Papers by Shereen Shaw
Much of the debate within the philosophy of gender puts forward the premise that the biological d... more Much of the debate within the philosophy of gender puts forward the premise that the biological differences between males and females are straightforward, whereas the social and cultural aspects of being a man or woman are much more complicated. (see Butler, 1990; El Saadawi in Shaw, 2017; Greer, 1971; Irigaray, 1987/1993) Through a Sartrean philosophical lens, I will highlight questions into the nature of our being, regardless of sex, gender, race, religion and culture, which are at the very heart of every philosophy of gender debate. The article presents an existential theoretical perspective on the notion of conflict and struggle. It aims to show how existentialism, as a twenty-first century philosophy, and perhaps as a view of life, transcends our contemporary understanding of gender and identity. The article posits that at the very heart of every investigation into the ontology of our being is the question of the nature of our struggles, first and foremost, with our being, and secondly, with our surroundings. To present some of the key principles, I will use narrative to bring to life Jean Paul Sartre's theoretical explorations underpinning his existential philosophy. In doing so, I will also highlight its relevance for exploring gender in embodied examples through one's life cycle.
Women's Empowerment for a Sustainable Future
British Mensa's ANDROGYNY, May 3, 2019
Much of the debate within the philosophy of gender puts forward the premise that the biological d... more Much of the debate within the philosophy of gender puts forward the premise that the biological differences between males and females are straightforward, whereas the social and cultural aspects of being a man or woman are much more complicated. (see Butler, 1990; El Saadawi in Shaw, 2017; Greer, 1971; Irigaray, 1987/1993) Through a Sartrean philosophical lens, I will highlight questions into the nature of our being, regardless of sex, gender, race, religion and culture, which are at the very heart of every philosophy of gender debate. The article presents an existential theoretical perspective on the notion of conflict and struggle. It aims to show how existentialism, as a twenty-first century philosophy, and perhaps as a view of life, transcends our contemporary understanding of gender and identity. The article posits that at the very heart of every investigation into the ontology of our being is the question of the nature of our struggles, first and foremost, with our being, and secondly, with our surroundings. To present some of the key principles, I will use narrative to bring to life Jean Paul Sartre's theoretical explorations underpinning his existential philosophy. In doing so, I will also highlight its relevance for exploring gender in embodied examples through one's life cycle.
This article sheds light on Egypt as a country that is full of wonders and yet many contradiction... more This article sheds light on Egypt as a country that is full of wonders and yet many contradictions. Women are expected to marry at a young age and yet all efforts to secure a suitable match are frowned upon. It is a mystery as to how women find suitable men to marry if all efforts are restricted by family, culture and religion. One may say that the revolution seemed to many a game changer for Egyptian women who marched in the streets alongside men. Several female protesters were injured and many reported incidents of being groped and sexually assaulted in theattack. Nevertheless, the protest marked a day were women voiced their feelings towards a tyrant regime. It was a first large-scale protest in the history of Egypt since the 1970s. President Hosni Mubarak had ruled the country for 30 years. People took to the streets to protest poverty, negligence, unemployment, corruption and autocratic governance.
Why gender is important to me and to the work I do: In the name of freedom, health, and good educ... more Why gender is important to me and to the work I do: In the name of freedom, health, and good education published in British Mensa’s: ANDROGYNY which aims to communicate interest, ideas and research to the wider general public.
Abundant research suggests that self-image is inextricably linked to the convoluted issues that g... more Abundant research suggests that self-image is inextricably linked to the convoluted issues that girls battle to conform with a media-driven ideal of beauty. The search for self begins during adolescence and thereafter. What we research alone is unable to do when speaking of the Middle East is shine a light on a culture little known beyond the Arab world -- even to people who visit the region. In the case of the Arab woman, the battle is never-ending. From early on, girls are shown how to dress, how to behave in the company of others, how to speak and how to be in the public eye. Taught from a very young age what they are and are not expected to become. Causes of negative body image begin at an early age with the realization that expectations and behavior are far more important than anything else. Some common causes of negative body image are a result of rape, sexual abuse and media images. In this article, I shall attempt to explore some of the profound internalized causes of negati...
