Political Science: Analysis of Multicultural Citizenship in Australia

This Political Science assignment analyzes the news article concerning Jewish women being denied religious divorces in Australia, linking it to the broader themes of multicultural citizenship and minority rights. The student critically engages with readings from Kymlicka, Okin, and Bloemraad to expl...Read More

Running head: POLITICAL SCIENCE
Political Science
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-27/chained-women-jewish-wives-hostage-in-abusive-
marriages/9464038
This news article deals with the fact that many men in the Jewish community of Australia
have been denying to give the religious divorce to their wives. This has caused a stir in the
Jewish community in Australia (Gleeson 2018). This has caused a series of domestic violence
within the country. It has also been said that the men of the Jewish community have been using
their power to make women surrender their property rights, their money and the custody of their
children. Therefore, the main purpose has turned into getting financial benefits (Gleeson 2018).
The level of harassment has reached to a level where it has reached beyond the resistance of
women.
According to the article of Okin, it can be said that the women in different cultures are
expected to assimilate into the mainstream of the society (Okin 1999). She has provided the
example of France that can be attributed to this concept. The fact came out that the Magrebin
girls of France had to wear the traditional head scarves of Muslim people that was symbolical for
post pubescent young women in the country (Okin 1999). The concept of feminism in this
scenario gives a better understanding regarding the acceptance of multiculturalism within the
society. This factor is also very similar to the acceptance of Jewish women in the Australian
society by their husbands.
In the article of Kymlicka, this factor has been discussed through other examples. The
differences in the cultures of the human beings and their acceptance in the society is a very
crucial aspect of the society indeed (Kymlicka 1995). It has been said by the author that the
citizenship is a very vital step that should be included for everyone in the society. This would

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make people from different cultures to feel as a part of the society. The author has argued in
favor of assimilating the immigrants into the Australian society (Kymlicka 1995). Isolation of the
immigrants from Australian society will harm the people like Jewish immigrants.
The reading article of Irene Bloemraad has pointed out the strk reality about the
multiculturalism within the society (Bloemraad 2015). Canada is regarded as the first country
that has adopted the multiculturalism. There are certain political and legal factors that are
included in this sc3nario. The author has discussed on this matter with a wide range of variety.
The author has also pointed out that the countries should give proper focus to the citizenship.
Practically, citizenship is a very important issue and this is applicable to the Jewish people as
well (Bloemraad 2015) If the Jewish women get their proper recognition as valid citizens, they
can also take actions against their husbands for oppressions against them.

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Reference List
Bloemraad, I., 2015. Theorizing and analyzing citizenship in multicultural societies. The
Sociological Quarterly, 56(4), pp.591-606.
Gleeson, H. (2018). Chained Women: The Jewish wives being held hostage in abusive
marriages. [online] ABC News. Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-27/chained-
women-jewish-wives-hostage-in-abusive-marriages/9464038 [Accessed 11 Jun. 2019].
Kymlicka, W., 1995. Multicultural citizenship: A liberal theory of minority rights. Clarendon
Press.
Okin, S.M., 1999. Is multiculturalism bad for women?. Princeton University Press.

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