Abstract Discusses stereotyped portrayals of black males in various films. Cites examples from THE BIRTH OF A NATION, GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER, the blaxploitation genre, MANDINGO, 1930s films of the old South, THEY WON'T FORGET, 1940S STEREOTYPES AND THE "New Negro," TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Realistic treatment of black males in several independent later films.
From the Paper "D. W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation (1915) and Stanley Kramer's Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? (1967) represent opposing poles in the treatment of the African-American male in Hollywood films. The portrayal of black men in both films is absurd, but their intentions were quite different. Griffith, the Southern-born director whose great career was a milestone in the development of the medium, claimed until his death that his film was not racist despite the thousands of African Americans and white Americans who explained why it was, indeed, a landmark in screen racism. His conception of the old stereotype of the sexually predatory black male, intent on despoiling white females, gave cinematic form to one of the most prevalent myths involved in white fear of black people. Kramer, on the other hand, was a devout liberal interested in furthering the cause of ..."
Abstract Discusses how the HIV/AIDS epidemic altered the gay community. Public perceptions toward homosexuality and fear of the disease. Politicization of AIDS by gay acitvists. Engagement in risky sexual practices by ethnic groups. Examines the effect of the AIDS crisis on severalt groups, including the leather community, the Latino population.
From the Paper "The impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic has affected many sectors of society and has especially altered the gay community. Because of the epidemic, the public perceptions towards homosexuality have been transformed by the fear of the disease. In their struggle against the HIV/AIDS epidemic, mainly white gay members of the community have rallied together and politicized their presence. However, minority ethnic groups such as the African Americans and Latino continue to engage in risky sexual practices. In this paper, the effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on different groups will be described and examined.
According to different polls to assess public attitudes towards the gay population during the HIV/AIDS epidemic, it appears that the public had not altered their opinions on certain issues because of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The public ..."
Abstract Discusses importance of love, intimacy and sex for healthy aging. Societal views of older people regarding sexual activity. Refers to studies and surveys on sex and aging. Women as victims of ageism more than men. Need for sex education for older people. Loss of work-related relationships and other close relationships.
From the Paper "The topic of Love, Intimacy and Sexuality in the area of healthy aging is of major importance today for several relevant reasons. "A happy sex life is part of the enjoyment of good health. Enjoyable sex refreshes both the mind and body" (Gillie & Mercer, 1979, p. 158). The elderly population is increasing annually at the same time that a youth-culture mentality is flourishing. A commonly held societal view is that older people ought not, or do not want to engage in sexual activity. Studies and research data, however, indicate that there is no automatic cut-off age for sexual activity. The loss of desire and need for love and intimacy are not dependent on the calendar. While there are significant changes in the physical and psychological aspects of sex with age, in the absence of illness or psychological factors, such changes do not lessen the capacity to ..."
Abstract Biological and physical differences and stereotypes that emerge from them. Perceived behavior traits of women and men. Societal view. Role of testosterone. How the hormone creates diffeences between the sexes. Biology vs. bias. Societal demands of beauty and the female body. Connection between body ideal and correct attitude or traits.
From the Paper "The Difference Between Men and Women
One of the most obvious differences between men and women is primary and secondary genitalia, but there are other as well. Men are usually larger in stature than women and have more body hair. Men are considered more extroverted, aggressive, physically active, "dense", and sexually oriented than women. Women, on the other hand, are stereotypically seen as "high maintenance", more sensitive, interactive, sensual, and submissive. Although many of these stereotypes hold true for many people, they do not always account for individual differences.
In "The He Hormone" by Andrew Sullivan, the author opens his article by describing the mysterious liquid that he injects, his "He Hormone", which is testosterone. He then goes onto describe how ..."
Abstract Discussion of the condition that adversely impact women's ability to regulate their mood and behavior. Physical and emotional symptoms. Women who are most susceptible. Treatments for PMS ranging from diet, vitamins and exercise to medicatioin for severe PMS cases. Attribution of crimes commited by untreated women to PMS. The PMS defense.
From the Paper "Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) refers to a condition that results from the dramatic fluctuations of hormones, thus exerting an adverse impact on the women's ability to regulate their mood and behavior. Typically, the symptoms occur two weeks before the next menstrual period, lasting from two to 14 days, and subside with the onset of their menses ("Premenstrual Syndrome," 2000, p. 1). According to researchers, as many as 40 million women experience symptoms of PMS. Among this group of women, over five million women need medical intervention in order to cope with the severity of their symptoms (Lichten, 2000, p. 1).
The physical and emotions symptoms of PMS number more than 150. Physical symptoms of PMS consist of "headache, migraine, fluid retention, fatigue, constipation, painful joints ..."
Abstract Argues that sex education should be provided in all elementary schools. Discusses the content and methods of teaching sex education to elementary school students. Why sex information is important. The need for young children to receive reliable, correct information. Need to teach with a developmental understanding of the students. Cites examples of creative sex education curriculum.
