Week 12: Gender and the Future

For the last week of class, the topic for group presentations were about gender and the future. The group that presented Tuesday catered their presentation towards gender and bullying in regards to technology.

Cyber bullying is becoming a significant issue in today's society due to the advancement in technology and the lack of parental supervision. In addition, there are many types of social media that allow for cyber bullying to take place. Some examples include Facebook, twitter, My Space, and MSN. The ways in which people can bully others online varies from person to person. On Facebook, teenagers have the ability to post cruel and disheartening comments on peoples’ pictures and videos. With that being said, cyber bullying is more often associated with females than males. This is because there are large gender differences in the way the Internet is used. From the class presentation, we learned that males identify themselves as bullies more than females. They also display a positive attitude towards aggression. In addition, they show bullying activity towards both males and females in attempt to increase their social status. In regards to females as bullies, they tend to be loud, rude, and domineering. Females, however, mostly bully towards other females instead of both sexes like males. Females also use the method of cyber-bullying as a way of displaying their dominance or power.

During their presentation, the group asked the class the following question:


Do you think that bullying over social media will get better over time or is it going to get worse?

As a class, we collectively agreed that bullying over social media will only get worse. Unfortunately, as we progress towards the future, children do not understand how much of a negative impact bullying has on individuals everywhere. In cases such as Amanda Todd, it’s unfortunate that adolescents feel they must commit suicide to remove themselves from harsh bullying situations.

With the social problem of bullying, there are many solutions that can be provided. When discussing solutions, the main factor is about bringing attention to the issue. Bullying is not something we can continue to ignore. We need to continue events such as Sea of Pink to support individuals who have been bullied in the past. This brings attention to bullying as a significant social problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. From the parental perspective, our class suggested that adults could monitor Internet usage, watch for cues from their children, engage in open conversations and encourage communication on a daily basis. In regards to education, teachers can also provide solutions for the problem of bullying and cyber bullying. Schools should monitor and lock certain websites from student access. In addition, I think it’s important for schools to educate students on cyber bullying and create a safe environment where students feel comfortable at all times. In conclusion, we ALL need to get on the same page and help protect the youth in contemporary society. Today’s children are the adults of the future and we cannot continue to let them end their lives. Bullying is not acceptable and needs to come to an end IMMEDIATELY. We need to hold adolescents accountable for the serious actions they commit in regards to physically and emotionally harming their peers.

Week 11: Gender and Sexuality

The topic for this week's presentations were about gender and sexuality. Our group presented on Tuesday and focused our project on the adult entertainment industry and pornography stars. This topic, like many others, can be controversial because of the many opinions held on the subject.

Our group and classmates agreed that the portrayal of sexuality is becoming a significant issue within Western society. Both men and women are highly sexualized in magazines, movies, and advertisements. Unfortunately, this gives messages to individuals on how they should look and act for the opposite sex.

The adult entertainment industry is an extremely successful business as it generates $13 billion/ year in the United States. In addition, internet porn produces $3 billion/ year.  This information was found in Covenant Eyes: Pornography Statistics, 2013.

For my group's presentation and paper, we argued that sexuality in pornography reinforces gender stereotypes through society's norms. During our presentation, we asked a series of questions following the trailer for the documentary After Porn Ends. The documentary is available online, but signing into YouTube is required as it contains restricting contact. This is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ-R-QIg0ZA. The trailer to the documentary can be found below, but does not require a sign-in to view the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV5lSmDWk24

To begin our presentation, we asked the class to provide a definition for pornography. The class defined porn as the sexual act that has been documented for other individuals to use as sexual stimulation. The class also pointed out that the pornography industry has become more acceptable in today's society because society is over sexualized. When analyzing the reasons why people go into this kind of career in the first place, many explanations were provided from the film. Some individuals are just not suited for 9-5 work. The one woman from the film explained that she cannot work all day everyday in an office setting because she hardly sees her young daughter. Therefore, she chose to do porn, where her hours are more suited to her personal needs and the flexible hours provided more time she can spend with her family. With that being said, a large percentage of men and women choose porn for financial reasons. It's easier and faster to make decent money, which allows individuals to get out of debt or purchase a house if they are homeless. Who are we to judge a person when we do not know what it is like to live on the streets? Or need money bad enough to do anything for it? How is it right to call someone irresponsible for making money to provide for their children and support their family in the best way they think they can?

