Reasons For Female Terrorism-from The Perspective Of Female Gender Roles

With Terrorism increasingly bringing danger to international society,female terrorists have been drawing the public attention.This article mainly studies the reasons why some women participate in terrorist activities and the structure is as follows.To begin with,I think both of the definitions of terrorism,the history and status quo of female participating in terrorist activities should be mentioned before the analysis of reasons for female terrorism.So far,terrorism has not been a clear and explicit concept for complicated reasons.However,I argue that terrorism can still be sensed emotionally by the public and terrorism should involve these three faces: first,cruelly use violence and harm the innocents;second,lead to extreme fear of the public and have broad influence;third,pursue particular political aims.Afterwards,I introduce the history and current situation of female terrorism,as well as sum up some characteristics relevant with female status.For example,the main method of terrorist activity female terrorists use is suicide attacks;the attacks mainly happen in African and Middle East areas;the majority of female terrorists are Muslim;and one can also find that in those areas most attacked by terrorism the equality of gender is most worried,and the political rights least enjoyed by females.The second section is going to analyse the reasons for female terrorism.Criminology generally says that crime is caused by the interaction of different factors rather than decided only by one reason.So is female terrorism.But in this thesis I focus on one angle—— female gender roles to analyse its impacts on female terrorism.Firstly I talk about the meaning of gender roles and its influence on individual act,and then analyse the roles mainly played by women in terrorist organizations.In the last part,I analyse the impacts of gender roles on female terrorism.I first argue that gender role means strict behaviour rules posed on females,and these rules to some extent force women to abide by the orders of paternity and husband and participate in terrorist activities.Gender roles influence female individual behaviour in many aspects,like the pressure of families,the control of mind,the protection of so-called chastity,the bottom of social position,and the control of body.Apart from the influence on individuals,stereotype caused by female gender role gives an available tactic for terrorist organizations.Those organizations have already noticed the advantages of women which male counterparts do not possess.These functional advantages are as follows.Frist the clothes women wear is easier to conceal dangerous materials which can promote the success of terrorist attacks.In addition,the cultural taboos help women terrorist escape investigation of the security.Women are also controlled more easily so that the organizations can ensure their effective operation.Last but not least,women can arise public sympathy.At the same time,sexual stereotype also builds barriers for counterterrorism activities and investigation process,because they may not discover the dangers made by female terrorists.Even the media,who is always keeping sensitive,will be extremely excitedat female terrorism.Unfortunately,it will fulfil the goal of terrorist organizations to expand the influence in society.Subsequently,I also argue that some female terrorists can be aggressive and have their goals or ideals like men.This fact actually deviates from the stereotype caused by stable gender roles.Some women participate in terrorist organizations because they have their goals or ideals like men.They pursue these goals: the gain of honour and praise,the revenge for their beloved and relatives,the fight for people,the liberation for themselves,the influence of their lovers and fellows.If we do not pay enough attention to those ‘brave' and ‘rebellious' women,their danger will also be ignored.In the end,I consider and combine the influences of gender roles on individuals and organizations,and summarize the relationship between female societal status and female terrorism.I argue that it is social gender roles that promotes female to participate in terrorism.This is because females are always considered as the attachment of men and family and the faith wives and heroic.One the other hand,some women choose to use the radical and extreme methods to fight against the traditional social roles and oppression.Furthermore,outdated and fixed social roles make it harder to investigate female terrorists,thereby providing the chances of terrorist attacks.I also give some suggestions to solve this serious problem.It is urgent and pressing to abandon the outdated thoughts about sexual stereotype and eliminate the discrimination against women.We should be more alert for female terrorists.Moreover,promoting gender equality can not onlyhelp female dominate their own lives without being influenced by patriarchal culture,but alsoprovide female with a peaceful and legal method to protect their own rights.