The concept of purity is deeply rooted in many cultures around the world. It can refer to physical, moral, spiritual, and emotional aspects of human life. In some societies, it has become synonymous with goodness, perfection, and desirability.
This notion of purity is often used to exclude certain groups from society based on their perceived lack of purity. This paper will explore how nations sexualize stories of purity and contamination to justify political exclusion or cultural hierarchy.
One way that nations have justified political exclusion based on notions of purity is through the practice of caste systems. Caste systems are hierarchies where people are divided into different social classes based on their supposed purity or impurity. The Brahmanic caste system in India, for example, places Brahmins at the top as the most pure while lower castes such as Dalits are considered impure and untouchable. This division between castes has been justified by religious texts such as the Vedas which emphasize the importance of maintaining purity and avoiding contact with those who are deemed impure.
Another way that nations have used notions of purity to justify political exclusion is through gender discrimination. Women have historically been seen as the bearers of purity and morality in many societies. As a result, they were often confined to domestic spaces and denied access to public life. This was done under the guise of protecting them from external contaminants but also served to reinforce male dominance and control over women's bodies and sexualities. This can be seen in Islamic countries where women are required to cover themselves in public and men are expected to uphold modesty by covering up their physical desires.
In addition to excluding others based on purity, nations have also used it to create cultural hierarchies within their own borders.
In Japan, the concept of tsuma-iri ("pure woman") has been used to promote traditional values of femininity, chastity, and motherhood. Women who do not conform to these ideals are labeled "impure" and face social stigma. This hierarchy has led to discrimination against single mothers and divorced women, as well as pressures on young girls to get married early and remain virgins until marriage.
Notions of purity have also been used to control sexuality and relationships. In some cultures, premarital sex is taboo and considered unclean. Sex outside of marriage is seen as dirty or dangerous because it threatens the purity of society. This has led to strict laws around adultery and extramarital affairs, which are punished with harsh penalties such as flogging or even death.
The concept of purity is deeply embedded in our societies and continues to influence how we think about gender roles, sexuality, and intimacy.
It should not be used to justify political exclusion or cultural hierarchies that exclude certain groups from society. Instead, we must work towards creating more inclusive and egalitarian societies that value diversity and reject divisive ideas of purity.
How do nations sexualize stories of purity and contamination to justify political exclusion or cultural hierarchy?
Nations have historically used stories of purity and contamination to justify excluding certain groups from their society or enforcing social hierarchies based on gender, race, class, etc. In many cultures, women are considered to be inherently impure due to their menstrual cycles and childbearing abilities, which has led to them being excluded from religious rituals, public spaces, and decision-making processes.