Mistreatment of women in Double Yoke

A popular theme in Double Yoke that jumped out at me was the mistreatment of women in Nigeria. While Nko is obviously the main recipient of this mistreatment, the attitude Ete holds seems widespread. This, more than the physical beatings, is much more harmful.

The book started out with a positive light shone on women, with Ete praising the new female professor who had been so successful in her writing. This did not last long: he soon reprimands himself for holding a woman in such high regard, and his feelings go steadily downhill from there. He holds his mother in high regard, but for all the wrong reasons--because she is obedient, dependent, and holds no secrets. He pictures himself like his father, entirely in control and with a woman to take care of his daily needs.

The pinnacle of abuse comes during the dorm room confrontation. Ete, fueled by his disturbing double standard of expected innocence, simply does what he's observed growing up, and resorts to inflicting physical pain. Nko, in turn, does what she's observed, and goes back to him with little complaint.

I found these instances interesting in light of my sister's experience in Africa. After graduating from college, she joined the Peace Corps and is currently teaching chemistry and biology in Tanzania. The setting is similar: a small village, mostly poor, with limited access to the outside world.

I remember a call from my sister after the first month. Above all the shocking cultural differences, the treatment of females was the hardest for her to adjust to. It was not entirely similar, as she is respected and treated extremely well by everyone in the village, but not entirely different, either. One particular event stayed in her memory. While helping the mother of her host family set the table, the father made a suggestion for my sister to carry something to the dining room. He then set off for the dining room himself, carrying absolutely nothing. She was a bit taken aback by his lack of help, although soon grew accustomed to it. The women of the village are expected to do all the house work, while the men sit, read and drink -- not out of spite, but they simply to not think to help with a chore that is primarily reserved for women.

Other examples of inherent sexism exist, too. Girls are immediately kicked out of the local school if they are pregnant. It's amazing to me that things like this happen in the year 2009. I can only hope the attitudes discussed in Double Yoke are in decline.