Evaristi, Garber, and Harrison, 27). For example, the focus of slimming industries, dominated by men, on women and diet by promoting slimming products for personal benefits shows how women are the target of businessmen to make profits. As a result, women would be under focus and stress to be like what images industries draw (Kitzinger and Wilkinson, 33). Again, such industries cooperate with media to promote such products and so the correlation between business world and media is very strong.
Another social and cultural factor that puts pressure on women is health experts. Doctors are more likely to treat and advise fat women than men (Kitzinger and Wilkinson,33). This point might prove the notion that men are less likely to ask for medical advice (Annandale, and Hunt, 25). One reason for that is that men are less caring for their appearance and secondly men rarely seek medical consultation as not to be viewed as “weak” (Annandale, and Hunt, 25). As a result, men might get more diseases than women and live shorter than women (Nettleton, and Watson).
It is always the case that being fat according to women is a negative way but for men sometimes it’s something positive. To illustrate more, some societies consider fatness among men is a sign of wealth (Annandale, and Hunt). Consequently, women are more likely to care for being fat or not as many societies expect women to meet the standards of beauty in their point of view (Kitzinger and Wilkinson, 33). During pregnancy period, women are expected to gain weight so this is the only time that fat women would not be viewed negatively by people and society (Kitzinger and Wilkinson, 34). In addition, pregnant women view themselves less negatively (Kitzinger and Wilkinson, 34). However, during pregnancy doctors advise women not to gain lots of weight because of health risks on the mother and baby’s health (Kitzinger and Wilkinson, 34). I think this is good as such diet during pregnancy is beneficial for the health of women. There is nothing wrong with following a healthy diet and keep fit but not just to be slim and unhealthy as some girls do in order to be like the models on TV (Annandale, and Hunt).
This might lead to the point that some fat women face difficulties because of the body image. ‘I do not dress the way I want to any more because of my weight”, one woman expressed in the book of women and health (Kitzinger and Wilkinson, 38). This quote shows that some fat women are not satisfied with their body size and do not dress and not dressing like women on TV (Kitzinger and Wilkinson, 38). This quote has raised the issue of fashion and fat women. Most fashionable clothes are not available on large sizes (Kitzinger and Wilkinson, 39). This might encourage women to lose weight to be fashionable. However, this also indicates that fashion designers concentrate on thin women ignoring fat women and their needs (Kitzinger and Wilkinson, 39). Large sizes are not always available locally only in specific shops such as Ann Harvey ("Ann Harvey London"). Ann Harvey branches are limited and available in big cities like London, Cardif, Cambridge and Brighton ("Ann Harvey London"). Sizes available in this shop are ranged from 16 till 32 ("Ann Harvey London"). However, prices are expensive even on sale ("Ann Harvey London"). This is another problem for women as it is not easily accessible and expensive ("Ann Harvey London").
On the other hand, some argue that media is trying to deliver the true women’s body image. One example of this argument is Dove campaign (“Dove campaign for real beauty”). In 2004, a campaign for real beauty was launched by Dove Company to show real beauty of women (“Dove campaign for real beauty”). Dove used billboards, TV ads and magazines to advertise for such campaign (Johnston, and LastTaylor).This campaign was conducted on real women who are from different ages, races and sizes (Johnston, and LastTaylor). In fact, this campaign was successful as it attracted media attention, gender experts, professionals, media celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey (Johnston, and LastTaylor). Also, Dove achieved commercial success by selling many of lotion products (Johnston, and LastTaylor). As a result, Dove campaign which was entitled as “Fat or Fabulous” achieved some of personal benefits (Johnston, and LastTaylor). However, some experts criticize Dove campaign as the main goal of such campaign is just to gain money and make profits (Johnston, and LastTaylor). Such assumption might be true as Dove experts are interested in making profits. However, I think it is not wrong to raise the point of stereotype against women’s body image via such campaign. I think, the notion of “lets make peace with our bodies” Dove has raised is a brilliant idea as it encourages women to love their bodies as they are ; also to refute what media is trying to convince the public about women’s ideal body image (Johnston, and LastTaylor). Actually, this really promotes women and girls to believe in this idea as Dove pronounced that 138,000 girls aged from 8 to 14 created their own projects such as “Uniquely Me” and “Body Talk” (Johnston, and LastTaylor). The dove campaign illustrates that the media image of women’s bodies is unrealistic and fake ("Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty").
In conclusion, 68% of women believe that media and advertising create unrealistic women’s body image which normal women can not achieve ("Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty"). This proves the idea that media has a big role in shaping what women’s bodies should look like. Additionally, 75% of women wish that media portray the real women’s body image and concentrate on other ages not just the young age ("Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty"). In reality, we can not deny the role of socio-cultural factors in shaping this body image. However, media is the main reason for that image and affects various cultures and societies. To conclude, Women’s body image is influenced by media, men, beauty industries and fashion (Kitzinger and Wilkinson).
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Bibliography
Annandale, Ellen, and Kate Hunt. Gender inequalities in health: research at the crossroads. 2000
"Ann Harvey Women are a Fablous Size 16 to 32." Ann Harvey London. Web. 6 Dec 2009.
Butcher, Helen, Ros Coward, Marcella Evaristi, Jenny Garber, and Rachel Harrison. Images of Women in the Media. 1999.
"Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty." Media Awareness Network. Web. 6 Dec 2009..
Johnston, Josée, and Judith LastTaylor. "Feminist Consumerism and Fat Activists: A Comparative Study of Grassroots Activism and the Dove Real Beauty Campaign." Journal of Women in Culture and Society (2008): n. pag. Web. 7 Dec 2009..
Nettleton, S, and J Watson. The Body in Everyday Life. 1998
Daniels, Elizabeth. "How Media Representations of Women Athletes Can Impact Adolescent Girls and College Women." Journal of Adolescent. (2009)
Swami, Viren, Laura Steadman, and Martin Tove´e. "A comparison of body size ideals, body dissatisfaction, and media influence." Psychology of Sport and Exercise. (2009).
Unger, Rhoda, and Mary Crawford. Women and Gender A Feminist Psychology. 1992.
Wilkinson, Sue, and Celia Kitzinger. Women and Health Feminist Perspectives. 1994.
“How media shapes womens’s body image and its effects on women and society in general”,
The topic of media and it’s representation of women’s body image is controversial. There are many assumptions about women’s body image which media portray through various programs and ads. One of those assumptions is that women are more viewed through their physical appearance as beautiful objects than men (Unger, and Crawford, 127). As a result, women’s bodies are the target of sexual desires especially for men (Butcher, Coward, Evaristi, Garber, and Harrison, 27). Also, several researches have shown that women are more likely to care for losing weight and the fear of being “fat” (Kitzinger and Wilkinson 33).The rate of dissatisfaction of body image among women is high especially in the developed countries (Swami, Steadman, and Tove´e, 609). The dissatisfaction is high among specific groups such as high class, non-feminist women comparing to the ones who believe in feminist movement (Swami, Steadman, and Tove´e 609). A Psychology Today survey has shown that 56% of women are dissatisfied with their body image (Swami, Steadman, and Tove´e, 609). Also, women are more likely to be judged according to their physical appearance than men (Unger, and Crawford, 127).
Many researchers have reached the notion that the main cause of such assumptions about women’s body image is due to media representation (Wilkinson, and Kitzinger, 33). It is true that there are other reasons for such assumptions but many argue that media representation is the main cause. This paper concentrates on showing how media represents women’s body and its effects on women and girls. Moreover, I will try to illustrate the other factors that might shape women’s body image in addition to media. Finally, the concentration will be on the study case of Dove campaign that shows the other side of media and its representation and to shape another image of women’s bodies; others argue that this campaign is to make profits more than changing women’s body image.
One of the questions that would be dealt with is how could media shape women’s body image and by which ways? Another question is does media have negative or positive effects on women’s body image? All these questions and issues would be addressed trying to reach a conclusion about the topic of media representation and women’s body image.
First of all, Walter Lippman, a famous journalist in 1992, defines stereotype as individuals are classified by others due to common and shared things (Unger, and Crawford, 107). According to this definition, people might categorize all women as being slim and beautiful because media promotes such image. However, women are different and can not be typical (Unger, and Crawford, 113). This is another assumption and whether to be refuted or proved. This might be clear in the next paragraphs.
Advertisements on TV, radio and newspapers represent women as sexual objects (Butcher, Coward, Evaristi, Garber, and Harrison, 26). Ads use women’s bodies as attractiveness to men. Such ads show women’s bodies as skinny bodies which attracts men. Consequently, women and girls might be affected by such ads and would like to be attractive in men’s eyes (Butcher, Coward, Evaristi, Garber, and Harrison, 26). The images on ads about women’s body represent unrealistic image and do not reflect the real women as mothers, wives and sisters (Butcher, Coward, Evaristi, Garber, and Harrison, 27). Media has started to reflect the unrealistic image of women’s body on children’s programs, story books, movies and magazines (Unger, and Crawford, 113). In my opinion, this shows that media’s target has started with children to promote the stereotypical image of women’s body as children are easily affected.
Moreover, talking about news, women are more likely to be viewed or be mentioned by their physical appearance and their clothes than their abilities (Unger, and Crawford, 115). A study conducted on 221 characters from the most famous TV programs to examine their weight and age; the results were that 69.1% of women working in these programs are thin comparing to only 17.5% of men; also, only 5% of women were recorded as heavy comparing to 25.5% of men (Unger, and Crawford, 116). I think this shows that women are required to be thin to work on TV as it is favorable to hire thin women (Unger, and Crawford, 116). As this study has shown, men do not necessary have to be thin to work on TV but women should as TV producers are interested more in women’s physical appearance than their qualifications (Unger, and Crawford, 116). In addition, fat women are viewed as having unpleasant characteristics and then might be discriminated in the market labor (Kitzinger and Wilkinson 33). I think, this causes problems for women occupying several jobs even if they have the qualifications (Unger, and Crawford, 116). This is also an indication that women suffer from such perceptions and assumptions and always under pressure of such beliefs. Some researches have argued that people who watch many stereotyped programs tend to think more stereotypically about women’s body image (Unger, and Crawford, 117). However, in my opinion, nowadays almost everyone watch TV programs and ads which are full of stereotyped images and some might be affected and others not. Therefore, it is not just about watching stereotyped programs. This illustrates that TV has a big influence on people whether men or women.
Theoretically, the first theory is called “objectification theory” which is mainly about women caring about the external view of body rather than the inside view (Daniels ). Accordingly, this leads women to treat their bodies as objects to satisfy the society (Daniels ). Secondly, the symbolic annihilation is used by Gaye Tuchmna in 1978 to describe how media targets women (Unger, and Crawford, 120). Again, it means to represent women’s body image as beautiful objects rather than useful which is in favor of patriarchal societies (Daniels).
This last and previous point about male dominated culture leads to the effects of other factors on shaping the stereotyped view of women’s bodies. In addition to media, social and cultural factors have a role in shaping those images such as businessmen (Butcher, Coward, Evaristi, Garber, and Harrison, 27). For example, the focus of slimming industries, dominated by men, on women and diet by promoting slimming products for personal benefits shows how women are the target of businessmen to make profits. As a result, women would be under focus and stress to be like what images industries draw (Kitzinger and Wilkinson, 33). Again, such industries cooperate with media to promote such products and so the correlation between business world and media is very strong.
Another social and cultural factor that puts pressure on women is health experts. Doctors are more likely to treat and advise fat women than men (Kitzinger and Wilkinson,33). This point might prove the notion that men are less likely to ask for medical advice (Annandale, and Hunt, 25). One reason for that is that men are less caring for their appearance and secondly men rarely seek medical consultation as not to be viewed as “weak” (Annandale, and Hunt, 25). As a result, men might get more diseases than women and live shorter than women (Nettleton, and Watson).
It is always the case that being fat according to women is a negative way but for men sometimes it’s something positive. To illustrate more, some societies consider fatness among men is a sign of wealth (Annandale, and Hunt). Consequently, women are more likely to care for being fat or not as many societies expect women to meet the standards of beauty in their point of view (Kitzinger and Wilkinson, 33). During pregnancy period, women are expected to gain weight so this is the only time that fat women would not be viewed negatively by people and society (Kitzinger and Wilkinson, 34). In addition, pregnant women view themselves less negatively (Kitzinger and Wilkinson, 34). However, during pregnancy doctors advise women not to gain lots of weight because of health risks on the mother and baby’s health (Kitzinger and Wilkinson, 34). I think this is good as such diet during pregnancy is beneficial for the health of women. There is nothing wrong with following a healthy diet and keep fit but not just to be slim and unhealthy as some girls do in order to be like the models on TV (Annandale, and Hunt).
This might lead to the point that some fat women face difficulties because of the body image. ‘I do not dress the way I want to any more because of my weight”, one woman expressed in the book of women and health (Kitzinger and Wilkinson, 38). This quote shows that some fat women are not satisfied with their body size and do not dress and not dressing like women on TV (Kitzinger and Wilkinson, 38). This quote has raised the issue of fashion and fat women. Most fashionable clothes are not available on large sizes (Kitzinger and Wilkinson, 39). This might encourage women to lose weight to be fashionable. However, this also indicates that fashion designers concentrate on thin women ignoring fat women and their needs (Kitzinger and Wilkinson, 39). Large sizes are not always available locally only in specific shops such as Ann Harvey ("Ann Harvey London"). Ann Harvey branches are limited and available in big cities like London, Cardif, Cambridge and Brighton ("Ann Harvey London"). Sizes available in this shop are ranged from 16 till 32 ("Ann Harvey London"). However, prices are expensive even on sale ("Ann Harvey London"). This is another problem for women as it is not easily accessible and expensive ("Ann Harvey London").
