Abstract This paper introduces and analyzes the topic of personality and gender. Specifically, it discusses whether men and women have typical personality attributes or not. It examines how men and women certainly do have typical personality attributes and how research shows these attributes begin early in our lives. It looks at how the differences between men and women are not simply a matter of gender since men and women look at things differently, react differently and enjoy unique personalities with diverse attributes. It shows that while there are always exceptions to every rule, for the most part, men and women enjoy distinct personality traits and this is part of what makes our relationships with each other so demanding and yet so rewarding.
From the Paper "The topics of personality and gender have long been studied, and many findings indicate like it or not, there are specific differences between genders when it comes to personality. Men and women share many thoughts and ideas, but there are distinct differences between many men and women in their personalities. One researcher suggests new names for masculinity and femininity: "Spence has suggested that a more accurate label for masculinity is instrumentality (which reflects autonomy, dominance, and assertiveness); likewise a more accurate label for femininity is expressiveness (which reflects empathy, nurturance, and interpersonal sensitivity)" (Wang, Heppner and Berry 245). Many experts believe many of our gender differences begin when we are young, from the games we play to the way we learn in the classroom."
Abstract This paper discusses how the prominence of males in early childhood education is low due to a variety of reasons such as low pay, subtle discrimination and social isolation. It attempts to analyze why the five percent of American men that can be found in early childhood education actually remain in the field. It also examines how the views of men in early childhood by staff and administrators impact male teacher retention.
From the Paper "Further, our society has a wide-spread and overwhelming belief that men are not as adept at educating and caring for young children as are women (Kennedy 1991; Neugebauer 1994). This pervasive belief actively keeps young men from entering the profession. As a result, young men who enter early childhood education often find that their abilities and talents are often negated by parents, teachers and coworkers who assume that their professional abilities are less than those of their female peers. Further, this belief can affect career counseling, hiring decisions and teacher education programs, making it difficult to recruit new male teachers of young children (Seifert 1988)."
The paper analyzes John Ford's movie "The Searchers" (1956) by using the ideas of feminist film theorist Laura Mulvey from her famous essay, "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema".
Abstract The paper explains Mulvey believes that the dichotomy between narrative and spectacle echoes the division between men and women such that men control and forward narrative and women exist as spectacle or objects of visual pleasure at which to look. The author points out many examples where John Ford's "The Searchers" sometimes simultaneous adherence to and subversion of Mulvey's observation and theory. The author finds that the film itself suggests the link between the pleasure of sight and power.
From the Paper "In examining the film with Mulvey's structure in mind, what are we to make of the fact that the female characters in the film are infrequently spectacles? Mulvey writes that, ?Traditionally, the woman displayed has functioned on two levels: as erotic object for the characters within the screen story, and as erotic object for the spectator within the auditorium, with a shifting tension between the looks on either side of the screen.? Although the whole movie is about Ethan Edwards? obsession with avenging the rape and murders of female kin, as well as rescuing one of them, the camera barely lingers on the women. Their relevance is not as visual objects of pleasure either for the camera's masculine gaze or for the male characters (which presents a stark contrast to the work of Hitchcock that Mulvey dissects as empirical evidence for the structure she describes)."
Abstract This paper argues that women who dress immodestly and provocatively are partly to blame if they are sexually harassed. The writer claims that judges need to take the way a women is dressed into account when dealing with charges of sexual harassment.
From the Paper "Countless men are losing their jobs and families because of erroneous claims of sexual harassment. Nowadays, women press charges of sexual harassment in the workplace without taking responsibility for the way they act, speak, and dress. However, when deciding sexual harassment cases, judges and juries take into account the complainant's dress because it is a factor in determining guilt. Charging a man with sexual harassment because he made a pass at a woman in a tight blouse and a mini skirt is like convicting him for being alive. Heterosexual men are attracted to women and are generally expected to take the initiative in a new relationship. Women, on the other hand, do not act with honesty and integrity when they show up to work in skimpy outfits. Dressing provocatively sends a message about sexuality; women dress to express themselves. Women wear skimpy clothing mainly to attract attention, to gain approval based on their looks, and to garner affection from men. Women want to be found attractive, and yet when a man acknowledges her beauty, she will often retaliate with a lawsuit. The situation has become totally unfair. Women who dress provocatively pray on the weaknesses of the opposite sex and neglect the responsibility they have in sexual harassment cases. Either women should dress differently, or they should take come-ons with a grain of salt."
