Coms 360 FInal
Key arguments in Sandra lee bartky "Femininity, Foucault, and patriarchal power"
"In contemporary patriarchal culture, a panoptical male connoisseur resides within the consciousness of most women: they stand perpetually before his gaze and under his judgment. Woman lives her body as seen by another, by an anonymous patriarcal Other." (p101) - This anonymity is crucial; it creates the impression that "femininity" as we know it is voluntary and/or natural - We internalize this bodily discipline. We discipline ourselves. - Bartky argues the stakes are higher/worse for women.
Biological Theory Assumptions?
- Male brains are larger, so they are smarter/superior - Chromosomes produce hormones & genitalia - Testosterone is linked to Violence & Estrogen is linked to being Emotional - Testosterone linked to men, Estrogen linked to women - Has an assumption of being unchangeable, Hard wired.
Disciplinary society
- Most of us have internalized it and see it as normal - Sense of mastery - Secure sense of identity - Sense of being sexually desirable and able to attract a partner(s)
gender diversity perspective?
-Advocates respect for all gender types -"Allows people to stop feeling like failures in the 'ideal woman' and 'ideal man' game" (p52) -Systems of patriarchy have costs for MEN TOO! -Offers a wider scope for analyzing gender/sex in communication
Critical/cultural theories?
-Gender cannot be understood through biology or psychology alone; we have to understand how it's produced by institutions, communication/language, cultural practices, etc. -Gender is something we "do" / perform. -Gender performances are based in social situations; they are not simply a property of individuals. -Gender is culturally & socially constructed; communication is the process by which this happens. -Gender helps sustain power differences. Differences are never politically neutral.
Biological Theory Characteristics?
-The focus is Chromosomes & Brain Development - Characterizes itself as "objective" scientific knowledge; does not acknowledge its cultural embeddedness and that even "scientific" categories are socially constructed.
Biological Theory Premises?
-There are distinct differences between male and female brains. -X&Y chromosomes have been used to identify gender/sex identity -Male & female brains differ Functionally, chemically, & structurally
Biological theories of gender/sex:?
-Typically presume male or female only (binary instead of spectrum); -Typically presume gender differences are linked to sex -Can help us understand physiological aspects of how sex, gender & the body are related; but doesn't attend to the cultural, psychological, and other influences on gender.
Social Learning Theory?
-We learn gender through experiences. -The socialization process whereby children internalize many identity ingredients and norms of behavior, not just gender -Children learn through observing and imitating behavior and are rewarded for this behavior.
Disciplining the body, Women's bodies in particular ?
-Yes, but women's bodies are disciplined differently (and more) than men's through discourses and practices of femininity ○ Body size & configuration -Regimes of discipline: dieting, exercise, plastic surgery, etc ○ Body gestures & movements ○ Body ornamentation -"pervasive sense of bodily deficiency" (p100); "an inferior status has been inscribed" (and women internalize this inferiority / sense of deficiency) → "Femininity" in this way reaffirms and maintains patriarchy (and heterosexuality)
Researchers studying gender and psychology have found that: Select one: a. There is no scientific foundation for the continued belief in significant psychological differences between genders, nor that these differences are based on sex alone. Correct b. Psychological theories support biological theories that sex determines gender. c. Gender identity is naturally set at birth.
A. There is no scientific foundation for the continued belief in significant psychological differences between genders, nor that these differences are based on sex alone.
According to Edwin Hodge, who is most responsible for maintaining hegemonic norms of masculinity (i.e. policing the performance of masculinity among men)? Select one: a. Men. b. Women. c. Neither, it depends on the context.
A. men
In her article, "Popular Culture and Queer Representation" one of Diane Raymond's key arguments is that: Select one: a. representations of LGBT characters on television today still typically reinforce heterosexuality as the dominant norm. b. the increased number of LGBT characters on television represents significant social change and empowerment for LGBT communities.
A. representations of LGBT characters on television today still typically reinforce heterosexuality as the dominant norm.
Judith Lorber, "Believing is Seeing: Biology as Ideology"
Argues the difference between gender being an ideology instead of reality. These ideologies are put into place to enforce and reaffirm the male patriarchy. She argues that although there are clear biological differences they do not constitute a clear difference in species.