On the other hand, some argue that media is trying to deliver the true women’s body image. One example of this argument is Dove campaign (“Dove campaign for real beauty”). In 2004, a campaign for real beauty was launched by Dove Company to show real beauty of women (“Dove campaign for real beauty”). Dove used billboards, TV ads and magazines to advertise for such campaign (Johnston, and LastTaylor).This campaign was conducted on real women who are from different ages, races and sizes (Johnston, and LastTaylor). In fact, this campaign was successful as it attracted media attention, gender experts, professionals, media celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey (Johnston, and LastTaylor). Also, Dove achieved commercial success by selling many of lotion products (Johnston, and LastTaylor). As a result, Dove campaign which was entitled as “Fat or Fabulous” achieved some of personal benefits (Johnston, and LastTaylor). However, some experts criticize Dove campaign as the main goal of such campaign is just to gain money and make profits (Johnston, and LastTaylor). Such assumption might be true as Dove experts are interested in making profits. However, I think it is not wrong to raise the point of stereotype against women’s body image via such campaign. I think, the notion of “lets make peace with our bodies” Dove has raised is a brilliant idea as it encourages women to love their bodies as they are ; also to refute what media is trying to convince the public about women’s ideal body image (Johnston, and LastTaylor). Actually, this really promotes women and girls to believe in this idea as Dove pronounced that 138,000 girls aged from 8 to 14 created their own projects such as “Uniquely Me” and “Body Talk” (Johnston, and LastTaylor). The dove campaign illustrates that the media image of women’s bodies is unrealistic and fake ("Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty").
In conclusion, 68% of women believe that media and advertising create unrealistic women’s body image which normal women can not achieve ("Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty"). This proves the idea that media has a big role in shaping what women’s bodies should look like. Additionally, 75% of women wish that media portray the real women’s body image and concentrate on other ages not just the young age ("Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty"). In reality, we can not deny the role of socio-cultural factors in shaping this body image. However, media is the main reason for that image and affects various cultures and societies. To conclude, Women’s body image is influenced by media, men, beauty industries and fashion (Kitzinger and Wilkinson).
.
Bibliography
Annandale, Ellen, and Kate Hunt. Gender inequalities in health: research at the crossroads. 2000
"Ann Harvey Women are a Fablous Size 16 to 32." Ann Harvey London. Web. 6 Dec 2009.
Butcher, Helen, Ros Coward, Marcella Evaristi, Jenny Garber, and Rachel Harrison. Images of Women in the Media. 1999.
"Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty." Media Awareness Network. Web. 6 Dec 2009.
Johnston, Josée, and Judith LastTaylor. "Feminist Consumerism and Fat Activists: A Comparative Study of Grassroots Activism and the Dove Real Beauty Campaign." Journal of Women in Culture and Society (2008): n. pag. Web. 7 Dec 2009.
Nettleton, S, and J Watson. The Body in Everyday Life. 1998
Daniels, Elizabeth. "How Media Representations of Women Athletes Can Impact Adolescent Girls and College Women." Journal of Adolescent. (2009)
Swami, Viren, Laura Steadman, and Martin Tove´e. "A comparison of body size ideals, body dissatisfaction, and media influence." Psychology of Sport and Exercise. (2009).
Unger, Rhoda, and Mary Crawford. Women and Gender A Feminist Psychology. 1992.
Wilkinson, Sue, and Celia Kitzinger. Women and Health Feminist Perspectives. 1994.
Saturday, 20 March 2010
Israeli war on Gaza in 2008 and media coverage
November 2009
Israeli war on Gaza in 2008 and media coverage
The Israeli and Palestinian conflict has been the focus of media, politicians and many people around the world for a long time .The recent event that drags the attention of the whole world is the Israeli war on Gaza in 2008 (Zuhur 2009, p.41). The war has started in December 2008 when everyone worldwide was celebrating the 2009 New Year (Dumont 2009, p.610). This war is considered the most bloody and severe war since 1967 (Zuhur 2009, p.41). Gaza’s population is approximately 1.5 million Palestinians which show how small Gaza is (Zuhur 2009, p.51). This essay focuses on the various media coverage of the 2008 Israeli war on Gaza and how the cultural factors might shape the news.
First of all, Journalists have faced many difficulties covering the war on Gaza (Bauer 2009, p.5). In fact, Israel did not give journalists the permission to cover the war on Gaza except for specific news agencies such as Al-Jazeera and some others (Bauer 2009, p.5). Israel did that to hide the human crisis that Palestinians suffered from (Bauer 2009, p.5). I agree with this as Israel would be controlled by media if it lets media cover the war freely as media has a great influence on audience. This has a consequence on Americans who have limited access to world news channels (Bauer 2009, p.5). As a result, Americans would not be able to be aware of the situation in Gaza (Bauer 2009, p.5). The unbiased media coverage of war on Gaza was not possible as journalists were not allowed to cover all news in Gaza (Zuhur 2009, p.41). Consequently, these limited media sources might hide the whole truth and be biased to one side of the conflict according to the ideologies and cultural determinism (Dunsky 2009, p.10). To understand more about the media coverage of Gaza war in 2008, a close analysis of Western and Arab media coverage and the points of view of each would be discussed to examine the reliability of both media coverage.
The Western media coverage is a very important element that should be discussed to discover its reliability and bias. Marda Dunsky, (2009, p.10) expresses in her article ,The Rest of the story, how Hamas is the only side that should be blamed for the war in Gaza .The White house spokesman, Gordon Johndroe, in the second day of the war has officially blamed Hamas for leading Israel to attack Gaza (Dunsky 2009, p.10). “The rocket attacks are completely unacceptable and Israel is going to defend its people against terrorists like Hamas “, Johndroe added (Dunsky 2009, p.10). In my opinion, this obviously shows that the Western media point of view is in favor of Israel and its decision of going to war against Hamas. Various Western newspapers such as, The Los Angles Times, New York Times and Washington Post, wrote about the right of Israel to attack Gaza and defend its people and stop Hamas’s rockets (Dunsky 2009, p.10). CNN coverage of the war on Gaza has somehow indicated that its biased and controlled by its cultural aspects as in the second week of the war , the CNN correspondent Ben Wedeman, reported that’s Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 (Dunsky 2009, p.10). This might illustrate that the American media coverage is trying to justify what Israel is doing in Gaza. To illustrate, the report has pointed out that Hamas has no any excuse to attack Israel as the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza was done in 2005 (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). In addition, western media has criticized Hamas of refusing building shelters to protect its civilians (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). As a result, Israel has to defend its people and kill Palestinians so it is a self-defense war (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). I think this clearly shows the ideology of western media to prompt the image that Israel was in a self-defense position. This also indicates that it is Hamas which forced Israel to launch the war on Gaza and kill Palestinians (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). In reality, the makeshift projects and rockets that Hamas used against Israeli towns are rarely caused threaten to people’s lives (Dunsky 2009, p.11). However, the western media is always trying to show that Israeli people are always under threat and risk and can not live peacefully (Dunsky 2009, p.11). As a result, this has led people to believe just one side of the story without referring to the other side and this is enforced by media (Dunsky 2009, p.11).
The previous point might prove the argument that is discussed in the article “Why does it happen” about the notion of lack of Palestinian public relation (Philo and Berry 2004, p.246). The Palestinian public relation is not that active and uneasily accessible and this hide the whole truth (Philo and Berry 2004, p.246). On the other hand, the Israeli public relation is active and can be easily reached by journalists (Philo and Berry 2004, p.246). As a result, the flow of information might come from one side, Israel, while the Palestinian side is difficult to reach (Philo and Berry 2004, p.246). Indeed, this is a huge problem for the Palestinian position as their opinion is hardly expressed especially in the western media. For example, the UN spokesman once expressed to the CNN correspondent about the Israeli sanction on Gaza which lasted for a year and half which Gaza people suffer from (Dunsky 2009, p.10). As a result, people do not know about this sanction as there is no good Palestinian public relation with media to express this (Philo and Berry 2004, p.246). In fact, even if the western media, CNN, has an access to such information, it has been ignored so as not to blame Israel (Dunsky 2009, p.11). In addition, talking about the tunnels that the Palestinian officials said that it is used by Palestinians to survive while Israeli army argue that these tunnels are used to transfer weapons (Dunsky 2009, p.10). In this point, which side should people believe?
The second topic about the Western media coverage is the using of words that show how much the western media is in favor of Israel. One of these words that are commonly used to describe Hamas is “terrorist organization” (Dunsky 2009, p.10). For example, ABC news used it to show that Israel attacked Gaza to defend Israeli people from this ‘terrorist’ group (Dunsky 2009, p.10). Wording can be effective and especially when leaving a negative effect on audience about Palestinians. This leads to another point about the image that the Western people create in their minds about the Arabs (Dunsky 2009, p.10). Because of media, the world nowadays is viewing the Arabs and Muslims as terrorists especially after 9/11 in the US (Zuhur 2009, p.40). Additionally, some journalists might write that Hamas is hiding behind its own Palestinians when killing civilian Israelis (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). This statement shows that Hamas is using its people especially children to fight Israel and they are heartless (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). Accordingly, Israel has to fight back and kill some innocent Palestinians as Hamas forced them to do that. As a result, the media coverage on Gaza war of western media has been biased (Zuhur 2009, p.40).
The Western media has always criticized the relationship between Hamas and media. The Financial post (Canada), for example, criticizes the way Hamas used the Arab media by providing ready cameras to broadcast the images of dead Palestinian children to affect the audiences emotionally (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). Actually, I think this might show that Hamas useed the media effectively to affect the public opinion.
On the other hand, some Israelis criticize the media in general as being biased against Israel this time. Israelis argue that the bias in media is rooted from the Anti-Semitism theory which based that the world is against the Jews (Philo and Berry 2004, p.249). For example, many Arab and Muslim groups kill each other in Iraq when a woman blew herself in a mosque and killed 40 people, no media coverage of that (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). This supports the theory of anti-Semitism as media pays more attention to what Israel is doing than others. Moreover, killing just 100 by Israel in a war of self-defense is much less than the numbers killed by Arabs and Muslims for no reason (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). This statement shows extreme bias against Palestinians and Muslims explaining that the killing of Arabs of Israelis is not reasonable while killing the Palestinians by Israelis is acceptable. The world seems not to care when Arabs and Muslims kill each other but cares when Israelis kill some Palestinians as self defense (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). To illustrate,, the writer has provided the readers with an example of Hamas killing two Palestinians girls by mistake when targeting Israeli civilians with no media attention (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). Furthermore, some argue that the protesters in London, San Francesco and Paris were not covered by media when Israeli children were killed by Palestinian terrorists (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). This is another example which shows how Israelis feel they are treated unfairly by media. Also, some Israelis blame media for the exaggeration of the number of people killed by Israel in Palestine ignoring the fact that Hamas use women and children as fighters and then Israel has to fight such fighters (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). This indicates again that Israelis feel they are not in position to be blamed for killing innocent people but in a self defense position. To sum up this point, this is a quote from the writer of the article in Financial Post, ‘ every human shield that is killed by Israeli self-defense measures is the responsibility of Hamas, but you would not know that from watching media coverage’ (Dershwitz 2009, p.2).
The Arab media coverage should be addressed to compare with the western media coverage. Al-Jazeera channel was the significant Arab media coverage with 53% of Arab audience and nearly 40 million viewers around the world (Dunsky 2009, p.11). Al-Jazeera has many correspondences in Jerusalem, Gaza and other Arab capitals to cover the various points of view (Dunsky 2009, p.11). Al-Jazeera has been successful in covering the Arab points of view by interviewing Arab experts and Israeli experts to express the others point of view as well (Dunsky 2009, p.11). Only Al-Jazeera’s viewers were able to see the live images of dead children and how Gaza is being destroyed by Israeli forces (Dunsky 2009, p.11). Al-Jazeera was the channel that Arabs know part of the truth as some other Arab channels hid the truth as they follow the governments will (Dunsky 2009, p.11). Al-Jazeera kept itself away from calling Israel the enemy or occupation and interviewed Israeli figures such as Livini Benjamin and Shimon Peres as representatives of Israeli army (Dunsky 2009, p.10). I think this is good as to show the point of view of both sides and not just take one stand of the conflict. Some Arab journalists claim that the goal of Israel is to stop Hamas rockets but many think its nonsense and the real goal is to destroy Hamas (Zuhur 2009, p.41). ‘Opening fire on five people daring to venture out to the market in Gaza city does not make the market a Hamas missile launcher’, Zuhur said. This quote shows that Israel is fighting just to end Hamas as it’s a threat for their Jewish state (Zuhur 2009, p.41). Also, the aim of war is to destroy Hamas as it is a threat to the whole region not just Israel (A bloody new year in Gaza, 2009).
In conclusion,’ news is sometimes described as a constructed reality that is a product of the interests of those who report it and those who consume it’, Dunsky said. This is a good quote to conclude this whole issue as it shows that news is shaped by the interests of people who control the media. An important question that should be asked is did Israel end Hamas in this war? ( Zuhur 2009, p.51). Were the strategies of Western and Arab media successful in this war? (A war of words and images 2009). Also, can Hamas target the West and that’s why Israel had to fight it? (Levitt 2007, p.926). All these questions are hard to answer as for the various media ideologies. The media is supposed to be neutral and unbiased in spite of the organization or country it belongs to (Philo and Berry 2004, p.248). However, many newspapers take a stand and support one part of the conflict which contradicts what journalists should do.
Bibliography
Bauer, B.S. (2009), Gaza live. Available from: The American University in Cairo, Web site: http://0-web.ebscohost.com.lib.aucegypt.edu/ehost/detail?vid=6&hid=106&sid=8df92073-1462-4919-8454-ee214175d6f1%40sessionmgr4&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=a9h&AN=35973361 [Accessed: November 4, 2009].
Dershowitz, D.A. (2009), The CNN strategy. Available from: The American University in Cairo, Web site: http://0-www.lexisnexis.com.lib.aucegypt.edu/us/lnacademic/results/docview/docview.do?docLinkInd=true&risb=21_T7856366937&format=GNBFI&sort=RELEVANCE&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T7856366940&cisb=22_T7856366939&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&csi=10882&docNo=2 [Accessed: November 5, 2009].
Dumont, D.F. (2009), On the ground in the Gaza Strip. Canadian Medical Association. Available from: Canadian Medical Association, Web site: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2653582/ [Accessed: November 11, 2009].
Dunsky, D.M. (2009), The rest of the story. Available from: The American University in Cairo, Web site: http://0-web.ebscohost.com.lib.aucegypt.edu/ehost/detail?vid=4&hid=11&sid=8df92073-1462-4919-8454-ee214175d6f1%40sessionmgr4&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=a9h&AN=37708627 [Accessed: November 1, 2009].
