Woman Between Islam and Western Society
4. The Problems Facing Modern Civilization
~ 181 ~
acknowledgement
of
the
rationality
and
appropriateness of the old traditional system. The
concept evolved by modem civilization that woman
does not need man as her supporter implies that she
should earn and be her own supporter. When this
principle was put into practice, it soon became
evident that a woman could not do without a
supporter. The only difference was in the name.
Formerly it was husband,’ now it is “the company.”
In old, traditional society, when religion was still a
positive force, men used to do whatever was
required outside the home, while women took care
of all indoor work. This was a division of labor
which was both practical and natural. But modern
civilization has held that this “division” is nothing
but sexual discrimination. It is this view which
launched the women’s liberation movement, and
encouraged women to come out of their homes in
order to take up employment in offices and
factories.
At an early stage it became apparent that under this
new arrangement, the path to progress for women
was strewn with obstacles. For example, when a
