I wrote this two years ago, but never did post or publish it until now. It has been sitting in my google drive since I wrote it. My husband only wants me to have regular postings and interactions in the ladies section. However, he has made an exception and allowed me to post this here and interact on this post alone. I have had past interactions with those from the Middle East. These interactions have included both Muslims and Christians alike. There is a strong emphasis on roles within the family and society of men and women. I am no way endorsing the false belief system of Islam or the egregious human rights violations that occur in Saudia Arabia. I do not believe that women driving is a sin. This was written on how the illusion of female emancipation can actually lead to female oppression.
Female Emancipation =Female Oppression??
As an American woman, I watch the media reports and various documentaries on “ women’s rights’’ in nations, such as Saudi Arabia. Americans sadly believe we are the gold standard on human rights and overall mortality in the world. I am grateful that I am able to obtain an education, employment and medical care without the permission of a male guardian. These are the rights and privileges that Saudi women have not traditionally had, however with King Salman's recently loosening of the guardianship system, there is hope for the gradual emancipation of women.
Change in any society must come from within and gradually, at best outsiders may or may not influence and bring ideas. However, outsiders cannot come in and demand dramatic change. Saudi’s do not like a dramatic change, nor should they be forced by the West to embrace it. Women’s rights activist like to focus on driving for Saudi women, as a sign of emancipation. Is this really a way to emancipate Saudi women? Yet, many of them fail to realise, that even in nations where women are permitted to drive, it is a privilege, not a right. One must pass a driver's test in order to obtain a driver's license and must abide by the traffic laws, lest they lose their driving privileges. I do drive to the supermarket, doctor's appointments and my place of worship. Personally, I find driving to be more a chore, than an empowering aspect of womanhood.
Since change is better implemented gradually, perhaps ideally the government will allow a limited number of women to become taxi and bus drivers, for women only. This certainly would be preferential to being along in a car with a non-related male. If the purpose of banning women drivers is for safety and modesty than the latter defeats the purpose. Hopefully, the Saudi government will be willing to examine this suggestion, which may allow Saudi society to gradually accept women driving altogether. This change, either way, can only be implemented from within the society of the Kingdom.
Often, when we are granted rights as women, we often lose protections we traditionally have enjoyed. Saudi women have the assurance of protection, that women in the West no longer enjoy. Saudi women, in general, have assurance, their basic needs will be provided for by male family members. As an American woman because of the influence of feminism, I no longer have the assurance of such protection. It is assumed that women are just like men and are responsible for obtaining their own provision and protection. Instead of being able to rely on her family if she falls on hard times, too often she is forced to beg the government for what meagre social assistance she can get. In a country that is traditionally Christian, an American woman often cannot even turn to her faith community for help.
Saudi society is very strongly family orientated, where the American family has crumbled into the dust. Thanks to feminism that for the past 50 years, that has taken husbands and father’s out of the equation, has eroded the American family. The foundation of any society is the family and hence American society has crumbled because men are no longer allowed to be the leaders. They can no longer be leaders in their home, their places of worship or their community. Saudi’s value the role of mothers and homemakers, which is beneficial for their children and shaping the next generation. American woman, who choose to stay home and raise a family are now devalued as being leeches on society. Not only are we expected to keep the home, but we are also expected to work outside the home for 40 hours plus a week. Instead of our children, being at home with their mothers, they are consigned to daycare or the public school system from a young age. Saudi women have the benefit of having women’s only spaces in public life and the workplace. (I am not disputing that some aspects of public life are off-limits to Saudi women and it is worth examining opening up women’s only spaces in these areas. ) These spaces give women a sense of privacy and dignity, that I am not privileged to enjoy in the United States. Currently, we are fighting to keep our sex-segregated public bathrooms and women’s locker rooms, as we have men who believe they are women demanding access to them. Hence, this is putting the very safety of women and girls at risk to the harm of sexual predators.