Economist (2009), A war of words and images. Available from: The American University in Cairo, Web site: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com.ezproxy.sussex.ac.uk/journal/122263548/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0 [Accessed: November 1, 2009].
Levitt, L.M. (2007), Could Hamas Target the West?. Available from: Google scholar, Web site: http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/abstract.aspx?ID=242344 [Accessed: November 5, 2009].
Philo, Greg and Berry, Mike (2004) ‘Why does it happen’, in Greg Philo and Mike Berry, Bad News from Israel, London: Pluto Press pp 244-260
Zuhur, Z.S. (2009), Gaza, Israel, Hamas and the Lost Calm of Operation Cast Lead. Wiley Intersciences Journals,16(1). Available from: University of Sussex, Web site: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com.ezproxy.sussex.ac.uk/journal/122263548/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0 [Accessed: November 1, 2009].
Israeli war on Gaza in 2008 and media coverage
The Israeli and Palestinian conflict has been the focus of media, politicians and many people around the world for a long time .The recent event that drags the attention of the whole world is the Israeli war on Gaza in 2008 (Zuhur 2009, p.41). The war has started in December 2008 when everyone worldwide was celebrating the 2009 New Year (Dumont 2009, p.610). This war is considered the most bloody and severe war since 1967 (Zuhur 2009, p.41). Gaza’s population is approximately 1.5 million Palestinians which show how small Gaza is (Zuhur 2009, p.51). This essay focuses on the various media coverage of the 2008 Israeli war on Gaza and how the cultural factors might shape the news.
First of all, Journalists have faced many difficulties covering the war on Gaza (Bauer 2009, p.5). In fact, Israel did not give journalists the permission to cover the war on Gaza except for specific news agencies such as Al-Jazeera and some others (Bauer 2009, p.5). Israel did that to hide the human crisis that Palestinians suffered from (Bauer 2009, p.5). I agree with this as Israel would be controlled by media if it lets media cover the war freely as media has a great influence on audience. This has a consequence on Americans who have limited access to world news channels (Bauer 2009, p.5). As a result, Americans would not be able to be aware of the situation in Gaza (Bauer 2009, p.5). The unbiased media coverage of war on Gaza was not possible as journalists were not allowed to cover all news in Gaza (Zuhur 2009, p.41). Consequently, these limited media sources might hide the whole truth and be biased to one side of the conflict according to the ideologies and cultural determinism (Dunsky 2009, p.10). To understand more about the media coverage of Gaza war in 2008, a close analysis of Western and Arab media coverage and the points of view of each would be discussed to examine the reliability of both media coverage.
The Western media coverage is a very important element that should be discussed to discover its reliability and bias. Marda Dunsky, (2009, p.10) expresses in her article ,The Rest of the story, how Hamas is the only side that should be blamed for the war in Gaza .The White house spokesman, Gordon Johndroe, in the second day of the war has officially blamed Hamas for leading Israel to attack Gaza (Dunsky 2009, p.10). “The rocket attacks are completely unacceptable and Israel is going to defend its people against terrorists like Hamas “, Johndroe added (Dunsky 2009, p.10). In my opinion, this obviously shows that the Western media point of view is in favor of Israel and its decision of going to war against Hamas. Various Western newspapers such as, The Los Angles Times, New York Times and Washington Post, wrote about the right of Israel to attack Gaza and defend its people and stop Hamas’s rockets (Dunsky 2009, p.10). CNN coverage of the war on Gaza has somehow indicated that its biased and controlled by its cultural aspects as in the second week of the war , the CNN correspondent Ben Wedeman, reported that’s Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 (Dunsky 2009, p.10). This might illustrate that the American media coverage is trying to justify what Israel is doing in Gaza. To illustrate, the report has pointed out that Hamas has no any excuse to attack Israel as the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza was done in 2005 (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). In addition, western media has criticized Hamas of refusing building shelters to protect its civilians (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). As a result, Israel has to defend its people and kill Palestinians so it is a self-defense war (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). I think this clearly shows the ideology of western media to prompt the image that Israel was in a self-defense position. This also indicates that it is Hamas which forced Israel to launch the war on Gaza and kill Palestinians (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). In reality, the makeshift projects and rockets that Hamas used against Israeli towns are rarely caused threaten to people’s lives (Dunsky 2009, p.11). However, the western media is always trying to show that Israeli people are always under threat and risk and can not live peacefully (Dunsky 2009, p.11). As a result, this has led people to believe just one side of the story without referring to the other side and this is enforced by media (Dunsky 2009, p.11).
The previous point might prove the argument that is discussed in the article “Why does it happen” about the notion of lack of Palestinian public relation (Philo and Berry 2004, p.246). The Palestinian public relation is not that active and uneasily accessible and this hide the whole truth (Philo and Berry 2004, p.246). On the other hand, the Israeli public relation is active and can be easily reached by journalists (Philo and Berry 2004, p.246). As a result, the flow of information might come from one side, Israel, while the Palestinian side is difficult to reach (Philo and Berry 2004, p.246). Indeed, this is a huge problem for the Palestinian position as their opinion is hardly expressed especially in the western media. For example, the UN spokesman once expressed to the CNN correspondent about the Israeli sanction on Gaza which lasted for a year and half which Gaza people suffer from (Dunsky 2009, p.10). As a result, people do not know about this sanction as there is no good Palestinian public relation with media to express this (Philo and Berry 2004, p.246). In fact, even if the western media, CNN, has an access to such information, it has been ignored so as not to blame Israel (Dunsky 2009, p.11). In addition, talking about the tunnels that the Palestinian officials said that it is used by Palestinians to survive while Israeli army argue that these tunnels are used to transfer weapons (Dunsky 2009, p.10). In this point, which side should people believe?
The second topic about the Western media coverage is the using of words that show how much the western media is in favor of Israel. One of these words that are commonly used to describe Hamas is “terrorist organization” (Dunsky 2009, p.10). For example, ABC news used it to show that Israel attacked Gaza to defend Israeli people from this ‘terrorist’ group (Dunsky 2009, p.10). Wording can be effective and especially when leaving a negative effect on audience about Palestinians. This leads to another point about the image that the Western people create in their minds about the Arabs (Dunsky 2009, p.10). Because of media, the world nowadays is viewing the Arabs and Muslims as terrorists especially after 9/11 in the US (Zuhur 2009, p.40). Additionally, some journalists might write that Hamas is hiding behind its own Palestinians when killing civilian Israelis (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). This statement shows that Hamas is using its people especially children to fight Israel and they are heartless (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). Accordingly, Israel has to fight back and kill some innocent Palestinians as Hamas forced them to do that. As a result, the media coverage on Gaza war of western media has been biased (Zuhur 2009, p.40).
The Western media has always criticized the relationship between Hamas and media. The Financial post (Canada), for example, criticizes the way Hamas used the Arab media by providing ready cameras to broadcast the images of dead Palestinian children to affect the audiences emotionally (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). Actually, I think this might show that Hamas useed the media effectively to affect the public opinion.
On the other hand, some Israelis criticize the media in general as being biased against Israel this time. Israelis argue that the bias in media is rooted from the Anti-Semitism theory which based that the world is against the Jews (Philo and Berry 2004, p.249). For example, many Arab and Muslim groups kill each other in Iraq when a woman blew herself in a mosque and killed 40 people, no media coverage of that (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). This supports the theory of anti-Semitism as media pays more attention to what Israel is doing than others. Moreover, killing just 100 by Israel in a war of self-defense is much less than the numbers killed by Arabs and Muslims for no reason (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). This statement shows extreme bias against Palestinians and Muslims explaining that the killing of Arabs of Israelis is not reasonable while killing the Palestinians by Israelis is acceptable. The world seems not to care when Arabs and Muslims kill each other but cares when Israelis kill some Palestinians as self defense (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). To illustrate,, the writer has provided the readers with an example of Hamas killing two Palestinians girls by mistake when targeting Israeli civilians with no media attention (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). Furthermore, some argue that the protesters in London, San Francesco and Paris were not covered by media when Israeli children were killed by Palestinian terrorists (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). This is another example which shows how Israelis feel they are treated unfairly by media. Also, some Israelis blame media for the exaggeration of the number of people killed by Israel in Palestine ignoring the fact that Hamas use women and children as fighters and then Israel has to fight such fighters (Dershwitz 2009, p.2). This indicates again that Israelis feel they are not in position to be blamed for killing innocent people but in a self defense position. To sum up this point, this is a quote from the writer of the article in Financial Post, ‘ every human shield that is killed by Israeli self-defense measures is the responsibility of Hamas, but you would not know that from watching media coverage’ (Dershwitz 2009, p.2).
The Arab media coverage should be addressed to compare with the western media coverage. Al-Jazeera channel was the significant Arab media coverage with 53% of Arab audience and nearly 40 million viewers around the world (Dunsky 2009, p.11). Al-Jazeera has many correspondences in Jerusalem, Gaza and other Arab capitals to cover the various points of view (Dunsky 2009, p.11). Al-Jazeera has been successful in covering the Arab points of view by interviewing Arab experts and Israeli experts to express the others point of view as well (Dunsky 2009, p.11). Only Al-Jazeera’s viewers were able to see the live images of dead children and how Gaza is being destroyed by Israeli forces (Dunsky 2009, p.11). Al-Jazeera was the channel that Arabs know part of the truth as some other Arab channels hid the truth as they follow the governments will (Dunsky 2009, p.11). Al-Jazeera kept itself away from calling Israel the enemy or occupation and interviewed Israeli figures such as Livini Benjamin and Shimon Peres as representatives of Israeli army (Dunsky 2009, p.10). I think this is good as to show the point of view of both sides and not just take one stand of the conflict. Some Arab journalists claim that the goal of Israel is to stop Hamas rockets but many think its nonsense and the real goal is to destroy Hamas (Zuhur 2009, p.41). ‘Opening fire on five people daring to venture out to the market in Gaza city does not make the market a Hamas missile launcher’, Zuhur said. This quote shows that Israel is fighting just to end Hamas as it’s a threat for their Jewish state (Zuhur 2009, p.41). Also, the aim of war is to destroy Hamas as it is a threat to the whole region not just Israel (A bloody new year in Gaza, 2009).
In conclusion,’ news is sometimes described as a constructed reality that is a product of the interests of those who report it and those who consume it’, Dunsky said. This is a good quote to conclude this whole issue as it shows that news is shaped by the interests of people who control the media. An important question that should be asked is did Israel end Hamas in this war? ( Zuhur 2009, p.51). Were the strategies of Western and Arab media successful in this war? (A war of words and images 2009). Also, can Hamas target the West and that’s why Israel had to fight it? (Levitt 2007, p.926). All these questions are hard to answer as for the various media ideologies. The media is supposed to be neutral and unbiased in spite of the organization or country it belongs to (Philo and Berry 2004, p.248). However, many newspapers take a stand and support one part of the conflict which contradicts what journalists should do.
Bibliography
Bauer, B.S. (2009), Gaza live. Available from: The American University in Cairo, Web site: http://0-web.ebscohost.com.lib.aucegypt.edu/ehost/detail?vid=6&hid=106&sid=8df92073-1462-4919-8454-ee214175d6f1%40sessionmgr4&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=a9h&AN=35973361 [Accessed: November 4, 2009].
Dershowitz, D.A. (2009), The CNN strategy. Available from: The American University in Cairo, Web site: http://0-www.lexisnexis.com.lib.aucegypt.edu/us/lnacademic/results/docview/docview.do?docLinkInd=true&risb=21_T7856366937&format=GNBFI&sort=RELEVANCE&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T7856366940&cisb=22_T7856366939&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&csi=10882&docNo=2 [Accessed: November 5, 2009].
Dumont, D.F. (2009), On the ground in the Gaza Strip. Canadian Medical Association. Available from: Canadian Medical Association, Web site: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2653582/ [Accessed: November 11, 2009].
Dunsky, D.M. (2009), The rest of the story. Available from: The American University in Cairo, Web site: http://0-web.ebscohost.com.lib.aucegypt.edu/ehost/detail?vid=4&hid=11&sid=8df92073-1462-4919-8454-ee214175d6f1%40sessionmgr4&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=a9h&AN=37708627 [Accessed: November 1, 2009].
Economist (2009), A war of words and images. Available from: The American University in Cairo, Web site: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com.ezproxy.sussex.ac.uk/journal/122263548/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0 [Accessed: November 1, 2009].
Levitt, L.M. (2007), Could Hamas Target the West?. Available from: Google scholar, Web site: http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/abstract.aspx?ID=242344 [Accessed: November 5, 2009].
Philo, Greg and Berry, Mike (2004) ‘Why does it happen’, in Greg Philo and Mike Berry, Bad News from Israel, London: Pluto Press pp 244-260
Zuhur, Z.S. (2009), Gaza, Israel, Hamas and the Lost Calm of Operation Cast Lead. Wiley Intersciences Journals,16(1). Available from: University of Sussex, Web site: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com.ezproxy.sussex.ac.uk/journal/122263548/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0 [Accessed: November 1, 2009].
Friday, 26 February 2010
Democratisation and the use of internet in the Middle East
January 2010
“Free Esraa” is a Facebook group to free the Egyptian lady, Esraa Abdelfatah, who was arrested by the police ( Libérez Esraa et ses Camarades. Free Esraa 2008). Esraa Abdel Fatah’s only fault was to create Facebook group asking people to participate in a demonstration ( Libérez Esraa et ses Camarades. Free Esraa 2008). Miss Abdel Fatah, 27 years old, is one of many Egyptians who were arrested because of using Facebook groups to support demonstrations in Egypt (Stack 2008 a, p.7). This illustrates how internet is used to achieve democratization in the Middle East despite of governments’ opposition. Internet has nowadays become an essential need in daily life for many people. Moreover, the link between internet and democratization is believed by many researchers worldwide to be strong and relevant. To respond to the question of whether internet can deliver the democratization message or not, a search into the background of alternative media could help. In general, alternative media can be print, Indymeida, video, Youtube and finally internet (Cottle 2003, p.53). The focus of this paper would be on internet as it is one of the most active forms of alternative media. It is fast, free and not hierarchal as the traditional media (Cottle 2003, p.53). However, censorship in many countries, such as Egypt and Iran, on content of the internet information can limit the freedom of expression (Cottle 2003, p.53). Freedom of expression of alternative media depends on the political system of each country (Cottle 2003, p.42). Alternative media in general and internet specifically is organized by unprofessional people to change wrong or unpleasant situations (Cottle 2003, p.42). Alternative media is always supported financially by donations, voluntary works and businessmen (Cottle 2003, p.53). This means alternative media is not supported by official organizations or governments which people mistrust (Cottle 2003, p.53). Blogs, Indymedia and Facebook are examples of alternative media mainly on the internet (Cottle 2003, p.53).
