“Introduction to Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies” Kang, M., Lessard, D., Heston, L., & Nordmarken, S. Essay

Essay I

Chapter 1

The main topic of the first chapter in Kang et al.’s (2017) book is the advent of the feminist movement and its crucial impact on the development of other movements linked to civil rights and different improvements related to the quality of life. The thesis of Chapter 1 is that the ability to recognize the complexity of the current world and capitalize on the notions of equality and partnership could help people achieve more in the field of gender and sexuality studies.

Kang et al. (2017) introduce the readers to multiple concepts related to gender studies such as lived experiences, identity issues, social constructionism, intersectionality, and the structures of power. The authors start by stating that many populations are marginalized based on their unique characteristics. Kang et al. (2017) list the many feminist schools and thoroughly explain that the idea behind this ideology is not to degrade men but to help the community recognize the fact that many women are perceived incorrectly. The authors carefully outline the issue of identity as well, making it easier to understand how female struggles contribute to the lack of a higher quality of life across different societies. Ultimately, Kang et al. (2017) take social structures and dissect them to explain the need for increased visibility for women and altered structures of power.

The four main points that can be found in Chapter 1 are as follows:

• There may be numerous challenges related to how women could address the fact that “knowledge is shaped by the political and social context in which it is made” (Kang et al., 2017, p. 7);
• Not all women are the same in terms of their thinking, behaviors, and ideas, which makes it clear that the notion of “global sisterhood” is surreal (Kang et al., 2017, p. 14);
• There is a need for “change based on the concerted efforts of individuals, social movements and social institutions change” (Kang et al., 2017, p. 19);
• “Existing inequalities are neither inevitable nor immutable” (Kang et al., 2017, p. 22).

Kang et al. (2017) utilized the meta-analysis methodology and addressed numerous sources of literature, developing a thorough argument based on existing evidence. The most viable weakness of the introductory chapter is that it did not include any real-life experience to reinforce the ideas present in books and articles dwelling on the issue. Nevertheless, the strength of this chapter is that it gets the readers acquainted with the complex subjects easily and helps them follow the key argument on why women’s rights movements exist. Chapter 1 is a perfect introduction for a book that touches upon a rather sensitive subject from different perspectives. I believe that Chapter 1 is the epitome of why one would want to gain more insight into the complexity of the modern world and help all people live peacefully, evading any injustice.

Chapter 5

Chapter 5 of Kang et al.’s (2017) book dwells on the development of feminist movements over time and explains how and why they became important for human history. The chapter consists of four subsections and features numerous links to how every feminist movement is centered around the concept of praxis. The thesis of Chapter 5 is that the feminist movement continually aims to communicate with politicians and other decision-making bodies to deepen their commitment to assisting women in terms of achieving equality and fair treatment.

The chapter starts with a brief explanation of why feminist movements became essential for women and men who struggled with their identity and place in society. The first feminist movements, for example, were outlined as developing the “cult of true womanhood” (Kang et al., 2017, p. 107). Another subsection dwelled on the movements that took place during the 20th century, making it evident that females were affected strongly by the majority of activities that took place during that time. The civil rights movement and transnational feminism were also discussed by Kang et al. (2017). Therefore, the authors draw the line at the end of Chapter 5 and summarize the overall impact of social justice and feminist movements.

The four main points that can be found in Chapter 5 are as follows:

• “Feminist movements have generated, made possible, and nurtured feminist theories and feminist academic knowledge” (Kang et al., 2017, p. 105);
• “Certain social actors with power can construct the story and possibly misrepresent actors with less power and social movements” (Kang et al., 2017, p. 108);
• “Inequality also inspires coalitional activism that brings people together across race, class, gender, and sexual identity lines” (Kang et al., 2017, p. 117);
• “The emphasis on coalitional politics and making connections between several movements is another crucial contribution of feminist activism and scholarship” (Kang et al., p. 123).

Kang et al. (2017) systematized the majority of their findings to present a decent conclusion. The key strength here is that the chapter focuses on how feminist movements could improve the state of affairs while also outlining the potential areas of practice for non-feminist bodies. The core weakness of Chapter 5 is its inability to answer many questions that the authors themselves had posed at the beginning of the book. Regardless, it is a valuable source that provides readers with the perfect amount of information required to motivate them to act. I think that Chapter 5 is a vibrant mix of personal attitudes, evidence, and future feminist agenda.

Essay II

Chapter 2

The topic of Chapter 2 is the presence of constructions of difference and the necessity to challenge existing binary systems. The thesis of the chapter is that certain understandings typical of different genders are often erroneous and should be altered to an extent where dichotomies would become obsolete.

Kang et al. (2017) dwell on the systems of gender and sexuality to outline the socialization process and long-standing relationships between genders. Also, the authors touch upon the subjects of transgender people and intersex characteristics. Chapter 2 is an in-depth review of social and psychological sources of the impact that develop sexualities and either maintain or erode masculinities. The issues of class and race are also reviewed by Kang et al. (2017) to help the readers gain a better understanding of how inequalities continue to grow. As a concluding paragraph, the authors chose to list several viable alternatives to the binary systems.

