This paper attempted to analyze in the six Philippine short stories written by Filipino women the struggles that continue to plague women as they continue to improve their plight in a patriarchal society. "Desire" by Paz Latorena (1937); "The Corals" by Edith Tiempo (1948); "The Virgin" by Kerima Polotan-Tuvera (1952); "Love in the Corn Husk" by Aida Rivera-Ford (1957); "Magnificence" by Estrella Alfon (1960); and "The Visitation of the Gods" by Gilda Cordero-Fernando (1962).
Specifically this study aimed to answer these following questions: What elements of feminism are present in the six short stories? What struggles are experienced by these women characters in terms of: economic inequality; social discrimination; political power; and psychological oppression? What are the causes of their struggles? What courses of action do the women take to triumph over their struggles? How can this study contribute to the in promoting gender equality and women empowerment in the local setting as well as in the international stage?
For the research methodology, the study made use of the descriptive method. The researcher found it was appropriate because it makes use of the processes of gathering, analyzing and classifying data about prevailing conditions, practices, beliefs, processes, trends, and cause and effect relationships. The principal anchor of this method was the description of the nature of a situation as it exists during the time of the study and to explore the causes of a particular phenomenon.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Methods
3. Conclusions
4. References
Objectives and Topics
This paper aims to analyze the struggles of women depicted in six selected short stories written by Filipino women between 1937 and 1962, exploring the presence of feminist elements and the impact of a patriarchal society on female characters.
- Analysis of feminist elements within 20th-century Philippine literature.
- Evaluation of economic, social, political, and psychological struggles faced by women.
- Investigation into the causes of these struggles, including societal norms and patriarchal expectations.
- Examination of how women exert effort to achieve equality and empowerment.
- Assessment of current educational curricula in promoting gender equality.
Excerpt from the Book
Introduction
Around fifty years ago, Betty Friedan wrote the book The Feminine Mystique in her quest for a more significant existence as a woman by presenting the struggles that women during those times underwent. Friedan explored issues on women’s identity, the tension between family life and public life, and the roadblocks that prevent true gender equality. Essentially, Friedan provided the impetus to the feminist movement in the 1960’s. However, so many of the issues Friedan raised are still nearly as relevant today as they must have been then.
In this era of sweeping milestones in the fields of science and technology, of refining societies and of modernizing people’s way of living, how far had society come in terms of closing the gender gap? Are women’s struggles now any different from what they experienced many years back?
Over the past fifty years the cultural context within which women have been defined is embedded in a patriarchal system, In most parts of the world, gender and female sexuality are defined by the dominant social group (men) through a socialization process mediated by family and community, school, church, and the media. In practice, this has come to mean male dominance/female subordination. Women traditionally have always been thought of as inferior to men. They are expected to keep the household, nurture the children, attend to their husband’s needs and remain faithful to them. (Azarcon, cited in Tarrayo et al. 2005).”
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: Provides the historical and theoretical context of the feminist movement and defines the scope of analyzing women's struggles in Philippine literature.
Methods: Describes the descriptive research design used to gather and analyze data from the selected short stories to answer the study's core questions.
Conclusions: Synthesizes the research findings, confirming that feminism is deeply rooted in Philippine literature and highlighting the necessity for curriculum reform regarding gender sensitivity.
References: Lists the academic sources, books, articles, and scholarly journals utilized to support the study's analysis and arguments.
Keywords
Patriarchal Society, Feminism, Feminist Analysis, Philippine Literature, Women's Struggles, Gender Equality, Women Empowerment, Economic Inequality, Social Discrimination, Political Power, Psychological Oppression, Filipina Women, Literature Analysis, Societal Norms, Cultural Beliefs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on analyzing the struggles of women as depicted in six Philippine short stories written by Filipino women between the 1930s and 1960s within the context of a patriarchal society.
What are the central themes examined in the study?
The study examines themes such as women's objectification, economic and political oppression, social discrimination, and psychological challenges resulting from patriarchal societal structures.
What is the main objective of this work?
The primary goal is to identify feminist elements within the selected literature and explore how these stories reflect the ongoing struggle for gender equality and women's empowerment.
Which research methodology was employed?
The researcher utilized the descriptive method, which involves the systematic gathering, analyzing, and classifying of data to describe current conditions and explore cause-and-effect relationships.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the theoretical background of feminism, an analysis of the selected literary works, the methodology of the study, and a discussion of the findings regarding the causes of women's struggles.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Patriarchal Society, feminism, feminist analysis, gender equality, women's empowerment, and Philippine literature.
How do the stories reflect the societal context of their time?
The stories reflect the specific cultural and patriarchal norms of the decades in which they were written, illustrating that women's struggles are often tied to the specific milieu of their era.
Why does the author advocate for changes in the K-12 curriculum?
The author argues that the current curriculum lacks sufficient content on feminism and gender sensitivity, which is necessary to promote equality and empowerment among students.
What is the significance of the "Revolt from Hymen" mention?
It is highlighted as a prime example of a literary piece that captures the anger and resistance of a woman against marital oppression, illustrating the historical difficulties faced by female writers.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Mary Jane Mallari (Autor:in), 2016, Women’s Struggles in a Patriarchal Society. A Feminist Analysis of Six Philippine Short Stories, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/436054
