Review of the article "The Other Difference Between Boys and Girls" and its premise that social equality of the sexes can only be achieved through recognition of gender differences.
650 words (approx. 2.6 pages), 1 source, 2002, $ 26.95
Abstract Richard M Restak in his article "The Other Difference Between Boys and Girls" examines some of those stereotypes and demonstrates that differences in behavioral performance of boys and girls are determined by brain functioning. He intends to reverse conventional wisdom about discrimination based on sex, and pursues his analysis with the assumption that "social equality for men and women really depends on recognizing these differences in brain behavior"
Abstract This paper introduces the book "The War against Boys: How Misguided Feminism is Harming our Young Men," by Christina Hoff Sommers, an engaging book about modern feminist values and how they are affecting young people. It looks at how Christina Hoff Sommers believes society is emasculating boys with feminine values, while supporting girls in the classroom and beyond. It shows how in a world where men seem to dominate, Sommers' thoughts are a breath of fresh and much-needed air and how skewing the moral and mental values of boys and girls seems to be far more damaging than we realize. It examines how Sommers shows how "feminizing" boys could forever change the way men see the world and themselves and could be far more damaging than most people realize.
From the Paper "One reason Sommers cites as evidence for her beliefs and findings are the education statistics for young men in America today. She notes, "Boys, on average, are a year and a half behind girls in reading and writing; they are less committed to school and less likely to go to college" (Sommers 14). The author includes a myriad of statistics and tables, which bear out her findings, especially in the learning patterns of boys versus girls. Boys simply do not hold up in most of the studies done. For example, Sommers states, "Girls read more books. They outperform males of tests of artistic and musical ability. More girls than boys study abroad. More join the Peace Corps. Conversely, more boys than girls are suspended from school. More are held back and drop out" (Sommers 25). Her volume is filled with statistics such as these, illustrating not only her research abilities, but also the idea that our educational systems are failing today's boys ? and failing them badly."
Abstract The paper refers to Michael Kimmel's analysis of the debate over gender stereotyping and its relationship with boys' underachievement in academic studies today. The paper provides a critical examination of this debate and reveals that this problem actually pre-dates the modern feminist movement, thus proving that the greater access and performance of girls in the education system is actually not related to underperformance of boys. The paper contends that this critique of feminism can be seen as an agenda-driven effort by conservative forces to both undermine the gains of the feminist movement and also obscure the reality of the negative impact of gender stereotyping upon boys' academic performance.
Outline:
Introduction
Background in the Debate
Backlash Politics and the Issue of Masculinity
Conclusion
From the Paper "In "What About the Boys?" Michael Kimmel explores a number of facets of the complex debate over gender stereotyping and the contemporary education system. Proceeding from an initial focus upon the current concern over the apparent decline in academic performance of boys in recent years, Kimmel develops a wide-ranging interrogation of not only issues and agendas in the current debate, but also of broader social gender conditioning and stereotyping in our culture and how this is negatively impacting generations of males."
Abstract This paper looks at the Oshkosh Boys & Girls Club which opened its doors to the new facility in the spring of 1995. Since then, thousands of kids have walked through the doors for days of fun, learning and education. The paper examines theories of childhood development from Piaget, Kohlberg, Erikson and others in an effort to explain the dynamics and development of the population served. Includes an outline and timeline for a workshop.
Contents:
Table of Contents
Introduction
Reason for Project
Demographics
Programs and Services
Issues Faced by Population
Common Theorists
Interview with Center Director
Recommendations
Resources
Appendix I
Appendix II
References
From the Paper "The Oshkosh Boys & Girls Club opened its doors to the public in the spring of 1995. The brand new facility was a much needed asset to those members who were part of the older facility which was smaller and did not accommodate the growing numbers of children and programs. The Oshkosh Boys & Girls Club is currently revamping their mission statement and did not have one as of this writing. The Center Director, Lori Fields, stated that the previous mission statement was too "wordy" and the agency is currently working on a new and bold mission statement that stays true to their mission of helping every child succeed and to also help every family succeed."
