The role of Islam in shaping gender stratification for transgender individuals in the Middle East.
Instructions:
Prepare a research paper focused on some aspect of gender stratification.
IMPORTANT, ANSWER FOR ESSAY:
o What did you find out from your library research? You should strive to includeboth facts and your own analysis of these facts from a sociological perspective.
o If you wanted to study this in the field, how would you do it and why?
o Does the social construction of gender come into play?
o Is there gendered language at work in any way?
o Does gender socialization factor in at all?
o What role, if any, do the media play in the form of gender stratification you haveselected?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Influence of Islam on Gender Stratification for Transgender Individuals in the Middle East
Introduction
The intersection of religion, culture, and gender identity is a complex and multifaceted issue, especially concerning transgender individuals in the Middle East. This research paper aims to explore the role of Islam in shaping gender stratification for transgender individuals in the region and the sociological implications of this phenomenon.
1. Library Research Findings
Library research reveals that Islamic beliefs and cultural norms in the Middle East often reinforce traditional gender binaries, which can lead to marginalization and discrimination against transgender individuals. Sociologically, this creates a power dynamic that perpetuates gender stratification and reinforces societal expectations regarding gender roles and identities.
2. Studying Gender Stratification in the Field
To study gender stratification for transgender individuals in the Middle East, researchers could employ qualitative methods such as interviews, ethnographic observations, and content analysis of religious texts and media representations. This approach would provide insights into lived experiences, social perceptions, and the impact of religious teachings on gender identity.
3. Social Construction of Gender
The social construction of gender plays a significant role in shaping attitudes towards transgender individuals in the Middle East. Islamic teachings and cultural practices contribute to the binary understanding of gender, reinforcing norms that may stigmatize non-conforming identities and perpetuate discrimination within society.
4. Gendered Language and Socialization
Gendered language and socialization practices in the Middle East can reinforce traditional gender roles and expectations, limiting the acceptance and visibility of transgender individuals. The use of binary terms and narratives may exclude non-binary identities and perpetuate stereotypes that contribute to gender stratification.
5. Media’s Role in Gender Stratification
The media can influence perceptions of gender and contribute to gender stratification by reinforcing stereotypical representations of masculinity and femininity that marginalize transgender individuals. Biased portrayals in news coverage, entertainment media, and online platforms can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and perpetuate discrimination against gender non-conforming individuals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the influence of Islam on gender stratification for transgender individuals in the Middle East underscores the complex interplay between religion, culture, and social norms in shaping attitudes towards gender diversity. By examining these dynamics from a sociological perspective, we can better understand the challenges faced by transgender individuals in the region and work towards promoting inclusivity, acceptance, and social justice for all gender identities. Research and advocacy efforts focused on challenging discriminatory practices, promoting education and awareness, and fostering dialogue within communities are essential steps towards addressing gender stratification and advancing equality for transgender individuals in the Middle East.