In her article, Sandra Lee Bartky discusses how French philosopher/historian Michel Foucault argued that modern society is a "disciplinary society". What did Foucault mean by this? Select all answers that apply. Choose all that are correct a. The focus of Foucault's work is on the fact that historically, men have been the disciplinarians in the family. b. Institutions of society (schools, prisons, hospitals, etc) came to be structured such that we self-discipline and comply with the institutional norms. This is an efficient form of control. Correct c. Like the model of the panopticon, we have internalized certain rules and norms of how to behave such that we discipline ourselves. Correct
B. Like the model of the panopticon, we have internalized certain rules and norms of how to behave such that we discipline ourselves C. Institutions of society (schools, prisons, hospitals, etc) came to be structured such that we self-discipline and comply with the institutional norms. This is an efficient form of control.
After reviewing several different approaches to researching gender/sex, the authors conclude that: Select one: a. Biological research has produced the most objective evidence of gender differences. b. There are multiple influences on gender/sex, including biology, psychological processes, social norms, and institutions. Correct c. Critical/cultural theories generally support the findings of psychological research but are more subjective.
B. There are multiple influences on gender/sex, including biology, psychological processes, social norms, and institutions.
In their article "#MasculinitySoFragile" Banet-Weiser & Miltner argue that "networked misogyny" is due PRIMARILY to (choose the best answer): Select one: a. anonymity online. IncorrectThe authors say that other analysts often blame the technology (the Internet, Twitter, etc) and its technical attributes while overlooking the cultural context that has normalized misogyny in the first place. b. deeply entrenched misogyny in Western culture. c. the technical affordances of the Internet. d. insufficient legal frameworks.
B. deeply entrenched misogyny in Western culture.
Which of the following statements BEST describes the shared message of the two readings for this week? Select one: a. Women are increasingly represented in computer science and other technology fields, but there is more work to be done to reach equal representation of men and women. b. Technology is gendered. c. Implicit gender biases are being perpetuated by both the broadcast media and Internet algorithms in ways that significantly disadvantage women and other underrepresented groups.
C. Implicit gender biases are being perpetuated by both the broadcast media and Internet algorithms in ways that significantly disadvantage women and other underrepresented groups. Correct
Sandra Lee Bartky argues that Foucault's observations of our "disciplinary society" were ground-breaking and continue to be relevant today, but that he made a major oversight. In other words, he ignored what Bartky sees as a crucial distinction. What was it? Select one: a. That femininity and masculinity are socially constructed. b. That men and women do not communicate in the same way. c. That women's bodies and men's bodies do not experience "disciplinary society" in the same way.
C. That women's bodies and men's bodies do not experience "disciplinary society" in the same way.
In his article "From Identity to Queer Politics" Steven Seidman discusses "normalization" as a strategy... Select one: a. used by advocates of queer politics to fight for marriage equality. b. Both. c. to recognize certain gay identities while reaffirming the dominance of heteronormativity.
C.. to recognize certain gay identities while reaffirming the dominance of heteronormativity.
Relationship between gender and communication?
Communication creates gender gender does not create communication.
Heteronormativity?
Describes how social institutions and policies reinforce the presumption that people are heterosexual and the gender and sex or natural binaries
True or False? In her essay, Chandra Talpade Mohanty argues that women in the "third world" have much to gain from feminist ideas in the "first world" that might empower them, just as women have been empowered in the West.
False
True or False? The nuclear family (a self-supporting unit with two heterosexual parents legally married performing separate masculine and feminine family roles) has been historically, and continues to be, the most common family structure.
False
True or false? Queer theory refers to cultural theories by and for members of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) community.
False
True or false? Research based on biological theories of gender/sex has proven that there are differences in men and women's brain structures and that these biological differences between men and women are the primary cause of their different gendered behaviors.
False
Strategic essentialism?
First: so-called essential attributes of the group are defined by the group member themselves Second: even as group members engage in essentialism, they recognize that it is always an artificial construct
Psychological theories of gender/sex?
Focus on early childhood development and how personal experiences shape gender behavior Also tend to focus on male/female (or masculine/feminine) binary at the expense of the gender spectrum Can help us understand how our interpersonal experiences influence our gender identities & performances; but doesn't usually account for broader cultural influences,
Who quoted this? "One is not born, but rather becomes, woman. No biological, psychic, or economic destiny defines the figure that the human female takes on in society; it is civilization as a whole that elaborates [what] is called feminine. Only the mediation of another can constitute an individual as an Other.