From the Paper "In a concerted effort to cope with the rising trend of teenage sex, educators and policymakers have voiced their need for sex education at all levels of public schools from kindergarten to 12th grade. Known as comprehensive sex education, this approach uses teaching materials and methods that match the age group of the students (Whitehead, 1994, p. 1; Meade, 2001, p. 7). Currently, 32 states including California do not require schools to offer sex education.
Nonetheless, California is one of the 36 states that mandate the provision of STD, HIV, and/or AIDS education (Meade, 2001, pp. 10-11).
Apart from the broad mandate that that sex education programs should stress abstinence, California has left the creation of the curriculum and its implementation to the initiative of the individual school districts and even the schools themselves (California ..."
This paper explores the ways in which Philip Roth's fiction has changed, particularly with regards to sexuality, since "Portnoy's Complaint". The paper shows that Phillip Roth has come a long way in his book "The Human Stain".
Abstract This paper offers a thorough discussion of human sexuality as depicted by Phillip Roth in his novel "The Human Stain" published in 2000. The writer looks into the effects of Roth's inclusion of popular culture, including Viagra, popular sex theorist Paul Gray, and Bill Clinton's scandal. The paper also includes commentary by reviewers.
From the Paper "The formation of Coleman's attitudes toward gender relationships are revealed circuitously. The reader is shocked, well into the book, to learn that Coleman, a distinguished classics professor with a white Jewish wife, is black, passing as white. In the middle of the book after we already know something of his various relationships we hear of ?the worst night of his life,? the night he tried to enter a whites only whorehouse and was thrown out with the words: "You"re a black nigger, ain"t you, boy"? (Roth 180) Roth uses this method of gradual revelation to show that whatever opinions we may already have formed about Coleman and his relationships, will need to be revised. This is continually the case as Roth demonstrates that nobody ever knows anybody, and a rush to judgement will probably prove erroneous."
Abstract The paper states that relational approach is extremely parsimonious because it takes three basic concepts and uses them to explain and predict behavior. The author believes that, in comparison with Freud's psychoanalytic theory, the relational approach can be seen as more appropriate merely because it is falsifiable with a minimum of constructs. This paper explains that the relational approach differs from other theories in that it examines gender differences without discounting or trivializing them.
From the Paper "The final theme discusses how traits once thought to be deficiencies act as strengths leading to growth and development. Labels, such as hysterical, over emotional, neurotic or infantile are biased against women and should be discarded in favor of more positive labels, which better describe a woman's nature. Labels unfortunately have been and always will be a large part of the vernacular, both in the sciences and in every day life. The important task is to attempt to reduce bias whenever possible. In applying the relational approach to men, labels are also employed as derogatory terms."
Tags: traits, connections, psychoanalytical, women, men
Abstract In a recent study conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse there are an estimated 4.5 million American women who are alcoholics today. The paper investigates this social problem against the backdrop of the autobiographical novel "Drinking, A Love Story" by Caroline Knapp. It shows how the novel offers the reader a glimpse not only into the world of alcohol addiction, its impact on families and potential treatments, but also into the scope of the disease as it relates to women.
From the Paper "Unfortunately, the fall out of alcohol abuse for women also reflects this double standard. Most men leave their alcoholic wives, whereas most women stay with their alcoholic husbands. This, of course, has more to do with sex roles than with alcohol. Women are still often economically dependent on men and therefore cannot leave even desperate situations. Women are also socialized to be self-sacrificing. Men are much freer to leave, economically and psychologically, and leave they do (Brennan, Moos, Rudolf, 1996). AS Knapp points out, "By the end, (drinking) was the single most important relationship in my life" (Knapp, 1996)."
Abstract The analysis of social class and gender relations are common approaches in politics and sociology. The paper shows that the use of gender and class as an analytic tool turned in understanding the Middle East. It is an attempt by analysts to apply concepts from the modernized nations to traditional societies. The paper shows that the concepts can reveal certain issues of interest to Western analysts, but they may also contribute to a misperception because the class and gender are treated differently in Middle Eastern societies. The paper concludes that class and gender as analytical tools impose Western values. While this may provide a useful analysis in certain terms, it has limitations in explaining internal political actions and attitudes in the Middle East.
From the Paper "Bill offers an analysis of the Middle Eastern class structure and shows it to be divided into traditional ruling classes, traditional middle classes, and the mass of society consisting of peasants, nomads, and workers. This class structure, says Bill, "has been knit together in constant movement and has traditionally possessed an extraordinary elasticity" (Bill, 1972, 429) marked by "hierarchically uneven but strongly reciprocal power patterns" (Bill, 1972, 429). Class lines are more permeable than might appear at first because there is a group-class tension marked by shifting power relations. Clearly, Bill would agree with Batatu (1985) that the view that classic sociological class analysis is not applicable to Arab societies is a generalization that cannot be fully supported: "To reject class analysis out of hand, merely on account of contingent ideological associations, is, from a scholarly point of view, inadmissible" (Batatu, 1985, 379). However, this does not indicate how cogent such an analysis may be in practice or how useful it would be in explaining political structures and actions."
Abstract Four states have outlawed homosexual sodomy specifically. The author discusses the impact that the laws, the general deterioration of the system and the issue of disrespect. The paper covers the containment of equal rights movements - specifically same-gender marriage, employment and parental rights - by use of sodomy laws as justification, as well as the the impacts of heterosexism. The author uses the analysis of homosexual interest groups in America to discuss the potential for repeal of these statutes and gives options for policy changes.
