1. Explain the term 'gender roles'                                                                                                                                                                                     Gender roles refer to certain duties often applied specifically to males and to females.                                                            

2. Explain 'Nature' and 'Nurture' arguments relating to gender roles.                                                                                                                               The 'Nature' argument believes that our jobs and our capability to complete them are genetically coded in us, and is the view many traditionalists uptake. Women, for instance, are made by God for housework and motherhood, in the eyes of the supporters of the 'Nature' argument.                                                                                                                                                                                                                   However, some modern day thinkers are in favour of the 'Nurture' argument, whereby beliefs on gender roles are distinguished by the upbringing of one.                                                                                                                                                               

3. Which one of these do we find most convincing and why?                                                                                                                                             In our opinion, on the basis of the words of the Qur'an, we believe the 'Nature' argument is that little bit more feasible. As we quote "Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given them more strength therefore women... guard in their husband's absence." Islam accepts women to be equal to men, but takes account of the physical differences.                                                                                                                                                                                              

4. Explain the term 'patriarchal society.'                                                                                                                                                                              A 'patriarchal society' is one where men are at the forefront of everyday life, and often women are stripped of their basic human rights.                                                                                                                                                                                  

5. Outline key factors and the UK laws that helped to change the role of women within a British family?                                                                          There were some key events over the last century to change the role of women in society. One of those were the Suffragettes. This organisation campaigned, primarily, for women's rights, but also for the right to vote for women. During the early 20th Century, they organised protests such as Emily Davison jumping in front of the King's horse at Epsom.                                                                                                                                                                                                                   World War II allowed many women to get behind the war effort. The prominence in the factories proved their worth in society and later, got the right to vote. Many men were let dumbfounded, but some backed the 'Women's Vote' Bill, and in 1928, it was passed by both Houses of Parliament.                                                                                                                                                                                                               

6. In Islam, describe traditional views on the roles of men and women within a family. .                                                                                                     Many cultures of the East used to portray women as housewives, and sometimes even exclude them from education and work. The traditional view was that the man has to go and make money to sustain the family, while the woman’s job was to provide for her husband in terms of sustenance, and care for the children. However, sometimes extremities used to occur, such as complete betrayal, and being forced to wear a purdah, a full cover over the body, even though there is no reference to this in the Qur’an.                                                                                                                                                                                                    

7. Key scriptual teachings supportiong this view.                                                                                                                                                                 "She is leasing in her husband’s eyes…takes care of his possessions while he is away: the best of you are those who treat their wives best” Hadith                                                                                                                                                                                                                “ Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given them more strength…therefore righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in the husband’s absence what Allah would have them guard.” Surah 4:34.                                                                                                                                                  

8. Explain impacts of traditional views.                                                                                                                                                                                   Some are not allowed to be educated/ take part in further education                                   Some may not be allowed to choose their partner, or be forced into marriage.                                   A small number may not be allowed to work                                   A minority may not be allowed to go out of the house, because their husband feels that her duty is not fulfilled                                        otherwise.

9. Outline some media cases illustrating traditional roles of men and women.                                                                                                                      Malala Yousafzai was shot by the Taliban because she campaigned for the right for women to be educated. http://www.channel4.com/news/teenage-girl-shot-by-taliban-on-road-to-recovery                                                                                                          Some Saudi women defy driving ban in day of protesthttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24658753

10. Describe 'modern' views on the roles of men and women. 

.                                 Modern views on ‘Gender roles’ include men doing the same work as women, and sharing the duty of the                    upbringing of their children. Although some men oppose this, many women believe men should help out with traditionally                      ‘feminine’ jobs such as dishwashing and cooking as, if they don’t, the burden of work and chores is too large for them to manage.         Some counter arguments include that men have to go to work too, so the jobs should be equally divided, not more on men.          11. Outline and explain key scriptural teachings supporting 'modern' attitudes to gender roles.

                                “O mankind! Reverence your guardian-Lord, who created you from a single soul. Created, of like nature, its mate, and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women—fear God, through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (reverence) the wombs (that bore you), for God ever watches over you” (Qur’an 4:1) Teachings from the Qur’an show that husbands should deal with the norms in society when dealing with their wives and that all family matters should have a mutual conclusion. Also, man has been created equally by Allah, and all dealings should be equal, and is governed by Allah.

12. Explain the impacts on men and women due to the argument above. 

                                 Many women in the modern age pursue careers after their experience in the further education. Some women have even overtaken the average salary of men, and many men are sharing the traditional women roles like cleaning.

13. Outline some media cases illustrating modern attitudes to the role of men and women in the family.

                                 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/catherine-tinsley/stop-perpetuating-gender-_b_8812392.html

                                 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/this-is-what-it-meant-to-be-a-man-in-2015_us_5669c808e4b080eddf5763dc  14. Organisations campaigning for equality of gender.

                                 http://www.unwomen.org/en

 

                                 www.wewillinspire.com/

                                 www.wisemuslimwomen.org/about/

                                 Muslim Women's Sports Foundation | MWSF

                                 www.mwsf.org.uk/

15. Explain, with examples, how 'cultural' influences often go contrary to the spirit of Islam.

                                 Some supposed ‘Muslim’ countries discourage, and sometimes even ban education for women, even though the Qur’an and Hadith promote education throughout the holy scriptures.

Seclusion also seldom occurs, like the restriction on women to go out, even to the mosque. These acts should not be practised by Muslim believers, as women have equal rights to men in the eyes of the Qur’an and the Ummah.                                                                                                                                                             GAME BELOW