Pornography can be a frustrating topic to discuss because of the varying views, but in my opinion I believe individuals should be given a second chance to lead a normal life after porn. I don't think people should be judged based on the things they did in their past, as long as the career they decide to do following porn does not cause harm to those involved. For example, if a person wants to become a teacher after leaving the pornography industry, at first I would be skeptical. After acknowledging the individual's ability to be responsible, mature, a good role model, etc. I wouldn't have a problem with my child being in their class. Side note: This does NOT matter if the teacher is a male or female, I would still feel the same way. I will always have a concern for my child/ children because when at school, I am trusting their life in the hands of someone else.

To conclude, even though there is a gender divide between men and women in the porn business, it doesn't make sense for people to judge individuals in this industry, as society continues to create the demand for pornography. Where there is demand, there will be supply.

Week 10: Reproducing and Resisting Stereotypes

Week ten's lectures and presentations focused on stereotypes and traditional gender norms. I found this topic particularly interesting because it is an issue I understand; yet do not know how to fix. With that being said, I am undecided at this time if gender stereotypes can in fact be abolished altogether.

After thinking critically about the issue of gender stereotypes, I personally tend to reproduce them more than I resist them. The main reason why this is true is because I am a stereotypical "girly girl." My favourite colours are pink and purple, I wear make-up everyday, I always have nail polish on, and I am concerned about my appearance on a daily basis. In addition, I enjoy cooking and cleaning, avoid bugs of all kinds and hate to get dirty.

While growing up I participated in a variety of athletics, but each one was cut short when the novelty wore off. Since I was a toddler, I have done ballet, gymnastics, swimming, figure skating, dance, and soccer. Gender norms are prevalent in sports, which is fascinating because there are often a men and women's league in many of the sports in today's society. With that, it is interesting to note that there are many professional male figure skaters in today's society, which is actually great to watch if the opportunity ever arrises. Men and women that are in opposite sport categories reminds me of the gender stereotypes that often take place in classrooms. If a little boy is interested in showing care for a doll, and a young girl is fascinated by trucks or dinosaurs, why does it matter which toy entertains them? Why does each kind of toy that is invented have to be catered to a specific gender of the childhood population?

The first group that presented on Tuesday asked the class if we thought a gender divide with tools and household repairs still existed. The question was answered in a variety of ways, as many students did not grow up in the traditional nuclear household that used to be considered the norm. Some students were raised by either their mom or dad in a single-parent household, while other individuals were raised by both parents or even their grandparents. In my family, we reproduce many gender stereotypes. My dad is often in charge of the mechanics, yard work, using heavy machinery, and cooking; while my mom has taken on the role of house cleaning, dusting, dishes, and caring for my brother and I. While my parents share some household duties, they typically divide the workload into "pink jobs" and "blue jobs." Although this is not a term we use in my house, there just happens to be some jobs that my dad can do better and other tasks that my mom is more efficient at.

When discussing the issue of gender stereotypes, one of the biggest areas of concern is the problem of gender-oriented professions. Basically, this means that often in society, the majority of individuals (for whatever reason) feel the need to assign an occupation to a group such as for males, for females, or appropriate for both sexes. I think this is problematic because it's ridiculous to divvy up all the careers in the world and expect everyone to choose the path that's designed for them based on their gender. If a male is a highly educated, nurturing individual, that enjoys helping people, then why can't be become a nurse or a teacher? And, if a woman is interested in architecture or working with large machinery, why can't she become a construction worker? The only way society will become a more accepting place, is if individuals mind their own business and let others pursue what interests them regardless of their sex. It shouldn't matter what gender people identify with because this does not change who a person is, except for the fact they are seen as a deviant for being different.

Week 9: Gender and Adulthood

This week's presentations were based upon the idea of gender during adulthood. Tuesday's presentation was about gender and motherhood. I found this topic interesting as it was not something I had given much thought to prior to the class presentations.

Our class generated a lot of discussion about motherhood, children, and women who go on maternity leave. Most of us indicated we would some day like to have children of our own, but understand what reasons are appropriate when considering the birth of a child. From my parenting class in high school, I learned that there are good reasons to want to have children and reasons that can be considered selfish. For example, women should have children because they want to have a child to care for and nurture, not because they want someone to look after them when they get old. As we talked about during Thursday's class, once an individual has given birth, you can't unhave that child and unfortunately is yours to keep unless you consider other options as an alternative such as adoption or foster care.

