The question of whether women should go out to work or not is still being asked by many people today. This indicates that the question has not been answered. For me, women should be allowed to go out to work for many social, economic, and moral reasons unless they themselves decide not to.
First, women should work because the cost of living is very high. For many families, one source of income is not enough, and they need a second pay check to make ends meet.
Also, a non-working woman is usually vulnerable and disadvantaged. She may face serious financial problems in case the husband dies or falls sick or divorces her. One breadwinner at home is a game one should not trust.
Besides, granting women the right to work is a moral imperative. Women should enjoy the right to work, make money and provide for food, shelter and for her own personal items instead of begging the husband all the time.
Moreover, women are better than men at some jobs. Women make better nurses and teachers etc. Also, some cultures and religions prefer females in some jobs. For example most Muslim women patients prefer to be examined by a female physician and feel embarrassed in the presence of men doctors.
All things considered, to work or not to work is a decision that only the spouses should reach themselves based on their religious preferences, social class, and economic position.
By S. O.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
A Trip to the Mountains*
Not long ago, my friends and I decided to go on picnic to Ifrane, a small Moroccan resort town in the Middle Atlas Mountains. There were eight of us and we rented a van.
We met early in the morning on a cold Sunday at the agreed place – the Khémisset taxi stand – where the van owner had been checking the engine oil and water levels. It was very cold but no one dared complain. As we waited for the van to warm up, we walked around to warm ourselves and keep our feet from freezing.
When the driver asked us to get in, everyone rushed to the door, bumping into each other as we went. Each person urged the others to hurry.
It was much warmer inside the van. There was a rap song playing on the radio, and we tapped our feet to it to keep ourselves warm. Soon, the cold began to ebb and the sun peeked out from behind the lofty Atlas Mountains miles away.
When we arrived to Dayet Aoua, almost 12 miles from Ifrane, there were still clouds in the sky and the sun was playing peek-a-boo behind them. It was scary how calm the place was. There was no soul in sight and you could hear nothing except for the chirping of birds and splashing of fish in the water. The scenery, as well, was breathtaking: majestic snow-bonneted mountains and tall canopy trees that reflected in the water. The soft green grass all around the lake made us want to roll around.
The first thing we did was put up the tent near an umbrella-like oak tree. We, then, collected fallen dry sticks and twigs and built a fire to make tea and coffee for breakfast and warm ourselves.
By the time we finished breakfast, the sun had broken the clouds but it was still cold in the shade of the trees. So, we decided to play soccer while we waited for the lake water to warm up.
After swimming and playing in the water for almost an hour, we all felt extremely hungry. Everyone began doing their share to cook a Moroccan Tajine. It was surprisingly delicious considering not one of us had ever cooked Tajine before. As I look back, I realize that it was because of the proverbial sauce.
After lunch, I had my usual siesta while the others read, played cards, and listened to music. They also took photos of me asleep with my mouth wide open. I still have one as my cell phone screen saver.
Just as we were teasing each other, fighting, and laughing at the jokes we had played on one another, we felt the sun lose its strength. I looked up and saw thick black clouds gather in the sky above. We quickly broke down the tent, packed up our belongings, and set off towards the town of Ifrane before a torrential rainstorm hit us.
It was already cold, windy, and totally cloudy when we got to Ifrane. The first heavy drops of rain began falling on our heads like acorns. Still, everyone adamantly insisted on taking photos with the famous stone lion there. People usually pose with the ‘lion’ as evidence that they have been to Ifrane.
The rain was so heavy and fast that the windshield wipers couldn’t keep up with it. The driver waited for the rain to stop or subside because it was dangerously strong. However, it was so frighteningly beautiful.
The streets were eerily empty when the rain stopped and you could hear nothing but the sound of water gushing down the road. The sound of our van broke the town silence and startled the birds which had taken shelter in their usual roost trees.
We spent most of the trip back home with our cell phones and iPods in our ears.
Those who had their headphones around their necks were daydreaming and fantasizing.
“My backpack!” The words came from the back of the van like a rifle shot in a calm country night. With these words came the picture of Hassan’s backpack hanging from an oak tree a few steps from the lake. There was a moment of dead silence before complaints and accusations began to fly.
After much thought and discussion, the driver agreed to take Hassan back to the lake early the following day.
*Noureddine Boutahar (teacher)
We met early in the morning on a cold Sunday at the agreed place – the Khémisset taxi stand – where the van owner had been checking the engine oil and water levels. It was very cold but no one dared complain. As we waited for the van to warm up, we walked around to warm ourselves and keep our feet from freezing.
When the driver asked us to get in, everyone rushed to the door, bumping into each other as we went. Each person urged the others to hurry.
