The Shift in Gender Roles in Amy Tan’s 'The Joy Luck Club' and Khaled Hosseini’s 'The Kite Runner'

Abstract

The unfair gender roles under patriarchal system are constructed to preserve gender inequality between men and women. Gender role practices extend gradually to maintain the male hegemony to make women powerless because female traditional gender roles (femininities) create dependency to men. Men are assigned to masculinities equipped with power, whereas women are ascribed to femininities to set boundaries that limit their movement. Yet, the increase of female awareness of gender equality has changed this situation. Gender roles are gradually shifting from traditional to modern as the opportunities to receive education and job open widely to develop women's roles that enable them to give financial contribution to the family. This study was purposed to analyze the shift in gender roles in 'The Joy Luck Club' and 'The Kite Runner'. This study used qualitative design in which Chinese traditional gender roles were described using Confucian perspective, whereas Afghan traditional gender roles were exposed in Islamic perspective. Moreover, Karl Marx's conflict theory was used to analyze the shift in gender roles in both novels. The results of study found that the construction of traditional gender roles in both China and Afghanistan was influenced mostly by patriarchy which perceives men as more superior than women. However, the dynamic changes of gender roles, especially femininities, supported by the increase of female education and occupation provide women with more power to achieve development. Further studies are encouraged to analyze other gender roles which have not discussed in this study.

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“…However, one similarity exists across the globe: gender roles are not static and can change as the needs of society change. The increase in women’s education, employment and participation in the economy are some of the factors that contribute to shifts in gender roles [14]. While shifts in gender roles are more pronounced in European countries [15], changes in African countries are also being observed.…”

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“…This is possible because literature reflects author's experience and inspiration from the world. For example, in The Joy Luck Club and The Kite Runner novel, men's role is dominant in public settings (Afandi, 2020). It was only when woman characters were getting opportunities in education and occupation, their role started to change.…”

“…They found two kinds gender roles exist in the novel's society; traditional and progressive. Second, a study analyzed gender roles shifting in The Joy Luck Club and The Kite Runner novel using Marx's conflict theory (Afandi, 2020). The study found the shift roles increased alongside the increasing female education and job opportunity.…”