Another interesting discussion our class had this week was in regards to celebrities that are voluntarily childless. Examples of celebrities that do not have any children include individuals such as Oprah, Ellen DeGeneres, and Cameron Diaz. In Hollywood, there is a Childless by Choice club that indicates famous celebrities who have chosen not to have children for a variety of reasons.

More information about childless celebrities can be found at: http://entertainment.ca.msn.com/celebs/photos/hollywood’s-childless-by-choice-club

If I had to guess the reason why most celebrities are voluntarily childless, I would think it's because of their busy lifestyle. Most celebrities are full-time actors or television hosts, and do not have a lot of spare time. In the case of Rachael Ray (shown above), she's an American television personality, businesswoman, celebrity chef, and author, and it is evident that she is a very busy individual. At one point, she told People magazine she doesn't know how children will ever fit into her life. "I don't have time. I work too much to be an appropriate parent. I feel like a bad mom to my dog some days because I'm just not here enough." - Rachael Ray, 2013

One of the required readings for this week was "Women's Voluntary Childlessness: A Radical Rejection of Motherhood written by Maura Kelly. This article seemed to address some interesting points in regards to motherhood. The author first indicated that we live in a culture in which motherhood is central to feminine identity. Although this is sort of seen as a societal norm, I'm not sure if this is something I entirely agree with. A woman does not need to be a mother in order to be seen as a feminine. The article also expressed the view that women who do not have kids deviate from the norm and that the main reason women don't have children is because they're single. To explain further, the article indicated that being unmarried is one of the strongest predictors of childlessness.

In my opinion, I feel as though the main reason some women are childless is strictly due to personal choice. In addition, there are many factors that are associated with having children. Some factors include the cost of child rearing, lack of independence, and full-time occupations and careers that leave little time for extra-curricular activities such as raising children. I think it would be in the best interest of society if individuals critically thought about the impact children can have prior to making the choice to procreate. This is because babies are born innocent and require one-hundred percent support and dedication in order to grow up properly.

Week 8: Gender and Adolescence

Week 8 focused on the topic of "Gender and Adolescence." This week differed slightly from last week because we were concerned with children aged approximately 12-18 rather than toddlers.

This week's readings, presentations, and class discussions were interesting because they dealt with issues that concerned children who were old enough to comprehend gender and sexuality regardless of their young age and immaturity.

The first group presentation asked the class what qualities made a good role model. The following responses were given: responsible, confident, brave, has good morals, motivated, etc. On the slideshow, there were pictures of Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, and Lindsay Lohan. As a class, we were asked to determine which celebrities were considered good role models for adolescences. This was a difficult task for me because celebrities get a lot of exposure and strong criticism in the media and it's a challenge to determine what celebrities are good role models to adolescents and young adults. This is because of the age gap amongst individuals that look up to celebrities and people that are famous. In addition, the five celebrities that were used as examples during class all vary in ages and come from different backgrounds such as television stars, actresses, small town singers, etc.

 

The class generated some controversial discussion in the sense that many individuals are torn between what celebrities make a good role model for teens. This is because many celebrities make good impressions at first but either have a few bad moments that the paparazzi blow out of proportion, or they let their fame get the better of them and unfortunately fall from the top all the way to the bottom. I think it's important for parental figures to remain a strong influence in their son and daughter's life in order to help differentiate the good celebrities from the bad. With that being said, I think it's acceptable for a teenager to admire a celebrity for their voice, fashion, acting skills, etc. without wanting to emulate that celebrity. To explain further, I definitely want adolescents to have someone they can look up to, without wanting to drink underage, try drugs, or be sexually active to match the behaviour of their role model.

Another interesting conversation that occurred during class was the discussion of Miley Cyrus and Hilary Duff. Both celebrities started as child actors that were extremely well known, well liked, and extremely admired by adolescent girls. The difference between these two actresses is significant. On the one hand, Hilary Duff aged very well and did not have a lot of negative exposure in the media. This fact makes her appear as a great role model for both adolescents, teens, and adults.

In contrast, Miley Cyrus is on the opposite end of the spectrum. Many people are aware of her recent media exposure including her twerking act with Robin Thicke. This is one of the reasons why individuals feel she is no longer a good role model for young girls.

