Abstract
This paper discusses the history, practice and evolution of the Qu'aran and Islam as it relates to women in society. Roles of women, freedoms, rights, and obligations are all viewed both in present times and in traditional Islamic society of centuries ago. The paper shows positive evidence of progress for women in Islamic society, as well as roadblocks yet to be overcome.

Tags:feminism, islam, rights, sociology, studies, women

Abstract
This paper examines how the short story, "A & P" by John Updike, chronicles contemporary American society and how it treats issues of social stratification among members of the society. It looks at how, written in the 1960s, "A & P" provides an insightful look at the dynamics of gender and socio-economic differences of people in American society. It also explores how it discusses issues on social stratification from the viewpoint of Sammy, a young man who works at the store, "A & P". In particular, it shows how Sammy's character is an interesting and essential factor for the issue of social stratification because he serves as Updike's "commentator" on sensitive issues, such as gender discrimination on women and the snobbish and oppressive nature of the elite class in the society.

From the Paper
"The first theme discussed in the short story is the issue of gender discrimination among women. In the story, Sammy serves as the "male chauvinist" character, providing an explicit description of the three young women he encounters in the convenience store. Initially, audiences would react at the seemingly sexist comments of Sammy, wherein he looks at the young women's physical attributes only and making unpleasant remarks at them (through his narration to the reader)."

Tags:sammy, class, elite, discrimination, gender

Abstract
An overview of the status of women, starting from antiquity (including their status in the Far East), and ending in the present day, emphasizing American women, and their prospects for education and economic advancement.

From the Paper
"There are and always have been very distinct divisions in the roles of men and women. These divisions are deep-rooted in economic, social and religious beliefs throughout history. Women have played many roles in societies throughout history. Through the centuries, almost every society has developed very distinct ideas of what activities are proper for women. In some societies, there is no greater honor than to be a woman and in turn a mother. Yet, as in some Asian cultures, the lives of women are of such less value than those of men that the practice of female infanticide has become a widely used device for population control. Over time, many reasons have been given for the gender inequality that exists in society. Women are supposed to be weaker, less aggressive and more caring and nurturing than men. However, the most applied barrier of equality, especially in the workplace, has been woman's ability to bear children (Hanmer 19). Because only women have the ability to bear children, it has often been viewed that it is thus a woman's ultimate obligation to do so. There has been no scientific evidence though that women have what is called maternal instinct, that is, a natural desire to bear and care for children (Hanmer 115). From the earliest of times, motherhood has helped to divide men and women since women primarily stay at home while pregnant and nursing. Likewise, men have traditionally taken jobs away from the home. In primitive times, this practice may not have suggested inequality between the sexes. Yet, in our modern times the tradition of women staying at home rearing children while men work outside the home has left many women economically dependent on a man to provide the material necessities of life. "

Tags:equality, jobs, women, feminism

Abstract
This paper describes the stereotypes and biases that are seen in the media on a daily basis.The author gives a detailed look at how these stereotypes affect society and the values and morals instilled in children.

From the Paper
"In today's ever diversifying society one detrimental problem that remains is that of stereotypes and biases. Do the people in our country need to see more negative portrayals than they already are? Within certain types of media, minorities and women are often times portrayed negatively. Within this research paper, two television shows will be analyzed in terms of age, race, gender, target audiences, socioeconomic differences, stereotypes and biases, clothing and presentation, and the role of characters. Aside from the characters in the television shows, products being advertised will also be evaluated. Often times an advertising company will choose a target audience and present the goods in a specific style, meaning the company will choose different age brackets, background voices, and special effects. Most importantly, the effect these shows have on children will be discussed. Children look at television characters as role models, and this research paper will test these programs to see if integrity and proper moral standards are displayed."

Tags:media, telivision, newpapers, books, society, minorities, stereotype, bias, discrimination

Abstract
This paper first explains that "A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen and "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams are two plays that explore the ways in which a woman can be very desirable but cannot satisfy either herself or her world. The paper then goes on to explore how the protagonist Nora in Ibsen's play reacts to her relationship with her husband and finally rejects it. Whereas, Blanche Dubois in Williams' play, after considering desire as her only source of life, retreats into insanity. The paper stresses that society has formed the ways in which these women are viewed.

From the Paper
"This quote shows that for him, the whole point, the whole image of being a man derives from a masculinity that is shown through the dominance of women. Nora is his dream come true, constantly playing the "damsel in distress" in need of his assistance. It also shows a certain falseness in his love for her, as he does not actually say "love" in this passage but instead "attractive", suggesting that he is only interested in the surface of Nora."