French philosopher Simone de Beauvoir, 1949
internalization?
In contemporary patriarchal culture, a panoptical male connoisseur resides within the consciousness of most women: they stand perpetually before his gaze and under his judgement. Woman lives her body as seen by another, by an anonymous patriarcal Other."
Why is it important to understand gender as performance?
It allows us to be more open on gender neutral if it's a performance you can changed he performance or the character it is all malleable. ex. transgender
Who quoted this? "I am not saying that physical differences between male and female don't exist, but that these differences are socially meaningless until social practices transform them into social facts." (p576)
Judith Lorber
examples of neuroplasticity?
Kids who learn to play music from an early age have better "spatial sensorimotor mapping". Kids who experience abuse in early childhood are more vulnerable to mental illness later in life.
Role of language in the construction of gender?
Language structures people's understandings of social reality, and insofar as gender/sex is part of social reality, language about gender/sex structures understandings of gender/sex and hence structures gender/sex.
Semantic polarization?
Occurs when 2 parallel concepts are treated as though they were opposed, like "opposite sex"
Semantic derogation?
Occurs when 2 terms ought to represent parallel concepts, but one term is derogatory while the other is not (mistress/master)
Herman Gray's discussion of representations of black masculinity in pop culture and Nathalie Weidhase's commentary on the black feminist body represented by Beyoncé both explore the contradictions of race and gender constructions. Describe one of the contradictions they mention (one from either piece), and briefly offer your own reflection on it.
One of the contradictions mentioned in "The Black Feminist Body" is that Beyonce's way of showing feminism is a completely different form of feminism when comparing it to white feminist. Nathalie Weidhase asserts," Beyoncé's body does not contest her feminist status, but instead her body contests the whiteness of mainstream feminism." Beyonce's view of feminism is taking sexually explicit acts and doing them on stage in order to empower the black female body. White feminist believe this is only adding to the patriarch by degrading women's bodies in front of a larger audience. Beyonce's privilege allows her to create a new form of feminism which they are naming hip-hop feminism. She is trying to move feminism beyond the walls of academia and using it in pop culture. This allows for more people to be aware of what they think feminism is but have a minor grasp of the history of feminism. Ngozi Adichie's states, 'We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings in the way that boys are."Although twerking in front of a stage is not labeled feminism by most academic feminist, many can argue that it is empowering the person doing the act because they are taking control of their own body and using it as they wish. This act can be seen as "reclaiming" of the female body because of the taboo for women to be sexual beings. Feminism is displayed in many different ways, through different cultures. One way of feminism is not the only correct way, Beyonce's form of feminism appeals to her audience and is generating a form of activism. Her privilege allows her to reach mass audiences, and I believe if she continues to strategically show feminism in her albums and shows she can shed some light of the inequalities of gender, that white feminist would not be able to.
Cisgender?
One sex and gender identity match pre-dominant culture expectations female equals high feminine mail = masculine
Truncated passive?
Passive verb allows the agent of action to be deleted from the sentence [example: That woman was raped]
Gender fluidity?
People who crossed the culturally constructed sex and gender lines they are not limited to the to binary either or options but are recognized as a part of a world of gender diverse city
Multiracial & global feminisms?
Postcolonial critique: exposes Eurocentrism and imperialism of Western discourses
Queer Theory?
Queer theory is a field of cultural studies that challenges dominant or hegemonic ideas about gender, sex, sexual orientation, pleasure, the body, etc.
Intersex?
Refers to a person who has ambiguous six features at birth, meaning the person has both female and male sex characteristics genitalia, chromosomes
Semantic Imbalance?
Refers to an overabundance of terms to describe something related to one group but few terms existing to describe the other (slut=girl/ pimp=guy)
Trivialization/ infantilization?
Refers to the use of diminutives to refer to a disempowered group member. [Example: although boy does not initially seem like a derogatory term, when used by a White person (often younger) to refer to a black man (often older) it exposes the power dynamic]
Sexual orientation?
Refers to whether one is physically and romantically attracted to or had sex with persons of the same sex, other sex or both
The construction of gender is...
SOCIAL CULTURAL POLITICAL ECONOMIC
Sex vs Gender?
Sex = a biological designation (e.g., male, female, intersex) Gender = a cultural designation of feminine and masculine (or transgender, etc.). ● It is a continuum, not a binary. ● It is a performance. ● It is a process that changes over time.
