Garvin D Watson

Instructor: Panayotis Thanos

Culture & Society
February 20, 2010

Osama

List specific examples from the movie, "Osama" of male and

female stereotypes. Explain each of these gender stereotypes in
the movie and their impact on the characters in the film? For
each one you list, discuss your reaction to that stereotype.
Explain.

In the Movie Osama Male and Female roles were the complete
opposite of each other. In Afghanistan the Taliban roles as the
Males are dominant compare to the Women. The Taliban ban women
from work outside the home, which also applies to female
teachers, engineers and most professionals. They only allow a
few female doctors and nurses to work in some hospitals in
Kabul. The female are ban from activity outside the home unless
accompanied by a mahram (close male relative such as a father,
brother or husband). Female are ban from being treated by male
doctors. According to research the Taliban Ban women from
studying at schools, universities or any other educational
institution. (Taliban have converted girls' schools into
religious seminaries).

As portrayed in the movie the women were required to wear a

Burga, which is a veil that cover’s the female from the head to
the toe. The Taliban rules authorized Whipping, beating and
verbal abuse of women not clothed in accordance with Taliban
rules, or of women unaccompanied by a mahram. Women who do not
obey the rules for non-covered ankles will be punish by whipping
.Public stoning of women are also allowed if a women is accused
of having sex outside the marriage, which can also lead to
punishment by death. The young ladies and women are not allowed
to use cosmetic product or the finger will be cut off. In the
Taliban culture women are ban from talking or shaking hands with
non-mahram males, the women are also ban from laughing loud, (No
stranger should hear a woman’s voice. After watching the movie
Osama I have I notice that this culture was very diverse from
our western civilization
Garvin D Watson
Instructor: Panayotis Thanos
Culture & Society
February 20, 2010

2) Think about the movie's big question: How does society

in the film respond to the gender discrimination and gender
rights? Discuss your views on this topic and on the
response of the main character in the film and on society
in the film. Finally discuss your thoughts and evaluate the
film from a sociology point of view.

The Taliban society Respond to gender discrimination in a

very negative way compare to western society .here in
America we value the women as equal when compare to the
Taliban culture women are to be seen and not heard. In the
movie Osama, the main Character was portrayed by a young
woman who also played the role as a Taliban boy. The roles
clearly show the viewer’s that the women in the culture
cannot survive without a male presence.

My view are; I strongly believe that the Taliban culture

are too strict on the female and they should allow women to
be free. The movie was a culture shock for me, because I
was not brought up to treat female in that manner , I
believe women should be love and allow to dress which way
they preferred.