The four main points that can be found in Chapter 2 are as follows:

• The problem with the society is that “ideas of men and women being complete opposites invite simplistic comparisons that rely on stereotypes” (Kang et al., 2017, p. 34);
• Existing conventional behaviors “are reproduced in part through socialization processes” (Kang et al., 2017, p. 36);
• The fact that “the culturally dominant binary model fails to accurately encapsulate the wide variety of sexual and gender lived experiences” makes it harder for unconventional individuals to find their place in the society (Kang et al., 2017, p. 41);
• Irrespective of how a person behaves within any hypothetical group or society, “our experience of gender is always shaped by our race, class, and other identities” (Kang et al., 2017, p. 52).

When completing Chapter 2, the authors collected certain quantitative data to make their arguments more resilient and redefine the field of gender studies by proving that several long-standing conceptions have to dissolve. The essential strength of the current chapter is that it provides readers with an extensive amount of information that could be processed with the help of critical thought. It may easily alter one’s opinion regarding the subject and make them more open-minded than before. The key weakness of Chapter 2, on the other hand, is an excessive focus on the role of class in the process of gender role establishment. Instead of it, Kang et al. (2017) could have addressed the preconceptions related to race, culture, and societal peculiarities.

A thorough overview of Chapter 2 makes it safe to say that Kang et al. (2017) possess an extensive knowledge base that allows them to share their race- and class-related arguments with the readers. Even though there are numerous notions that require explanations or clarifications, the authors never fail to support their claims with evidence and break down their argument into smaller portions in order for the readers to grasp the meaning and read between the lines. The suggestion would be to expand the section with alternatives to binary systems to aid the readers in terms of addressing the complexity of the contemporary world.

To my mind, Chapter 2 is an accurate representation of the modern society because it features numerous links to how socioeconomic factors force certain individuals to engage in specific behaviors that are not characteristic of people of other races or even community backgrounds.

Chapter 3

The topic of Chapter 3 is the presence of definite institutions, cultures, and structures that are either directly or indirectly linked to feminist movements and gender studies. The thesis of this chapter is that socialization is one of the essential sources of influence that should be considered when outlining the behavioral and cultural norms for younger generations.

Kang et al. (2017) discuss the notion of social structures in rich detail and make it evident that monolithic entities similar to movements, institutions, and formations may either strengthen or reduce the dynamism of the society. They also dwell on the ideology behind the concept of “family” and establish the incredible influence of family background on one’s view of the world. Another factor was the media, and Kang et al. (2017) stated that the majority of insights shared via social media and corporation-run sources tend to be deceitful. The authors discussed the value of actions completed in the areas of medicine, health, and correctional systems. Overall, Chapter 3 is a thorough overview of external factors that destroy diversity and make it harder to approach marginalized populations.

The four main points that can be found in Chapter 3 are as follows:

• One of the biggest issues with modern society is that “mainstream institutions often privilege and reward the dominant culture” (Kang et al., 2017, p. 60);
• Many modern societies fail to recognize the inherent value of families because masculinity is equated with “breadwinning” and femininity is perceived as the essential trait of “homemaking” (Kang et al., 2017, p. 66);
• Irrespective of the massive challenges existing in the field, “media consumers from different standpoints can and do modify and reject the intended meanings of media” (Kang et al., 2017, p. 70);
• “Institutions have an ideological facet—they are not only shaped by a particular cultural-historical period but also society is shaped and impacted by their interests, as well” (Kang et al., 2017, p. 82).

The methodology for the current chapter included a meta-analysis of the literature and an inquisitive case study that touched upon the lives of marginalized individuals and offered the readers several crucial insights into why institutions across the US represent a threat for the non-binary strategies and populations. The key strength of Chapter 3 is that Kang et al. (2017) back up their controversial claims with evidence and make sure that the readers realize the issues that are inherent in the legislation, policies, and even society. The weakness, on the other hand, is that Kang et al. (2017) pay too much attention to how different populations are marginalized on different levels instead of suggesting the possible ways of overcoming the issues.

Chapter 3 of Kang et al.’s (2017) book is a strong claim regarding the value that individuals not addressed by classical dichotomies could bring to society. Not only do the authors discuss the challenges that are characteristic of the “sidelined,” but develop an extensive argument on why these populations should receive increased assistance from the majority of external sources that address the needs of the perceived superior populations much more often. Personally, I believe Chapter 3 to be the most important out of the whole book because it treats diversity and equal opportunities with the necessary respect and sheds enough light on why culture and societal structures matter.

