SOCI 2130 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Purdah, Eurocentrism, Ethnocentrism
Document Summary
Representation of asia, especially middle east, in a stereotyped way. Thought of as embodying a colonialist attitude. Colonial powers make the west the subject and the east as. East has been constructed as a homogenous region that is exotic, uncivilized, and backward . Exotic, male dominated, men have control over women - yet the women are sexualized, dangerous. These stereotypes come from films and literature that are very problematic. Symbolises gender segregation, modesty, virginity, and temptation. In the islamic world, women live separate lives from men. Can be thought of a mutual avoidance. The separation and seclusion of genders is called purdah. We see this often in excellent daughters. Engagement party, molhaq, hijab, separate dining areas in restaurants, segregated schools, male and female doctors. Ward is careful to tell us that women in the islamic world have many reasons for wearing the veil and it"s not always necessarily a symbol of female submission.