It was much warmer inside the van. There was a rap song playing on the radio, and we tapped our feet to it to keep ourselves warm. Soon, the cold began to ebb and the sun peeked out from behind the lofty Atlas Mountains miles away.
When we arrived to Dayet Aoua, almost 12 miles from Ifrane, there were still clouds in the sky and the sun was playing peek-a-boo behind them. It was scary how calm the place was. There was no soul in sight and you could hear nothing except for the chirping of birds and splashing of fish in the water. The scenery, as well, was breathtaking: majestic snow-bonneted mountains and tall canopy trees that reflected in the water. The soft green grass all around the lake made us want to roll around.
The first thing we did was put up the tent near an umbrella-like oak tree. We, then, collected fallen dry sticks and twigs and built a fire to make tea and coffee for breakfast and warm ourselves.
By the time we finished breakfast, the sun had broken the clouds but it was still cold in the shade of the trees. So, we decided to play soccer while we waited for the lake water to warm up.
After swimming and playing in the water for almost an hour, we all felt extremely hungry. Everyone began doing their share to cook a Moroccan Tajine. It was surprisingly delicious considering not one of us had ever cooked Tajine before. As I look back, I realize that it was because of the proverbial sauce.
After lunch, I had my usual siesta while the others read, played cards, and listened to music. They also took photos of me asleep with my mouth wide open. I still have one as my cell phone screen saver.
Just as we were teasing each other, fighting, and laughing at the jokes we had played on one another, we felt the sun lose its strength. I looked up and saw thick black clouds gather in the sky above. We quickly broke down the tent, packed up our belongings, and set off towards the town of Ifrane before a torrential rainstorm hit us.
It was already cold, windy, and totally cloudy when we got to Ifrane. The first heavy drops of rain began falling on our heads like acorns. Still, everyone adamantly insisted on taking photos with the famous stone lion there. People usually pose with the ‘lion’ as evidence that they have been to Ifrane.
The rain was so heavy and fast that the windshield wipers couldn’t keep up with it. The driver waited for the rain to stop or subside because it was dangerously strong. However, it was so frighteningly beautiful.
The streets were eerily empty when the rain stopped and you could hear nothing but the sound of water gushing down the road. The sound of our van broke the town silence and startled the birds which had taken shelter in their usual roost trees.
We spent most of the trip back home with our cell phones and iPods in our ears.
Those who had their headphones around their necks were daydreaming and fantasizing.
“My backpack!” The words came from the back of the van like a rifle shot in a calm country night. With these words came the picture of Hassan’s backpack hanging from an oak tree a few steps from the lake. There was a moment of dead silence before complaints and accusations began to fly.
After much thought and discussion, the driver agreed to take Hassan back to the lake early the following day.
*Noureddine Boutahar (teacher)
Friday, December 9, 2011
Smoking Teens
Although smoking is harmful and dangerous, many young people take it up. There are many social and psychological reasons why young people start smoking.
First, smoking parents and family problems cause young people to smoke. These problems include, among others, divorce and violence at home. Children also take smoking parents as a model. As the proverb says “like father, like son”.
Second, the stress of other social problems like poverty and unemployment may lead young people to smoke. They think that smoking relaxes them and eases their anxiety.
Third, there is illiteracy and ignorance which play a major role in getting people to smoke. Many young people do not know the risks of nicotine and take up smoking.
Fourth, advertising and smoking stars play a key role in encouraging young people to smoke. Young people smoke because of commercials influence and favorite actors.
Fifth, young people may smoke because they have friends who smoke. As the proverb says, “Birds of a feather flock together”.
Last, there are psychological reasons why young people smoke. They may smoke to show off, to look grown-up, or cool or rich. They may also smoke because they feel bored and need to keep their hands and mouths busy.
In short, smoking is costly to both health and pocket. So, parents, educators and health officials should all work together to help young people avoid and quit smoking.
By Z. A.
First, smoking parents and family problems cause young people to smoke. These problems include, among others, divorce and violence at home. Children also take smoking parents as a model. As the proverb says “like father, like son”.
Second, the stress of other social problems like poverty and unemployment may lead young people to smoke. They think that smoking relaxes them and eases their anxiety.
Third, there is illiteracy and ignorance which play a major role in getting people to smoke. Many young people do not know the risks of nicotine and take up smoking.
Fourth, advertising and smoking stars play a key role in encouraging young people to smoke. Young people smoke because of commercials influence and favorite actors.
Fifth, young people may smoke because they have friends who smoke. As the proverb says, “Birds of a feather flock together”.
Last, there are psychological reasons why young people smoke. They may smoke to show off, to look grown-up, or cool or rich. They may also smoke because they feel bored and need to keep their hands and mouths busy.
In short, smoking is costly to both health and pocket. So, parents, educators and health officials should all work together to help young people avoid and quit smoking.
By Z. A.
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