worth<\/em>, which is the explanation many believers give for role divisions. For example, nurturing children and bringing them up to follow religious teachings (often a role given to women) is as important to a family as earning a living and representing the family at a place of worship (a role often given to men).<\/p>\nHowever, some people believe that men\u2019s roles are superior and may use this as justification for poor treatment of women. This is largely by men, but can be by other women \u2013 for example, by mistreating daughters-in-law and encouraging FGM.<\/p>\n
The term for men having more power or authority is \u2018patriarchy\u2019, and very few societies globally or historically have not been patriarchal.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Examples of patriarchal practice in the UK include:<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,1_5,1_5,1_5,1_5″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#aa2c4c” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||400″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” image_icon_width=”67px” admin_label=”Women\u2019s football was banned by the FA from 1921-1951.” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_layout=”dark” custom_padding=”32px|20px|20px|20px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Women\u2019s football was banned by the FA from 1921-1951.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#AA2C4C” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” image_icon_width=”67px” admin_label=”Women\u2019s football was banned by the FA from 1921-1951.” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_layout=”dark” custom_padding=”32px|20px|20px|20px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Women were not allowed equal voting rights for parliamentary elections until 1929.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#AA2C4C” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” image_icon_width=”67px” admin_label=”Women couldn\u2019t have a bank account or loan without a male (usually their husband or father) giving their backing until 1975.” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_layout=”dark” custom_padding=”32px|20px|20px|20px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Women couldn\u2019t have a bank account or loan without a male (usually their husband or father) giving their backing until 1975.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#AA2C4C” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” image_icon_width=”67px” admin_label=”Women couldn\u2019t be priests in the Church of England until 1994, and in the Church in Wales until 1996.” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_layout=”dark” custom_padding=”32px|20px|20px|20px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Women couldn\u2019t be priests in the Church of England until 1994, and in the Church in Wales until 1996.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#AA2C4C” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” image_icon_width=”67px” admin_label=”The line of succession to the throne was not in age order (all males first \u2013 only then females) until 2015.” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_layout=”dark” custom_padding=”32px|20px|20px|20px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The line of succession to the throne was not in age order (all males first \u2013 only then females) until 2015.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” module_class=”articleContent” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ background_color=”#451824″ custom_padding=”0px||1px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”In addition, daughters were sometimes viewed” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_css_free_form=”selector blockquote{|| border-color: #0d352e||}||selector blockquote:before {|| content: %22%927b%22;|| font-family: ETmodules;|| font-size: 3em;|| color: #0d352e;|| position: relative;|| transform: rotate(180deg);|| margin-right: 5px;|| display:inline-block||}||selector blockquote:after {|| content: %22%927b%22;|| font-family: ETmodules;|| font-size: 3em;|| color: #0d352e;|| position: relative;|| margin-right: 5px;|| display:inline-block;|| margin-top:13px;||}” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
In addition, daughters were sometimes viewed as a financial burden by their family and married off to the highest bidder, even by force at times. This is something that still occurs in poorer parts of the world today. What\u2019s important here though, is to understand that:<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb admin_label=”Forced marriage (where the people involved \u2013 most often the bride more than the groom \u2013 have no say and may be emotionally or physically coerced) is a social construct that has for some people become a cultural tradition.” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Forced marriage (where the people involved \u2013 most often the bride more than the groom \u2013 have no say and may be emotionally or physically coerced) is a social construct that has for some people become a cultural tradition.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb admin_label=”Forced marriage (where the people involved \u2013 most often the bride more than the groom \u2013 have no say and may be emotionally or physically coerced) is a social construct that has for some people become a cultural tradition.” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Cultural traditions are not the same as religious rules \u2013 even though people may confuse the two and even believe<\/em> it\u2019s a religious thing when in fact it\u2019s not based on scripture or teachings.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb admin_label=”Forced marriage (where the people involved \u2013 most often the bride more than the groom \u2013 have no say and may be emotionally or physically coerced) is a social construct that has for some people become a cultural tradition.” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Forced marriage is not the same as arranged <\/em>marriage, which involves consent by both partners.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” module_class=”articleContent” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ custom_padding=”0px||1px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Many religions and cultures have had forced or arranged marriage” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_free_form=”selector blockquote{|| border-color: #0d352e||}||selector blockquote:before {|| content: %22%927b%22;|| font-family: ETmodules;|| font-size: 3em;|| color: #0d352e;|| position: relative;|| transform: rotate(180deg);|| margin-right: 5px;|| display:inline-block||}||selector blockquote:after {|| content: %22%927b%22;|| font-family: ETmodules;|| font-size: 3em;|| color: #0d352e;|| position: relative;|| margin-right: 5px;|| display:inline-block;|| margin-top:13px;||}” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Many religions and cultures have had forced or arranged marriage as a feature for centuries, the reasons being:<\/p>\n
