Feminization of Poverty
Poverty has become extremely widespread among women worldwide, which led to creating the term “feminization of poverty”. The reasons for this are connected to the physiology of women and their unsatisfactory life conditions. Firstly, women are responsible for the child-bearing process, which impacts their opportunities at career advancement and education (Gaille, 2017). It is difficult for young mothers to complete education, and they often depend on welfare if fathers do not support them. The problem is aggravated by the lack of healthcare access, especially in poor regions. Due to gender inequality in developing countries, men are prioritized in getting medical services. Moreover, women sometimes suffer from the consequences of physical violence, which reduces their ability to work. Another factor of the feminization of poverty is the wage gap between the genders. Unlike men, women are usually engaged in an informal workplace with fewer rights, which provokes stress and deprives them of financial stability. Thus, women’s poverty may be explained by their insecure position.
The Holocaust as an Example of Genocide
One of the cruelest crimes in humanity’s history is the Holocaust, which took place from 1933 to 1945. This is the most well-known example of genocide, which implies suppression and destruction of one national group by another. In the case of the Holocaust, the choice of victims was based on the Nazi ideology of racial superiority and purity (Yale University). The Nazis were convinced of the necessity to exterminate those who did not fit their idea of the Aryan race, such as the Jews, the Roma, and the Sinti (Yale University). To achieve their goal, the Nazis used techniques such as discrimination against unwanted nations and the establishment of concentration camps where people were killed (Yale University). The Holocaust forever changed the lives of the oppressed nations, which is reflected in terrifying numbers of victims and the mental trauma the survivors underwent. This tragedy was embedded in the following generations’ memory, and it is impossible for the world to forget such an unfair and inhumane episode of history.
Women in History
It seems that men have usually been honored for their achievements, while women did not always gain enough recognition. However, Frances Perkins is an example of an outstanding woman whose life was governed by the interest in social reform (Frances Perkins, 2018). She was secretary of labor under President Franklin Roosevelt and the first woman to serve on the New York State Industrial Commission. She was devoted to the ideas of protecting workers from the hazards of old age and unemployment, regulating children labor, and enhancing the working conditions for women (Frances Perkins, 2018). Due to her merits, many policies constituting the New Deal, the Social Security, and Fair Labor Standards Acts were accepted.
Despite being so authoritative, Frances Perkins was unpopular in Congress and the press, sharing the fate of women whose achievements were not acknowledged. This injustice may be rooted in a stereotype that only men possess the energy of changing the world. Throughout history, politics had been men’s business because their mindset was considered more consistent with making serious decisions. However, history proves women are also able to fight for a better life. They can be compassionate with all members of society, pay attention to their problems, and understand what can be done to satisfy their needs. That is why women’s feats should be celebrated, discussed in the media, mentioned in history books, and covered in artworks.
To conclude, studying the issues presented in the module proved that social inequality has always led to negative consequences and destroyed harmony in the world. It was frustrating to see the injustice born from the superiority of one gender, nation, or social group over another. Undoubtedly, experience from the history or current problems should make people think about what can be done to make the world a better place where everyone is protected. Each of us is able to contribute to enhancing people’s welfare, for instance, by providing the homeless with housing, making women’s position in the world more secure, or combating racism.
References
Frances Perkins. 2021, Web.
Gaille, L. (2017). The feminization of poverty. Vittana.org. Web.
Yale University. (n.d.). Genocide. Web.