Women Oppression
Erica Palladino
Ms. Susan Soltis
AP Language and Composition
13 April 2011 The Reality of Oppressed Women Around the World An underdeveloped, underprivileged country cannot prosper and stabilize if half of its population is marginalized. A Chinese proverb states that women hold up half the sky, inspiring Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn to write the book, Half the Sky. Their intention is to open people’s eyes to less fortunate women’s oppression. Their argument incorporates both logic and emotion -through both statistics and horrifying anecdotal true stories. These two journalists show that women’s oppression with regard to sex trafficking, violence and lack of education is essentially the equivalent of slavery. Over 150 years after the Emancipation Proclamation, why does something so similar to slavery still exist? Kristof and WuDunn explain that the situation can be altered, with the help of American government and personal donations. If America used 1/12 of 1% of the amount of money it spends on militaristic necessities, women around the world could benefit. Others argue that prostitution is not forced but a right to females. And those people argue that the United States has little impact on reducing human trafficking and increasing women’s rights. But that kind of mentality is incorrect, due to the fact that even the smallest aid will make an impact. Young females of Cambodia have to worry every time they leave their houses due to the disgusting acts of men and even women kidnappers. Kristof and WuDunn discuss one fifteen-year-old confident Cambodian girl, Momm, who was kidnapped, sent to a brothel, drugged, beaten, and forced to work every day- fifteen hours a day sleeping with male customers. The use of condoms was forbidden and she was never paid for her work. Food was just as infrequent; just enough was given to Momm to keep her alive. Kristof found Momm when he was writing about the local brothels, and negotiated with the brothel
Ms. Susan Soltis
AP Language and Composition
13 April 2011 The Reality of Oppressed Women Around the World An underdeveloped, underprivileged country cannot prosper and stabilize if half of its population is marginalized. A Chinese proverb states that women hold up half the sky, inspiring Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn to write the book, Half the Sky. Their intention is to open people’s eyes to less fortunate women’s oppression. Their argument incorporates both logic and emotion -through both statistics and horrifying anecdotal true stories. These two journalists show that women’s oppression with regard to sex trafficking, violence and lack of education is essentially the equivalent of slavery. Over 150 years after the Emancipation Proclamation, why does something so similar to slavery still exist? Kristof and WuDunn explain that the situation can be altered, with the help of American government and personal donations. If America used 1/12 of 1% of the amount of money it spends on militaristic necessities, women around the world could benefit. Others argue that prostitution is not forced but a right to females. And those people argue that the United States has little impact on reducing human trafficking and increasing women’s rights. But that kind of mentality is incorrect, due to the fact that even the smallest aid will make an impact. Young females of Cambodia have to worry every time they leave their houses due to the disgusting acts of men and even women kidnappers. Kristof and WuDunn discuss one fifteen-year-old confident Cambodian girl, Momm, who was kidnapped, sent to a brothel, drugged, beaten, and forced to work every day- fifteen hours a day sleeping with male customers. The use of condoms was forbidden and she was never paid for her work. Food was just as infrequent; just enough was given to Momm to keep her alive. Kristof found Momm when he was writing about the local brothels, and negotiated with the brothel
Cited: 2007). Rpt. in Human Rights. Ed. Jacqueline Langwith. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008 Controversies. Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 5 Apr. 2011. Viewpoints. Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 5 Apr. 2011. "Prostitution Is Beneficial." Prostitution. Ed. Tamara L. Roleff. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2006 Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 5 Apr. 2011