\n- Controlling wealth, land, or power.<\/li>\n
- Ensuring the family line continues.<\/li>\n
- Ensuring a wide gene pool (particularly in the Hindu tradition).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Within marriage, having children is seen as desirable across most religions. For example, Catholic teachings forbid sex unless there is the potential to create children, as the purpose of sex is believed to be procreation. Historically, this has caused many women to feel that their only role is to be a mother, perhaps feeling guilty or inadequate if they cannot conceive.<\/p>\n
In addition, there has been a traditional patriarchal emphasis on women being virgins prior to marriage. It was common practice in some cultures for the wedding bedsheets to be shown to family, or even to everyone there to \u2018prove\u2019 the bride\u2019s virginity. It\u2019s fair to say this focus on the woman\u2019s virginity is often more due to concerns that any children definitely belong to the husband than from respect for religious rules about virginity, which would often apply equally to both men and women.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” module_class=”articleContent” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ background_enable_color=”off” custom_padding=”2px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Hindu teachings prescribe four life stages,” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_free_form=”selector blockquote{|| border-color: #0d352e||}||selector blockquote:before {|| content: %22%927b%22;|| font-family: ETmodules;|| font-size: 3em;|| color: #0d352e;|| position: relative;|| transform: rotate(180deg);|| margin-right: 5px;|| display:inline-block||}||selector blockquote:after {|| content: %22%927b%22;|| font-family: ETmodules;|| font-size: 3em;|| color: #0d352e;|| position: relative;|| margin-right: 5px;|| display:inline-block;|| margin-top:13px;||}” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Hindu teachings prescribe four life stages, the first three of which apply to men and women alike, but socially, there is often more pressure on women to fulfil the householder stage.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”2px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ background_color=”#AA2C4C” custom_padding=”|||” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb admin_label=”Student (birth until marrying age).” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”12px|20px|12px|20px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Student (birth until marrying age).<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”2px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ background_color=”#AA2C4C” custom_padding=”|||” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb admin_label=”Householder (marriage, children, running a home).” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”12px|20px|12px|20px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Householder (marriage, children, running a home).<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”2px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ background_color=”#AA2C4C” custom_padding=”|||” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb admin_label=”Retirement (sharing wisdom, developing spiritually).” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”12px|20px|12px|20px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Retirement (sharing wisdom, developing spiritually).<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”2px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ background_color=”#AA2C4C” custom_padding=”|||” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb admin_label=”Sannyasin (an extreme level of spiritual development).” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”12px|20px|12px|20px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Sannyasin (an extreme level of spiritual development).<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”And also four main aims in life:” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_free_form=”selector blockquote{|| border-color: #0d352e||}||selector blockquote:before {|| content: %22%927b%22;|| font-family: ETmodules;|| font-size: 3em;|| color: #0d352e;|| position: relative;|| transform: rotate(180deg);|| margin-right: 5px;|| display:inline-block||}||selector blockquote:after {|| content: %22%927b%22;|| font-family: ETmodules;|| font-size: 3em;|| color: #0d352e;|| position: relative;|| margin-right: 5px;|| display:inline-block;|| margin-top:13px;||}” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
And also four main aims in life:<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”2px||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ background_color=”#451824″ custom_padding=”|||” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb title=”Dharma” admin_label=”Dharma” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_font_size=”22px” body_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Fulfilling your personal, social and religious duties. \u00a0How much importance is placed on each of these can vary within families.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ background_color=”#451824″ custom_padding=”|||” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb title=”Artha ” admin_label=”Artha” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_font_size=”22px” body_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Earning an honest living.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ background_color=”#451824″ custom_padding=”|||” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb title=”Kama ” admin_label=”Kama ” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_font_size=”22px” body_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Experiencing sensual pleasure without causing harm to others (so sex is not just about procreation, which is different to Catholic teaching, for example).<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ background_color=”#451824″ custom_padding=”|||” border_radii=”on|16px|16px|16px|16px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb title=”Moksha ” admin_label=”Moksha ” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_font_size=”22px” body_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Breaking free from the cycle of reincarnation.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” module_class=”articleContent” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_padding=”2px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”2px||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Please note, \u2018kama\u2019 is different to the concept of \u2018” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_free_form=”selector blockquote{|| border-color: #0d352e||}||selector blockquote:before {|| content: %22%927b%22;|| font-family: ETmodules;|| font-size: 3em;|| color: #0d352e;|| position: relative;|| transform: rotate(180deg);|| margin-right: 5px;|| display:inline-block||}||selector blockquote:after {|| content: %22%927b%22;|| font-family: ETmodules;|| font-size: 3em;|| color: #0d352e;|| position: relative;|| margin-right: 5px;|| display:inline-block;|| margin-top:13px;||}” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
