by Kimberly De Casas
Most Indigenous cultures across the globe are matriarchal. According to a quick Google search, matriarchal is defined as "relating too or denoting a form of social organization in which a woman is the head." This is almost completely unheard of in our own society. The United States itself is categorized under patriarchal. Again, as defined by a quick Google search, it would be "relating to or characteristic of a system of society or government controlled by men." The issue with having a patriarchal society stems from how men tend to view their women in anything having to do with their sexuality. This includes but is not limited to slut-shaming and more.
This article is based off the chapter of "The Individual"in "A Recognition of Being" by Kim Anderson, a widespread book based on reconstructing Native womanhood. For Native American women, when understanding their own individuality and/or self, they start with having a clear consensus on what life means to them. Life is not only sacred to them, but it is granted. In multiple Indigenous cultures, a woman is also seen as a scared life giver and the children they bare are their sacred gifts from "the Creator."
For many women in the United States, they are alienated when they become pregnant before societies "requirements" are met. These requirements include dating for a certain amount of time, marriage, and age. This is different in most Indigenous cultures. Instead, their elders are sure to remind them "that there is no shame in pregnancy because it is a new life in the world." (Anderson) The ridicule women in the United States often receive is a product of traditional Christian ideology in most cases. The idea of having a child out of "wedlock" is frowned upon. Instead of receiving backlash for having a child out of wedlock, Indigenous woman are reassured by their elders to appreciate their pregnancy. In turn, Anderson writes that the focus shifts to learning to more "effectively mother" her children.
Anderson, Kim. A Recognition of Being: Reconstructing Native Womanhood. Toronto, Ont: Second Story Press, 2000. Print.
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