Gender Issues in the Works of Francis and Clare
Gender issues have lingered throughout world history and have played a significant role in the development of our society. The common issue between males and females has been about subordination—specifically, the act of subordinating women. Other common issues that rise among the sexes include: sexism at work, home, and church; domestic violence; hierarchy; education levels; segregation; and assumption of roles. Women have been put in situations where their thoughts and contributions were not valued the same as those from men. Also, women assumed a submissive role, in general, in the early development of society. These pertinent facts serve especially well for describing the status quo during European medieval times. It is imperative to note that this was very true even in the Catholic Church. Those canonized by the Church as being saints are not exempt from these historical occurrences. The lives of St. Francis and St. Clare demonstrate how these gender issues were played out during European medieval times. This paper will serve to explain how gender issues exist in religion, church hierarchy, segregation, and assumption of roles through the life experiences of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi.
It may seem that so much criticism of the Francis and Clare way of life would discredit their religious roles, but this is not the case. Francis and Clare were merely products of their society. They did the best they could with what they had, and they did it wonderfully. This paper was not meant to deface or discredit the validity of Francis’ and Clare’s devotion and addition to the Catholic way of life. Francis and Clare have added to the beauty and diversity of the Catholic religion and their teachings have stood past the test of time. Had their ways of life been discredited, the Franciscan religious order would not be in existence today. Medieval times were harsh and what we consider to be gender issues was commonplace. In those times they were not gender issues but rather the reality of life. Next, the works of Francis and Clare demonstrate how gender plays a role in determining religious hierarchy amongst Brothers and Sisters under God. To start, Francis uses gender to identify various life-giving properties that come from God (this will serve as a basis for how Francis sees the roles of men and women in society): Praised be You, my Lord, with all your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, who is the day and through whom You give us light…Praised be You…through Sister Moon and the stars, in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful…Praised be You…through Brother Wind, and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather through which You give sustenance to Your creatures…Praised be You…through Sister Water, which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste. (Francis, 39) Lastly, gender issues carried out via segregation and gender role assumption come into play through the written works of Francis and Clare. Starting a brotherhood, or sisterhood for that matter, is in and of itself a type of segregation. Women have been segregated in many fashions in the workplace, hospitals, public, and other places. Some of the reasons for the segregation do include a degree of comfort for the sexes (i.e.
Some topics in this essay:
Sister Water,
Francis Clare,
,
Brothers Nuns,
Lord God,
Ermentrude Bruges,
Clare Starting,
St Clare,
God God,
Constantly Clare,
gender issues,
francis clare,
medieval times,
roles women,
francis clare life,
european medieval,
gender role,
role assumption,
clare life,
act subordinating women,
assumption roles,
european medieval times,
st francis,
clare demonstrate gender,
role development society,
Join now to see the rest of the essay!
Approximate Word count = 1403
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
Example Essays Home
