Female issues
Namaskar,
According
to Ananda Marga philosophy, one's inherent capacity should be used for
the welfare of society. Among their qualities, men possess physical
might so they should be the ones involved in physically strenuous
activities that demand tremendous might. In contrast, women possess
their own set of strengths that can be applied for the betterment of
society.
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Caring for infants: males feel emotionally frustratedFor
instance, males do not have the right temperament or sentiment to raise
infants. That is why in the west we see a rash of Shaken Baby Syndrome
(SBS): "Shaken baby syndrome (SBS) is a form of physical child abuse
that occurs when an abuser [predominantly male] violently shakes an
infant or small child, creating a whiplash-type motion that results
permanent brain damage and even death." So it is the males that feel
emotionally overwhelmed and challenged by the prospect of caring for
infants. (See Note 1)
In
contrast, females have greater sentimental feeling and greater
attraction toward the baby. Naturally women are more suited to raising
young babies and infants. In addition, Baba has said that Didis should
demand running all the primary schools of Ananda Marga. Here the point
is that wherever emotion and sentiment are paramount, then females will
do that work better than males. Whereas physically tough jobs like using
a bulldozer, working on a garbage truck, or managing a chain saw should
be for men.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.comCertainly,
anybody can do anything - there are always exceptions - but generally
women will harm themselves doing hard physical labor like extreme manual
labour. So the basic rule is that males should do physically demanding
work, and females should attend to sentimental jobs. When these roles
are switched - i.e. when men engage in things that demand sentiment or
when women attend to duties that demand physical might - then problems
invariably arise.
All have inherent limitationsThis
letter is not intended for fault-finding with or accusing any gender.
This is for everyone's welfare. We all have our limitations. Humans
cannot glide or fly like birds without a machine so sane people do not
jump out of tall buildings and try to fly in the sky. Likewise,
regardless of our gender, we should be aware of our inherent strengths
and limitations.
Around
the globe, in the general society, females have been exploited so much
that there has developed a certain competition between the sexes. Rather
than being complementary to one another, there is the feeling of
competition to outdo the other. Hence, many women have turned to trying
to outgun their male counterparts in traditionally male areas of
ability. This is an unfortunate development born out of years and
generations of the exploitation and suppression of women.
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Strenuous work severely restrictedSome
women state that women should not be put in harm's way by dealing with
physically strenuous work responsibilities, while a very vocal group of
women demand that women must be given the right to match male toe-to-toe
in strenuous activities etc. In our Ananda Marga, we have our stand
based on Baba's teachings. Males and females have different physical
characteristics and capacities. In particular, males are physically
stronger than females.
Ananda
Marga philosophy states, "There are people who, in the name of giving
equal rights to women in all spheres of life, want them to engage in
heavy physical and mental labour which is unsuitable for them. Such an
outlook is deplorable. It must be accepted that the physical bodies and
nervous systems of women are not as strong as those of men, so men and
women cannot work in identical areas. Apart from this, for physical
reasons women cannot work in the same way every day of the month, and
during pregnancy and the post-delivery period the ability to work
strenuously is severely restricted. These points must not be
overlooked." (1)
Ideal: neither children nor society are adversely affectedAnanda
Marga philosophy guides us, “As in the societies of most other species,
in human society also females are physically weaker than males. Because
their nervous systems are weaker, their minds are also slightly weak.
Nevertheless women have no less value in human society than men. Selfish
men, however, have disregarded the value of women; they have taken full
advantage, and are continuing to take full advantage, of their
weakness. Although men have publicly declared that women should be
respected as the mothers of society, they have actually relegated them
to the status of domestic cattle and sheep." (2)
Ananda
Marga philosophy states, “The physical and mental structure of a woman
is such that even though she may have all the requisite ability to take
care of her children, it is extremely difficult for her to bring them up
properly and to adequately provide for food, clothing, education and
medical care all alone; at the same time she has to keep her children
with her or near her, or else it becomes difficult for the children to
survive. Therefore if men, instead of women, take the main
responsibility for providing food and clothing, while women, after duly
attending to the needs of the children, where possible or in cases of
necessity earn money by working either at home or outside, neither the
children nor society will be adversely affected in any way." (3)
Ananda
Marga philosophy guides us, “As the physical strength of women is less
than that of men, the latter should always endeavour to save the
prestige of women...Special attention should be paid to the comforts of
women during festivals, at spiritual conferences, and on other
occasions." (4)
Because
males are stronger that is why games and sports are done separately:
Women compete against women, and men compete against men. Clearly then,
females do not have the physical strength and stamina that males have.
So less physical strength is one key reason we do not support burdening
women with extremely strenuous physically demanding work etc.
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Another difference between men & womenPhysical
strength is not the only physical difference between males and females.
For instance, the female cranium is smaller than the male cranium. That
is one basic physical difference. Generally speaking, a bigger cranium
means more brain power. We see that in any species where the brain is
smaller it is less developed. And when the brain is bigger it is more
developed.