his paper aims to offer a critical reflection on one of the most known names in Egyptian Feminism... more his paper aims to offer a critical reflection on one of the most known names in Egyptian Feminism and Psychology. Nawal El Saadawi’s name is known to many in the Middle-East for having been stained by social taboo, controversy and continuous debate over the past decade. She is one of Egypt’s most outspoken feminist writers and a Psychiatrist by training. Her profile has never been higher since the revolution in 2011 and its aftermath. In her time, she has stood for Presidency and advocated for women rights, anti-oppression movements, gender identity, freedom, and has campaigned against FGM and against wearing the veil for the most parts of her career. She defines herself wherever she goes as a proud Arab woman, an activist, a writer and a free- spirited Egyptian who demands nothing but full respect from men and from a society which still holds onto values and beliefs of a stagnant culture and religion. El Saadawi once claimed that her role is to link politics and society, to bring b...
Counselling and Psychotherapy Research
Acknowledgements
The research team wish to thank the young people, youth workers, and the teacher... more Acknowledgements
The research team wish to thank the young people, youth workers, and the teachers who so generously shared their time, their views, concerns and wisdom with us and without whom this report would not have been produced. This report and the educational programme that will follow from it is dedicated to the young people we were privileged to meet and talk to. ‘As symbols of the future, youth harbour the possibility of an alternative and more liberating world- view, and in doing so they constitute a threat to fundamentalist ideologies’. (Giroux, H. & Evans, B. 2016, 232).
The Psychology of Women Section Review, 2018
Nawal El Saadawi's name is known to many in the Middle-East for having been stained by social tab... more Nawal El Saadawi's name is known to many in the Middle-East for having been stained by social taboo, controversy and continuous debate over the past decade. She is one of Egypt's most outspoken feminist writers and a Psychiatrist by training. Her profile has never been higher since the revolution in 2011 and its aftermath. In her time, she has stood for Presidency and advocated for women rights, anti-oppression movements, gender identity, freedom, and has campaigned against FGM and against wearing the veil for the most parts of her career. She defines herself wherever she goes as a proud Arab woman, an activist, a writer and a free-spirited Egyptian who demands nothing but full respect from men and from a society which still holds onto values and beliefs of a stagnant culture and religion. El Saadawi once claimed that her role is to link politics and society, to bring both together in a fight for justice and to ask why. Why does she write? El Saadawi has contributed much to the psychological, feminist, and anti-oppression movements and literature because she is not satisfied with an oppressive culture, the rise of an oppressive regime after regime, and is fervently opposed to oppressive relationships with menthe "Other" she is not. Her fight is to change things in Egypt; and continues to be her motivation behind her very sharp tongue and her pen.
British Mensa's: ANDROGYNY, 2018
British Mensa's: ANDROGYNY, 2018
British Mensa's: ANDROGYNY is an international, peer-reviewed publication which aims to provide a... more British Mensa's: ANDROGYNY is an international, peer-reviewed publication which aims to provide a vibrant and engaging collection of works in a publication dedicated to intellectual debate, empirical research, and artistic expression centred on the topic of Androgyny. This hybrid internationally peer-reviewed 'journal x magazine' offers a quarterly designated safe space to discuss current affairs and topical issues first and foremost on Androgyny, but reaches out to related contemporary areas such as gender differences, identity & society, and discussions of equalities & equity. By collating pan-disciplinary works from contributors and distributing to an international audience, both within and outside of the subscribed members to this Special Interest Group, this 'journal-zine' brings together work from likeminded people to propagate teaching & learning, generate discussion, and provide a supportive community of contributors and readers who are passionate about this field. Authors should avoid using discriminatory language (e.g. sexist; ageist; racist, heterosexist, or otherwise). References should be in APA 6 th Style (2009), and be used sparingly.
