Synopsis of "Gender in Inuit Society" and "Conquest"

Gender in Inuit Society

Men and women in the Inuit society hold vastly different roles than those of men and women in modern American society. For example, it’s acceptable for men to have more than one wife, however, if a woman is caught having an “affair” she is frowned upon. Also, Inuit women must be submissive to men. This is apparent in their culture at an early age, and is seen through girls receiving more privileges than boys.
Therefore, in order for the Inuit society to function they must follow through with their cultural norms by dividing the men’s and women’s roles. However, in the social aspect of their culture men and women are equal in status.

“works cited”
Guemple, Lee. The Arctic: Gender in Inuit Society. University of Oklahoma Press, 1995.

Conquest

Andrea Smith depicts the realities of how Native American women and Native Americans were treated. Native Americans in general were treated with disrespect and were thought of as “dirty” people. Women were seen as lesser than both men and white men. Native American women were demoralized and dehumanized when they spoke their opinions. For, example, women were taken from their husbands and raped by white men while the husband had to sit outside the house and wait.

"Works cited"
Smith, Andrea. Conquest: sexual violence and American Indian genocide. South End Press, 2005.