The issue of democratization and internet is crucial in general and especially in the Middle East where democracy is something new for its people (Middle East net censorship increasing in scope and depth 2009, p.1). Some think internet is the perfect tool for achieving democracy while others disagree with this notion. After doing research, internet can convey democratization message but with limitations especially in the Middle East.
Some facts of internet use in the Middle East would help creating an overview of the possibility of achieving democratization in such environment. Iran has almost seven and a half million internet users (Worldwide Internet Usage, 2007); this is considered the highest number of internet usage with high rate of censorship in the Middle East (Worldwide Internet Usage, 2007). This explains how internet is effective enough in Iran to censor its use. According to a study conducted by the open Net Initiative which is a partnership among groups at four leading universities, Toronto, Harvard, Cambridge and Oxford, the censorship on internet in the Middle East has increased rapidly with more censorship of course (Middle East net censorship increasing in scope and depth, 2009, p.1). Facebook , the most famous social networking site, is blocked in Syria for example (Middle East net censorship increasing in scope and depth, 2009, p.1). Also, the United Arab Emirates blocks any sites dealing with Nazism or the Holocust (Middle East net censorship increasing in scope and depth, 2009, p.1). Previous examples illustrate how the internet is heavily censored in the Middle East.
Democracy is hard to achieve in Iran and Egypt because of censorship. The case of Iran and Egypt would be addressed to examine how Iranian and Egyptian populations have faced difficulties to achieve democratization.
The internet in Iran was introduced in the 1990s to publish some stories which are banned in traditional media (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.49). This proves internet is something new to the Iranian community. Almost 75% of Iranians who participated in a study conducted on the population of the ministry of Jahad Keshavarzi own computers at home and 66% have access to internet (Chizari, 2009, p.1293). This shows internet has become a phenomenon and popular in Iran. Political repression has led the Iranians to find alternatives to express their opinion. Consequently, the internet in Iran has become this alternative for oppositional groups to the Iranian regime to express their opinions (Rahimi and Gheytanchi, 2008, p.46). Some oppositional groups have used internet to organize protests and other events (Rahimi and Gheytanchi, 2008, p.46). In my opinion, People in Iran have used internet because it is somehow free and easily accessed. However, the Iranian government has considered the internet a threat for its policy and power (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.46). Accordingly, the government has censored some sites of internet to control its content (Vesely 2004, p.25). Although the Iranian government has censored many websites, people surf the internet for more uncensored news which traditional media hide such as sex and other sensitive issues (Vesely 2004, p.25). This means censorship can only control people and impede democratization.
Iranian Activists have used weblogs and social networking to demand their rights (Vesely 2004, p.25). The two main activist organizations which use internet actively are women’s rights activists and the reformist Ulama (Clerics) (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.47). Previous examples demonstrate how Iranian people are trying to use internet to reach democracy. However, the Iranian government opposes such movement. For example, in 2004, the Iranian regime arrested the Iranian journalist, Sina Morallebi, for creating her own weblog www.rooznegar.com (Vesely 2004, p.25). This weblog is not accessible anymore because the government had blocked it (Vesely 2004, p.25). In my opinion, this weblog is obviously not accessible because the government blocked it for its opposition to the Iranian government (Vesely 2004, p.25). Morallebi’s weblog was only created to express the writer’s opinion about everything not to oppose the government (Vesely 2004, p.25). I think the example of Morallebi’s arrest is an example of a violation of human rights in Iran. As a result, democratization is hard to achieve where human rights are violated. To conclude, such weblogs are considered a threat for the Iranian authorities and then should be blocked which is something undemocratic.
The Iranian government has filtered some websites mainly western websites such as pornography ones (Vesely 2004, p.25). This is wrong, in my opinion, as authorities think this is a protection of their population. However, government is controlling not protecting people; I think instead of blocking such websites, people should be educated enough to recognize between wrong and right (Vesely 2004, p.25). People should decide what is good and bad not deciding on their behalf (Vesely 2004, p.25). Deciding on behalf of people would lead to a permanent dependence on the government in almost everything and this is mainly what happens in the majority of developing countries (Vesely 2004, p.25). Personally, any country needs to reach democracy, people should have the right to choose and decide as some developed countries do nowadays.
The most active group in Iran who uses internet to demand their rights is Iranian women rights group as mentioned before (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.54). Internet is used by groups which cannot convey their opinion via traditional media (Cottle 2003, p.50). Iranian women’s movement use internet so as their voice would be heard by international organizations (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.54). Iranian women used traditional media to reach their rights but it did not work that much (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.49). Also, internet is a good space for Iranian women to write about taboos and away from the government’s authority (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.49). This shows that Iranian women are trying to reach their rights by internet. Iranian women’s movement organized a demonstration by internet objecting inequality and 2005 election’s results (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.54). Women’s movement asked for a demonstration using their website, feminist tribune, and published some photos about the event to attract people to participate (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.54). As a result, the feminist tribune website was blocked by the Iranian government (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.54). The police did not only block the website but took protestor’s mobiles as well in order not to publish images of using violence against protesters by the police (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.55). This proves three main points; the first point is internet is heavily censored in Iran. Second, Iran is not a democratic country which can let its people express their opinion freely. Finally, internet in Iran is considered a high threat for the conservative government in Iran (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.54). Consequently, internet should be fought and censored. To conclude, Iranian women think internet is liberating as they can talk about taboos (Vesely 2004, p.25). However, women are using fake names to talk freely as they might be recognized with their real names and then be criticized by the society (Vesely 2004, p.25). This also illustrates that Iranian women are controlled by society and government (Vesely 2004, p.25).
Talking about Iran and the use of internet to achieve democratization can lead us to the second case study which is Egypt. Some facts about Egypt and democracy would help demonstrating the situation in Egypt. First, freedom of expression is limited in Egypt because of the emergency law since 1980s (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Almost 18,000 thousands of Egyptians have been arrested because of this law (Shapiro 2009, p.6). More than five people in Egypt are not allowed to gather to discuss political issues and criticize President Mubarak’s regime (Shapiro 2009, p.6). However, people need a license to create a political party to discuss political issues. This illustrates that the Egyptians cannot express their point of view freely. In addition, newspapers are controlled by the Egyptian ministry of information (Shapiro 2009, p.6). This shows people cannot express their point of view using the newspaper or traditional media.
All these factors have led young people to find other alternatives to express their opinions. Social networking, Facebook, has become an active tool for young Egyptians to express their political point of view (Stack 2008 b, p.3). The main topics discussed in Facebook are freedom of expression, freedom for jailed activists and economic problems (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Facebook is also used to organize protests against the Egyptian government to demand some rights (Stack 2008 b, p.3). This is obviously a sign of democracy in a democratic country. However, in fact, people get arrested by the Egyptian police because of their Facebook activities (Stack 2008 b, p.3). For example, Ahmed Maher, one of Facebook activists, got arrested by the Egyptian authorities in 2008 for creating a Facebook group asking people to join a demonstration in Cairo (Stack 2008 b, p.3). The Egyptian authorities arrested him because they think the protest would encourage civil disobedience (Stack 2008 b, p.3). Accordingly, this might affect Egypt’s security (Stack 2008 b, p.3).
Actually, it’s not just a matter of arresting people which is something not democratic but also about torturing people during their arrest (Stack 2008 b, p.3). Maher was shackled and stripped by the Egyptian police (Stack 2008 a, p.7). Moreover, before his arrest, Maher received some threatening messages from the state security officers on Facebook such as “last time was easy, next time it will be harder, we only threatened to rape you, but next time we actually will” (Stack 2008 b, p.3). This quote shows how Egyptian activists on Facebook are under risk and might be punished if thinking of participating in a political activity. Moreover, activists feel they should keep their mouths shut in order not to be hurt and tortured (Stack 2008 b, p.5). In my opinion, it’s hard for Egypt as Iran to reach democracy in such environment where people are not free to express their opinion. Also, the 6th of April is a Facebook group which organized a protest to free the jailed journalists who were arrested by the police (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Members of this group are trying their best to achieve democracy (Shapiro 2009, p.6). However, Almost 8 members of total of 70,000 members of 6th of April group were arrested (Shapiro 2009, p.6). This again demonstrates how internet activists in Egypt suffer to achieve democratization.
Another example of using internet to serve democracy in Egypt is Almahla strike (Huang 2008, p.5). Almahla strike was organized by the workers in al Mahala against the rise of prices (Huang 2008, p.5). Many people asked people to support and participate in this strike using the internet such as Facebook (Huang 2008, p.5). In my opinion, this is the right of people to demonstrate peacefully asking for a change. However, the Egyptian government thinks internet has become a dangerous source of disobedience by encouraging people to participate in demonstrations (Huang 2008, p.5). Accordingly, the Egyptian government should control the internet for the stability of the state (Huang 2008, p.5). I think this is the problem of most regimes in the Middle East in general and Arab countries specifically. Furthermore, such governments repress its population so people would always need government to save them and be the hero of the country (Altheide 2002, p. 42). This also applies to how governments deal with crises and how media promotes the idea of the” heroes” (Huang 2008, p.5). This can explain why some Arab and Middle East countries cannot achieve democracy (Huang 2008, p.5).
Those factors have led young people not to participate in the political life (Kahn and Kellner 2005) .Young people believe they cannot change any wrong situation. As a result, they do not participate in political life (Altheid 2002 and Atton 2003) .A study conducted by Alahram center has shown that almost 67% of young Egyptians are not registered to vote (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Moreover, 84% have never participated in any kind of political activity (Shapiro 2009, p.6). This study shows how the Egyptians are encouraged not to be engaged in political life to be away from troubles. Because some political activists are affected negatively by the state, Egyptians prefer not to participate in politics.
Concerning the use of internet for political purposes, a question here should be asked; why don’t young Egyptians create a Facebook group instead or joining a political party which has a license? (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Samer Shehata, an assistant professor in Georgetown University, has answered the question above by stating that the political parties are not effective so people do not trust anymore (Shapiro 2009, p.6). “The state of opposition in Egypt is so pathetic that existing parties have lost all credibility”, Shehata said. This quote has proved that it is useless to young Egyptians to join any political party for two reasons. First, people believe most political parties follow the state’s policy. Secondly, such parties are not going to change anything because they are powerless (Shapiro 2009, p.6). “They have been around for a long time and produced nothing”, Shehata added (Shapiro 2009, p.6). However, 6 April Facebook group, for example, is unofficial but credible and people trust more than any political party (Shapiro 2009, p.6). In addition, this group might change something or encourage other people to demand their right of expressing their opinion (Shapiro 2009, p.6). This also shows how internet nowadays has become a successful tool for young Egyptians to express their opinion freely.
On the other hand, if Facebook activists have failed to raise their voice and achieve their aims, blogs have reached some levels of democratization (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Blogs in Egypt have become a good source for oppositional parties to depend on (Shapiro 2009, p.6). For example, Nora Younis, a pre worker in New York Time, posted in her blog stories and videos about the group sexual harassment against women in demonstrations in Egypt which government tried to ignore (Shapiro 2009, p.6). As a result, this attracted the attention of media locally and internationally about human rights in Egypt (Shapiro 2009, p.6). This indicates that blogs specifically have turned to be a source of information for other media such as TV (Shapiro 2009, p.6). This is also a sign of democratization in Egypt despite of all limitations (Shapiro 2009, p.6). In addition, Wael Abbas, one of the most famous bloggers in Egypt has created his website called Egyptian awareness to raise Egyptian’s awareness about their rights (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Abbas use internet because many young Egyptians nowadays have access to the internet as of its low price and availability (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Abbas believes young Egyptians might do something for Egypt by raising awareness (Shapiro 2009, p.6). It is worth mentioning that the Egyptian government has allowed the Egyptians to surf the internet due to the pressure of Bush’s administration for democracy (Shapiro 2009, p.6). this is an indication that internet is available in Egypt for political purposes. To sum up, Egypt, as many countries, is just not ready for democracy and should take it step by step. “If God created the world in six days, we cannot expect to change Egypt in just one”, one member of Facebook group said (Egypt releases jailed Facebook activist 2008). This quote is a good summary to Egypt’s case and democratization as time needed to achieve full democracy in Egypt.
In conclusion, Iran and Egypt are just examples of the Middle East countries facing difficulties achieving democracy. Both Egypt and Iran face problems regarding the use of internet. Iran and Egypt are just two examples of the Middle East countries which experience difficulties with democratization and internet. People use internet to express their political opinion because other media such as TV and radio might not allow oppositional points of view. Time is the only solution for such nations to achieve democracy. In my opinion, using internet as a tool to achieve democratization is the first step. Moreover, there is no obvious answer to the question I asked in the introduction of whether internet can deliver democratization message or not .However, as I mentioned previously, it is just a start for some nations like Iran and Egypt to then reach full democracy of public sphere. The topic of internet and democratization can be addressed in the future in another way by dealing with other case studies from developed countries, for example, where internet could successfully deliver democratization message. This can be a good comparison to study the experience developed countries of democratization and internet. Finally, to achieve democracy, it needs to be adopted not adapted as it is to be accepted in any society.