Abstract This paper takes the position that pornography promotes sexual violence against women and cites several factors that support this position. It also explores some of the reasons the issue of pornography has been so controversial and some of the arguments made by proponents of pornography.
From the Paper "Defining and regulating pornography has been a difficult task for the United States where free speech is protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and is the backbone of what defines us as a free society. Webster's Dictionary defines pornography as: writings, pictures, etc. intended primarily to arouse sexual desire. (Neufeldt et al.) Though different people may argue over the definitions and reasons for pornography ?the producers, sellers, and consumers of pornography have a clear understanding of its meaning. For them it is a written or visual product showing sexual anatomy and/or sexual activity designed to promote sexual arousal.? (McCuen) But does pornography in and of itself promote sexual violence against women? There is no doubt that through the ages many men have sought and attained sexual access through violent action or the threat of such action. No national culture has been without rape. The forcible sexual assault of strangers, associates, friends and relatives alike has been a universal occurrence throughout the history of mankind, and it has remained so in contemporary society."
Abstract Public media provides a channel for people to communicate among each other. This communication takes on various forms. Advertising is one area where meaning is intentionally created. Newspapers and magazines report both news and opinions. Even music is a means of communicating to a mass audience. All of these forms of communication create meaning and one of the underlying factors present in all is gender. Each of these forms of media create certain ideas about masculinity and femininity. Some authors argue that the end result of this is that men become objectified as masculine and women become objectified as feminine. The emphasis is often especially on the dehumanization and stereotyping of women via their physical body and class status. For example, women are seen as objects of desire, valued for their attractiveness but with little else to offer, while men are seen as superior to women. The paper discusses three authors whos consider these meanings and how they are created - Susan Faludi, Joan Morgan, and Jean Kilbourne. Each of these authors look at how gender is created in a certain form of media and each suggest that the media creates an exaggerated and misconfigured view of the role of gender. The paper shows, however, that what these authors fail to recognize is that the media as a whole is communicating a range of ideas on gender roles and that those ideas generated have their basis in society itself. The paper argues that these authors seem to generalize themselves, suggesting that the media is responsible for exaggerated roles of gender. In contrast, by taking a closer look, this paper illustrates that the media only represents the general views of people and that the media does not really offer only one view of gender.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
1. Media as Communication
2. Argument that Media Creates Ideas on Gender
3. Focus on Gender Ideas about Women
4. Introduce Three Authors with Ideas on Gender Creation in the Media
5. Argument: The Media only Represents the General Views of People and the Media does not really offer only one View of Gender
From the Paper "Each of these articles expresses the view that the media creates a certain image of women. In each case, it is also expressed that this is an exaggerated view of women. Kilbourne offers advertisements where the sexuality of women is taken to an extreme, such as by including bondage and violent images in addition to sexual ones. Morgan describes hip-hop music where the lyrics represent an exaggerated view of women. Faludi shows how a group of boys with behavior that can be described as extreme in the way they view women, came to represent the general view of the young male's view of women. In each case, the views expressed are exaggerated claims. For example, the young boys in Faludi's articles do not likely represent the views of the average young male. However, their coverage in the media may have created the impression that their views are closer to the norm than they really are. In summary, each of the articles are correct in saying that the examples they represent create exaggerated views."
Abstract The end of World War II brought about a great change in the gay community. For the first time, groups of homosexuals lived together in the same communities. This new visibility also brought about new prejudices and gay bars became a constant target for police raids. This paper discusses the history of the gay rights movement, beginning with the initial call for a gay movement by Harry Hay in 1948. The paper looks at the effect of Hay's Mattachine Society on the McCarthy era and the political power it wields. Other issues discussed include the society's "One" magazine, President Eisenhower's ban on homosexuals as government workers, Allen Ginsburg's poem "Howl" and the history of the lesbian movement. The paper looks at the Stonewall Riots of 1969 which resulted in a new form of activism with the creation of 'gay liberation' groups. Finally, the paper looks at the effect of AIDS/HIV on the gay community.
