Oakley (1972, cited in Howson, 2013) refers to gender as the ‘psychological, social and representational differences between men and women, which are socially determined and culturally variable’. Combined with Fulcher & Scott’s definition of gender, it can be assumed that males are characteristically expected to feel, think and behave in a masculine manner, whilst females are expected to do the same in a feminine manner. (Fulcher & Scott, 2011, 151). In contrast to
In the essay, “Beauty (Re) discovers the Male Body”, by Susan Bordo argues that masculinity is defined quite differently at the end of the twentieth century from the way it had been defined throughout the previous one hundred years. Masculinity is changing over time. Bordo emphasizes the importance of beauty, “open” and sometimes flamboyant display of the male body, emotional expressivity, and even effeminacy in the construction of contemporary masculinity. She implies that the representations of men’s bodies are generally viewed in the same or similar context as the use of women’s bodies. Bordo’s sense of humor and easy to relate style of writing makes her essay an interesting read and opens up the idea that men are starting to deal with being in the “sexual spotlight.” After reading this essay, I agree with Bordo’s argument.
How is the theme of masculinity explored in the Death of a Salesman? The theme of masculinity is explored broadly throughout Death of a Salesman. The most obvious reason is that the setting took place male dominant family within a male dominant society. Through the character, Linda, the reader will see the subordinate role of women at that time, while men are considered to be superior, in this case, Willy. Willy and Happy’s view of women as sexual objects also displays masculinity.
However, not everyone agrees with the heavy stereotypes laid down by the social order such as male dominance and proper courting. Marie de France is one of these people. She depicts her views of gender expectations through literature. Within the poem Guigemar, Guigemar and his lady fulfill and contradict what would be considered as gender norms within society: female inferiority, traditional courtship, and male dominance. Marie de France does this to criticize and combat the societal expectations and inherent inequalities in Norman England.
He even bores into Addie's face, but Cash still does not yell at him and simply mends the holes back. Anse, the father of all the children, does not care much about Cash's work or helpfulness. He at one point even gets in the way of Cash's work and Cash still treats him kindly, "[Anse] goes to the lantern and pulls the propped raincoat until he knocks it down and Cash comes and fixes it back. "You get on to the house," Cash says." Cash then leads his father back to the house and continues to work.
True Women and Real Men: Myths of Gender Men and women are equally valuable to society and everyone has their opinions on the qualities that lay within them. There is no right way to act like a man and there is no right way to act like a woman. Society has the biggest effect on genders and their characteristics. “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid’s story specifically gives details about girls’ responsibilities. “Girl” explains how society comes into play when you’re a girl and the effect it has on you in a negative and positive way.
122 As a process, gender creates the social differences that define “woman” and “man.” In social interaction throughout their lives, individuals learn what is expected, see what is expected, act and react in expected ways, and thus simultaneously construct and maintain the gender order pg. 123 As part of a stratification system, gender ranks men above women of the same race and class pg. 123 The dominant categories are the hegemonic ideals, taken so for granted as the way things should be that white is not ordinarily thought of as race, middle class or men as a gender. The characteristics of these categories define the Other as that which lacks the valuable qualities the dominants exhibit. Pg.
The central theme of Herland is defining gender, the roles, how it is socially constructed, and how it is viewed as unchangeable by both genders. . In comparison to the women of their world, the men view the women of Herland to have masculine physical features: having short, functional hair and lacking curves. But in If He Hollers Let Him Go by Chester Himes, it is almost the complete opposite. He depicts women as people with lots of sexual appeal and goes about this by having basically every women character when introduced having something mentioned about her appearance.
Gender or sex refers to the socially constructed categories of feminine and masculine which are the cultural identies and values that prescribe how men and women should behave. The social power relations based on those categories are distinct from the categories of biological sex (male or female) (Germov, 2009, p. 131). Gender refers to the social aspects of differences and hierarchies between male and female. (Macionis, 2008, p. 367). Gender is understood as a system of relations, a social product constantly negotiated and redefined that both constrains and provides opportunity for action.
“The War on Men” by Susan Venker explains how women feel about men, and what they think about them. Maya’s article is just an explanation showing how one of these essays is created, and the main points that are given within the article. It also displays how you actually write an article on feminism and the gender war. Male and females alike hold different roles over society, but do come together eventually.