Duality of the sexes

Duality of the Sexes

Simone de Beauvoir was a French writer, existentialist philosopher, feminist, Marxist, Maoist, and social theorist.   The author’s father always wanted to have a boy and would tell her “Think like a Man, Simone.”

I found the existentialism very interesting “how one achieves and what constitutes a fulfilling life, what obstacles must be overcome, and what external and internal factors are involved.” The individual is solely responsible for giving their own life meaning and living that life passionately and sincerely, which I really connect to this. 

The author made connections and comparisons between the being of a woman being the “other” and the man being the “subject.” Man can think of himself without woman yet woman can not think of herself without man.  She made comparisons between women and other cultural groups i.e. African-American and Jewish.  If reciprocity has been recognized between natives and strangers, how come it has not been recognized between sexes? Women are not a minority like African-Americans or the Jewish.  These two groups were unaware of each others existence, brought together by historical events, or recognized each other’s autonomy.  Women have always been subordinate to men with their dependency not relating to a historical event or social change.  Is natural condition beyond the possibility of change? Or have women, as inessential, and let male be the essential, not bringing about change as cultural groups have? She states “Women do not authentically assume a subjective attitude.” Can this be problematic with women? She brings up recently things are changing, but why did it take so long for women? “How is that the world has always belonged to men?

Simone says women lack the means to organize themselves into an actual unit like a cultural group.  Women live dispersed among males attached through residence, housework, economic condition, and social standing to men (Simone 8).  Men are dependent on women for satisfaction upon the female.  Liberty and justice at stake for women because this is a man’s world.  Unfortunately, women do lay claim to the status of “subject” because they lack definite resources and are tied to the man.  For example, domestic abuse.  The women falls prey to the “subjects” power, and she remains the “other”.  Women depend on the man emotionally and financially giving men the power and contributing to the cycle of violence.  It is unfortunate that these women experience verbal/physical abuse and many do not find the strength to leave and they do not find their voice and power.  They have become so dependent on the man that they lose their own self and their strength as a woman to go on with their life without the “man.” A life being controlled and manipulated is not fulfilling for a woman and is sad to see it play out over and over again.

 

The other interesting dynamic was the comparison between master and slave.   As we discussed this power struggle last week, “the master has grasp in the power of satisfying this need through his own action.”  The need works in favor of the oppressor, the slave, and the women continues to experience oppression and lack of power.  Whether it is a master/slave, a male rapist/victim, a domestic abuser/victim, the idea behind the dual relationships is the same with the dynamics of control and power. 

Quotes I liked

“It is doubtless impossible to approach any human problem with a mind free of bias” 

 As a Social Constructionist, I base my life off my “learning experiences" from birth to now, and it is difficult to not have bias on the society and how we function.  When your level of awareness is so high, it is amazing what you key in and pay attention to, and how it affects the behavior of others.  How to we measure the happiness of others? Are most women happy and content in our society? Looking at it existentially, how can a human being in a woman’s situation seek fulfillment? Should women have to claim to be a man to receive respect and consideration?  

"The female is a female by virtue of a certain lack of qualities" ARISTOTLE

“In truth, go for a walk with your eyes open is enough to demonstrate that humanity is divided into two classes of individuals whose clothes, bodies, smiles, gaits, interests, and occupations are manifestly different.”

Do you walk with your eyes and see this differences everyday and how do you feel?

How do they affect you directly on a daily basis?
If we think about our daily interactions, these differences are present all around us, but are we aware? Are we walking with our eyes wide open or our eyes wide shut? -Priscilla-

Copyright

Priscilla C. Raj