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“Free Esraa” is a Facebook group to free the Egyptian lady, Esraa Abdelfatah, who was arrested by the police ( Libérez Esraa et ses Camarades. Free Esraa 2008). Esraa Abdel Fatah’s only fault was to create Facebook group asking people to participate in a demonstration ( Libérez Esraa et ses Camarades. Free Esraa 2008). Miss Abdel Fatah, 27 years old, is one of many Egyptians who were arrested because of using Facebook groups to support demonstrations in Egypt (Stack 2008 a, p.7). This illustrates how internet is used to achieve democratization in the Middle East despite of governments’ opposition. Internet has nowadays become an essential need in daily life for many people. Moreover, the link between internet and democratization is believed by many researchers worldwide to be strong and relevant. To respond to the question of whether internet can deliver the democratization message or not, a search into the background of alternative media could help. In general, alternative media can be print, Indymeida, video, Youtube and finally internet (Cottle 2003, p.53). The focus of this paper would be on internet as it is one of the most active forms of alternative media. It is fast, free and not hierarchal as the traditional media (Cottle 2003, p.53). However, censorship in many countries, such as Egypt and Iran, on content of the internet information can limit the freedom of expression (Cottle 2003, p.53). Freedom of expression of alternative media depends on the political system of each country (Cottle 2003, p.42). Alternative media in general and internet specifically is organized by unprofessional people to change wrong or unpleasant situations (Cottle 2003, p.42). Alternative media is always supported financially by donations, voluntary works and businessmen (Cottle 2003, p.53). This means alternative media is not supported by official organizations or governments which people mistrust (Cottle 2003, p.53). Blogs, Indymedia and Facebook are examples of alternative media mainly on the internet (Cottle 2003, p.53).
The issue of democratization and internet is crucial in general and especially in the Middle East where democracy is something new for its people (Middle East net censorship increasing in scope and depth 2009, p.1). Some think internet is the perfect tool for achieving democracy while others disagree with this notion. After doing research, internet can convey democratization message but with limitations especially in the Middle East.
Some facts of internet use in the Middle East would help creating an overview of the possibility of achieving democratization in such environment. Iran has almost seven and a half million internet users (Worldwide Internet Usage, 2007); this is considered the highest number of internet usage with high rate of censorship in the Middle East (Worldwide Internet Usage, 2007). This explains how internet is effective enough in Iran to censor its use. According to a study conducted by the open Net Initiative which is a partnership among groups at four leading universities, Toronto, Harvard, Cambridge and Oxford, the censorship on internet in the Middle East has increased rapidly with more censorship of course (Middle East net censorship increasing in scope and depth, 2009, p.1). Facebook , the most famous social networking site, is blocked in Syria for example (Middle East net censorship increasing in scope and depth, 2009, p.1). Also, the United Arab Emirates blocks any sites dealing with Nazism or the Holocust (Middle East net censorship increasing in scope and depth, 2009, p.1). Previous examples illustrate how the internet is heavily censored in the Middle East.
Democracy is hard to achieve in Iran and Egypt because of censorship. The case of Iran and Egypt would be addressed to examine how Iranian and Egyptian populations have faced difficulties to achieve democratization.
The internet in Iran was introduced in the 1990s to publish some stories which are banned in traditional media (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.49). This proves internet is something new to the Iranian community. Almost 75% of Iranians who participated in a study conducted on the population of the ministry of Jahad Keshavarzi own computers at home and 66% have access to internet (Chizari, 2009, p.1293). This shows internet has become a phenomenon and popular in Iran. Political repression has led the Iranians to find alternatives to express their opinion. Consequently, the internet in Iran has become this alternative for oppositional groups to the Iranian regime to express their opinions (Rahimi and Gheytanchi, 2008, p.46). Some oppositional groups have used internet to organize protests and other events (Rahimi and Gheytanchi, 2008, p.46). In my opinion, People in Iran have used internet because it is somehow free and easily accessed. However, the Iranian government has considered the internet a threat for its policy and power (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.46). Accordingly, the government has censored some sites of internet to control its content (Vesely 2004, p.25). Although the Iranian government has censored many websites, people surf the internet for more uncensored news which traditional media hide such as sex and other sensitive issues (Vesely 2004, p.25). This means censorship can only control people and impede democratization.
Iranian Activists have used weblogs and social networking to demand their rights (Vesely 2004, p.25). The two main activist organizations which use internet actively are women’s rights activists and the reformist Ulama (Clerics) (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.47). Previous examples demonstrate how Iranian people are trying to use internet to reach democracy. However, the Iranian government opposes such movement. For example, in 2004, the Iranian regime arrested the Iranian journalist, Sina Morallebi, for creating her own weblog www.rooznegar.com (Vesely 2004, p.25). This weblog is not accessible anymore because the government had blocked it (Vesely 2004, p.25). In my opinion, this weblog is obviously not accessible because the government blocked it for its opposition to the Iranian government (Vesely 2004, p.25). Morallebi’s weblog was only created to express the writer’s opinion about everything not to oppose the government (Vesely 2004, p.25). I think the example of Morallebi’s arrest is an example of a violation of human rights in Iran. As a result, democratization is hard to achieve where human rights are violated. To conclude, such weblogs are considered a threat for the Iranian authorities and then should be blocked which is something undemocratic.
The Iranian government has filtered some websites mainly western websites such as pornography ones (Vesely 2004, p.25). This is wrong, in my opinion, as authorities think this is a protection of their population. However, government is controlling not protecting people; I think instead of blocking such websites, people should be educated enough to recognize between wrong and right (Vesely 2004, p.25). People should decide what is good and bad not deciding on their behalf (Vesely 2004, p.25). Deciding on behalf of people would lead to a permanent dependence on the government in almost everything and this is mainly what happens in the majority of developing countries (Vesely 2004, p.25). Personally, any country needs to reach democracy, people should have the right to choose and decide as some developed countries do nowadays.
The most active group in Iran who uses internet to demand their rights is Iranian women rights group as mentioned before (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.54). Internet is used by groups which cannot convey their opinion via traditional media (Cottle 2003, p.50). Iranian women’s movement use internet so as their voice would be heard by international organizations (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.54). Iranian women used traditional media to reach their rights but it did not work that much (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.49). Also, internet is a good space for Iranian women to write about taboos and away from the government’s authority (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.49). This shows that Iranian women are trying to reach their rights by internet. Iranian women’s movement organized a demonstration by internet objecting inequality and 2005 election’s results (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.54). Women’s movement asked for a demonstration using their website, feminist tribune, and published some photos about the event to attract people to participate (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.54). As a result, the feminist tribune website was blocked by the Iranian government (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.54). The police did not only block the website but took protestor’s mobiles as well in order not to publish images of using violence against protesters by the police (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.55). This proves three main points; the first point is internet is heavily censored in Iran. Second, Iran is not a democratic country which can let its people express their opinion freely. Finally, internet in Iran is considered a high threat for the conservative government in Iran (Rahimi and Gheytanchi 2008, p.54). Consequently, internet should be fought and censored. To conclude, Iranian women think internet is liberating as they can talk about taboos (Vesely 2004, p.25). However, women are using fake names to talk freely as they might be recognized with their real names and then be criticized by the society (Vesely 2004, p.25). This also illustrates that Iranian women are controlled by society and government (Vesely 2004, p.25).
Talking about Iran and the use of internet to achieve democratization can lead us to the second case study which is Egypt. Some facts about Egypt and democracy would help demonstrating the situation in Egypt. First, freedom of expression is limited in Egypt because of the emergency law since 1980s (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Almost 18,000 thousands of Egyptians have been arrested because of this law (Shapiro 2009, p.6). More than five people in Egypt are not allowed to gather to discuss political issues and criticize President Mubarak’s regime (Shapiro 2009, p.6). However, people need a license to create a political party to discuss political issues. This illustrates that the Egyptians cannot express their point of view freely. In addition, newspapers are controlled by the Egyptian ministry of information (Shapiro 2009, p.6). This shows people cannot express their point of view using the newspaper or traditional media.
All these factors have led young people to find other alternatives to express their opinions. Social networking, Facebook, has become an active tool for young Egyptians to express their political point of view (Stack 2008 b, p.3). The main topics discussed in Facebook are freedom of expression, freedom for jailed activists and economic problems (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Facebook is also used to organize protests against the Egyptian government to demand some rights (Stack 2008 b, p.3). This is obviously a sign of democracy in a democratic country. However, in fact, people get arrested by the Egyptian police because of their Facebook activities (Stack 2008 b, p.3). For example, Ahmed Maher, one of Facebook activists, got arrested by the Egyptian authorities in 2008 for creating a Facebook group asking people to join a demonstration in Cairo (Stack 2008 b, p.3). The Egyptian authorities arrested him because they think the protest would encourage civil disobedience (Stack 2008 b, p.3). Accordingly, this might affect Egypt’s security (Stack 2008 b, p.3).
Actually, it’s not just a matter of arresting people which is something not democratic but also about torturing people during their arrest (Stack 2008 b, p.3). Maher was shackled and stripped by the Egyptian police (Stack 2008 a, p.7). Moreover, before his arrest, Maher received some threatening messages from the state security officers on Facebook such as “last time was easy, next time it will be harder, we only threatened to rape you, but next time we actually will” (Stack 2008 b, p.3). This quote shows how Egyptian activists on Facebook are under risk and might be punished if thinking of participating in a political activity. Moreover, activists feel they should keep their mouths shut in order not to be hurt and tortured (Stack 2008 b, p.5). In my opinion, it’s hard for Egypt as Iran to reach democracy in such environment where people are not free to express their opinion. Also, the 6th of April is a Facebook group which organized a protest to free the jailed journalists who were arrested by the police (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Members of this group are trying their best to achieve democracy (Shapiro 2009, p.6). However, Almost 8 members of total of 70,000 members of 6th of April group were arrested (Shapiro 2009, p.6). This again demonstrates how internet activists in Egypt suffer to achieve democratization.
Another example of using internet to serve democracy in Egypt is Almahla strike (Huang 2008, p.5). Almahla strike was organized by the workers in al Mahala against the rise of prices (Huang 2008, p.5). Many people asked people to support and participate in this strike using the internet such as Facebook (Huang 2008, p.5). In my opinion, this is the right of people to demonstrate peacefully asking for a change. However, the Egyptian government thinks internet has become a dangerous source of disobedience by encouraging people to participate in demonstrations (Huang 2008, p.5). Accordingly, the Egyptian government should control the internet for the stability of the state (Huang 2008, p.5). I think this is the problem of most regimes in the Middle East in general and Arab countries specifically. Furthermore, such governments repress its population so people would always need government to save them and be the hero of the country (Altheide 2002, p. 42). This also applies to how governments deal with crises and how media promotes the idea of the” heroes” (Huang 2008, p.5). This can explain why some Arab and Middle East countries cannot achieve democracy (Huang 2008, p.5).
Those factors have led young people not to participate in the political life (Kahn and Kellner 2005) .Young people believe they cannot change any wrong situation. As a result, they do not participate in political life (Altheid 2002 and Atton 2003) .A study conducted by Alahram center has shown that almost 67% of young Egyptians are not registered to vote (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Moreover, 84% have never participated in any kind of political activity (Shapiro 2009, p.6). This study shows how the Egyptians are encouraged not to be engaged in political life to be away from troubles. Because some political activists are affected negatively by the state, Egyptians prefer not to participate in politics.
Concerning the use of internet for political purposes, a question here should be asked; why don’t young Egyptians create a Facebook group instead or joining a political party which has a license? (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Samer Shehata, an assistant professor in Georgetown University, has answered the question above by stating that the political parties are not effective so people do not trust anymore (Shapiro 2009, p.6). “The state of opposition in Egypt is so pathetic that existing parties have lost all credibility”, Shehata said. This quote has proved that it is useless to young Egyptians to join any political party for two reasons. First, people believe most political parties follow the state’s policy. Secondly, such parties are not going to change anything because they are powerless (Shapiro 2009, p.6). “They have been around for a long time and produced nothing”, Shehata added (Shapiro 2009, p.6). However, 6 April Facebook group, for example, is unofficial but credible and people trust more than any political party (Shapiro 2009, p.6). In addition, this group might change something or encourage other people to demand their right of expressing their opinion (Shapiro 2009, p.6). This also shows how internet nowadays has become a successful tool for young Egyptians to express their opinion freely.
On the other hand, if Facebook activists have failed to raise their voice and achieve their aims, blogs have reached some levels of democratization (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Blogs in Egypt have become a good source for oppositional parties to depend on (Shapiro 2009, p.6). For example, Nora Younis, a pre worker in New York Time, posted in her blog stories and videos about the group sexual harassment against women in demonstrations in Egypt which government tried to ignore (Shapiro 2009, p.6). As a result, this attracted the attention of media locally and internationally about human rights in Egypt (Shapiro 2009, p.6). This indicates that blogs specifically have turned to be a source of information for other media such as TV (Shapiro 2009, p.6). This is also a sign of democratization in Egypt despite of all limitations (Shapiro 2009, p.6). In addition, Wael Abbas, one of the most famous bloggers in Egypt has created his website called Egyptian awareness to raise Egyptian’s awareness about their rights (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Abbas use internet because many young Egyptians nowadays have access to the internet as of its low price and availability (Shapiro 2009, p.6). Abbas believes young Egyptians might do something for Egypt by raising awareness (Shapiro 2009, p.6). It is worth mentioning that the Egyptian government has allowed the Egyptians to surf the internet due to the pressure of Bush’s administration for democracy (Shapiro 2009, p.6). this is an indication that internet is available in Egypt for political purposes. To sum up, Egypt, as many countries, is just not ready for democracy and should take it step by step. “If God created the world in six days, we cannot expect to change Egypt in just one”, one member of Facebook group said (Egypt releases jailed Facebook activist 2008). This quote is a good summary to Egypt’s case and democratization as time needed to achieve full democracy in Egypt.
In conclusion, Iran and Egypt are just examples of the Middle East countries facing difficulties achieving democracy. Both Egypt and Iran face problems regarding the use of internet. Iran and Egypt are just two examples of the Middle East countries which experience difficulties with democratization and internet. People use internet to express their political opinion because other media such as TV and radio might not allow oppositional points of view. Time is the only solution for such nations to achieve democracy. In my opinion, using internet as a tool to achieve democratization is the first step. Moreover, there is no obvious answer to the question I asked in the introduction of whether internet can deliver democratization message or not .However, as I mentioned previously, it is just a start for some nations like Iran and Egypt to then reach full democracy of public sphere. The topic of internet and democratization can be addressed in the future in another way by dealing with other case studies from developed countries, for example, where internet could successfully deliver democratization message. This can be a good comparison to study the experience developed countries of democratization and internet. Finally, to achieve democracy, it needs to be adopted not adapted as it is to be accepted in any society.