In conclusion, we often believe the grass is greener on the other side. However, I urge Saudi women, that while they should advocate for their human rights, to not trade their protection and security. It is possible that you will be trading real security, for a false sense of emancipation. In some ways, American women are more vulnerable and enslaved than our Saudi counterparts, without the protection of our male family members. American equality is not based on human rights while embracing our created female nature. It is about shedding that off and becoming as much like men as possible. Sadly, our children and society have crumbled into the dust, because we have disregarded the importance of husbands and fathers, as our God-ordained providers and protectors.
Female Emancipation =Female Oppression??
As an American woman, I watch the media reports and various documentaries on “ women’s rights’’ in nations, such as Saudi Arabia. Americans sadly believe we are the gold standard on human rights and overall mortality in the world. I am grateful that I am able to obtain an education, employment and medical care without the permission of a male guardian. These are the rights and privileges that Saudi women have not traditionally had, however with King Salman's recently loosening of the guardianship system, there is hope for the gradual emancipation of women.
Change in any society must come from within and gradually, at best outsiders may or may not influence and bring ideas. However, outsiders cannot come in and demand dramatic change. Saudi’s do not like a dramatic change, nor should they be forced by the West to embrace it. Women’s rights activist like to focus on driving for Saudi women, as a sign of emancipation. Is this really a way to emancipate Saudi women? Yet, many of them fail to realise, that even in nations where women are permitted to drive, it is a privilege, not a right. One must pass a driver's test in order to obtain a driver's license and must abide by the traffic laws, lest they lose their driving privileges. I do drive to the supermarket, doctor's appointments and my place of worship. Personally, I find driving to be more a chore, than an empowering aspect of womanhood.
Since change is better implemented gradually, perhaps ideally the government will allow a limited number of women to become taxi and bus drivers, for women only. This certainly would be preferential to being along in a car with a non-related male. If the purpose of banning women drivers is for safety and modesty than the latter defeats the purpose. Hopefully, the Saudi government will be willing to examine this suggestion, which may allow Saudi society to gradually accept women driving altogether. This change, either way, can only be implemented from within the society of the Kingdom.
Often, when we are granted rights as women, we often lose protections we traditionally have enjoyed. Saudi women have the assurance of protection, that women in the West no longer enjoy. Saudi women, in general, have assurance, their basic needs will be provided for by male family members. As an American woman because of the influence of feminism, I no longer have the assurance of such protection. It is assumed that women are just like men and are responsible for obtaining their own provision and protection. Instead of being able to rely on her family if she falls on hard times, too often she is forced to beg the government for what meagre social assistance she can get. In a country that is traditionally Christian, an American woman often cannot even turn to her faith community for help.
Saudi society is very strongly family orientated, where the American family has crumbled into the dust. Thanks to feminism that for the past 50 years, that has taken husbands and father’s out of the equation, has eroded the American family. The foundation of any society is the family and hence American society has crumbled because men are no longer allowed to be the leaders. They can no longer be leaders in their home, their places of worship or their community. Saudi’s value the role of mothers and homemakers, which is beneficial for their children and shaping the next generation. American woman, who choose to stay home and raise a family are now devalued as being leeches on society. Not only are we expected to keep the home, but we are also expected to work outside the home for 40 hours plus a week. Instead of our children, being at home with their mothers, they are consigned to daycare or the public school system from a young age. Saudi women have the benefit of having women’s only spaces in public life and the workplace. (I am not disputing that some aspects of public life are off-limits to Saudi women and it is worth examining opening up women’s only spaces in these areas. ) These spaces give women a sense of privacy and dignity, that I am not privileged to enjoy in the United States. Currently, we are fighting to keep our sex-segregated public bathrooms and women’s locker rooms, as we have men who believe they are women demanding access to them. Hence, this is putting the very safety of women and girls at risk to the harm of sexual predators.
In conclusion, we often believe the grass is greener on the other side. However, I urge Saudi women, that while they should advocate for their human rights, to not trade their protection and security. It is possible that you will be trading real security, for a false sense of emancipation. In some ways, American women are more vulnerable and enslaved than our Saudi counterparts, without the protection of our male family members. American equality is not based on human rights while embracing our created female nature. It is about shedding that off and becoming as much like men as possible. Sadly, our children and society have crumbled into the dust, because we have disregarded the importance of husbands and fathers, as our God-ordained providers and protectors.
