Over time, the gender roles in Colombia have drastically changed. There are more traditional gender roles and there are also more modern gender roles. However, the majority of Colombia still follows traditional gender roles. We know the term “feminist” to be asserting female dominance and equality but there is also a term “machismo” meaning masculine pride. Machismo is common in rural areas of Colombia. “Men occupy a dominant role within the household as breadwinner and disciplinarian and assume responsibility for maintaining family pride and position within the community” (Colombia). This gender role does not surprise me because I feel that this is a common gender role that not only is common in America still, but all around the world. These gender role dates back to colonial times.
While typical-male roles are moderately consistent across all economic groups in Colombia, female roles vary due to modern economy and social rank. In upper class and some middle class families, women stray away from working outside the home to preserve family status, honor, and/or virtue. However, women from lower class and lower-middle class families often hold jobs outside of home to contribute to the family (Colombia). This gives the women a greater degree of equality which I 100% agree with. While women may not be able to do the same physical work that men do, I think they should be given equal opportunities to contribute to their family.
Upon doing further research on gender roles, I came across a disturbing article. This article discusses the extreme lack of gender equality in Colombia. It states that women in Colombia are often abused and even raped and it doesn’t get reported or if it does, sometimes there are no punishments for the abuser. The conviction rate for rape cases in Colombia is extremely low, in 2011 it was only 25 percent (Post).
Based on my research, it seems that the fight for gender equality is an underground battle. While it can seem on the outside that women are progressing and gaining equality, the undermining matter is that they are not. Women are getting raped, abused, and kidnapped and it is not getting addressed as it should be. While I am not trying to preach a feminist speech, I feel that women will never be able to have different roles without change in the country.
Colombia. (n.d.). Retrieved July 21, 2015, from http://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Colombia.html#ixzz3ga9a4fsd
Post, T. (2013, December 1). Colombia's Gender Problem. Retrieved July 22, 2015, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-morningside-post/colombias-gender-problem_b_4357321.html
While typical-male roles are moderately consistent across all economic groups in Colombia, female roles vary due to modern economy and social rank. In upper class and some middle class families, women stray away from working outside the home to preserve family status, honor, and/or virtue. However, women from lower class and lower-middle class families often hold jobs outside of home to contribute to the family (Colombia). This gives the women a greater degree of equality which I 100% agree with. While women may not be able to do the same physical work that men do, I think they should be given equal opportunities to contribute to their family.
Upon doing further research on gender roles, I came across a disturbing article. This article discusses the extreme lack of gender equality in Colombia. It states that women in Colombia are often abused and even raped and it doesn’t get reported or if it does, sometimes there are no punishments for the abuser. The conviction rate for rape cases in Colombia is extremely low, in 2011 it was only 25 percent (Post).
Based on my research, it seems that the fight for gender equality is an underground battle. While it can seem on the outside that women are progressing and gaining equality, the undermining matter is that they are not. Women are getting raped, abused, and kidnapped and it is not getting addressed as it should be. While I am not trying to preach a feminist speech, I feel that women will never be able to have different roles without change in the country.
Colombia. (n.d.). Retrieved July 21, 2015, from http://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Colombia.html#ixzz3ga9a4fsd
Post, T. (2013, December 1). Colombia's Gender Problem. Retrieved July 22, 2015, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-morningside-post/colombias-gender-problem_b_4357321.html