Shubnum And Niima Summary

Author Jenny Nordberg interviewed several Afghan families and asked about their lifestyle. In different Afghan cities, males are the dominant gender; as they are in most countries. But in Afghan cultures men are free to work and have all the freedom that they desire, the women do not. Woman will dress up their daughters as boys, called ‘bacha posh” (meaning dressed like a boy), so they could have a male to represent the family or work if the family needed money. In the story of Mehran, Shubnum, and Niima, this means changing their appearance, lifestyle, and their self-identities. Nordberg shows the stories of how these young girls changed everything to help their families. Most people in Afghan cultures have known someone who was a bacha posh. Many families do this because they are in need of a son. This can range from all different walks of life. Any family can do this as long
I think the author’s main point in this article is that changing your identity is just a small price to pay for freedom. So what if you have to cut your hair or wear a pair of pants? This way you can have the freedom to be your own person in a culture that demands men. Speaking from a woman’s point of view, I would do anything to have more freedom and not be looked down upon as a lesser individual. Gender would be the number one sociological concept found in this article. Around the world, gender is the main division between people. Most societies sort men and women into separate groups and give them different access to property, power, and ranking. These separations usually favor the men. This is shown by how woman in Afghan cultures and other places all over the world are transforming themselves or their children into men to try and help their families or to try and make their lives