NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
A Comparison of the Status of Women within Two Ethnic Groups It is not a secret that throughout the history women suffered an underprivileged social status. This particularly applies to Muslim society, where even up to this day women are often thought of as having no soul. With the change of American immigration policy in sixties, the people of predominantly non-White origins started to pour into this country, thus contributing to the creation of multicultural society that we immensely enjoy nowadays. Yet, it was being noticed that unlike White immigrants, who were willing to become an integral part of American society, the people of different racial background preferred to remain within the boundaries of their cultural niche, often creating a society within the society. Therefore, the social status of women within such closed ethnic enclaves has not changed much by the fact that these women actually reside in America. In this paper we will analyze different social and biological aspects that affect the status of women in this country from two ethnic groups: African-American and Asian.
There are approximately 18 million African-American females in U. S. , which account for 12. 7 % of all women in America. Of them only 15 % have university education, comparing to 61 % among White women. There are 5. 3 million females in U.
S. of Asian background; this comprises 3. 7 % of American female population. Still, the percentage of highly educated women within this ethnic group is much higher 45 %. Given the fact that Asian females are much more influenced by the traditional values of their ethnic groups, which usually have a very negative effect on them, since they only assign them with the role of housewife, we cannot say that the much higher educational level among Asian women is the result of social preconditions. The answer lies in the fact that African-Americans, on average, have the lowest ability to grasp the meaning of abstract concepts that are taught in colleges. Therefore, it would be wrong to conclude that there is some kind of policy of institutional discrimination that prevents Black females from attaining higher social status, because of their educational level.
When we look at the specifics of health issues that females from these two particular groups face, it will appear that they are all marked with the same tendencies the higher like hood of premature death comparing to White females, lower life expectancy (applies only to Blacks), the higher chances of developing major diseases. Still, when we analyze the main causes of death among females within these two groups, it will appear that the social factors play very little role. For example 85 % of all natural deaths among African-American women are caused by heart disease and strokes, which are the result of diabetes. According to statistics, 70 % of Black females are overweight. But again, this is not the result of discrimination against them but simply a result of their bad eating habits along with genetic predisposition towards obesity. It is the phenomenon that is observed throughout the world and not exclusively in U.
S. In this respect, Asian women have the lowest rate of obesity, which even supersedes the one among White women. One doesnt have to be a sociologist to recognize the fact that the obese Asian-American women are virtually non-existent. And again, the explanation to this lies exclusively in the field of genetics. There is much being said about racial discrimination in America. The issue of racism in this country is like a rush the more it gets scratched, the more it itches.
The underprivileged status of many women that belong to ethnic minorities groups is also being viewed as the direct consequence of racist attitudes on the part of Whites. The issue of race fused with the issue of gender creates highly explosive mix. But is it a true that African-American and Asian-American suffer enormously from the alleged racial discrimination? Even a brief analysis of this topic would reveal that this is not the case. In fact, the minority females enjoy privileged status comparing to Whites when is comes to enrolling in colleges or seeking employment, thanks to affirmative action policy.
It is being estimated that 45 % of Black women in universities comprise of those that were being accepted there because of bring more color on campus campaigns. At the same time, women with Asian background do not seem to be affected much by the multicultural hysteria. The percentage of female students among this racial group has always been very high, even as far back as sixties. Also Asian women appear to have fewer problems with seeking an employment, but it can be explained by their relatively higher degree of professionalism and hardworking qualities. When we look at the class structure within these two racial groups of women itll appear that the social gap between African-American females is much wider than between Asian women. By year 2003, there were only 3 % among Black women that clearly belonged to the high social strata.
The middle class among them accounts for only 20 % and the rest are women that often live below the poverty level. The situation within group of Asian- American females gives much more favorable impression. 6 % of these women identify themselves as being rich. Yet, the whole 75 % of Asian females fit in into description of middle class. Still, it doesnt have anything to do with these women being historically privileged. In most cases this comes as a result of their high educational level.
The circle closes without education there can be no good job, but without inclination towards studying there can be no education. Traditionally, women are linked with the concept of family and raising children. Even though proponents of aggressive feminism are trying hard to undermine such traditional role of women, they will never succeed as there are no examples in history of obscure political doctrine being able to successfully defy the laws of nature. Therefore, in order for us to understand better the social tendencies within the groups of Asian and Black females, we need to analyze the dynamics of birth rate.
