Gender Studies – Unit One PowerPoint info and activities

Feminism

• A social approach that comes down to the idea of equality between the sexes. Feminists believe that although they are different, men and women are equal.

• Feminism recognizes that women have been oppressed and repressed in certain societies throughout history.

• It carries with it the commitment to affect and change the attitudes and behaviours of those who do not see men and women as equals in all aspects of life: political, economic, and social.

Women and men are more alike than different.

Men are not from Mars; Women are not from

Venus – we are all from planet Earth.

-- Michael S. Kimmel

Historical Study of Women & Sex and Gender Issues

• Done by men• Viewed women as inferior/as

objects• Excluded women’s

opinions/experiences

Gender Studies

• Studies performed and analyzed by both women AND men

• Views women as subjects and authorities on issues and experiences

• Inclusive of women’s opinions• Acknowledges differences between

males/females, women and men, but debates the significances of those differences

Important Terms for this unit:

Sex: "Sex" refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that define men and women.

Gender:"Gender" refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviours, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women.

To put it another way:"Male" and "female" are sex categories, while "masculine" and "feminine"

are gender categories.

Aspects of sex will not vary substantially between different human societies, while aspects of gender may vary greatly.

• Some examples of sex characteristics :• Women menstruate while men do not• Men have testicles while women do not• Women have developed breasts that are usually capable of

lactating, while men have not• Men generally have more massive bones than women• • Some examples of gender characteristics :• In the United States (and most other countries), women earn

significantly less money than men for similar work• In Viet Nam, many more men than women smoke, as female smoking

has not traditionally been considered appropriate• In Saudi Arabia men are allowed to drive cars while women are not• In most of the world, women do more housework than men

culture – the ways of living of a group. Include all of the accepted habits, customs, beliefs, ideologies, practices, traditions, and inventions.

norm – the rules of a group that indicate how members should behave and what attitudes they should hold

values – the basic and fundamental principles or standards considered worthwhile or desirable – these are what influence the norms.

Socialization

** the process by which we, as members of a society, learn to behave and think within that society. It happens over the course of our whole lives, but is most significant in our formative years. This occurs through agents of socialization – specific types of social contacts that influence our socialization. They are: the family, peers, and social institutions.

Social Institutions

An institution isn’t a building (that’s an institute)It’s a complex and formalized system of accomplishing a social goal or need in society. They have tremendous impacts on how we learn to the acceptable ways of behaving and thinking. Examples include: Education, Religion, Marriage, The Media, Culture (pop culture included), Sport & Leisure, Economic systems, and Government

Let’s look at Family

Gender socialization can happen early on. One study had parents describe their babies 24 hours after their births. Girl babies were more likely described as having softer and finer features, being more delicate and gentle, more delicate and sweeter. Boy babies were more likely to be described as stronger, more alert, more coordinated, and having stronger features.** the psychologists and medical staff present could see no differences between the sexes of the babies.

Family:

Can you think of any other examples of gender socialization that happens in the family?

i.e.-- assignment of household tasks/chores-- toys purchased/made available-- appearance praise-- clothing --modeling of behaviours

Education

- Research has indicated that boys and girls are often treated differently in schools

- Teachers are more likely to ignore or tolerate spontaneous remarks or unruly behaviour in boys, creating the idea that this behaviour is appropriate and masculine, whereas the reverse is true for girls.

- Certain subjects have been encouraged by authority figures relating to the sexes (math vs. the humanities), though this is changing with many programs encouraging girls in the STEM programs.

More terminologyStereotype: people or situations that conform to preconceived characteristics that allow individuals to make faulty generalizations about an entire group.

Prejudice – an unfavourable belief about members of a group, without the knowledge or experience needed to make a judgment

Bias – an unfair act or policy that is rooted in prejudice and prevents impartial justice

ROLES

Role: a role is a pattern of behaviours prescribed for and expected from a person that corresponds to their position in society or any group. (of course, a person may have many roles in their life)

What roles do you have? What are the expected behaviours associated with that role?

Gender Roles:

Expected behaviours, attitudes, and obligations that a society assigns to each sex.

This can happen in small groups, like the familyHusbands are assigned “Instrumental Tasks” like economic supervision and decision makingWives are assigned “Expressive Tasks” like providing nurturance and affection, emotional and nutritional support

What are some of the gender ROLES in our society:

Are Traditional Gender Roles Changing?

The Family

Work

Government

Law

One of the role systems that Feminism studies, and ultimately rejects is Patriarchy.

From the Latin: meaning father.Patriarchy is a system where males have privilege over females. Power is held and transferred through men. Men benefit more from the social institutions: law, economics, education, marriage, etc.Examples:

Misogyny

Misogyny is a feature of some, not all, patriarchal societies. It is defined as hatred or hostility toward women. In a society that subordinates women, many hold misogynistic views, or support misogynistic institutions. i.e. in Saudi Arabia, women are not allowed to drive. What views does this law suggest? How does the law effect women?

Equality

The condition of being alike in value – of having the same potential for accomplishment, and having the same inherent worth, in spite of any differences, biological or social, individual or group oriented.

Some activities and things for us to think about:

Jane and John are brother and sister. Jane is invited by a neighbour to a birthday party. John says he would like to go too, but when Jane and John’s parents telephone the neighbours, they are informed that it is an “all girl” birthday party, and John is not invited. As Jane and John’s parents, what would you tell them?

Discussion Questions:

Should men still do such things as open doors for women, stand until awoman is seated, and walk on the outside of the sidewalk?

Should women and girls (of any age) be encouraged to participate inbeauty pageants?

Should women retain their birth names upon marriage?

Can a feminist justify sending a child or adolescent to a school thatis sex segregated (i.e., all male or all female)?

Three Theories re. Gender

1. Gender as Essence:

Gender is a fixed and biological factor. It is innate and fixed. It is essential and universal. It is reflected in personality, behaviour, and attitudes. Males and females are different

2. Gender as Construct

The concept of gender is constructed and maintained through language and culture. It is not an innate quality – it is a social phenomena.

3. Gender as Performance

This theory suggests that gender is more fluid. It suggests gender is not something that is built in to us, but is based on what we do or “perform” – it is constantly being constructed and changed. It is not what we “are,” but what we “do”