Bibliography References
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Tuesday, 16 February 2010
Children and Fast Food
Children and fast food
One day, when I and my little cousin went shopping, we felt hungry so we decided to seek a restaurant for lunch. We found McDonald’s and another restaurant. I asked my little cousin about the one he prefers more so he chose and with no thinking McDonald’s. Once we went in, my cousin and I were impressed by the colorful, cheerful and flashy atmosphere. While I was ordering a happy meal for my little cousin and for myself a Big Mac meal, my cousin went directly to the playing corner to play. At this point, I asked myself and I am still thinking of an answer to the question: what makes McDonald’s and other fast food restaurants very favorable for children? Many questions need to be answered in this case. Marketing to children has become a common phenomenon nowadays. It is called the “growth industry” (Linn). Fast Food Nation is a book that was written by Eric Schlosser who discusses the issue of fast food and its effects. He points out the marketing of the fast food companies to children and how children are influenced by that easily. Advertising is the most effective way to attract children to buy various products. As a result, companies are making a good use of this point so they are doing their best to attract children to buy their products. Those companies just care about gaining money without concerning about children’s health. The fast food companies attract children by offering toys, games on TV, internet and clubs. According to Schlosser, marketing to children is unfair and unethical because children just cannot differentiate between wrong and right. Schlosser also discusses the matter of marketing to schools and how that may affect children. Advertisings in public American schools are common nowadays. The writer mentions how those companies write in the contract about selling amount of their products to children and if not, schools should pay money back. Several observations and surveys about marketing to children and schools suggest that there is an improvement in regulating marketing to children because some of the fast food companies are trying to improve their products by offering healthy products to children. However, the bad effects of marketing to children are getting worse since many fast food corporations still offer unhealthy food to children, especially in schools meals. As a result, the situation of marketing to children in schools as Schlosser discussed in his book is having a combination of improvement and getting worse. However, the bad effects of marketing to children are getting less while the improvements are getting better.
Marketing to children is having an improvement in some points due to many factors. The first factor is the attempts of governmental regulations. Schlosser mentions in his book that advertising to children has become so common and without any obvious restrictions. Consequently, the first sign of improvement is an example of governmental regulation of the American Academy of Pediatrics which took the first action to ask the Congress to take a strict action against the widespread of advertising on TV shows directed to children. This action was taken by the American Academy of Pediatrics due to the widespread of obesity among children in the US since 2004. As a result, the congress and the FTC, Federal Trade Commission, limited advertising to children on TV to five or six minutes in an hour (Marilyn). This action was taken by the congress and the FTC and is considered an improvement because it limits the effects of marketing to children in the US.
The second sign of improvement of marketing to children is the attempts of the public in the US for a change in food habits of children in the world. For example, The ABCs and Vegetables and Beyond is a book that was published by Steve Charney and David Goldbeck in 2007; this book deals with ways of how to change wrong eating habits that children are engaged with nowadays which are the basic reasons for children obesity (Brody). This book is divided to two parts; the first one is about how to make children be familiar with healthy food by adding some poems and the second part is about teaching parents to include healthy ingredients in children’s food. This book includes tips how to adapt children to the new food habits. For example, it suggests that parents should not ban the candy, ice cream and chocolate but to allow children to have them in a limited time (Brody). This book is like a training session for parents to improve their children’s health. It is also considered a part of raising the awareness of parents. As a comparison to the public movements of change in marketing to children in the US; there are also movements and actions that are taken in the world for example in Great Britain. The most remarkable campaign in Great Britain against marketing to children was established by the chef Jamie Oliver who started to change children’s wrong eating habits. Then, the movement expanded in Great Britain to establish the Soil Association Food awards 2006 to award the primary schools which offer healthy food in dinner meals (“School Dinner Awards to Celebrate Healthy Primary Schools”).
After mentioning the attempts of governmental regulations of marketing to children and the public, attempts of fast food corporations are also trying themselves to enhance the quality of food for children. One example that shows companies attempts to improve their quality food is a report that indicates some fast food companies in 2007, such as McDonald’s, promise to restrict the advertising to children and offering healthy food (Devi). Also, it was reported that these promises were achieved because the advertisings were reduced by 92% in 2007compared to previous months (Hein). These actions shows that people have become more aware of the problem of marketing to children and its effects on children than before. As a result, the fast food companies are taking actions against marketing to children to satisfy their customers. These actions and movements are considered improvements in the process of limiting marketing to children because some of the goals are achieved.
On the other hand, although all these improvements are achieved in some aspects, marketing to children and its negative effects on children are still very common. The first point that shows the bad situation of marketing to children is that some fast food companies are still attempting to marketing to children without being concerned about what problems children may experience .As Schlosser mentions in Fast Food Nation, advertising of fast food companies in public schools is a part of the contract between the school and the company. According to Alex Molnar, an educational policy researcher at Arizona State University, this phenomenon is increasing that it was found in 2005 that 83% of public schools in the US are engaged with advertisements (Marilyn). This shows that schools are continuing cooperating with companies and advertise for them in public schools just for gaining profits without being concerned about children’s education. The situation is even getting worse as schools keep dealing with unsuitable advertisings for children. Obviously, schools are designed for education, not business.
Another factor shows that the situation is getting worse than Schlosser mentions in Fast Food Nation is that the rate of obese children in the US is increasing. American children are considered the most obese children in the world due to the wrong food habits they practice in schools (Brody). Most of the American schools offer unhealthy food that can affect children health so it contributes to an increase in the rate of obesity among children. Also, it was found that American children are considered to be the first generation that may die before their parents according to the obesity (Devi). As a result, if there is a high rate in obesity in the American community, there is a high expectancy of having diabetes among children and later among adults (Devi). Marketing to children seems to be a risky task that has a long term influence on children who will face health problems.
In conclusion, people should be more aware about marketing to children and its problems and consequences on children. Suffering of children every year has increased with time. As a result, it is our responsibility to save and protect our children’s health. In the future, children will suffer a lot if companies keep advertising to children. I think selling healthy food is not a difficult task. According to a university of Minnesota study, replacing healthy food with the unhealthy and ‘junk food’ doesn’t cost too much money. Those schools just care about getting their supplies in a cheaper price and that’s it. There is also a common idea that healthy food is not favorable among children in schools; this is not true and was proven wrong by the study in the University of Minnesota. It is just because it is not offered to them and they were not familiar with that kind of food. So why cannot we save our children’s health and let them live a healthy life?
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"School Dinner Awards to Celebrate Healthy Primary Schools." Education (14637073).223 (2006): 3-..
Shlosser, Eric. Fast Food nation. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2001.
One day, when I and my little cousin went shopping, we felt hungry so we decided to seek a restaurant for lunch. We found McDonald’s and another restaurant. I asked my little cousin about the one he prefers more so he chose and with no thinking McDonald’s. Once we went in, my cousin and I were impressed by the colorful, cheerful and flashy atmosphere. While I was ordering a happy meal for my little cousin and for myself a Big Mac meal, my cousin went directly to the playing corner to play. At this point, I asked myself and I am still thinking of an answer to the question: what makes McDonald’s and other fast food restaurants very favorable for children? Many questions need to be answered in this case. Marketing to children has become a common phenomenon nowadays. It is called the “growth industry” (Linn). Fast Food Nation is a book that was written by Eric Schlosser who discusses the issue of fast food and its effects. He points out the marketing of the fast food companies to children and how children are influenced by that easily. Advertising is the most effective way to attract children to buy various products. As a result, companies are making a good use of this point so they are doing their best to attract children to buy their products. Those companies just care about gaining money without concerning about children’s health. The fast food companies attract children by offering toys, games on TV, internet and clubs. According to Schlosser, marketing to children is unfair and unethical because children just cannot differentiate between wrong and right. Schlosser also discusses the matter of marketing to schools and how that may affect children. Advertisings in public American schools are common nowadays. The writer mentions how those companies write in the contract about selling amount of their products to children and if not, schools should pay money back. Several observations and surveys about marketing to children and schools suggest that there is an improvement in regulating marketing to children because some of the fast food companies are trying to improve their products by offering healthy products to children. However, the bad effects of marketing to children are getting worse since many fast food corporations still offer unhealthy food to children, especially in schools meals. As a result, the situation of marketing to children in schools as Schlosser discussed in his book is having a combination of improvement and getting worse. However, the bad effects of marketing to children are getting less while the improvements are getting better.
Marketing to children is having an improvement in some points due to many factors. The first factor is the attempts of governmental regulations. Schlosser mentions in his book that advertising to children has become so common and without any obvious restrictions. Consequently, the first sign of improvement is an example of governmental regulation of the American Academy of Pediatrics which took the first action to ask the Congress to take a strict action against the widespread of advertising on TV shows directed to children. This action was taken by the American Academy of Pediatrics due to the widespread of obesity among children in the US since 2004. As a result, the congress and the FTC, Federal Trade Commission, limited advertising to children on TV to five or six minutes in an hour (Marilyn). This action was taken by the congress and the FTC and is considered an improvement because it limits the effects of marketing to children in the US.
The second sign of improvement of marketing to children is the attempts of the public in the US for a change in food habits of children in the world. For example, The ABCs and Vegetables and Beyond is a book that was published by Steve Charney and David Goldbeck in 2007; this book deals with ways of how to change wrong eating habits that children are engaged with nowadays which are the basic reasons for children obesity (Brody). This book is divided to two parts; the first one is about how to make children be familiar with healthy food by adding some poems and the second part is about teaching parents to include healthy ingredients in children’s food. This book includes tips how to adapt children to the new food habits. For example, it suggests that parents should not ban the candy, ice cream and chocolate but to allow children to have them in a limited time (Brody). This book is like a training session for parents to improve their children’s health. It is also considered a part of raising the awareness of parents. As a comparison to the public movements of change in marketing to children in the US; there are also movements and actions that are taken in the world for example in Great Britain. The most remarkable campaign in Great Britain against marketing to children was established by the chef Jamie Oliver who started to change children’s wrong eating habits. Then, the movement expanded in Great Britain to establish the Soil Association Food awards 2006 to award the primary schools which offer healthy food in dinner meals (“School Dinner Awards to Celebrate Healthy Primary Schools”).
After mentioning the attempts of governmental regulations of marketing to children and the public, attempts of fast food corporations are also trying themselves to enhance the quality of food for children. One example that shows companies attempts to improve their quality food is a report that indicates some fast food companies in 2007, such as McDonald’s, promise to restrict the advertising to children and offering healthy food (Devi). Also, it was reported that these promises were achieved because the advertisings were reduced by 92% in 2007compared to previous months (Hein). These actions shows that people have become more aware of the problem of marketing to children and its effects on children than before. As a result, the fast food companies are taking actions against marketing to children to satisfy their customers. These actions and movements are considered improvements in the process of limiting marketing to children because some of the goals are achieved.
On the other hand, although all these improvements are achieved in some aspects, marketing to children and its negative effects on children are still very common. The first point that shows the bad situation of marketing to children is that some fast food companies are still attempting to marketing to children without being concerned about what problems children may experience .As Schlosser mentions in Fast Food Nation, advertising of fast food companies in public schools is a part of the contract between the school and the company. According to Alex Molnar, an educational policy researcher at Arizona State University, this phenomenon is increasing that it was found in 2005 that 83% of public schools in the US are engaged with advertisements (Marilyn). This shows that schools are continuing cooperating with companies and advertise for them in public schools just for gaining profits without being concerned about children’s education. The situation is even getting worse as schools keep dealing with unsuitable advertisings for children. Obviously, schools are designed for education, not business.
Another factor shows that the situation is getting worse than Schlosser mentions in Fast Food Nation is that the rate of obese children in the US is increasing. American children are considered the most obese children in the world due to the wrong food habits they practice in schools (Brody). Most of the American schools offer unhealthy food that can affect children health so it contributes to an increase in the rate of obesity among children. Also, it was found that American children are considered to be the first generation that may die before their parents according to the obesity (Devi). As a result, if there is a high rate in obesity in the American community, there is a high expectancy of having diabetes among children and later among adults (Devi). Marketing to children seems to be a risky task that has a long term influence on children who will face health problems.
In conclusion, people should be more aware about marketing to children and its problems and consequences on children. Suffering of children every year has increased with time. As a result, it is our responsibility to save and protect our children’s health. In the future, children will suffer a lot if companies keep advertising to children. I think selling healthy food is not a difficult task. According to a university of Minnesota study, replacing healthy food with the unhealthy and ‘junk food’ doesn’t cost too much money. Those schools just care about getting their supplies in a cheaper price and that’s it. There is also a common idea that healthy food is not favorable among children in schools; this is not true and was proven wrong by the study in the University of Minnesota. It is just because it is not offered to them and they were not familiar with that kind of food. So why cannot we save our children’s health and let them live a healthy life?
Works Cited
Brody, Jane E. "When School is Out, Getting Good Food in." New York Times 156.53973 (2007): F7-.
Devi, Sharmila. "Progress on Childhood Obesity Patchy in the USA." Lancet 371.9607 (2008): 105-6.
"Healthy Foods do Sell: Study." American School Board Journal 195.1 (2008): 8-.
Hein, Kenneth. "Report: Consumers Split on Ad Limits." Brandweek 48.30 (2007): 4-.
Linn, Susan E. "Food Marketing to Children in the Context of a Marketing Maelstrom." Journal of public health policy 25.3/4 (2004): 367-78.
Marilyn Elias. "Pediatricians Call for Less Advertising to Children." USA Today
"School Dinner Awards to Celebrate Healthy Primary Schools." Education (14637073).223 (2006): 3-.
Shlosser, Eric. Fast Food nation. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2001.