On average, such rate is 1. 5 times higher among productive Black females than the birth rate associated with Asian women. African-American families, on average, have 3 - 6 children when for Asian families this number is 2 - 4 children per family. Whites have the lowest birth rate of all racial groups in America. If we recall the biology lessons, the reasons for the high birth rate among Black Americans will become apparent to us. By giving birth to more children, Black women instinctively guarantee the survival of its own racial group. The cheer numbers compensate for the fact that these children will rarely have the chance to advance in life.
Statistics show that 95 % of all Black women marry Black males, while only 65 % of White women in America prefer Whites and only 70 % Asian females mate with representatives of their own race. The divorce rate among African-American females is the highest and accounts for 55 % of all marriages, but again, it is compensated by the fact that Black women are more likely to be remarried multiple times, unlike Asians or Whites. Another thing that needs to be mentioned here is the lowest suicide rate among Black women, comparing to the women from other racial groups. Only 12 % of Black females are susceptible to depression, while among White women this accounts for 35 %. The depression also does not appear to be an issue for the women of Asian background; only 15 % of them had ever experienced it. It shows that even though the mortality rate is greater among the women of color in U.
S. , they are generally more mentally healthier. According to recent surveys, 90 % of all African-American females are religiously active, while the same can only be said about 56 % of Asian women. As a matter of fact, it is an Asian female population that accounts for the biggest percentage of atheists, which proves their above-average intellectual level. When it comes to public activity, it is clear that Black females have more taste for participating in politics, while Asian women strive more towards becoming the experts in the field of science. Although, it needs to be noticed that the political activity of Black females, which are public figures is marked with racial secularism. One of the biggest reasons to doubt the validity of claim of racism against the women of color is their portrayal by modern Medias, as well as movie industry.
The political observers notice that the popular notion of angry white male will be soon accompanied by the concept of angry white female. As a rule, Black women are described by the media as the victims of unjust social realities. They are shown as highly spiritual beings that are in touch with expressions of nature. The movie Beloved is a good example Oprah Winfrie plays the role of honest and loving Black woman, while in real life she is greedy and vicious TV host. In movie Maid in Manhattan the White English woman is shown as an embodiment of evil, while Mexican American Jennifer Lopez is a modern days Cinderella. The same applies to the portrayal of Asian females they are generally represented as more decent and compassionate than the White.
Another big factor that contributes to the maintaining the image of Asian women as highly sophisticated is the fact that they are disproportionably represented in the field of TV journalism. According to Jennifer Su from Asian American Journalist Association: Of the 104 Asian Americans who appear on air in the top 25 markets, only 20 are male In the top 25 markets, there is one Asian American male anchor (afternoon broadcast) versus 13 females. Su also points out to substantially higher salaries of Asian female journalists as a proof of their superior intellectual abilities. This might very well be the truth. Within a matter of 20 years Asian-American women succeeded in creating a public perception of themselves as more socially active than Asian-American males. The same cannot be applied to African-American females, whose involvement with Medias is largely limited to their participation in Jerry Springer shows.
In my opinion, both Asian and Black women are going to enjoy a much better social perspectives in very near future. Nevertheless, it appears that the most probable way to be used by Asian women in order to expand their influence is going to be their increased integration into all spheres of public life in America. Black females, as gender-racial group, on the other hand, are more likely to be progressively more withdrawn from participation in social activities on nation-wide level. Yet, their political weigh will continue to increase, because of special rights and privileges being given to them by those with a complex of historical guilt.
Bibliography: Bennett, Leone Jr. , Before the Mayflower: A History of Black America. Chicago: Johnson Publishing Company, 1962. Herrstein, Richard. and Murray, Charles. Bell Curve New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc. , 1994. Su, Jenifer Where Are the Asian American Male TV Broadcasters?
August 9, 2002. Model Minority. com October 9, 2005 web The Health of Minority Women July, 2003. Office on Womens Health.
October 9, 2005. web
Free research essays on topics related to: african american, women of color, racial discrimination, status of women, women in america
Research essay sample on Women In America Status Of Women
