Gender and society Flashcards
KEY TERM - The family as a social intuition
There appears to be a clear suggestion in the Bible that a family is that of man, woman and children, with the man as head of the family.
FOR - The family as a social intuition
Paul’s letters put forward as Christian doctrine that there are specific gender roles and even hierarchies: Ephesians 5 “wives, be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord” implies men occupy a position of greater importance
Corinthians “woman is the reflection of man” - man is made in direct image of God, with woman being a lesser or secondary image, thus justifying female subordination
Traditional biblical view is that there is a natural order to creation and within families – men in public sphere, women in private – this is not culturally determined
AGAINST - The family as a social intuition
Rosemary Radford Ruether, have argued the true message of the Bible has been concealed by “layers of varnish” through male authorship – we must re analyse the Bible in light of new discoveries about family i.e. women going to work, gay marriage, to uncover its fundamental message: that of loving ones neighbour as oneself and thus accepting all forms of family
Jesus often challenged stereotypes and was not someone who fulfilled expectations of masculinity (Mark 5 The woman bleeding for 12 years), but sought to establish a new egalitarian social order that promoted equality; suggesting we are not limited to traditional and arguably dogmatic conceptions of family or gender
KEY TERM - MULIERIS DIGNITATEM
apostolic letter written by Pope John Paul II that sets out the Catholic doctrine on women’s relation to men as “equal but different”, focusing on the roles of women as mothers, teachers and daughters
FOR - MULIERIS DIGNITATEM
Biblical teachings that men and women have distinct roles supported by research studies that children are happiest with both a mother and father as role models
-Secular views are destabilising and deprive children of a secure family est. by clear gender roles
AGAINST - MULIERIS DIGNITATEM
Ann Oakley – concept of biological motherhood is a myth and a way of patriarchal control naturalistic fallacy: simply because women can biologically reproduce does not mean it is necessarily good
De Beauvoir motherhood forces a women to suspend her own interests and personality in order to take care of children, which leaves them crushed and unable to develop as individuals
Strong as prevents human flourishment and God would not have made women so unaccepting of these gender roles if agreed
Many have criticised Church documents such as MD for enforcing backward ideas regarding gender/ family – women are no longer seen as “helpers” and often men choose to stay at home with the children whilst mothers go out to work traditional Biblical ideas have lost their significance in today’s liberal society, and perhaps rightly so
KEY TERM - IDEA OF MOTHERHOOD COMES FROM FREEDOM OF CHOICE
Women do not have an innate instinct towards being mothers, and only has value if it is a choice made by the woman herself – suggests ideas of family must come only from the individual, not society or God
FOR - IDEA OF MOTHERHOOD COMES FROM FREEDOM OF CHOICE
De Beauvoir: Idea that women believe they should suffer from society’s gender typical roles of men and women, until this is dispelled the issue will still occur Beauvoir believes men and women are born without gender roles and society moulds them
Could argue that the main message of the Bible about gender is about mutual love and respect under God not the patriarchal social guidelines.
-Strong as shows how humans are fallible and should not be focussed on social structures but solely on God must look to develop Xn ideas of gender (and also family) in light of new realisations idea of family can still remain Christian whilst taking inspiration from cultural developments
AGAINST - IDEA OF MOTHERHOOD COMES FROM FREEDOM OF CHOICE
Essential human differences between men and women, biological and innate different paths of fulfilment; identify motherhood and reproduction as processes unique to women
Freud ‘Anatomy is destiny’ women naturally suited to the less authoritative role
-Strong as natural and Gods will
Mary O’Brien value of children towards women themselves and how they can be empowering, essential and fulfilling
KEY TERM - CHRISTAINS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO DEFEND TRADITIONAL BIBLICAL IDEAS
In Genesis 2-3 it is the women’s pride that caused her to eat the fruit and thus caused mankind to fall.
In Genesis 3 God decreed to Eve that “your husband shall rule over you” and it is stressed in Ephesians 3 “The husband is the head of the wife”
= Gods will
FOR - CHRISTAINS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO DEFEND TRADITIONAL BIBLICAL IDEAS
Biblical teachings that men and women have distinct roles supported by research studies that children are happiest with both a mother and father as role models
-Secular views are destabilising and deprive children of a secure family est. by clear gender roles
Papal encyclical Pope Paul 6th: all men are called back to observation of the NL “Homosexuality is intrinsically disordered as it goes against the natural order and the primary precept of reproduction
- Maintains Christian virtues and the Sanctity of marriage
AGAINST - CHRISTAINS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO DEFEND TRADITIONAL BIBLICAL IDEAS
Rosemary Radford Ruether, have argued the true message of the Bible has been concealed by “layers of varnish” through male authorship – we must re analyse the Bible in light of new discoveries about family i.e. women going to work, gay marriage, to uncover its fundamental message: that of loving ones neighbour as oneself and thus accepting all forms of family
Jesus often challenged stereotypes and was not someone who fulfilled expectations of masculinity (Mark 5 The woman bleeding for 12 years), but sought to establish a new egalitarian social order that promoted equality; suggesting we are not limited to traditional and arguably dogmatic conceptions of family or gender
KEY TERM - Secular views has led to a happier society
Waves of Feminism has progressed to a society that both genders are treated equally and with respect without a patriarchal hierarchy. Arguably gender equity is closer to morality and the laws of Gods kingdom then gender hierarchies, which seem innately wrong.
FOR - Secular views has led to a happier society
Women can turn to the law if they suffer discrimination in the workplace and also affects men allowing them paternal rights and better access to children.
-Fairer more equal society seems to better reflect an ‘Ordered society’ as more just and no one feels diminished.
Could argue that the main message of the Bible about gender is about mutual love and respect under God not the patriarchal social guidelines.
-Strong as shows how humans are fallible and should not be focussed on social structures but solely on God
Galatians “There is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 2 speaks of the good works God has prepared for those who put their faith in Jesus
AGAINST - Secular views has led to a happier society
1 Timothy – “I do not permit a women to exercise authority over a man”