From the Paper "In 1958 the first lesbian organization was developed by Barbara Gittings. This was a "homophile" organization much like the Mattachine Society. This group, known as the Daughters of Bilitis argued that homosexuals were oppressed minorities, not people who were sick or deranged. During the 1950's this organization was infiltrated by both the FBI and the CIA. Initially, fear of exposure kept the enrollment low, but when they began to produce their magazine, The Ladder, many began to recognize the organization and the work it was doing. (Out of the Past, Pg 3)"
Tags: Barbara, Gittings, Frank, Kameny, Village, People
Abstract This paper provides a summary of Michel's Foucault's "A History of Sexuality" in which he examines how dispersed forms of power, which are embedded in religious, scientific and social norms, create hegemonic ideas regarding proper discourses relating to pleasure and sexuality. The paper then looks at several lectures from Sigmund Freud's "Introductory Lectures on Psycho-analysis" in which he discusses how childhood traumas can keep a patient's libido from its natural development, resulting in the perversion of sexual desires.
From the Paper "In Lecture 18, Freud moved to discuss how neurosis can result from traumas that affect the unconscious. In traumatic neurosis, the problem stems from a traumatic situation in the patient's life. This leads to a patient's unconscious fixation, resulting in the obsessional behavior seen in neurotics. The task of the psychoanalyst is thus to help the patient delve into his or her unconscious, to remove the "amnesias" that block the patient from consciously dealing with the trauma that manifests in neurosis."
Abstract This paper examines the history of the condom, tracing its roots back to ancient days and covering related topics to present day. It looks at how considering that the first documented condoms were used in ancient Egypt and were made from various animal membranes, the condom industry has certainly come a long way and how most condoms nowadays are made from either latex or polyurethane, are available in all shapes, colors and sizes and are very effective in preventing disease and pregnancy, when used properly. It also discusses the challenges that were presented to condom use along the way.
Outline
About Condoms
The Early Condoms
Challenges to Early Condoms
The Acceptance of Condoms
Condoms Today
Conclusion
From the Paper "While many people believe that condoms are a relatively new form of contraceptive, created not so long ago, this is far from true. Many historians believe that, in ancient Egypt, pharaohs used papyrus reeds to cover their penises during sex. Ancient Roman soldiers are believed to have used dried sheep intestines as condoms, as well (Parisot, 1987, pp. 4-6). In the East, the Chinese used oiled silk paper, and the Japanese had two versions of a condom: the Kawagata, which used thin leather, and Kabutogata, which used thin tortoise shells or horns."
Abstract This paper discusses the different roles of men and women in society and how the very concept of "gender" has created problems for people. It is because of social conditioning that men and women view some tasks as more suitable for their gender while they feel they are unfit to carry out the jobs assigned to the opposite gender.
Abstract An analysis of the psychological affects of being homosexual and how this process is revealed to family and friends. By 'coming out', we can see the psychologic ramification of being homosexual and how the person reacts in social environments.
Abstract An analysis of the ratio of boys to girls in the learning disabilities field will be revealed here by case studies. The paper also presents various other elements of doctoral research being done to show how boys show a three to one ratio over girls who have learning disabilities.
Abstract Describes how Sand and Kahlo both used their experiences of pain and love in their art and how their desire to equal the men in their fields expressed itself in uniquely liberating ways.
Abstract Explanations for basic personality differences between males and females have ranged from ridiculous to serious, from religious to scientific and from personal to cultural. Also, these differences are demonstrated in innumerable ways.
Abstract Foucault's basic thesis was that sexuality has been historically constructed by "sexologists" who have attempted to make sexuality their own privileged center of knowledge. Foucault's views were connected to the issue of sexuality being the site of power in the sense that it brought to light that sexuality in general was defined by certain forces. The interest of this paper is how these forces have shaped sexual identity in the context of sexual inequality. Thus, while Foucault concentrated on how society historically tried to define the "abnormality" in sexuality, this paper's interest in the connected issue of how these forces simultaneously worked to disempower women for the sake of exploitation.