Chandra Talpade Mohantys argument?
That Western feminism has in many ways been used to reinforce the dominance (and global imperialism) of the West, rather than paying attention to important cultural and contextual differences.
Gender queer?
The label is used to defy all categories of quarterly define gender it is gender free or gender-neutral claiming an identity outside gender
Resignification?
The linguistic practice in which one rejects term's existing meaning is normative power exposes how the term's meaning is constructed and attempts to change its connotation [example: slut; (old) dirty or messy/ (new) promiscuous]
Essentialism?
The presumption that all members of a group or alike because they have one quality in common.
Muted group theory?
Theory that highlights how dominant and nondominant groups within a given culture have different cultural boundaries in their perceptions, as well as related language
Patriarchy?
They are not talking about the domination of one man over one women but are talking about a hierarchal system that exercises hegemonic control where in men are privileged over women, and some men are privileged over men
Language as Resistance?
Through language, people can rename, re-envision and reimagine the world [example; talking back / developing new language]
In their article "#MasculinitySoFragile" Banet-Weiser & Miltner, "The authors say that other analysts often blame the technology (the Internet, Twitter, etc) and its technical attributes, while overlooking the cultural context that has normalized misogyny in the first place."
True
True or False? According to Focault, "In modern society, power works through disciplinary practices; we have become primarily a "disciplinary society"
True
True or False? According to Judith Lorber, "Historically, men's bodies have been the measure of what is "human." (p577)
True
True or False? According to Seidman, heteronormativity is often maintained through the institutional regulation of sexuality, in which sexual acts and desires are assigned different moral statuses (e.g. normal and abnormal).
True
True or False? Biological theories focus on physical and physiological attributes?
True
True or False? Brains are changed by our behavior, thinking and social world?
True
True or False? For decades, women's bodies have been sexually objectified in the media and elsewhere. Studies show that men and boys are increasingly sexually objectified as well, but they remain somewhat less likely to negatively internalize these messages.
True
True or False? Intimate violence is the most common form of violence against women; up to 50% of women have experienced some form of abuse by a partner.
True
True or False? One study has shown that young girls in the U.S. chose a sexualized doll as a representation of their "ideal self", regardless of maternal influences, religious beliefs, or whether they had been taught to view the media critically.
True
True or False? Psychological theories tend to presume a Western, 2-parent, heterosexual, bourgeois family?
True
True or False? Research suggests that parents are more discouraging of 'feminine' behavior in their male children than they are of 'masculine' behavior in their female children.
True
True or False? Sigmund Freud found argued that up until age 4, sex difference is irrelevant amongst children.?
True
True or False? When gender behavior is done correctly, meaning it's consistent with dominant or normative sex identity, it's rewarded. If it's seen as "incorrect", it's punished.
True
True or False? While the idea of the "nuclear family" has been the dominant family ideal in Western culture, the authors write that "the nuclear family has never been the most common family structure" (p144). In actuality, family structures vary widely.
True
True or false? Instead of examining how gender influence his communication, we explore how communication constrains perpetuate stimulates in north and changes gender
True
True or false? Parents very often intentionally cultivate gendered behaviors in their children as well.
True
True or false? Queer theory is related to contributions from the LGBTQ community but it is not the same thing as LGBTQ studies?
True
True or false? Testosterone appears to be related to aggression and risk taking
True
Trur or Falase? Most research suggests that parents teach gender norms unintentionally or nonconsciously, through routine day-to-day interactions with their children.
True
True or False? Biological theorists are comparing body parts by size, arguing that men had more power because they're body parts were bigger.
True,
gender as performance?
We perform the social standard, so we put on different masks to be different people, and we put on a mask for our gender as well.
semantic imbalance?
What terms can we think of think of when describing a sexually active woman? & what terms can we think of for a man? This question proves the double standard that clearly exists between men and women. When describing men being sexually active people relate either positive or very few amount of words. On the contrary, when describing a woman there is an abundance of negative, offensive, and hurtful words. The imbalance of these terms when comparing men to women is called semantic imbalance.
Power of Language?
Words circumscribe people's interactions with each other and the world
Sex?
a biological designation (e.g., male, female, intersex)
Gender?
a cultural designation of feminine and masculine (or transgender, etc.).
