AN ANALYSIS OF GENDER ROLES AND RELATIONS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF ISLAM

Nasir Muhammad Abdulhameed

Department of Religion and Philosophy

University of Jos, Jos Nigeria

Email: abdulhameedm@unijos.edu.ng / nmuham48@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Functionalist theory of sex roles differences was the applied method of explaining gender roles and relations. The emergence of feminist movements in the 1970s, brought about new ideas about gender and genders issues. Thus, gender refers to socially assigned roles of males and females. Gender roles show people’s function and capabilities, and gender relations reflect the interactions taking place between individuals through a process that differentiates and stratifies people. This paper analyzes gender roles and relations on the basis of the principles of Islam on gender. It draws data from primary and secondary sources, and employs the theoretical method in analyzing them. The findings show that there are similarities between Islamic principles on gender roles and relations and the functionalist theory of sex roles differences. Like other cultures, Islam prescribes roles for males and females, and provides guidelines for their relations. It does not bar women from acquiring knowledge, pursuing of lawful economic ventures, or occupying administrative positions. Islam rejects cultural practices that inhibit women development and subject them to unfair treatments, including denial of rights. However, the influence of radical feminism on some Muslim women resulted in misplacing the teachings of Islam on gender issues. Thus, the prescriptions of Islam on gender roles and relations do not subordinate women, or hinder their development. But this can best be understood, if gender issues are analyzed on the basis of Islamic norms and principles, and within the context of the Muslim society.

Keywords: Islamic Principles, Gender, Roles, Relations, Socio-Economic

CULTURAL PATRIARCHY AND MYTHICAL STEREOTYPES ABOUT WOMEN IN AFRICAN LITERATURE

Maureen Amaka Azuike,

Department of English,

University of Jos, Jos, Plateau  State, Nigeria. Email: amakaazuike@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Mythical stereotypes about women in African Literature have undeniably incorporated views which have mostly recognized women in terms of their sexuality and reproduction. Among these stereotypical views exist the continual stressing of the social and political, legal and economic supremacy of the man and the inferior status of the woman. The mythologizing of the woman as the lesser being, therefore, cuts across cultural and geographical boundaries and contemporary African writers have, unfortunately, exacerbated the problem in their works. This study will challenge the cultural, historical, religious and patriarchal boundaries set for women which have inadvertently escalated the breakdown of laws of moral conduct as seen in (selected) contemporary African literary texts. This study will be guided by the New Feminist Approach which is adopted due to its proposal of new ways of helping women to lead better lives as well as its proposal to correct the misconceptions about women. The study will also be guided by the Patriarchal Political Theory which has, to some extent, worsened women’s issues. The study will conclude that now is the time, more than ever before, to bust all the mythical stereotypes about women that are propagated by men, which tend to devalue women, and to rewrite contemporary African (feminist) narratives. This is because the archaic cultural values and demeaning roles assigned to women have had in them, deeply engrained social attitudes that have hindered women’s progress for years and have continued to impede their growth.

Keywords: Cultural Patriarchy, Mythical Stereotypes, Female Sexuality, Feminist Narratives, Contemporary African Literature.