Abstract This paper analyzes the film "Boys Don't Cry" created in 1999, which explores how we identify gender and differentiate between the masculine and the feminine. The paper describes the story of the female Teena Brandon who masquerades herself as the male Brandon Teena. It illustrates visually that identity as male and female actually involves only a relative few visual and aural cues. The author writes that society does not tolerate that much freedom and that those who step too far outside the gender boundaries society has set are destroyed. The paper demonstrates how gender is not the only issue being tested in this film, for ideas about small towns, tolerance, and the threat of the outsider are also examined.
From the Paper "The film Boys Don't Cry (1999, Kimberly Peirce) is based on a true story and raises numerous real-world issues in its story of a murder case in middle America in which the victim was a girl who successfully passed herself off as a boy. The film delves into gender issues, questions of identity, and the ethics of interpersonal relationships. First, the viewer asks why so many people were fooled for such a long time by this masquerade."
Abstract This paper chronicles the famous Scottsboro Boys trial. It's a story of racism in the 1930's that describes the events leading to the trial, the trial itself and the outcome. The paper describes what happened to the boys while they were in jail and the events and outcome of their second trial. Racism appears and reappears throughout the story of the Scottsboro Boys, as they were sentenced to death on several different occasions, despite obvious inconclusive or debatable evidence. Finally, the paper briefly describes the fate of all people involved in the case.
From the Paper ?When the train that they were riding on stopped in Stevenson, Alabama, the small group of black boys decided to walk along the tracks. A short while later they met up with some more black boys from another car. The boys decided that they would get back at the white boys who had been throwing rocks at them earlier. Once the train started again, the same group of white boys started throwing rocks at the blacks from a lower car. The now rather large group of blacks got in the car that the whites were riding in and started fighting them."
Abstract Compares an advertisement from Cosmo Girl and an article from Teen Vogue-- magazines published exclusively for young girls-- to the book, The Body Project: an Intimate History of American Girls.
From the Paper Introduction The last hundred years or more have seen many changes in society especially in the way that people perceive and talk about sex and theirbodies One of the most significant changes has been seen in the way girlsmature into adulthood and how the
Tags:Girls, adolescents, body image, body project, adolescent magazines, Cosmo Girl, Teen Vogue
Abstract This paper explains that gender segregated schooling for has long been seen as an alternative' option for standard schooling or for families with special religious concerns. The author points out that the benefits to girls of gender segregated schooling are not as great as they are sometimes thought to be. The paper relates that, though girls may feel more comfortable in this environment, their marks generally do not improve and they might suffer from fewer programs being offered.
From the Paper "At one time the norm, gender segregated schooling has long been seen as an 'alternative' option for those seeking something different from the standard schooling, or for families with special religious concerns with regard to the schooling of their daughters. In recent years, however, gender segregated schooling has been hailed as a solution to many of the drawbacks of standard, coeducational public schooling - particularly for girls. It is felt that girls can concentrate better in an all-girls setting, away from social distractions and gender stereotyping. Furthermore, there are some studies that suggest that girls contributions are sometimes overlooked in a coeducational classroom, and can better come to the forefront in a girls only setting."
Abstract This paper interprets the movie "Boys Don't Cry" using the personality theory of Erik Erikson. The author presents a brief synopsis of the movie and an analysis of its main character, Teena Brandon. The paper concludes that, based on Erikson's conceptual framework of personality and psychosocial development, Teena has an issue of identity diffusion.
Abstract This paper examines Richard Wright's novel "Black Boy" in the larger context of racism in America. The paper describes Wright's view of racism as existing in the very fabric of society. The reviewer further describes Wright as believing it would be virtually impossible to characterize American society in the absence of racism. According to the paper, Wright is quite pessimistic about the future of American society. The reviewer concludes that Wright feels the concrete dreadfulness of racism cannot be overcome on a social level at once, but can be overcome through the individual mindset and self-release.