In my personal opinion, I think Miley Cyrus is going through the same phase many other celebrities have in the past. I assume the reason for the criticism towards Miley is due to her age. She is only twenty but wants to be viewed as an adult and no longer a child actor. This is understandable but it's difficult to accept because of the fact many adolescents are still viewing her as an appropriate role model. Despite her racy lyrics and provocative clothing, I think at times Miley can still be somewhat of a good role model to those individuals who know she is a celebrity and only acts a certain way to gain attention from the media.

Week 7: Gender and Childhood

This week is the beginning of our gender presentations regarding children and adolescents. Week 7's lectures and presentations were about gender during childhood. Our first presentation was called "Gender and Childhood According to Disney."

This class presentation illustrated many interesting points when it comes to gender stereotypes in Disney films. The group asked the class whether or not we thought Disney influenced children's views on relationships. Many of us agreed. The reason behind this answer is because of the stereotypical female image that is portrayed in many Disney movies. To explain further, many of the women in Disney movies are passive individuals who rely on their beauty to find a man. Also, these "princesses" are almost always thin, attractive, and sexualized, yet appear to be vulnerable too. Having these values depict the ideal female, can create issues that negatively influence children. In addition, this subconsciously teaches young girls that they need to be beautiful in order to find their prince charming or someone that will love them unconditionally.

With that being said, many Disney movies teach children (girls and boys) messages that are beneficial as well. Examples of positive messages include sharing, working together, being a good friend, etc.

While looking at YouTube clips that related to Disney movies and gender for this week's blog, I came across an interesting series of videos. They are called "Advice for Young Girls" and they are created by Belle, The Little Mermaid, and Snow White. These videos take the subliminal messages in Disney films and sarcastically express various pieces of advice that girls should definitely not follow. These videos may appear offensive, but they are meant as a form of humour to display how silly some of the role models for little girls are in a variety of Disney films.

The link below is the advice video from Belle from Beauty and the Beast. In this video, she explains (or mocks) that little girls should do the following:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uuk-h2ZYNJU

- Stick it out if you find a man whose big, hairy, and beastly but has a lot of money and a big house
- Eat dinner with your man, but sometimes don't because he wants you to be skinny
- Never settle for something that doesn't feel like it's a challenge
- The key to love is to tolerate everything
- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder... As long as the woman is good looking

These words of wisdom are just some of the ridiculous messages that Disney movies often display to young children. It's difficult from my perspective because I grew up watching Disney films on a daily basis. My generation thrived on movies made by Disney, and although some people argue they teach children mixed messages, I understand the point of view that they are also classic films.

I think the important message in terms of children's movies is confirming the understanding. Children need to know that movies are made merely for entertainment purposes and not everything that happens in movies is real, appropriate, or the right thing to do. It is the parents' responsibility to speak to their children about this, otherwise we have little girls wanting to be princesses that need rescuing and little boys feeling the need to be a strong, emotionless hero.

Week 6: Men and Masculinity

As I mentioned in my post last week (week 5), my blog for week 6 will also focus on the subject of men and masculinity. The reading I will be addressing is called “My Son Wears Dresses; Get Over It” by Matt Duron. This story can be found at the following link:  http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/09/my-son-wears-dresses-get-over-it/279333/

For those who have not had the opportunity to read this piece of literature, I highly recommend doing so. It is a very well-written and informative article. To briefly summarize this reading, the author explains his situation regarding his son who wears dresses, heals, and make-up. This is a piece of his life Matt keeps secret to his co-workers and only shares with his close friends. The reason behind this is because Matt is a stereotypical “guy’s guy” and does not wish for others around him to treat his son differently because he appears to deviate from the so-called norm. Matt supports every decision his son makes regardless of whether or not it’s a “masculine” or “feminine” one.

Within this post, Matt makes a valid point in terms of his son’s “differences.” Matt explains that what his son wears and what toys he plays with is irrelevant because his son is happy and evidently that is the only thing that matters.

During class last week, our professor introduced the children’s story “My Princess Boy” written by Cheryl Kilodavis. This story articulated similar issues that both parents were facing when raising their “gender creative” sons.

In the book, Cheryl explains that raising a boy that prefers to wear girls’ clothing isn’t wrong, and that we should be accepting of them instead of trying to change them. With that being said, it’s difficult to ignore the outside pressures that come from the remainder of society. It is clear that Mike and Cheryl are not the only individuals who are dealing with a son that likes the colour pink. Many parents around the world seemed to find Cheryl’s book to be a helpful tool when accommodating their effeminate son(s). 