However,
humans are unique in this regard. Much of the brain capacity of humans
goes unused. The human brain has a tremendous capacity. So regardless of
whether one is a male or female, much of their brain power is unused.
There is very little practical difference between males and females in
this regard. You will find foolish males and intelligent females and
vice versa. Here is Baba's teaching about the size of the cranium.
Ananda
Marga philosophy states, “Generally the cranium of a female is smaller
than that of a male. If you see the skull of a female skeleton, you will
notice that the upper portion of the skull is smaller. Those who are
eunuchs by birth have still smaller craniums...If a male becomes a
female by biological processes, he will not suffer from headaches as
such; he will have no difficulty. But if a female becomes a male, she
will suffer difficulties because the cranium is smaller; that is, the
brain is smaller." (5)
The
overall point is that Baba clearly points out that there are distinct
physical differences between males and females. But there is no need to
develop a complex about why males and females are not equal in physical
might. Those trying to rebuff this idea are harming themselves.
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Competing physicallyHere
are some of the stated reasons being championed by women who feel women
should not be pushed to physical exertion in competition with men. In
order to compete with men physically, many women sacrifice their
womanhood and take steroids to develop muscles etc. But this creates a
hormonal imbalance as well as psychic imbalance. In many cases, they
lose their fertility. This point is embedded within a greater schema.
When women aim to compete with men in male-oriented activities, then
they end up harming themselves. Allowing women to engage in extremely
strenuous and physically demanding work is only going to exacerbate this
problem. More women will suffer the ill effects of competing with men
in male-driven endeavors.
ConclusionWe
should not allow females to compete with males in very strenuous
activities. Females will be harmed; society will be harmed; and children
will be harmed. There is no benefit in any direction. Males and females
are both the creation of Parama Purusa. Parama Purusa has made those
physical bodies so we should not destroy them needlessly by competing
with one another on the wrong front.
Namaskar,
In Him,
Shobha’
About shaken baby syndromeShaken
baby syndrome happens primarily with male guardians, less so with
female guardians. A mother who is truly attached with her baby can never
do such things. Males are more apt to get frustrated and act
inappropriately with the baby. Sometimes paid nannies and baby-sitters
also act in this way. Why does this happen? Because, at that young age
the baby cries, cries, and cries. Those not wholly attached with the
baby can get frustrated and unnerved by that crying. They might shake
the baby violently, but not the mother.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com~ In-depth study ~
Role of women & gender issuesFrom
Wikipedia: ”The female skeletal system is less dense, and more prone to
breakages. There is also a concern that, in aviation, the female body
is not as adept at handling the increased g-forces experienced by combat
pilots...Furthermore, health issues regarding women are argued as the
reason that some submarine services avoid accepting women...The Center
for Military Readiness, an organization that seeks to limit women's
participation in the military, stated that “Female soldiers [are], on
average, shorter and smaller than men, with 45-50% less upper body
strength and 25-30% less aerobic capacity, which is essential for
endurance”." (Wikipedia)
Ananda
Marga philosophy guides us, “In every sphere of life men have either
substantially limited the rights of women, or made the ability of women
to exercise their rights subject to the whims and caprices of men. Such
an attitude never existed among the primitive human beings who lived at
the dawn of human history. Nor had primitive men conceived of the
deceitful practice of establishing their supremacy by keeping women in
bondage in the name of social purity. Even today among primitive races
we do not find significant lack of magnanimity concerning the freedom of
women." (6)
Ananda
Marga philosophy states, “Actually, when there is no question of
women's rights having been snatched away, there is no need for a
movement styled on the trade-union movement. Whatever responsibility
there may be in this regard, it is entirely that of men. If at all a
movement is required, it must be implemented by men themselves. Today
men should consider the needs of women and gradually restore to women
the rights which women once entrusted to men out of feelings of
helplessness or in response to their heartfelt sentiments." (7)
License should not be encouraged in the name of libertyAnanda
Marga philosophy guides us, “When we pay recognition to any simple
truth, we should not be carried away by sentimentality. Only rationality
based on humanism is acceptable. As children of nature, women should
have the same access as men to light, air, earth and water. In fact, it
is not a matter of granting rights to women, but rather a case of
recognizing their rights. If, however, the recognition of women's rights
is treated sentimentally, it may result in great social disaster." (8)
Ananda
Marga philosophy guides us, “In most countries society is patrilineal.
The patrilineal system has some advantage over the matrilineal one.