\nPlease note, \u2018kama\u2019 is different to the concept of \u2018karma\u2019 (actions have consequences), which many people have heard of and which is used to indicate a person is paying for \u2018bad\u2019 deeds or being rewarded for \u2018good\u2019 deeds.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” module_class=”articleContent” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ custom_padding=”2px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”2px||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Kama includes enjoying sport, music, food and sex.” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_free_form=”selector blockquote{|| border-color: #0d352e||}||selector blockquote:before {|| content: %22%927b%22;|| font-family: ETmodules;|| font-size: 3em;|| color: #0d352e;|| position: relative;|| transform: rotate(180deg);|| margin-right: 5px;|| display:inline-block||}||selector blockquote:after {|| content: %22%927b%22;|| font-family: ETmodules;|| font-size: 3em;|| color: #0d352e;|| position: relative;|| margin-right: 5px;|| display:inline-block;|| margin-top:13px;||}” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Kama includes enjoying sport, music, food and sex. However, whilst the main purpose of sex is not procreation, there is a religious duty to try and have children (see the second life stage above) and there is considerable social pressure on many Hindu women not only to have children, but to have boys.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/cgm.gwasanaethdysgudigidol.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/25_3_3.jpg” title_text=”25_3_3″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”500px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”30px||1px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Shivashakti is a Hindu image which shows the divine” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_free_form=”selector blockquote{|| border-color: #0d352e||}||selector blockquote:before {|| content: %22%927b%22;|| font-family: ETmodules;|| font-size: 3em;|| color: #0d352e;|| position: relative;|| transform: rotate(180deg);|| margin-right: 5px;|| display:inline-block||}||selector blockquote:after {|| content: %22%927b%22;|| font-family: ETmodules;|| font-size: 3em;|| color: #0d352e;|| position: relative;|| margin-right: 5px;|| display:inline-block;|| margin-top:13px;||}” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Shivashakti is a Hindu image which shows the divine as one energy with male and female aspects. An obvious interpretation is for Hindus to view male and female as equally important. Similarly, there are many female deities, and many Hindus worship female ideas of the divine, such as Saraswati, Lakshmi and Kali (see below).<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” module_class=”articleContent” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ background_color=”#AA2C4C” custom_padding=”15px||38px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”30px||1px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/cgm.gwasanaethdysgudigidol.cymru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image.jpg” title_text=”image” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” module_class=”articleContent” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_padding=”3px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”However, women and girls are often not given” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_free_form=”selector blockquote{|| border-color: #0d352e||}||selector blockquote:before {|| content: %22%927b%22;|| font-family: ETmodules;|| font-size: 3em;|| color: #0d352e;|| position: relative;|| transform: rotate(180deg);|| margin-right: 5px;|| display:inline-block||}||selector blockquote:after {|| content: %22%927b%22;|| font-family: ETmodules;|| font-size: 3em;|| color: #0d352e;|| position: relative;|| margin-right: 5px;|| display:inline-block;|| margin-top:13px;||}” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
However, women and girls are often not given the same status as men and boys in some Hindu families. The same applies in many Sikh and Buddhist families too, even though both faiths have clear teachings promoting equality. A likely explanation for this difference between religious teachings and how followers live is the influence of society and culture on how people think and behave.<\/p>\n
In addition, rules that apply to both men and women may often be interpreted more \u2018strictly\u2019 for women than men. For example, the teaching in Islam for followers to \u2018dress modestly\u2019 \u2013 which is sometimes interpreted as women having to cover themselves from head to toe. It must be said though, that some women believe \u2018covering up\u2019 gives them freedom from being judged by their looks.<\/p>\n
Women being judged is an issue that is currently on the rise globally, including in North America and Europe, where some people are using Christian teachings and the Bible to justify their view that men are superior to women.<\/p>\n
For example, St Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 writes: \u2018Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission\u2019<\/em>. This has been used for centuries to bar women from being priests in many Christian churches, but it is now also quoted as a reason to ignore women who speak out about equality. Other examples can be found within the creation story from the Book of Genesis.<\/p>\nIn summary, the role of women in the family can vary due to a number of factors, which include religion. However, more often it is about the place, time (historical), politics and society in which the women and family live.<\/p>\n
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