The class discussion that derived from reading this storybook hit very close to home. My little cousin, Owen, is a Princess Boy. In fact, my aunt recently bought this book just for him. It’s difficult to understand what it means to be around a boy who wants to be like a girl unless you personally know one. It's easy to pass judgments on someone you've only casted eyes on but never spoke to before.

To explain further, Owen is your typical six-year old child who lives at home with his mom and dad. The only difference between Owen and other youths his age is that his favourite colour is pink; he loves sparkles; and would rather play with Barbie and Bratz dolls than trucks. Is there anything wrong with Owen? Absolutely not! Is he happy? Yes!

It doesn’t matter if this is just a phase or how Owen will be for the rest of his life, but what breaks my heart is how he will unfortunately be treated when he finishes grade 1. For now, other children aren’t overly concerned with his outfits or choice of friends (girls), but soon enough they will be. I’m worried about Owen’s safety when he gets older, and more importantly I’m worried about his feelings. Kids are cruel these days and I can only imagine the mistreatment and discrimination he will be subjected to in a short time.

I said this in an earlier post, and I am going to mention it again. The overall bottom line when it comes to children is whether or not they are happy, safe, and healthy. Nothing else should be a concern to other children, teachers, parents, or any other set of individuals who feel gender stereotypes need to be followed on a strict basis. Who said gender norms were normal anyways? What does normal even mean?

Week 5: Men and Masculinity

The topic of men and masculinity will be discussed for both week 5 and week 6 as it is a subject that is often ignored when learning about gender theories. Most of the importance is often placed on women from a feminist perspective instead of looking at both males and females. Our class also had a presentation on this subject and I will be including relative information from it in my post.

The reading I will be relating to this week is called "Masculinities and Athletic Careers" by Michael Messner. This article highlighted many interesting points in regards to men who play sports and the research behind young boys gaining an interest in the world of athletics.

Messner indicates that earlier studies of masculinity and sports argued that sports socializes men. He states that sports teach young males cultural values, behaviours (such as competition), toughness, etc., which are culturally valued aspects of masculinity. Who determines what "cultural values" are for males and whether or not they are appealing for the masculine population? With that being said, if men don't take an interest in sports, do they immediately deviate from the norm? How is this fair?

In the article, the author insinuates that sports are for men. He uses the excuse that men often take their sons to football or baseball games as a way of bonding or spending time with their male friends. It is important to note that this does NOT make sports a man's activity. Women can have an interest in athletics as well. However, men and women have different ways of showing his or her interest in a particular sporting activity.

During our class presentation, the group showed the class the following YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxyZ71k99zo

The video was called "What if Guys and Girls Switched Roles in the Gym." This video clip was fascinating as it showcased the idea of men and women changing places in terms of working out. For example, the women that were acting like men drank protein shakes, lifted heavy weights, and acted in a very masculine manner. As for the men acting as women, they socialized instead of doing cardio, they participated in yoga, and were showed by the men how to properly lift the dumbbells. Although these examples are popular stereotypes, it was captivating how men and women often appear to the opposite sex.

The last point I will discuss in this post is a topic of conversation that took place during our class presentation: issues that men or boys face. This is often a situation that gets overlooked by the general population. As men are supposed to appear strong, tough, and emotionless, it is often forgotten about that men have feelings too. Many men are taught at a young age to suppress their feelings in front of other individuals. Why is this exactly? Just because men have an ideal they are supposed to abide by does not mean they by any means have to. Women have a ridiculous model we are to follow as well. Neither expectation is realistic or even possible to accommodate as NO ONE is perfect. With that, why do we spend so much time TRYING to be someone we're not? Why can't we just be happy with ourselves and focus on more important aspects in life?

Week 4: Group Project

As there were no required readings in the course outline for this week, I have decided to take the time to discuss the subject for my group presentation that we will be doing near the end of the semester.

Our group has chosen the topic "Gender and Sexuality" from week 11. The point of this presentation is to select a YouTube video that relates to the week's themes and present it to the class. In addition, we are to link the video to one of the readings that were required during that week.

The video we have chosen is the trailer for the documentary "After Porn Ends." The trailer can be accessed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV5lSmDWk24

My group found this video interesting because it shows various perspectives of both men and women in the pornography industry, and how their lives were impacted afterwards. This video also showcased many women who were involved with porn, along with their reasons for turning to the sex industry in the first place.

