Some gendered practices in a Zulu family : a feminist perspective.
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Date
2012
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Abstract
This study on “Some Gendered Practices in a Zulu Family: A Feminist Perspective”
investigated gender bias, gender inequality, and gender stereotypes as seen in daily gendered
practices happening within the Zulu family. The practises examined are confined to the domain
of the Zulu culture, particularly the Zulu marriage. The four main research questions put
surveillance on how married women are restricted to move freely on the premises of their own
homes; how women can unhappily find themselves in a polygamous marriage; how a wife’s
dignity can be denigrated due to a man’s lack of understanding of her body anatomy; how she
can be denied equal status with her husband due to certain cultural beliefs and conceptions.
In the face of inevitable change that influences human behaviour, this study sought to show that
the Zulu nation, particularly men, find it difficult to easily and speedily accept that culture and
tradition are subject to change. The study attempted to establish whether there is any
improvement on gender transformation or not, especially within the context of the current
endeavours by the South African government to ensure that there is no gender discrimination by
having female representativeness in all spheres of government.
Progress has been made with regard to fair representation of women in political
and decision-making positions in all spheres of government. The country is
currently rated 7th in the world in terms of representation of women in legislature.
http://www.buanews.gov.za/rss/08/08120715451006-5/11/2012
Throughout the analysis and interpretation of both the statistical and qualitative data, I critiqued
the data to establish whether the gender transformation ideal is being achieved in the Zulu family
or not. Radical feminism, the theory through which this study was conducted, has helped to show
that Zulu women are still disadvantaged and oppressed due to social machinations that are
essentially invented by patriarchal men.
Description
Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.
Keywords
Zulu (African people)--Social life and customs., Families, Black--South Africa--Social conditions., Zulu (African people)--Marriage customs and rites., Married women--South Africa--Social conditions., Women, Black--Family relationships--South Africa., Women, Black--South Africa--Social conditions., Feminism--South Africa., Theses--IsiZulu.