Page 283 - Encyclopedia Of World History Vol V

2060 berkshire encyclopedia of world history

A Selection from Milestones by Sayyid Qutb

Sayyid Qutb (1906–1966) was one of the most influ- impulse, and the division of work is not based on
ential thinkers in Islamic revivalism. In his Milestones family responsibility and natural gifts; if woman’s role
he commented on women’s roles in Western society. is merely to be attractive, sexy and flirtatious, and if
woman is freed from her basic responsibility of bring-
If the family is the basis of the society, and the basis
ing up children; and if, on her own or under social
of the family is the division of labour between hus-
demand, she prefers to become a hostess or a stew-
band and wife, and the upbringing is the most impor-
ardess in a hotel or ship or air company, thus using
tant function of the family, then such a society is
her ability for material productivity rather than the
indeed civilised. In the Islamic system of life, this kind
training of human beings, because material produc-
of a family provides the environment under which
tion is considered to be more important, more valu-
human values and morals develop and grow in the
able and more honourable than the development of
new generation; these values and morals cannot exist
human character, then such a civilisation is “back-
apart from the family unit. If, on the other hand, free
ward” from the human point of view, or “jahili” in
sexual relationships and illegitimate children become
Islamic terminology.
the basis of a society, and if the relationship between
Source: Qutb, S. (1980). Milestones [Ma’alim fi’l Tariq] (p. 182). Beirut, Lebanon: The
man and woman is based on lust, passion and Holy Koran Publishing House. Retrieved April 17, 2003, from http://www.
nmhschool.org/tthornton/mehistorydatabase/sayyid_qutb_on_women.htm
Therefore, by 1970, the abortion issue emerged as a only under certain circumstances, such as when the preg-
central issue in the women’s reproductive-rights move- nancy was caused by incest or rape or when either the
ment in the United States. While moderate and liberal mother’s health or fetal health is impaired. Around
feminists argued for reforms in outdated abortion laws, 38 percent of women live in countries such as South
the radicals wanted nothing less than repeal of all abor- Africa, Norway, Holland or the former Eastern European
tion laws and the lifting of the government’s and the med- countries, where abortion is available upon request. In
ical establishment’s control over abortion. Their slogan other countries, such as Chile, Malta, and Andorra, abor-
was “the personal is political,” and they vehemently tion is strictly forbidden.
argued that all women, irrespective of race, ethnicity, and
class, should have the right to control their bodies and to Common
choose to have an abortion. Birth Control Methods
The increased politicization of the abortion issue Making informed choices about birth control is another
affected public opinion. By 1970 more and more Amer- crucial focus of the reproductive-rights movement.
icans believed that abortion was a private matter and that Activists for women’s reproductive rights argue that as
a woman should have the right to decide what was best it is the woman whose health is affected by pregnancy,
for her. In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v.Wade a woman should be the one to make the decision
legislation granted a woman and her doctor the right to regarding which birth control method to adopt. In
choose an abortion within the first three months of preg- many countries women’s birth control options are not
nancy. This was an important step toward legalizing only limited, but governments, pharmaceutical compa-
abortion, although the right to abortion continues to be nies, and husbands often impose their views. Generally
contested in the United States to this day. speaking, there are four birth control methods: barrier
Following the example of the United States, women methods, hormonal methods, mechanical methods,
activists across the globe are lobbying to legalize abor- and sterilization. The first method comprises dia-
tion.According to the United Nations, around 46 percent phragms, condoms, and the cervical cap.These contra-
of women live in countries such as Germany, India, ceptives provide effective means of preventing pregnancy,
Argentina, and Saudi Arabia, where abortion is available and the condom has the added benefit of protecting