One of the most outrageous statements made by a man from the porn industry was that he had no regrets at all. He claimed he had a great experience being in porn because he got to travel around the world and meet many interesting people. This is an extremely different perspective in comparison to how the majority of women felt after leaving the industry. Many women felt ashamed, embarrassed, and some were even depressed that they had been associated with pornography.

Everyone in the documentary had a different reason for entering the porn business initially. Some did it for financial reasons, as a last resort, while others had more unique reasonings behind their actions. For example, one woman, began doing porn in order to "prove" to society that porn is not full of dirty women. She claimed that filthy women were involved with porn, and she wanted to make a difference in regards to how individuals viewed the women in pornography.

Although everyone holds a different opinion in terms of the sex industry, it is important to remember not to judge a person based on their past experiences. As this is not a choice I have made personally, I cannot critique the women or men that are involved with pornography. It would be unfair to say I understand their life, when I do not know their family, history, nor their financial situation that often leads individuals to porn.

In sum, everyone has the ability to make a choice they feel is right for their lifestyle and it should not matter to society if someone's decision does not directly reflect the values and norms of the contemporary world.

Week 3: Difference, Inequity, and the Roles of Feminism

The reading I chose to reflect on this week is called "Shedding the Superwoman Myth" by Debora L. Spar. This article can be accessed at:
http://m.chronicle.com/article/Where-Feminism-Went-Wrong/141293/?cid=cr&utm_source=cr&utm+medium=en

In this reading, the author illustrated many interesting points about why women are simply unable to fulfil the role of being a superwoman. Although the author argues women cannot successfully have both a career and family alone, most evidence points to the underlining fact that we can have both, we just require the help from men in order for this goal to be achieved.

The most controversial point in this article states that women cannot have both a professional career as well as a family. Clearly this is not a fact, because many women attempt to juggle a job and children at the same time. However, the author feels that society holds unrealistic expectations in regards to this matter. She states that women can't work a sixty hour workweek in a high stress job and be the same kind of parent she would have been without the job and stress. This just happens to be true because of the amount of household chores us women are expected to complete on a daily basis. After arriving home from work, we must cook dinner, clean up the kitchen, help the children with any unfinished homework, wash a load or two of laundry, and prepare for the next day. If we didn't have this large amount of responsibilities to do around the home, there is a good chance we could be a successful career woman and a excellent motherly figure at the same time.

The next question the author proposed was whether or not women can find a way to balance their personal and professional lives. She asked if we could pursue our dreams (all of them) without losing our sanity. Is this possible? I think the answer to this question depends on who you are, where you're at in life, and what dreams you would like to follow. In addition, the author makes a valid point when she offers the fact that we need to realize having it all means giving something up. I agree with this 100% because realistically we simply cannot have it all. This is especially true if the journey in life we plan to take forces us to take an alternate route.

The last point I will be discussing from the reading is the first biological way that men and women differ. At first glance, this part of the article may seem obvious, but the author illustrates interesting facts that may not have been previously considered.

The first difference the author provided was sexuality. She explained that women are often interested in romantic entanglements rather than casual affairs. Is this true? The author adds that we are also more inclined to seek solace in relationships. Isn't that a normal reaction? And in regards to workplace complications, the author explains women would prefer to have a relationship rather than a sexual encounter. Why is this?

With that being said, the author feels that this puts us women at a disadvantage. I can't help but disagree. Just because the majority of men aren't looking for commitment and the majority of women prefer to be in long-term, serious relationships, doesn't mean that some men want a relationship while other women may like one-night stands. I feel like this is how stereotypes are produced. Individuals are often grouped together because they have similar interests and thus, the norm is created.

Week 2: Backgrounds and Perspectives

This week our class had two required readings: "Doing Gender" by Candace West & Don H. Zimmerman and "Undoing Gender" by Francine M. Deutsch. While both readings displayed a variety of interesting information, there are two parts I will be discussing in detail.

In the first reading, "Doing Gender" the authors explained the way they taught to differentiate between sex and gender in the late 60s, early 70s. I found this on page 125, and the definitions are as follows:

Sex: What was ascribed by biology: Anatomy, hormones, and physiology.

Gender: An achieved status: That which is constructed through physiological, cultural, and social means.

