Modern Day Role of Men in Egypt and India

Son preference is found in Egypt (Aly and Shields 354). Sons are able to carry the family name and provide future economic support for the family. Females do not contribute economically and must be supervised to guard against moral indiscretion; they are a source of anxiety to the family. Males who have sons are immortal. Women are valuable if they have male children. Education is compulsory between the ages 6 to 15, however more males begin school and more females drop out (Adler 46-53).

Gender roles in Egypt are within the Islamic context, the fundamental organizational background of Egyptian society; citizens are predominantly Sunni Muslims. Women are under male guardianship and this safeguards morality. Marriage is a contract between men and women and the woman must give consent for a marriage to occur, however, divorce is the prerogative of men. Men can divorce their wife by stating "I divorce you" three times. Men and women are entitled to inheritance rig

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en have more egalitarian relationships with their husbands. Men who marry educated women want this new sex role pattern (Brink 138-145). Although women have increased their participation in the work force over the years, most women in Egypt do not seek employment outside the home; their primary focus remains marriage and childbearing. Women who work are still expected to maintain the household, creating a strain on women. Social support for working women is meager; working women are felt to jeopardize their femininity and risk harmful consequences of freedom; their morality is no longer safeguarded by the male. The traditional male role prevails, however, women's continued participation in education and employment is forcing role reinterpretation (Adler 55-57). India The role of the male in India is one of dominance and superiority. The men outnumber the women; they will receive nutrition and health care while the female is deprived. Social, cultural (historical traditions, customs, and rituals), and economic factors contribute to gender roles. Men in the north places of India are in a more advantaged position than women; women in the southern states participate in nondomestic work which changes role status. The Hindu
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1569
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)