Eng4u-B Lesson 3 Key Questions

...

is no longer important to her. Catherine however alters her beliefs and physical appearance to meet the cultural requirements of beauty and adopts the traits and social trends of the African culture she becomes a part of. These women are viewed differently by individuals in the society they live in and could be influenced by these individuals.

Naheed spent her entire teenage years trying to meet the impossible male standards of beauty. The way she was viewed by men has influenced who she is today, she believes in wearing her hijab to give her freedom from these impossible standard of beauty. Catherine is also influence by the individuals in her culture. The way the Gambian women negatively view her and nickname her “Chicken-Hips” help to influence what she perceives to be beautiful. When Naheed was viewed negatively after her decision to where her hijab, she decided to keep wearing it and stick to her Muslim beliefs. When Catherine moves back to her western world and is viewed as no longer beautiful, she allows herself to change her beliefs and perceptions of beauty back to what they used to be although seeming somewhat regretful about the decision. As a result, Catherine fails to achieve the state of mind similar to Naheed, a woman with the strength to follow her own beliefs, silencing those of the society.

“Chiken Hips” and “My Body is My Own Business” are two great examples in writing concerning common cultural issues faced my women in our society. Catherine and Naheed deal with the cultural and societal issues differently from each other, they are influenced by individuals in their society and culture, and they are viewed by individuals differently, sometimes negatively, sometimes positively. These examples enforce the idea that society will be more ideal when individuals are better able to follow their own beliefs or values without facing societal scrutiny every step of the way.