Outline
Introduction
History of Sodomy Laws
States with the Laws
Bowers and Lawrence
Level of Government
State Level
Harms of Anti-Sodomy Statutes
Penumbral Crimes
Equal Rights Denied
Employment
Marriage
Parental Rights
Heterosexism
Interest Groups
Lack of Representation
Analysis
Conclusion
From the Paper "Gandhi was once noted as saying, "My notion of democracy is that under it the weakest shall have the same opportunities as the strongest" (Interfaith Alliance n. pag.). Yet in America, Gandhi's vision of democracy is not being represented as he would have dreamed. When a large percentage of the population is deemed criminal merely by the nature of their sexual conduct, pluralism is undermined and equal rights are impossible to attain. The anti-sodomy laws that exist in America serve no true purpose ? they are rarely enforced and when they are, it is based on a pretext or prejudice. When weighing the costs and the benefits, the choice is an easy one to make. Anti-sodomy laws are used to deny rights and entrench heterosexism. These laws most likely remain in place because of the relative political weakness of gay and lesbian groups."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the history and development of rights of homosexuals in America leading up to the present. The writer cites examples of states, such as Texas, that have intentionally held onto a law prohibiting sodomy as a means to punish homosexual men. The paper includes examples of court cases that illustrate the struggle faced by homosexuals and their supporters for equality.
From the Paper "The increasing inability of government to legislate sexual behavior, and therefore to regulate homosexuality, does not mean that homosexual rights are a universal inevitability. Attempts to add a clause to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation continue to face narrow defeat. Legislators are also at odds regarding efforts to include homosexual bias in the list of hate crimes violations. These examples of continued resistance indicate the kind of ongoing opposition to and revulsion for homosexuality that remain prominent in American society."
Abstract It is generally believed that males are less risk averse than are females in most situations. Additionally, it is commonly held that young adults and adolescents are generally more prone to engage in risk taking behavior than are older individuals. Most contemporary studies that assess risk taking behavior in young adults focus on sexual activity and confirm these beliefs. However, attitudes towards riskiness in more general, non-sexual situations are less often examined. This paper assesses the gender differences in risk taking attitudes in 15 separate situations of varying risk. Twenty participants (10 male, 10 female) took part in a survey on risk taking behavior by young adults. The results confirmed the belief that males are less risk averse generally, but also found a significant interaction between sex and situation, indicating that in certain specific situations females would be less risk averse. The paper includes tables.
From the Paper "The results of this study also indicate that alcohol use probably has little causal impact on risk taking. All of the respondents were alcohol free when taking the survey, and most of the situations to which they responded posited alcohol free decisions. Still, the general finding that males were less risk averse held. Some care should be taken in broadly applying the findings of this study. The few situations in which females were the less risk averse may indicate that, in the universe of all possible situations, the general findings could vary. Future iterations of this study should attempt to more fully catalogue risky situations to explore this finding more thoroughly. Other directions that future studies should take would include variables such as race or ethnicity, religion, and socio-economic status to how complex the interplay between personality and willingness to take risks is."
Abstract This paper explains psychologist Sigmund Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory - that homosexuality is a result of a traumatic childhood experience, particularly that of a dominant mother's excessive attachment to her son. The paper discusses oedipal complexes and cross-sex-typed behavior.
From the Paper "A homosexual person is someone who is sexually attracted to members of the same sex, and most likely, has been so since childhood. Since sexual behavior is often influenced by society and personal values, engaging in homosexual activity is merely a mark, not a requirement, of a homosexual. In psychology, many theories focus on unconscious conflict due to childhood experiences, and those conflicts? role in shaping adult personality. The analytic technique concentrates on those experiences so that a person may explain behavior and heal those conflicts, thus becoming a healthier, more stable adult. One of the theories evolving from these premises, is that homosexuality is the result of "early developmental disturbance" (Isay 7)."
Abstract This paper examines the dramatically different way in which male and female artists portray the same act - an 'indecent proposal' of money for sexual favors. To facilitate the comparison, artists are all Dutch painters active in the 1600s. Judith Leyster's "The Proposition" is used as the key female illustration of an indecent proposal, while a number of her male contemporaries (Baburen, Honthorst, Molenaer, Ter Borch, Vermeer) are examined for the male perspective.
From the Paper In 1893, during a cleaning of The Jolly Toper, a painting acquired by the Louvre as a Frans Hals, a curious discovery was made. In the lower corner of the work was the emblem "JLS?" - the monogram of the previously-unknown artist Judith Leyster (1609-1660) . Though highly regarded in her own 17th century Holland, Leyster's work had been essentially lost until this accidental discovery. Leyster shared the fate of many female artists, whose work is often lesser known and not as favorably regarded as that of their male contemporaries. Works within a genre made by male and female artists often demonstrate sharp differences in the way each sex portrays the subject matter. Comparing Judith Leyster's The Proposition with several other similar works by her male Dutch contemporaries readily illustrates this point.
