‘—

assignment 07

Similarly to other readings we’ve read, men happen to be the “norm” and we tend to see women as another “kind”. Peterson and Parisi mention in their essay that androcentrism happens to be prevalent even in the concept of humans rights.  This androcentrism is a way of showing men’s dominance over every situation including laws of basic human rights.   Feminists have come to the idea that human rights are ultimately men’s rights, resulting in the the abuse of women’s live and shunning of women’s voice. The normalization of male dominance in any situation leaves women with no voice or no one taking women seriously.  This is the problem with androcentrism and is primarily why Peterson and Parisi believe that heterosexism is precise way of analyzing gender difference and human rights.  

Heterosexism is a way of  referring to sex or affective relations between people of the so-called opposite sex.  This is a better/precise way of analyzing the relationship of gender differences and human rights because we eliminate the lack of women and get an understanding of the opinions of women about their own rights, whether it is regarding their bodies, motherhood, finance, or even education.  Feminists analyse the state from diverse perspectives. They understand and theorize the ideological and institutionalized normalization of the patriarchal family household. Women are marginalized – not treated as ‘human’ agents – in relation to economic, social and cultural practices.  Women are not seen as a whole subject (a whole person) and because of this second generation rights often worsen women’s vulnerability and subordination by endorsing cultural beliefs that devalue women and deny gender equality. States often indirectly act to ensure gender hierarchy and its denial of women’s rights.

Heterosexism is a better way of ensuring human rights politically.  Because of the androcentric views we have today, women do suffer oppression, sometimes subconsciously because they probably are so used to it.  For example, I heard in Hunter’s MSA, a women cannot become the president. There is no cultural or religious beliefs behind it. I don’t think I’ve heard an outrage on that issue because it is so normalized nobody says anything it.  I think they have an androcentric system within them.