British Mensa's: ANDROGYNY, 2017
British Mensa's: ANDROGYNY aims to provide a vibrant and engaging collection of works in a public... more British Mensa's: ANDROGYNY aims to provide a vibrant and engaging collection of works in a publication dedicated to intellectual debate, empirical research, and artistic expression centred on the topic of Androgyny. This hybrid 'journal x magazine' offers a quarterly designated safe space to discuss current affairs and topical issues first and foremost on Androgyny, but reaches out to related contemporary areas such as gender differences, identity & society, and discussions of equalities & equity. By collating pan-disciplinary works from contributors and distributing to an international audience, both within and outside of the subscribed members to this Special Interest Group, this 'journal-zine' brings together work from likeminded people to propagate teaching & learning, generate discussion, and provide a supportive community of contributors and readers who are passionate about this field. Authors should avoid using discriminatory language (e.g. sexist; ageist; racist, heterosexist, or otherwise). References should be in APA 6 th Style (2009), and be used sparingly. All contributions will be reviewed by the Editor and guidance will be offered if revisions are required. The aim is to publish works, not turn contributions away, but if in doubt about a topic area or an article you wish to submit, please contact the Editor on:
Books by Shereen Shaw
Springer Publication, 2021
Shame has been often been argued as a culturally bound emotion, which can affect a country’s citi... more Shame has been often been argued as a culturally bound emotion, which can affect a country’s citizens to varying degrees. Arab societies are often regarded as being heteronormative, masculinist, and patriarchal. These cultures are themselves in turn often synonymous with shame narratives associated with the suppression of women and sexuality. Arab women have therefore been gazed upon as objects or chattel among Arab societies and Arab men, leading to heavy critique being delivered by the Western World against the lack of emancipation and sexual freedom Arab women are seemingly able to have agency over. Having been suppressed and also having been viewed as suppressed subjects of society, we may question how authentically Arab women may lead their lives, and truly fulfil their sexual desires. The Arab World has, however, recently experienced huge political, economic, and social upheaval, most notably recognisable as the ‘Arab Spring’. Decades of political stagnation caused by petulant and immovable dictatorships came to an end across much of the Arab World, fuelled by violent uprisings by the public. Generally, it was younger members of these societies who grew frustrated with the lack of future thinking by their governments. They communicated their dismay and organised themselves for demonstrations via social media, whilst also using it as a platform to reach the Western World’s mass media. After the uprisings, new governments were formed across much of the Arab World, but Arab women found themselves with little extra freedom, but a greater hunger to rebel. This chapter will explore the reclamation of sexuality by Arab women and how their rebellion against centuries of suppression is tackling the culture of shame in which they continue to exist.
Shame 4.0 Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Culture Arab culture Moral rebellion Sexual liberation Social justice strategies Gender Women’s studies
Recent Publication by Shereen Shaw
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Papers by Shereen Shaw
The research team wish to thank the young people, youth workers, and the teachers who so generously shared their time, their views, concerns and wisdom with us and without whom this report would not have been produced. This report and the educational programme that will follow from it is dedicated to the young people we were privileged to meet and talk to. ‘As symbols of the future, youth harbour the possibility of an alternative and more liberating world- view, and in doing so they constitute a threat to fundamentalist ideologies’. (Giroux, H. & Evans, B. 2016, 232).
Books by Shereen Shaw
Shame 4.0 Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Culture Arab culture Moral rebellion Sexual liberation Social justice strategies Gender Women’s studies
Recent Publication by Shereen Shaw
The research team wish to thank the young people, youth workers, and the teachers who so generously shared their time, their views, concerns and wisdom with us and without whom this report would not have been produced. This report and the educational programme that will follow from it is dedicated to the young people we were privileged to meet and talk to. ‘As symbols of the future, youth harbour the possibility of an alternative and more liberating world- view, and in doing so they constitute a threat to fundamentalist ideologies’. (Giroux, H. & Evans, B. 2016, 232).
Shame 4.0 Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Culture Arab culture Moral rebellion Sexual liberation Social justice strategies Gender Women’s studies