Woman Between Islam and Western Society
4. The Problems Facing Modern Civilization
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named Thomas. But after the birth of the child they
realized they again were in need of the same “man”
whom they had shunned to become lesbians. The
women are sensitive to the fact that Thomas needs
men as role models. Uncles, a grandfather, brothers-
in-law and male neighbours are encouraged to visit
frequently. “We have a good friend not too far from
here whom we have chosen to be a father image for
Thomas,” says Haaksman. “We’ll send Thomas
over to him for all the technical instructions.”
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Providing a “father” to Thomas in this artificial way
is in no way an alternative to a real father. It is
certain that some strangeness must remain between
such “sons and fathers.” And when Thomas grows
up, this unconscious strangeness will turn into
conscious strangeness. Thomas will know his
mother, but not his father. This vacuum in
Thomas’s life will produce different kinds of mental
complications, which will most probably make it
impossible for him to become a useful member of
society.
It is as if in the system of lesbianism there is scope
for producing girls but not boys. Even then, to
