It cannot be denied that there are numerous problems connected to unequal attitudes towards men and women in modern society. This situation encouraged many researchers to study these problems to develop a theory that will help to address them in the future. Due to their work, it has become possible to thoroughly analyze the present position of women in the world and single out the primary concepts that cause this inequality.
To begin with, it is necessary to think about the concepts that are covered by women and gender studies. In general, there is no doubt that common problems faced by men and women are extremely different, and it may have a significant influence on both our society and relationships between people of different genders. Due to that, it is necessary to study relationships and behavior in connection to gender. The discussed field is aimed at revealing the most important concepts connected to sex differences that exist or have been invented to fulfill various goals of the ruling class. Furthermore, it studies a wide range of important but difficult questions such as the distribution of power in society in connection to gender. Also, it is necessary to say that the materials studied within its frame involve elements related to different fields of science such as psychology, sociology, and history.
In general, it is hard to deny the fact that it is necessary to consider quite a wide range of disciplines to examine the problem and develop new solutions aimed at decreasing the influence of stereotypes and certain practices. The latter encourages society to regard women’s opinions and contributions as less important. Speaking about the concepts covered, I must say that all of them can influence and even change the lives of men and women. I believe that the most important and dangerous tendency having an impact on our society is sexism. These ideas usually offend women and make men feel that they are better, stronger, and even smarter. Also, common people of both sexes tend to be influenced by specific behavioral patterns that they are supposed to act by; these imposed stereotypes urge many people to deny their individuality and do only those things that the society expects from them.
The key concepts related to the course are reflected in many materials that we are supposed to get acquainted with; for instance, substantial research into the notions of patriarchy and androcentrism has been conducted by Johnson (332). The work raises many important questions relevant to the course such as misogyny that is widespread among common people and sexual objectification of women. Unfortunately, these things that are just a small part of unfair ideas supported by the present system often remain unnoticed and are regarded as essential and normal for human society. The range of problems connected to gender inequality is also touched upon in many videos. In one of her materials, Judith Butler explains her vision of gender and the way it is constructed (BigThink).
Gender stereotypes are also touched upon in the song performed by Beyonce; its text emphasizes the fact that the things connected to relationships that are expected from men and women are extremely different and it cannot be called fair (BeyonceVEVO). Another study devoted to gender construction has been conducted by the author who proves that people are urged to live and behave by a set of stereotypes once they start speaking (Lorber). What is more, the stereotypes connected to gender tend to make the lives of those belonging to racial minorities even worse (Poetry Slam Inc). All these concepts are also meaningful for me as I am a part of society. I have a few acquaintances and friends who accept these traditional unequal roles and they tend to be disgusted every time I do something that contradicts their vision. Furthermore, I have heard a lot of misogynistic ideas expressed by men of different nationalities. Worse still, these “jokes” are often supported by women I know. Thus, I have a vast negative experience related to the discussed concepts.
Speaking about gender stereotypes and its connection to the modern community, it is necessary to consider the idea that people’s opportunities to make decisions cannot push the limits set by society. To begin with, this statement cannot be argued, and there are a lot of things such as race and social class that define these limits (McIntosh). There is no doubt that gender belongs to one of the most significant things when it comes to decisions. Of course, there are certain differences between females and males as the biological functions of their organisms are not the same. The problem is that the differences are exaggerated in modern society, and people often have to do senseless things that they do not like to meet specific requirements imposed on people of their gender. What is more, it is necessary to say that the power of these stereotypes tends to depend upon the type of culture. For instance, in the countries where the majority of people are religious, unwillingness to follow traditional gender roles is often regarded as a grievous crime and such people may be punished.
In the end, the information presented by discussed authors and people of art helps to attract attention to the range of problems caused by a desire to control people (especially women) with the help of concepts propagated among people of different ages. I feel a negative influence of these ideas on my community, and it also emphasizes the importance of this branch of science.
Works Cited
BeyonceVEVO. “Beyonce – If I Were a Boy.” Online video clip. YouTube, 2009. Web.
BigThink. “Judith Butler: Your Behavior Creates Your Gender.” Online video clip. YouTube, 2011. Web.
Johnson, Allan G. “Patriarchy, the System.” Women’s Lives: Multicultural Perspectives, 2004, pp. 332-337.
Lorber, Judith. “Night to His Day: The Social Construction of Gender.” Race, Class, and Gender in the United States: An Integrated Study, vol. 6, no. 1, 2004, pp. 54-65.
McIntosh, Peggy. “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.” The Teacher in American Society: A Critical Anthology, vol. 1, no.1, 2010, p. 121.
Poetry Slam Inc. “IWPS Finals 2014 – Porsha O. “Angry Black Woman.” Online video clip. YouTube, 2015. Web.
Questions
- What exactly is Women’s & Gender Studies in depth? How are the issues/concepts covered relevant to your lives as women/men?
- How are the key concepts of sexism, patriarchy, androcentrism, gender, privilege, difference, feminism, the personal is political, etc. discussed specifically in the articles and videos posted? What stories can you share about how these are meaningful for you?
- “At the core of sociology is the idea that although individuals make choices about their destinies, they make them within the limits of the society in which they live” What does this mean in regard to gender?