Borderlands-the idea of woman coming out of the private sphere

[Aleasha Andrews]

On page 39, Anzaldua talks about the expansion of opportunities for woman. The options for woman were to become a nun, prostitute, or a wife. There is now a fourth option for woman, the option of being educated and independent. Anzaldua says that this is not available for all and that if you do not marry or have children you are perceived as a failure. How does this relate to the ideas presented in Mill’s text “The Enfranchisement of Women”? In addition, Anzaldua is a homosexual woman who was the first of her family to leave and show some of this fourth option. How do you think this showcases her marginalization of being a homosexual, independent woman who is perceived a failure because she will never be able to have children (due to her medical condition), or become married (at least married in the eyes of her society)?

[xiey]

I think this kind of failure is still based on our preset conception of women's superiority in the society, even though this concept has became less and less evident.

Like Anzaldua herself stated in the book, she is almost in a most awkward situation of finding the social identity. Her case shows the marginalization created not only by the border of land and gender, but also by the border of sex orientation and culture. Her decision on the fourth option is definitely a pioneer's action in terms of promoting to form a freer and more ethnic society.

[johnsond]

Essentially, it all comes down to social norms and how they restrict women's movement. Mill's text was written about 150 years ago during the earliest years of the the women's rights movement. With that in mind, a lot has changed in extinguishing those social norms that keep women restricted to the home and motherhood. However, not all of these conceptions have ceased which implies that a change in culture and social norms will take time. Many years have passed and society still holds many of these conceptions. Eventually, as older generations pass and make way for new generations, I believe that these norms will dissipate as women begin to step out from societal norms as Anzaldua had done. It will take time.