Saturday, 23 January 2010
هل نحتاج لقاسم امين جديد؟
تلخيص كتاب تحرير المرأة
لقاسم امين
خريف 2006
يعد كتاب تحرير المرأة لكاتبه قاسم امين من اشهر واكثر الكتب اثارة للجدل في وقت اصداره في القرن التاسع عشر والى حد وقتنا هذا. صدر ونشر كتاب تحرير المرأة عام 1899 حيث تناول قضية تحرير المراة من الظلم الواقع عليها في وقت كانت المرأة في حال التخلف والرجعية فكان هذا الكتاب بمثابة الثورة التي اثارت العقول وجعلتها تفكر بمكانة المرأة المتردية وكيفية ايجاد الحلول لهذا الوضع في ذلك الوقت .
قسم كتاب تحرير المراة الى عدة محاور وكل محور يناقش قضية تخص تحرير المرأة ووضعها التي كانت عليه انذاك. المحاور التي تناوله الكتاب هي تربية المراة وحجابها و الامة والعائلة والزواج وتعدد الزوجات والطلاق .
تناول القسم الاول من الكتاب تحليل لواقع المراة التي كانت تعيش عليه انذاك حيث بين كيف انها كانت تتجرع المر ابتداءا بابيها ثم اخيها الاكبر ثم زوجها وابنها الاكبر حيث كانت لعبة بين يدي الرجال وليس لديها اي الحق للاعتراض على هذا كله. لقد كانت المراة لاتعرف كيف تدير اعمالها وامورها وذلك بسبب التربية التي تربت عليها وهو الاعتماد على الرجل وليس لديها الحق بالاعتماد علة نفسها لانه لايجوز ولذلك كان الرجل هو المسيطر حتى بالاشياء التي قد تستطيع المراة تحمل مسؤوليته كادارة اموالها .ايضا تناول الكتاب كيف ان الله خلق الذكر والانثى كلا مكمل للاخر ومن هنا اتت تسمية النصف الاخر وان الله خلق حواء من ضلع ادم اي ان كلا منهم يعتمد على الاخر وليس هناك اي فرق بينهم.
عن محورتربية المرأة تحدث قاسم امين عن كيفية تربية المرأة وما مدى تأثيره عليها بعد ذلك في تربية اولادها في المستقبل وكيف ان على الاهل تربية بناتهم التربية الصحيحة المبنية على حرية التعبير وابداء الرأي وتلقي العلم والتعليم مثل مايتلقى الاولاد تعليمهم وحصولهم على كامل حقوقه . ربط قاسم امين في كتابه بين تربية المراة والتعليم وكيف انها تربت على ان لديها عدة واجبات عليها القيام بها مثل تهيئة الجو العام والجميل والمقنع لزوجها ومراقبة الخدم في العمل وادارة مصروفات البيت واهم كل هذه الاعمال هي تربية الاطفال وكل هذا يحتاج الى عقل راجح متعلم وهذا مالايتوافر عند المرأة الجاهلة وهذا كله ياتي بسبب جهل الاهل باهمية التعليم للمرأة الذي يفيدها عند الكبر . يؤثر ايضا التعليم عند المرأة حيث ان الطفل يتصف بصفات ابويه فاذا كانت الام جاهلة فهذا يؤثر على الطقل وعندئذ يتصف الطفل بصفات امه الجاهلة وانها تتركه ليفعل كل شيء هو يريده حيث يتعلم كل الاشياء الغير صحيحة لانه لم يعلم ماهو صح وخطأ. ذكر الكتاب سبب عدم رغبة الرجال بتثقيف وتعليم المراة الى انه يزيد من قابليتها على الاحتيال والنصب والفساد ولكن العكس هو الصحيح في ان التعليم يعلي من شأن المرأة ويجعلها قادرة على ادارة اعمالها. طالب ايضا قاسم امين الاهتمام بتعليم النفوس وليس فقط التعليم والعلم حيث اننا يجب علينا تربية نفوسنا وعقولنا حتى نستطيع التفتح للعالم والتعامل مع الامور بجدية ورجاحة عقل وهذا ينطبق على النساء والرجال.
اما بالنسبة لمحور حجاب المرأة فان الكتاب بين مدى مساعدة هذا الحجاب الحالي على تخلف ورجعية المرأة وكيف انه عائق امامها لتأدية مهامها في المجتمع. يبين قاسم امين ايضا انه ليس ضد الحجاب الشرعي الذي يطالب بستر المرأة واحتشامها ولكنه ضد المغالاة فيه حيث انه لايوجد نص بوجوب الحجاب االسائد الان ولكنه مجرد مغالاة في الدين.ويرى قاسم امين ان الحجاب قد يعيق ويبعد اامرأة عن الدنيا ويجعلها غير قادرة على التواصل مع العالم الخارجي وهذا بسبب تصور الرجال انه بمجرد عزل امرأته عن الرجال الاخرين انه يحميها من نفسها وشهواتها ولا يقتنع ان المراة تستطيع حماية نفسها وشهواتها اذا كانت متواصلة ومختلطة مع الرجال وليست معزولة لاتراهم ابدا.ان الحجاب يأتي من سوء التربية وهذا يدل على وجود علاقة وثيقة بين تربية المرأة والحجاب .قد يؤدي الحجاب الى انتشار الفساد بدل من الاقلال منه وذلك بسبب الكبت الذي قد يتكون عند المرأة المحجوبة عن الناس وبذلك نكون قد زدنا الامر سوءا وافضل مثال على ذلك هو النساء الاوروبيات والاخص الامريكيات الاتي معروف عنهن الحرية حيث صدر استفتاء قيل انهن اكثر النساء عفة وذلك لانهن متعلمات ومختلطات بالرجال منذ الصغر فيعرفن الصح من الخطأ.
ودعى قاسم امين في ختام كلامه عن باب حجاب المراة الى عدم التخلي عن الحجاب نهائيا في زمننا هذا ولكن التمسك بان تكون المرأة محررة واهل للثقة والاختلاط مع الرجال بالحدود المشروعة وتحت مراقبة الاهل.المحور الاخرالذي تناوله الكتاب هو محور المرأة والامة والذي يدور حول تأثر الامة بتعليم وثقافة المرأة وكيف ان المجتمع هو نفسه رجعي وقام البعض بارجاع هذا الشيء الى ان الاسلام هو دين التخلف على عكس الاصل الذي هو ان الاسلام دين التقدم والتفتح ولكن السبب الرئيسي هو الدين الخطأ الذي يسير عليه البعض والعادات التي اضيفت لللاسلام. بين ايضا ان الامة هي جسد واحد فاذا احد اعضاء الجسد متخلف فاذن الامة كلها متخلفة ورجعية وهذا هو حال المراة حيث انها غير متعلمة ومتخلفة فاذن مجتمعنا هو متخلف وهذا كله اثر على المجتمع وتقدمه.
اما عن محور العائلة ومايتضمنه من امور الزواج والطلاق وتعدد الزوجات فجاء فيه:
اولا: ان الزواج هو رباط مقدس يربط بين اثنين متحابين وليس فقط عقد بين رجل وامرأة والقصد منه اشباع الرغبة واللذة وكما ان للرجل الحق في اختيار شريكة الحياة فعلى المرأة ان تختار شريك حياتها .كل هذه افتراضيات كان يفترضها قاسم امين في كتابه لان الحقيقة كانت عكس هذا كله فالمراة ليس من حقها حتى ابداء رأيها بالرجل الذي سترتبط به وعليها الطاعة فقط ولهذا فهو يدعو للتفتح واعطاء المرأة الحق لابداء الرأي واختيار الشيء المناسب لها.يبين ايضا ان اذا ليس هناك اي ارتباط عاطفي بين الزوجين فان حياتهما ستكون غير مترابطة ويلجأ كلا منهم الى اماكن اخرى للتزود بالعطف والحنان والمودة فعلى كل اثنين متزوجين ان يزرعوا المحبة والحب بينهم حتى يتعايشوا بحب وامان .
ثانيا: عن موضوع تعدد الزوجات فذكر في الكتاب انه ذكر في القران الكريم احلال للرجل الزواج باربع نساء ولكن لسبب ليس لمتعة او اشباع رغبة فالزواج هو وثيقة حب ومحبة بين اثنين متحابين وان المرأة ليست بسلعة يشتريها الرجل ليستمتع بها ويتركها بعد ان ينفذ منها. وبين ان اذا كان هناك اي مبرر لزواج الرجل من امرأة اخرى بسبب عقر امرأته او مرض فعلى الرجل احترام ذلك كما تحترم هذا الشيء اذا كان السبب من الرجل وعلى الاثنين تحمل الاخر والبحث على راحة الاخر. ان الزواج بامرأة واحدة تحافظ على اطفالها وبيتها هو افضل من رجل يتزوج اكثر من امرأة وبيته يسوده الفوضى والغيرة.
ثالثا: بخصوص موضوع الطلاق فبين الكتاب كيف ان جميع الشرائع السماوية احلت الطلاق على الرغم من تحفظ البعض من الطلاق _المسيحيون والغرب_ الان ان الجميع اعترف باهمية الطلاق اذا كانت العشرة بين الزوجين غير مناسبة او مريحة. ايضا بين ان للطلاق اسباب معينة وليست خاضعة فقط لمزاجيات الرجل.اشار الكتاب ايضا الى عدة بنود او قوانين على اي رجل يريد تطليق زوجته اللجوء اليها وهي ان يشترط ان يكون الطلاق على يد القاضي المأذون وعليه نصحهم باذن ابغض الحلال عنذ الله الطلاق ويجب وجود شهود على ذلك. يمكننا ان نستشف من ذلك على ان الطلاق مباح وضروري بظروف معينة.
اختتم قاسم امين كلامه عن هذا الموضوع بخاتمة يطالب فيها الناس بالتثقف والتطور مع المحافظة على عاداتنا وتقاليدنا المناسبة للقرن الذي نعيش فيه.دعى ايضا لتكوين جمعيه تهتم بحقوق المرأة المغتصبة في مصر وعلى الناس الدخول بها لاتاحة الفرصة للنصف الاخر في المجتمع باسترداد حقوقهم المسلوبة.
رأي ونقد لكتاب تحرير المرأة لقاسم امين
بعد قرائتي لكتاب تحرير المرأة الذي كتب منذ سنين عدة وجدت فيه مايلم بأمور المرأة وحقوقها التي قد تكون مسلوبة لحد وقتنا هذا.فقد وجدت كلاما منطقيا وتحليلا دقيقا لحال المرأة في ذلك الوقت ولم يكتف الكتاب ببيان حال المرأة فقط بل البحث عن حلول وطرق لحل هذه المشكلة.ايضا لفت انتباهي استشهاد الكاتب بالقران الكريم والسنة والشريعة وانه ملم بالموضوع من جوانب مختلفة و على الرغم من الهجوم الشرس الذي واجهه قاسم امين وكتابه الا انه ظل صامدا وذلك لقوة حججه وادلته وهذا يدل على ثقافة وفكر الكاتب الواسعة واكبر دليل على شهرة هذا الكتاب انه يتم الاستشهاد به لحد هذا الوقت كاول كتاب يتناول هذا الموضوع بدقة. اما بخصوص الافكار المثارة بالكتاب فاراها منطقية وصحيحة وعلينا التلفت لها.وماوجدته من فوائد في هذا الكتاب انه اتاح الفرصة للناس للتنبه لاشياء كانوا غافلين عنها الا وهي حقوق المرأة المسلوبة واني اظن انه كتاب ممتاز لما يتناول من موضوع شائك قد يهم الكثير من الناس. اعتقد اننا في زمننا هذا نحتاج لاكثر من قاسم امين لتناول هذا الموضوع لاننا في زمن النظر الى الماضي وليس التطلع للمستقبل فعلينا اعطاء الفرصة لعقولنا ان تتنور وتتفتح على العالم وليس فقط التقوقع حول افكار بالية...
لقاسم امين
خريف 2006
يعد كتاب تحرير المرأة لكاتبه قاسم امين من اشهر واكثر الكتب اثارة للجدل في وقت اصداره في القرن التاسع عشر والى حد وقتنا هذا. صدر ونشر كتاب تحرير المرأة عام 1899 حيث تناول قضية تحرير المراة من الظلم الواقع عليها في وقت كانت المرأة في حال التخلف والرجعية فكان هذا الكتاب بمثابة الثورة التي اثارت العقول وجعلتها تفكر بمكانة المرأة المتردية وكيفية ايجاد الحلول لهذا الوضع في ذلك الوقت .
قسم كتاب تحرير المراة الى عدة محاور وكل محور يناقش قضية تخص تحرير المرأة ووضعها التي كانت عليه انذاك. المحاور التي تناوله الكتاب هي تربية المراة وحجابها و الامة والعائلة والزواج وتعدد الزوجات والطلاق .
تناول القسم الاول من الكتاب تحليل لواقع المراة التي كانت تعيش عليه انذاك حيث بين كيف انها كانت تتجرع المر ابتداءا بابيها ثم اخيها الاكبر ثم زوجها وابنها الاكبر حيث كانت لعبة بين يدي الرجال وليس لديها اي الحق للاعتراض على هذا كله. لقد كانت المراة لاتعرف كيف تدير اعمالها وامورها وذلك بسبب التربية التي تربت عليها وهو الاعتماد على الرجل وليس لديها الحق بالاعتماد علة نفسها لانه لايجوز ولذلك كان الرجل هو المسيطر حتى بالاشياء التي قد تستطيع المراة تحمل مسؤوليته كادارة اموالها .ايضا تناول الكتاب كيف ان الله خلق الذكر والانثى كلا مكمل للاخر ومن هنا اتت تسمية النصف الاخر وان الله خلق حواء من ضلع ادم اي ان كلا منهم يعتمد على الاخر وليس هناك اي فرق بينهم.
