Femininity and Culture

Femininity and Culture

During the XX century American and Cuban women fight for freedom and equal rights with men . The feminist movement of the 1960s expressed ideology held by most women around the world as they knew their sacrifices would be acknowledged and valued by their children . The 1960s were marked the awakening of the American women fighting for equal rights and opportunities , sexual liberation and personal identity . In spite of the fact that the feminist movement of the 1960s is considered a movement of a middle class women such women and

feminists as Fanny Flagg vividly portrays that Cuban and Cuban-American women took an active part in this movement . The feminist movement of Cuban women can be identified as `feminist consciousness ' marked by raising awareness of the problems and inequality women were faced with

In the book Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafy ' Fannie Flagg describes participation and struggle of Cuban women against social inequality and male dominance . The main concerns of women included racial and national differences , domestic violence , lesbian relations class differences and discrimination . Cuban and Cuban American women were the most unprotected category which experienced violence . It is thus proper that feminists , who have done most to expose the problem continue to urge its identification as one particular expression of masculinity and male violence against women . Using the female characters , Ninny Threadgoode , Idgie Threadgoode , Ruth Jamison etc Flagg describes new ideas held by Cuban women against oppression and domestic abuse . Not only does this claim constrain the possible acceptable explanations of sexual abuse , but it also sets the agenda for any solution , especially in recommending long-term and radical changes in the respective status of men and women . Taking into account Cuban and American cultures , it is possible to say women were faced with similar problems within institution of family , namely sexual and physical abuse Through the character of Evelyn Couch Fannie Flagg portrays that women fought for equal rights and government protection from domestic violence . Cuban women were not passive observers but active participants in social relations . R . Dunbar-Ortiz was "leader of the feminist movement ' who played a dominant role in Cuban feminist movement (Dunbar-Ortiz 2002

Another area of concern was lack of respect towards women . For a long time , men had played a dominant position in Cuba as keepers of traditions and customers in contrast to women who performed a reproduction function only . During 1960s , Cuban woman fought for their rights living under double oppression , cultural and legal . And women were absent in part because gender stereotypes established leadership as a masculine activity and in part because gender labeling and structures discriminated against women seeking positions of power . It is in this sense that where women were absent , principles of gender were at work Women fought against oppression to gain freedom and independence . The one of the major forms of this struggle was `silent ' rebellion . Woman activists including R . Dunbar-Ortiz promulgated new ideas and social ideals educating Cuban women and girls

Century...