Heterosexuality as an institution?
a practice, with its own set of expectations, norms, and principles of conduct
According to DeFrancisco & Palczewski, "violence" includes (select all that apply): Choose all that are correct a. Verbal abuse b. Emotional abuse c. Intimidation / coercion d. Physical abuse e. Sexual assault
a. Verbal abuse b. Emotional abuse c. Intimidation / coercion d. Physical abuse e. Sexual assault
According to Rosalind Gill, postfeminism is characterized by (select ALL that apply): Choose all that are correct a. a strong emphasis on women self-disciplining their bodies, the dominance of a "makeover paradigm", and an emphasis on consumerism. b. a sexualization of media culture, and the idea that women can empower themselves through expressing their feminine sexuality. c. the fact that Western society has overcome sexism and misogyny and moved beyond the need for feminism. d. a resurgence of the idea that men and women are inherently different. e. both feminist and anti-feminist themes, which Gill argues are contradictory. f. a return to the traditional values associated with femininity such as motherhood and nurturing.
a. a strong emphasis on women self-disciplining their bodies, the dominance of a "makeover paradigm", and an emphasis on consumerism. b. a sexualization of media culture, and the idea that women can empower themselves through expressing their feminine sexuality. c. the fact that Western society has overcome sexism and misogyny and moved beyond the need for feminism. d. a resurgence of the idea that men and women are inherently different. e. both feminist and anti-feminist themes, which Gill argues are contradictory.
Why does Roxane Gay call herself a "bad feminist"? (Choose the best answer.) Select one: a. Because she doesn't believe in the basic tenets of feminism. b. Because the word "feminism" has become a negative word in U.S. culture and she feels we should come up with a new term. c. Because she takes a more fluid approach; she doesn't believe there is only one right way to be a feminist, nor that feminism should be held to impossible standards.
c. Because she takes a more fluid approach; she doesn't believe there is only one right way to be a feminist, nor that feminism should be held to impossible standards.
What examples does Lorber give to explain how socially constructed ideas about gender have become normalized?
in sports, the workplace, technology
According to Freud why do girls experieince "penis envy" is?
many girls experience "penis envy" an envy culminating in the wish to be boys themselves. When boys notice that girls lack a penis, they experience "castration complex" and fear that their penis could be removed as punishment.
Transgender?
one who "overtly challenges the linkage of gender with sex" (p13)
Intersectional?
our identities are constructed of many "ingredients".. not just gender but also... race/ethnicity sexual orientation Nationality Socioeconomic class etc
The two-culture approach ?
sociolinguists daniel maltz; Assumes boys/men have 1 masculine style of communicating; girls/women have 1 feminine style Limitations/Critiques; Overlooks how the differences were created, and if/how one group benefits more from them ○ E.g. how it normalizes men being praised for being aggressive; women for being passive --> is there a possible relationship to violence here? ● Conversation styles are influenced by more than just heterosexual sex/gender norms ○ E.g. race/ethnicity, class, national/regional origin, sexual orientation, etc. ● Perceived differences tend to exceed actual ones.
social construction perspective on sex and gender?
suggests that instead of starting with the two presumed dichotomies in each category... it might be more useful in gender studies to group patterns of behavior" (p571)
Neuroplasticity?
the brain physically changes based the experiences we undergo (particularly repeated experiences). "The actual physical architecture of the brain changes based on what happens to us." (p40)
biological determinism?
the idea that biology determines gender differences, means that inequalities are by nature and cannot be changed by social action
Polysemy/ polysemic?
they can have multiple meanings & therefore can be resignified to mean something else
True or False? there is no scientific fact that states what sex you are born with influences your gender completely.
true
Key arguments in chandra Talpade Mohanty excerpts from " under western eyes"?
○ Mohanty (and others) argue that non-Western women are constituted by Western feminists & feminist discourses as "powerless" & "exploited" "victims" of non-Western men and non-Western cultures / socio-economic systems ○ Non-Western women often portrayed as "traditional" or "politically immature" ○ Specificities of different contexts are ignored, but shouldn't be ○ These discourses can be used to justify Western imperialism
Gendered regimes of discipline and how to challenge them?
● In 1997, Bartky hoped that, as more women entered into traditionally male-dominated spaces (e.g. the workplace, politics, other leadership positions, etc), it would lead to a sense of "contradiction" among women → more women would challenge feminine regimes of discipline ● Categories of masculinity & femininity (and dominant conceptions of the female body) will have to radically change or be done away with (Bartky)