Tags:flirtatious, feminine helplessness, manipulative husband isolated

Abstract
This paper explains how playwrights often provoke debate about the role of women by presenting strong female characters either positively or negatively. The paper goes on to compare two such characters, one from "A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen and "Medea" by Euripedes, and what the women contribute to the work as a whole. The plays are from completely different eras and social contexts therefore opinions of the respective authors differ on the subject of the place of women either at home or in society.

From the Paper
''The role of women is an issue that has been discussed by many playwrights with varying points of view. However, Medea by Euripides, written in the 5th century BC and A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen written in the late 19th century are two of the most famous plays to bring this question to light. Medea is an ancient Greek tragedy in which the eponymous heroine plots her revenge against her traitor of a husband, whereas A Doll's House is a modern drama dealing with the dynamics of a Norwegian married couple; where the main character, Nora, is brutally made aware of her fragile situation, leading to her emancipation.''

Tags:woman, role, drama

Abstract
This paper looks at the many changes that have taken place over the years within the family unit. It studies in particular how changes in attitude and law with regard to religion, industry, contraception, work ethic and rights for women have affected changes in gender roles within families.

From the Paper
"The family is widely considered the most important of all social institutions as this is where socialization begins for children, and gender roles are established. Since the 1950's evidence and accumulated data suggests that there have been many changes within the family unit stemming from changes in attitude and law with regards to religion, industry, contraception, work ethic and rights for women. I shall be looking in to these areas in depth to see the extent of change that gender roles within the family unit have undergone over this period due to these elements.
"In the 1950's there were many studies in to families as social institutions. In Dennis, Henriques and Slaughter's book Coal is our Life (1956), the focus is on a mining community in Yorkshire, where most aspects of life were dominated by mining. Here, the men worked and were actively involved in political and trade union issues, and when not working, debating or rallying spent time socializing in the pub."

Tags:sociology, gender roles, family, socialization

Abstract
This paper provides a study into the different areas of discrimination law affecting inequality amongst women. It considers whether equality really exists and what still needs to be done to ensure women are more accurately represented in today's society.

From the Paper
"Anti-discrimination legislation has been enacted in an attempt to eradicate the prevalent inequalities within the world of work. The law has developed two separate and distinct routes with respect to equality. One route expounds the equal treatment of men and women, a concept key to the liberal feminists; and the other is a specific rights based route which relates directly to pregnancy cases, which will be discussed further below. This latter is what the maternal feminists of the early nineteenth century would have chosen; that the law should accommodate the differences between men and women, with particular reference to women as mothers. The claim is that where women deviate from the male norm, the law should acknowledge this."

Tags:feminism, legislation, gender

Abstract
The paper believes that the story of Mary Whitney in Margaret Atwood's story "Alias Grace" is just as important as that of Grace as she is in fact a major part of Grace's story from when Grace becomes possessed half way through the novel. The paper also shows how the relationship between the characters of Mary and George illustrates the hypocrisy of the upper classes and exposes the unfortunate position of servants and women in the 19th century society that Atwood writes about.

From the Paper
"In "Alias Grace", Mary Whitney is a character that dies, but is never entirely removed. Grace holds on to the memory of their time at the Alderman-Parkinson's, as well as using her to use language that she does not want to be associated with. She is a typical 19th century woman, and is indicative of the treatment that servants suffered at the hands of their employers. Mary Whitney represents a doubly weak situation: she is a woman and a servant. Her pregnancy exposes the problems between the relationship between the classes, and her untimely death shows the reality of the master-servant relationship at the time. The death of Mary also leads to the theory that Grace is innocent because Mary possesses her body after death."

Tags:servants, women, hypnotism, upper, class

Abstract
In this essay the character of women and their role in Athenian society at the time of Aristophanes is examined. In the ancient world the idea of women running the city was totally ludicrous and people would laugh at the idea. The paper shows that Aristophanes wrote this play to make people laugh and so not much, if any, of the information in the play can be relied upon to give an accurate picture of how women were treated in Athenian society. Aristophanes gave them a very important position but in reality they were treated as second class citizens.

From the Paper
"The general idea of the women of Athens running the city was totally preposterous and would not even be considered as a viable option to solve the city's problems. This was because women held such a low position in Greek society. They had no legal status at all and could not even represent themselves in court if they wanted to."

Tags:ancient, athens, playwrights