With that being said, the first issue was the discussion of gender roles in the article "Doing Gender."The authors articulated that it is uncommon to see individuals in occupations that aren't meant for their particular gender, such as a female doctor, or a male nurse. Sure these are uncommon, but are they wrong? Does the occurrence of something relate to whether or not it's the norm? Are norms created because of this? In reality, human beings can go to school and become whatever they wish to be... Regardless of their sex or gender. For example, if a female is interested in cars, she can become an auto-mechanic if she so desired. Personally, I don't understand what the big deal is. Typically your job is something you do for approximately 30 or 40 years, wouldn't you want it to be something you're interested in? Does it really matter what other people think of you? After all, it's YOUR job... NOT theirs.

During our discussion in class, a student brought up the fact that it is extremely rare to see a male dental hygienist assisting the dentist. Prior to this class, I had never thought about that before. All of my dental hygienists have always been women, but I never thought twice about it.

The second issue I had with the readings this week came from the second article "Undoing Gender." On page 108, the author stated that men do less housework because their greater income gives them the power to opt out of it. Excuse me? Does being the breadwinner give you the power to be the boss in otherwise what is supposed to be an equal give and take relationship? Thinking of that makes me consider becoming a brain surgeon so I don't have to do any household chores when I get married.

However, clearly this is not the case because many families deviate from the norm in the sense that men do the housework, while women fix things around the home. In addition, men and women who live on their own are then required to do both the pink and the blue jobs.

In my house, my mom irons my dad's work shirts and my dad is mostly in charge of cutting the lawn during the summer. He also shovels the driveway in the winter, and my mom cooks dinner a lot of the time. With that being said, my parents help each other complete almost every task, which is what should happen in every family environment. Chores are chores for a reason, and it shouldn't matter whose doing them as long as they are completed at the end of the day. Sometimes we need to pay more attention to the big picture, rather than the small details of whose holding the paintbrush.

Week 1: Why Study Gender?

Our first required reading in my Gender Theories class was "The Story of Baby X" by Lois Gould. In this reading, the baby was called "X" because the parents chose to be apart of an experiment where the sex of their baby was undisclosed. This meant that no one other than the mother, the father, and the child itself were aware of the gender of the baby. Not even close friends of the family or other relatives such as grandparents, aunts, or uncles were allowed to know whether the child was a boy or a girl.

In theory, keeping the sex a secret can be seen as a good idea for a variety of reasons. For starters, knowing the sex of children is blown out of proportion. Society places too much importance on such an insignificant aspect. It begins immediately after birth, in the hospital, where nurses hurry to swaddle the infant in either a pink or blue receiving blanket depending on whether it's a boy or a girl. Yes, this can be seen as "cute" because the baby is wrapped tightly in a little blanky, but right away it is placing too much importance on whether the child has a penis or vagina. Another reason why an unidentified child is a good idea, is simply because they can play with whatever toys they want. This can include dolls, play kitchen, barbies, dinosaurs, trucks, building blocks, etc. There is no pressure that the child can only play with one set of play items nor is the child judged for showing an interest outside of the normative sex group.

Unfortunately, this is just the beginning for gender stereotypes. It continues through grade school, while students are separated depending on their gender. This occurs when teachers tell the girls to line up at the door, then invites the boys to follow. In addition, there are only two washrooms at most schools; a washroom for boys and a washroom for girls. Students must identify with one particular sex in order to use the bathroom. In "The Story of Baby X", X had permission from the school to use the principal's washroom instead. With that being said, schools would need to change their policy if there were many students with unknown sexes attending their education facility. My problem with this part of the story is, how practical is it for multiple X's to be using the principal's washroom on a daily basis? Then again, can students (males and females) really share the same washroom because of parents who don't want them to be identified as a boy or a girl?

In the "X" article, it did not matter to the other children at school whether X was a boy or a girl. Of course they were curious, but after realizing that X was "cooler" playing with dolls in the playhouse AND playing sports during recess, other students felt it was better to be apart of both worlds instead of just one. The only individuals that had an issue with an unknown child in the class was the parents of the other children.

Realistically, all that should matter is whether or not the unidentified child is happy. All that should ever matter is if the child is happy and proud to be who they are. I know that in baby X situations, the decision to be unknown clearly has nothing to do with the child, but rather it is the decision of the parents. However, in every situation, a child's happiness is the greatest glory. Society needs to change its values and expectations because often deviating from the norm is what helps to make every child unique.