From the Paper "The portrait Wright paints of America is a truly bleak one. Escape from the trials of life as a black boy seems almost altogether non-existent. Wright attempts to escape the South only find himself more fearful in the North; he escapes to Chicago only to encounter the same social barriers to success. In the end, Wright's escape is only truly possible through the act of writing--it becomes his one link to an ideal world. Even at a very young age, Wright seems to possess a clue that life, for a black man, may never truly be fulfilling in any tangible way: "At the age of twelve I had . . . a conviction that the meaning of living came only when one was struggling to wring a meaning out of meaningless suffering," (Wright 100). Clearly, the act of writing becomes this struggle for Wright. Unfortunately, writing and literature are the two facets of the world that his own black culture seek to deny him throughout his entire childhood. So in this way, Wright is attempting to critique both black and white culture. Although the dominant, oppressive culture of white America aggressively places limits upon what is attainable for a black man, the oppressed black culture methodically limits the modes of escape for a black man out of the community's need for self-preservation."
Abstract This paper analyzes Stephen Crane's Maggie: A Girl of the Streets. The author examines how the book is a reflection of the writer's childhood and childhood experiences.
From the Paper "Many of Stephen Crane's life experiences are also expressed in his writings, but not in the way casual readers would expect. Many people believe that "The Red Badge of Courage" is the result of Crane's personal acquaintance with the Civil War and "Maggie: A Girl of the Streets" was written following a time spent living in the slums of New York. This is not true in either case. Stephen Crane was born after the Civil War and according to Benfey, "Maggie: A Girl of the Streets" was started prior to Crane moving to New York (63). Although, the deterministic theme in "Maggie: A Girl of the Streets" is not a result of Stephen Crane's personal experience in the slums, it is a reflection of a dark period in his childhood, his unpleasant experiences with Christianity, and parental deprivation."
Abstract This paper looks at the book, "Girl, Interrupted," which is the autobiographical account of Susanna Kaysen's life just after her graduation from high school in the late 1960s. The movie, is an adaptation of the book. The author reviews both works, which deal with a woman with borderline personality disorder, one of the most common, and misdiagnosed types of mental illness facing women.
From the paper:
"Another anecdote from the book that meets the DSM-IV criteria for diagnosis of borderline personality disorder is Susanna's dissociative episode. One day while simply sitting in a chair in the common room at the hospital, Susanna had the random notion that she had no bones in her hand. Susanna instantly, and for no apparent reason, became completely convinced that there were no bones in her hand. She was thus immensely disturbed and resolved to bite down on her hand until it bled in an attempt to get all the way down to the bone. Susanna felt as though she must see her bones to know that they are there and she refused to take anyone's word for it. This psychotic episode seems as though it may also be tied to a feeling of emptiness."
Abstract This paper examines and analyzes the novel "Brown Girl, Brownstones" by Paule Marshall. The author discusses many questions concerning what it means for an immigrant to make it in America, and characterizes the aspirations and accommodations of the Barbadian immigrants in the novel.
Abstract This paper looks at Joan Ryan's essay "Little Girls in Pretty Boxes" that applies observations of society from George Orwell's novel "1984." It looks at how Ryan's essay centers on the treatment of young female women, mainly athletes, that fits into Orwell's vision of a dystopian society.
From the Paper " Joan Ryan chooses the title of her essay well. The girls she writes about are little. They are little in physical stature immature of mind and body. Yet they are boxed into the telescreen of society's superficial eye under the "
Tags: Joan Ryan, Little Girls in Pretty Boxes, gymnastics, figure skating, George Orwell, 1984, Dystopia
Abstract Using the short story, "Boys and Girls" by Alice Munro, this essay explains the finer points of the societal gender expectations of boys and girls in the past. Many examples are used with quotations from the story to illustrate these points. Laird, the boy in the story, was favored over the girl to complete simple tasks on the farm. The expectations were that Laird do all of the outdoor work and that the girl should stay inside to cook and clean. In the end, a disaster ruins the girl's hopes of ever working outside of the house.
From the Paper "The girl had begun to accept her role on the farm as a passive female, which was expected of her at the time. She lost her sense of rebellion and with it her dreams and goals in life. Her actual dreams started to change. At first, she dreamed about rescuing others, now she dreams about being rescued. The girl has a sense of helplessness right now. No matter what she does, she will not have the chance to be herself. The horse, Flora parallels her story as well. Flora was a horse that was rebellious and untamed, which was much like the protagonist."