There are two main advantages. The first advantage stems from the fact
that it is not as easy to determine the identity of the father as that
of the mother, and in the absence of any direct blood relationship the
mother's affection for her children is generally greater than the
father's. Under these circumstances the patrilineal system is much
better, for it awakens in the father a proper sense of responsibility
for his children and precludes the possibility of the children's
identity remaining unknown or concealed. And the father is compelled by
circumstantial pressure to take responsibility for bringing up his
children; and therefore makes an effort to properly preserve the
structure of the family. (Among less-developed creatures, fathers rarely
take care of their offspring due to the absence of this sort of
circumstantial pressure.)” (9)
Ananda
Marga philosophy guides us, “It must always be remembered that freedom,
or liberty, and license are not the same thing. The concept of women's
freedom is good, but license should not be encouraged in the name of
liberty. Giving license to either men or women could destroy the social
structure in a short time. Hence those who are the most vocal in
proposing the freedom of women must carefully consider the form this
proposed freedom shall take." (10)
Dogma: to spend their lives with ladles, tongs, & spatulasAnanda
Marga philosophy states, “The second advantage of the patrilineal
system complements the first. Since the relationship between the father
and the child is known, the mother naturally does not feel so very alone
in rearing the child. The physical and mental structure of a woman is
such that even though she may have all the requisite ability to take
care of her children, it is extremely difficult for her to bring them up
properly and to adequately provide for food, clothing, education and
medical care all alone; at the same time she has to keep her children
with her or near her, or else it becomes difficult for the children to
survive. Therefore if men, instead of women, take the main
responsibility for providing food and clothing, while women, after duly
attending to the needs of the children, where possible or in cases of
necessity earn money by working either at home or outside, neither the
children nor society will be adversely affected in any way." (11)
Ananda
Marga philosophy states, “I do not support the supposed wisdom of those
who advise women to spend their lives with ladles, [[tongs]] and
spatulas, because this is unrealistic. Necessity often compels women to
discard this convention. Such a system may suit a handful of rich or
upper middle-class people, but it has no value for day-labourers or the
poor. Many of those who loudly advocate equal rights and the freedom of
women, in reality keep their women behind a purdah or covered with a
burka. Even among such families I have noticed poor housewives going to
the market with their husbands to buy and sell, or to the fields, farms
or coal mines, voluntarily taking on light work. Evidently, they cannot
afford to behave ostentatiously and live indolently behind a lace
curtain." (12)
Manual labour: men & women cannot work in identical areas Ananda
Marga philosophy states, “Social interaction: There are diverse views
among those who formulate social codes concerning the free mixing of men
and women. It does not require much logic to convince people that the
final outcome of free mixing in an undisciplined society is unhealthy.
It is also true, however, that the absence of social interaction creates
a suppressed longing, a special attraction or an unhealthy curiosity,
as does the denial of other desires. This may lead to illicit mixing,
which eventually undermines social purity. A system that thwarts social
interaction is nothing but an attempt to suppress the mind. Where there
is illicit mixing, the only harm done to men is that they degenerate
morally, but the damage to women is far greater, because they may be
cast out of society in disgrace. Thus on the one hand, men and women
will have to be free to mix together socially, while on the other hand, a
well-thought-out code of self-control will have to guide their social
interaction." (13)
Ananda
Marga philosophy states, “However, there are people who, in the name of
giving equal rights to women in all spheres of life, want them to
engage in heavy physical and mental labour which is unsuitable for them.
Such an outlook is deplorable. It must be accepted that the physical
bodies and nervous systems of women are not as strong as those of men,
so men and women cannot work in identical areas. Apart from this, for
physical reasons women cannot work in the same way every day of the
month, and during pregnancy and the post-delivery period the ability to
work strenuously is severely restricted. These points must not be
overlooked." (14)
Making women wear burkas, are entirely farcicalAnanda
Marga philosophy states, “The trend of the age is irresistible, for in
this too there is dynamism. It is the duty of intelligent people to
channelize the trend of the age towards the path of benevolence by
applying their intellect. Neither the individual nor the society as a
whole is capable of resisting the powerful spirit of the age. It knocks
down anyone who tries to thwart it, and proceeds ahead with irresistible
speed. Those knocked down and sprawled on the ground stare at it in
utter helplessness, with dazed minds and vacant eyes, as it marches by."
(15)
Ananda
Marga philosophy states, “Those who want to keep their daughters away
from the influence of modernism, and are therefore reluctant to send
them to school and college, perhaps do not realize that long ago the
waves of modernism intruded into the privacy of their homes without
their knowledge. So their efforts to protect their daughters and
themselves by following the custom of purdah and making women wear
burkas, are entirely farcical." (16)
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000004.htmhttp://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/10/nyregion/li-hangbin-goes-on-trial-in-shaken-baby-death-of-his-daughter.html?_r=0References1. Human Society - 1, Social Justice
2. Human Society - 1, Social Justice
3. Human Society - 1, Social Justice
4. Caryacarya 1, "Social Relationship between Men and Women"
5. Yoga Psychology, The Human Body Is a Biological Machine
6. Human Society - 1, Social Justice
7. Human Society - 1, Social Justice
8. Human Society - 1, Social Justice
9. Human Society - 1, Social Justice
10. Human Society - 1, Social Justice
11. Human Society - 1, Social Justice
12. Human Society - 1, Social Justice
13. Human Society - 1, Social Justice
14. Human Society - 1, Social Justice
15. Human Society - 1, Social Justice
16. Human Society - 1, Social Justice
