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Subject:
What is female strength?
Category: Science > Social Sciences Asked by: dlandin-ga List Price: $30.00 |
Posted:
26 May 2005 05:09 PDT
Expires: 25 Jun 2005 05:09 PDT Question ID: 525793 |
What does the concept of "female strength" imply in Western culture, as opposed to the more traditional concept of "male strength" (i.e. big, fast, hard, powerful, efficient and other hard attributes)? Since "strength" is almost always defined from a man's point of view, a woman who exhibits traditionally male features is often perceived as being "strong". But female strength has to be something other than a woman acting like a man...right? Examples would be very welcome! |
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There is no answer at this time. |
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Subject:
Re: What is female strength?
From: badger75-ga on 26 May 2005 14:56 PDT |
If the traditional view of male strength is physical and stoic, then female strength would be more social, interactive and supportive. If men are competetive and independent, then women would tend to be more subtle and manipulative. Men would be apt to use a trial-and-error approach to problem solving, women would be more intuitive. Men would be more likely to try unconventional methods while women would be more follow-the-rules in achieving goals. |
Subject:
Re: What is female strength?
From: myoarin-ga on 27 May 2005 08:25 PDT |
The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. Behind every successful man is a strong/clever/intelligent woman. (Remember the joke about Hillary Clinton and the gas station attendant?) The mothers of Ottoman rulers not only ruled the haram, they were often the power behind the throne. There must be more sayings and examples of strong women who did not compete or succeed by stepping into the man's role - as CEO, commander (Joan of Arc) etc. |
Subject:
Re: What is female strength?
From: badger75-ga on 27 May 2005 14:43 PDT |
Then, of course, there is Lady MacBeth. |
Subject:
Re: What is female strength?
From: sweetpaws-ga on 28 May 2005 05:56 PDT |
Antigone in the eponymous play by Sophocles is one embodiment of female strength. If you were doing non-traditional casting you couldn't cast a man in that part. She is stubborn and more loyal to "what's right" than to rules of behaviour or the local hierarchy. In the Anouih translation greek to french to english this brute female stubbornness is even more explicit: "I am not here to argue with you Creon, I am here to say 'no' to you and die". She does, too. Female strength most always loses in the Western tradition. According to Robert A. Johnson in "Femininity Lost and Regained" (ISBN 0-06-016271-6) Harper & Row, New York) it is completely the opposite in the Hindu tradition, strong women win and are still beautiful. However even such a paragon as Dropedi in the Mahabarata went to hell at last, much to the sorrow of lots of girl readers. |
Subject:
Re: What is female strength?
From: sweetpaws-ga on 29 May 2005 05:52 PDT |
But you asked for examples, and perhaps you'd like something a little more contemporary than my Antigone. Emma Goldman and Rosa Luxenburg are at least starters and If I were making a list I would include Sinead O'Connor. Some say she's a nut case but so what. You asked for strong, not sane. Another non-contemporary is Queen Margarethe (or Margaret) of Denmark I, (not II). She did what no king has ever done, uniting the three scandinavian countries under one sovereign (her). The medieval scandinavian nobles were pretty rough stuff and there were several assiniation attempts and betrayals that had to be headed off quickly, but she lived in the midst of this stuff happy as a clam and just loving her job. She reformed a few other things too, she was very effective. Do you perhaps read Old Danish? Neither do I, but that where the best sources are. Good Luck. |
Subject:
Re: What is female strength?
From: badger75-ga on 29 May 2005 12:17 PDT |
Ah, strong political roles for women? They can be very diverse: Cleopatra Elizabeth I Margaret Thatcher Indira Ghandi Golda Meir Hillary Clinton? |
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