Essay III

The topic of Chapter 4 is the role of gender in the global economy. Kang et al. (2017) addressed the process of how gender contributes to the development of new jobs and innovation of their more common counterparts. The majority of ideas shared by Kang et al. (2017) revolve around the topic and appeal to readers via real-life examples. The thesis focused on the idea that multinational corporations would not be able to survive without the input of a diverse workforce, which also means that sexualized and racialized differences could bring several advantages to the table instead of hindering the US economy. This thesis is also reinforced in Chapter 5, where Kang et al. (2017) dwell on how the possible improvements in the economy could help minority populations overcome the challenge of remaining invisible even when actively promoting specific values.

In order to contribute to a detailed discussion of the thesis, Kang et al. (2017) outlined the role that marginalized populations played during the era of the strongest “glass ceilings” that averted women from taking on top positions in their companies. The authors of the book also dwelled on the existence of gender- and race-based limitations that forced the general community to display discriminating behaviors and disregard the matter of diversity as a whole. Kang et al. (2017) touched upon the issues of sexualization and racialization when discoursing the US welfare state and the process of feminizing poverty across the country. The authors put a special emphasis on the roles that many members of marginalized populations missed (or could not reach) due to the numerous prejudices and diversity-related problems. The global economy maintains a specific relationship with gendered, sexualized, and racialized types of labor, forcing many representatives of minority populations to quit and find jobs that fit the common societal image that had been polished during past years.

The four main points that can be found in Chapter 3 are as follows:

• As the authors stated in their book, “women are stereotyped as having natural caring instincts, and, if these instincts come naturally, there is no reason to pay well (or pay at all) for this work.” (Kang et al., 2017, p. 92);
• The lack of diversity and fair interpersonal relationships leads to a situation where “most individuals who receive welfare are stigmatized and construed as undeserving, while the corporations that receive subsidies are seen as entitled to these” (Kang et al., 2017, p. 94);
• Globalization is one of the most beneficial contemporary concepts in terms of business and production because it “makes it possible for social change activists in different countries to communicate with each other, and for people, information, and products to cross borders, with benefits for some and costs to others” (Kang et al., 2017, p. 96);
• The bigger issue is that gendered, sexualized, and racialized differences “characterize the globalized labor market” and make it harder for the policymakers and governments to close the gap in work and pay (Kang et al., 2017, p. 101).

Chapter 4 features a strong meta-analysis of existing literature that is converted into a set of claims that support the idea that many existing jobs are overly sexualized and racialized to satisfy the modern stereotypes and respond to the interests of the contemporary community. Even though the chapter does not feature a lot of statistical data, the authors adequately support their claims with real-life examples (or even examples from mass media and movies). The level of meticulousness with which Kang et al. (2017) collected and presented the data shows that they are well versed in the subject and have the capability of engaging the readers in the process of critical thinking.

While Kang et al. (2017) provide the readers with a great deal of vital information, the key weakness that can be pointed out is the lack of information regarding how minority populations from other countries mitigate the effects of prejudices and whether their experience could be utilized to overcome similar issues across the US. Another issue with Chapter 4 is that it draws the least attention to emotional labor, as Kang et al. (2017) choose to dwell on welfare and globalization instead. Even though these topics are also crucial, there has to be more background on why women are considered to be significantly less suitable for white-collar jobs than men with similar talents. Nevertheless, the strength of the book under review is that Kang et al. (2017) set up a powerful argument that perfectly reflects the needs of marginalized populations and makes it clear why the efforts of social change activists are so important to the modern economy. One more strong point is the authors’ ability to take on the experience collected throughout the 20th century and link it to the evidence that has been published by many reputable sources during the 21st century.

Based on the information presented in Chapter 4, it may be concluded that the world currently faces numerous challenges related to the process of coping with the effects of racialized, sexualized, and gender-induced thoughts, behaviors, and ideas. Even though Kang et al. (2017) acknowledge the need to address the gaps that exist in the up-to-date economy, they do not provide readers with any advice on how to mediate the negative effect of biased attitudes displayed by most community members across the country. There is a definite call to action at the end of Chapter 4 that engages the readers in the opportunity to close the majority of gaps with improved policymaking and new movements that would take on the areas of labor, feminism, and gender equality. Nevertheless, these problems are not going to disappear instantaneously, forcing social activists and the government to work together and achieve mutually pleasant outcomes. Chapter 4 is not the last section of the book, but it sets the tone for improved motivation and engagement, empowering the readers to become a part of the proposed change.

According to what I have learned studying Chapter 4, I would like to state that the role of globalization should not be underestimated because it serves as one of the most powerful unification instruments. Many social activists focused on labor inequalities could be interested in learning about the strongest suits of globalization to help the world get rid of pink- and white-collar divisions and provide all people with equal job opportunities irrespective of their sexuality, race, or gender. Under the condition where policymakers can consider all the factors mentioned above, there would be more room for the development of positive workplace environments where achievements or performance and not personal peculiarities would be appreciated more.

Reference

Kang, M., Lessard, D., Heston, L., & Nordmarken, S. (2017). Introduction to women, gender, sexuality studies. Independent.