عن محورتربية المرأة تحدث قاسم امين عن كيفية تربية المرأة وما مدى تأثيره عليها بعد ذلك في تربية اولادها في المستقبل وكيف ان على الاهل تربية بناتهم التربية الصحيحة المبنية على حرية التعبير وابداء الرأي وتلقي العلم والتعليم مثل مايتلقى الاولاد تعليمهم وحصولهم على كامل حقوقه . ربط قاسم امين في كتابه بين تربية المراة والتعليم وكيف انها تربت على ان لديها عدة واجبات عليها القيام بها مثل تهيئة الجو العام والجميل والمقنع لزوجها ومراقبة الخدم في العمل وادارة مصروفات البيت واهم كل هذه الاعمال هي تربية الاطفال وكل هذا يحتاج الى عقل راجح متعلم وهذا مالايتوافر عند المرأة الجاهلة وهذا كله ياتي بسبب جهل الاهل باهمية التعليم للمرأة الذي يفيدها عند الكبر . يؤثر ايضا التعليم عند المرأة حيث ان الطفل يتصف بصفات ابويه فاذا كانت الام جاهلة فهذا يؤثر على الطقل وعندئذ يتصف الطفل بصفات امه الجاهلة وانها تتركه ليفعل كل شيء هو يريده حيث يتعلم كل الاشياء الغير صحيحة لانه لم يعلم ماهو صح وخطأ. ذكر الكتاب سبب عدم رغبة الرجال بتثقيف وتعليم المراة الى انه يزيد من قابليتها على الاحتيال والنصب والفساد ولكن العكس هو الصحيح في ان التعليم يعلي من شأن المرأة ويجعلها قادرة على ادارة اعمالها. طالب ايضا قاسم امين الاهتمام بتعليم النفوس وليس فقط التعليم والعلم حيث اننا يجب علينا تربية نفوسنا وعقولنا حتى نستطيع التفتح للعالم والتعامل مع الامور بجدية ورجاحة عقل وهذا ينطبق على النساء والرجال.
اما بالنسبة لمحور حجاب المرأة فان الكتاب بين مدى مساعدة هذا الحجاب الحالي على تخلف ورجعية المرأة وكيف انه عائق امامها لتأدية مهامها في المجتمع. يبين قاسم امين ايضا انه ليس ضد الحجاب الشرعي الذي يطالب بستر المرأة واحتشامها ولكنه ضد المغالاة فيه حيث انه لايوجد نص بوجوب الحجاب االسائد الان ولكنه مجرد مغالاة في الدين.ويرى قاسم امين ان الحجاب قد يعيق ويبعد اامرأة عن الدنيا ويجعلها غير قادرة على التواصل مع العالم الخارجي وهذا بسبب تصور الرجال انه بمجرد عزل امرأته عن الرجال الاخرين انه يحميها من نفسها وشهواتها ولا يقتنع ان المراة تستطيع حماية نفسها وشهواتها اذا كانت متواصلة ومختلطة مع الرجال وليست معزولة لاتراهم ابدا.ان الحجاب يأتي من سوء التربية وهذا يدل على وجود علاقة وثيقة بين تربية المرأة والحجاب .قد يؤدي الحجاب الى انتشار الفساد بدل من الاقلال منه وذلك بسبب الكبت الذي قد يتكون عند المرأة المحجوبة عن الناس وبذلك نكون قد زدنا الامر سوءا وافضل مثال على ذلك هو النساء الاوروبيات والاخص الامريكيات الاتي معروف عنهن الحرية حيث صدر استفتاء قيل انهن اكثر النساء عفة وذلك لانهن متعلمات ومختلطات بالرجال منذ الصغر فيعرفن الصح من الخطأ.
ودعى قاسم امين في ختام كلامه عن باب حجاب المراة الى عدم التخلي عن الحجاب نهائيا في زمننا هذا ولكن التمسك بان تكون المرأة محررة واهل للثقة والاختلاط مع الرجال بالحدود المشروعة وتحت مراقبة الاهل.المحور الاخرالذي تناوله الكتاب هو محور المرأة والامة والذي يدور حول تأثر الامة بتعليم وثقافة المرأة وكيف ان المجتمع هو نفسه رجعي وقام البعض بارجاع هذا الشيء الى ان الاسلام هو دين التخلف على عكس الاصل الذي هو ان الاسلام دين التقدم والتفتح ولكن السبب الرئيسي هو الدين الخطأ الذي يسير عليه البعض والعادات التي اضيفت لللاسلام. بين ايضا ان الامة هي جسد واحد فاذا احد اعضاء الجسد متخلف فاذن الامة كلها متخلفة ورجعية وهذا هو حال المراة حيث انها غير متعلمة ومتخلفة فاذن مجتمعنا هو متخلف وهذا كله اثر على المجتمع وتقدمه.
اما عن محور العائلة ومايتضمنه من امور الزواج والطلاق وتعدد الزوجات فجاء فيه:
اولا: ان الزواج هو رباط مقدس يربط بين اثنين متحابين وليس فقط عقد بين رجل وامرأة والقصد منه اشباع الرغبة واللذة وكما ان للرجل الحق في اختيار شريكة الحياة فعلى المرأة ان تختار شريك حياتها .كل هذه افتراضيات كان يفترضها قاسم امين في كتابه لان الحقيقة كانت عكس هذا كله فالمراة ليس من حقها حتى ابداء رأيها بالرجل الذي سترتبط به وعليها الطاعة فقط ولهذا فهو يدعو للتفتح واعطاء المرأة الحق لابداء الرأي واختيار الشيء المناسب لها.يبين ايضا ان اذا ليس هناك اي ارتباط عاطفي بين الزوجين فان حياتهما ستكون غير مترابطة ويلجأ كلا منهم الى اماكن اخرى للتزود بالعطف والحنان والمودة فعلى كل اثنين متزوجين ان يزرعوا المحبة والحب بينهم حتى يتعايشوا بحب وامان .
ثانيا: عن موضوع تعدد الزوجات فذكر في الكتاب انه ذكر في القران الكريم احلال للرجل الزواج باربع نساء ولكن لسبب ليس لمتعة او اشباع رغبة فالزواج هو وثيقة حب ومحبة بين اثنين متحابين وان المرأة ليست بسلعة يشتريها الرجل ليستمتع بها ويتركها بعد ان ينفذ منها. وبين ان اذا كان هناك اي مبرر لزواج الرجل من امرأة اخرى بسبب عقر امرأته او مرض فعلى الرجل احترام ذلك كما تحترم هذا الشيء اذا كان السبب من الرجل وعلى الاثنين تحمل الاخر والبحث على راحة الاخر. ان الزواج بامرأة واحدة تحافظ على اطفالها وبيتها هو افضل من رجل يتزوج اكثر من امرأة وبيته يسوده الفوضى والغيرة.
ثالثا: بخصوص موضوع الطلاق فبين الكتاب كيف ان جميع الشرائع السماوية احلت الطلاق على الرغم من تحفظ البعض من الطلاق _المسيحيون والغرب_ الان ان الجميع اعترف باهمية الطلاق اذا كانت العشرة بين الزوجين غير مناسبة او مريحة. ايضا بين ان للطلاق اسباب معينة وليست خاضعة فقط لمزاجيات الرجل.اشار الكتاب ايضا الى عدة بنود او قوانين على اي رجل يريد تطليق زوجته اللجوء اليها وهي ان يشترط ان يكون الطلاق على يد القاضي المأذون وعليه نصحهم باذن ابغض الحلال عنذ الله الطلاق ويجب وجود شهود على ذلك. يمكننا ان نستشف من ذلك على ان الطلاق مباح وضروري بظروف معينة.
اختتم قاسم امين كلامه عن هذا الموضوع بخاتمة يطالب فيها الناس بالتثقف والتطور مع المحافظة على عاداتنا وتقاليدنا المناسبة للقرن الذي نعيش فيه.دعى ايضا لتكوين جمعيه تهتم بحقوق المرأة المغتصبة في مصر وعلى الناس الدخول بها لاتاحة الفرصة للنصف الاخر في المجتمع باسترداد حقوقهم المسلوبة.
رأي ونقد لكتاب تحرير المرأة لقاسم امين
بعد قرائتي لكتاب تحرير المرأة الذي كتب منذ سنين عدة وجدت فيه مايلم بأمور المرأة وحقوقها التي قد تكون مسلوبة لحد وقتنا هذا.فقد وجدت كلاما منطقيا وتحليلا دقيقا لحال المرأة في ذلك الوقت ولم يكتف الكتاب ببيان حال المرأة فقط بل البحث عن حلول وطرق لحل هذه المشكلة.ايضا لفت انتباهي استشهاد الكاتب بالقران الكريم والسنة والشريعة وانه ملم بالموضوع من جوانب مختلفة و على الرغم من الهجوم الشرس الذي واجهه قاسم امين وكتابه الا انه ظل صامدا وذلك لقوة حججه وادلته وهذا يدل على ثقافة وفكر الكاتب الواسعة واكبر دليل على شهرة هذا الكتاب انه يتم الاستشهاد به لحد هذا الوقت كاول كتاب يتناول هذا الموضوع بدقة. اما بخصوص الافكار المثارة بالكتاب فاراها منطقية وصحيحة وعلينا التلفت لها.وماوجدته من فوائد في هذا الكتاب انه اتاح الفرصة للناس للتنبه لاشياء كانوا غافلين عنها الا وهي حقوق المرأة المسلوبة واني اظن انه كتاب ممتاز لما يتناول من موضوع شائك قد يهم الكثير من الناس. اعتقد اننا في زمننا هذا نحتاج لاكثر من قاسم امين لتناول هذا الموضوع لاننا في زمن النظر الى الماضي وليس التطلع للمستقبل فعلينا اعطاء الفرصة لعقولنا ان تتنور وتتفتح على العالم وليس فقط التقوقع حول افكار بالية...
Who am I?
Who am I?!
Who am I is an important question that we should all think about. I will try to answer this question frankly and honestly to help myself to be a better person and know other people too. My name is Rua Ghanim Alsheikh. I am Iraqi and I was born in Iraq from Iraqi father and mother. I am the youngest in my family. I have two lovely sisters and two lovely brothers. I have a great mother and a great father that I am proud to be their daughter. My father is a doctor and my mother is a history expert.My two brothers are doctors and my sister as well while I and my other sister went in different direction that she decided to go to computer science and I would like to study Mass communication and Sociology because we don’t like medicine as my older sister and two brothers. I am interested in those two subjects as since I was a kid, I used to write stories and write about social issue. In addition, I would love to defend women’s rights because women suffer a lot from patriarchy societies. Qasim Amin has influenced me a lot about women’s rights. If Qasim Amin succeeded in librating women in the 1880s, nowadays 2010, we still in my opinion need another Qasim Amin to liberate women in some societies.
Back to personal life, I was brought up in a democratic, free and comfortable environment that affects my personality positively. My family is everything to me. I love my family very much and cannot resist anything which may harm them. I like my friends which I made in Iraq and Egypt. About my hobbies, I like listening to music, especially Arab songs. When I was little, I used to draw and design dresses for girls but I stopped drawing now because of lack of time and studying. I write some poetry in Arabic and I published some of them in a site in the internet of my favorite singer.
About my personality, My biggest fear in life is to lose people I love. This is really difficult to me and also I hate failing in everything and when I want to do anything, I love doing it perfectly. Moreover, I hate cheating and don’t like some students who say that cheating is cooperation; this is not true and they just want to have an excuse to what they are doing. In addition, I don’t like lying to people or people lie to me .Lying is a bad habit that everybody should be a way from. I also like cats and feel they are really cute. I wish I could someday have one in the future.
The other important thing in my life is my country. I love my country very much and I considerate as my son that is really dear to my heart. I have been away from Iraq for more than 6 years. I wish I could visit my country soon because really I miss everything there I had a great time in Iraq although since I was born I witnessed four wars and one economic sanction. I had beautiful moments on the beach and having fun with my family and friends. Also, I love my country because you feel that everyone can understand you and feel that you are in your home not a stranger.
I would like to visit many places in the world although I hate planes but I would like to visit France, Tunisia, Italy, Spain and many other countries. One day I wished that I can see Egypt and my wish came true.
Finally, I wish I can be an important person in the future and doing well in my future career. I also wish my country will be safe soon and I’ll be able to visit and live in again. I wish all people I love to feel and live a good and steady life.
Who am I is an important question that we should all think about. I will try to answer this question frankly and honestly to help myself to be a better person and know other people too. My name is Rua Ghanim Alsheikh. I am Iraqi and I was born in Iraq from Iraqi father and mother. I am the youngest in my family. I have two lovely sisters and two lovely brothers. I have a great mother and a great father that I am proud to be their daughter. My father is a doctor and my mother is a history expert.My two brothers are doctors and my sister as well while I and my other sister went in different direction that she decided to go to computer science and I would like to study Mass communication and Sociology because we don’t like medicine as my older sister and two brothers. I am interested in those two subjects as since I was a kid, I used to write stories and write about social issue. In addition, I would love to defend women’s rights because women suffer a lot from patriarchy societies. Qasim Amin has influenced me a lot about women’s rights. If Qasim Amin succeeded in librating women in the 1880s, nowadays 2010, we still in my opinion need another Qasim Amin to liberate women in some societies.
Back to personal life, I was brought up in a democratic, free and comfortable environment that affects my personality positively. My family is everything to me. I love my family very much and cannot resist anything which may harm them. I like my friends which I made in Iraq and Egypt. About my hobbies, I like listening to music, especially Arab songs. When I was little, I used to draw and design dresses for girls but I stopped drawing now because of lack of time and studying. I write some poetry in Arabic and I published some of them in a site in the internet of my favorite singer.
About my personality, My biggest fear in life is to lose people I love. This is really difficult to me and also I hate failing in everything and when I want to do anything, I love doing it perfectly. Moreover, I hate cheating and don’t like some students who say that cheating is cooperation; this is not true and they just want to have an excuse to what they are doing. In addition, I don’t like lying to people or people lie to me .Lying is a bad habit that everybody should be a way from. I also like cats and feel they are really cute. I wish I could someday have one in the future.
The other important thing in my life is my country. I love my country very much and I considerate as my son that is really dear to my heart. I have been away from Iraq for more than 6 years. I wish I could visit my country soon because really I miss everything there I had a great time in Iraq although since I was born I witnessed four wars and one economic sanction. I had beautiful moments on the beach and having fun with my family and friends. Also, I love my country because you feel that everyone can understand you and feel that you are in your home not a stranger.
I would like to visit many places in the world although I hate planes but I would like to visit France, Tunisia, Italy, Spain and many other countries. One day I wished that I can see Egypt and my wish came true.
Finally, I wish I can be an important person in the future and doing well in my future career. I also wish my country will be safe soon and I’ll be able to visit and live in again. I wish all people I love to feel and live a good and steady life.
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