Abstract Compares an advertisement from CosmoGirl 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, CosmoGirl, Teen Vogue
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 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 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
This paper discusses the 'tweenager', a most significant European market segment because of its high purchasing power, brand loyalty, and familiarity with media technology.
Abstract This paper defines the "tweenager", the youngest members of the Generation Y segment who are eight to twelve years old, the pre-adolescent to adolescent age group, applicable to both the male and female members of the group, but much more likely to be female. The author points out that the culture of tweenagers, mainly based on the entertainment industry, considers entertainment personalities and pop culture icons as idols and "hero" models. The paper reviews two prevailing marketers of pop culture products and services for female tweenagers, Claire's Accessories and ?Cosmo (Cosmopolitan) Girl?, specifically in terms of each companies? marketed product, pricing, channels of distribution, and promotion strategies.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The "Tweenager"
Addressing the Tweenager Market
Claire's Accessories, Ltd.
?Cosmo (Cosmopolitan) Girl?
The Adult versus the Tweenage Market
Conclusion
From the Paper "In the case of the main units of analysis for this study, which are the pre-teen and media-savvy females, consumerism, materialism, and hedonism are illustrated among tweenagers? preoccupation with their physical appearance, or the body. The body, according to Joan Brumberg in The Body Project, ?is a consuming project for contemporary girls because it provides an important means of self-definition, a way to visibly announce who you are to the world.? Through material consumption, ?bodies are magically reworked and identities completely refashioned,? illustrating subsistence to hedonism (self-indulgence in happiness and in the pleasure that a tweenager has an identity and image of her own)."
Abstract This paper is a book review of David H. Clark and Matthew D. H. Clark's "Measuring the Cosmos: How Scientists Discovered the Dimensions of the Universe". It details the main aspects of this history as recorded in the book, and in the process takes the conclusion that the book is a celebration of the human passion for knowledge and the great debates that have accompanied scientific advance.
From the Paper "Searching the Skies: A Book Review of Measuring the Cosmos: How Scientists Discovered the Dimensions of the Universe by David H. Clark and Matthew D. H. Clark Clark and Clark's book is a historiography of the timeless human debate into the fundamental question of "Why?" Why do we exist? Where do we come from? Ultimately, what is the nature of the universe around us? The book follows the careers of the great minds of astrology from early antiquity to the modern era, following science as it haphazardly pushes forth the limits of human comprehension."
Abstract This paper describes a performance that the writer attended on August 29, 2008 of the musical group known as the "Cosmos Trio." It specifically discusses the four works that they played at the concert: the "Petite Suite" (2007), a work known as "Beautiful, Sweet, Delicate for Flute, Viola, and Harp" (2005), "Trio in Four Movements for Flute, Viola and Harp" (2006), and "A Columbus Triptych" (2006).
From the Paper "Overall, the reception of the works reflected the soothing rather than urgent quality of the pieces that were played. One problem with Cosmos Trio in performance might be that the viola and the harp do not have a wide audio range, and a flute is too quiet an instrument to provide a truly driving melody. The works, although skillfully played by exceptional musicians ultimately made an argument for the reason that most chamber groupings feature the more tonally rich and vibrant violin, viola, and cello rather than showcase the viola and the harp as the primary instruments over the course of an entire performance."
Abstract Quinceanera, Confirmation, Bat Mitzvah and Female Castration ceremonies are all part of the modern world and all mark the change in a young girl's life to that of a woman. A Quinceanera is the celebration of a girls fifteenth birthday. Once the spiritual ceremony is over the girl moves on to the social part of the Quinceanera. At the age of fifteen the girl is no longer a child. At the age of 12 girls become obligated to observe the commandments. The ceremony marks the time in a girl's life when she is ready for womanhood and marriage. For girls, these rites have traditionally prepared them for marriage and sexual activity (childbearing) within the marriage context.
Abstract This paper discusses research into North American youth gangs and suggests a basic intervention for senior public school girls involved in girl gangs. The paper focuses on explaining the vulnerabilities of girls when they're involved in gangs or associating with gang members and paper discusses urban youth gangs according to a systems approach borrowed from the study of North American families. In particular, the paper examines how the school has proven to be a place where parents or other adults can commence volunteer service towards protecting girls and their communities from gang influences. The paper also looks at how school-based interventions for young people tend to attract concerned adults who can make strong everyday contributions to 'reclaiming' their areas while aiding youths involved in gangs.
Outline:
Introduction
The Problem
Significance
Review of Literature
A School or Community Centre Intervention
Presenting Materials
Responding to Questions on Girl Gangs
Including Adults
Discussion
Concluding Remarks
From the Paper "Alarm at the crack cocaine culture of often violent youth gangs began in the mid-1980s, at first, failing to address the reality of girls as opposed to gang-involved boys, but by the time of the 1990s national assessment of the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program, it was known that girls should be addressed as a distinct entity, that one could not refer to generic young people. (Ramsey Et Al: 2003, Williams Et Al: 2002, Esbensen & Osgood: 1999) Girls are threatened by gang membership because their experiences of gang life differ from those of most boys in the presence of a very sexist subculture. "
Abstract This paper examines Jamaica Kincaid's short story ?Girl? to ?Boys and Girls? by Alice Munro. Both are stories about the coming of age of teenage girls and the rules enforced on them by society. The paper explores gender roles and mother-daughter relationships.
From the Paper "The title of the story, "Girl", is an essential part of the work itself. The title provides several ideas. First, the title represents the age of the daughter. She is not a woman, not yet on her own, but a girl, still reliant on another, still with much to learn. Second, the title symbolizes the mother's awareness of her daughter. She does not deem her a woman or a young lady, but a naive girl in need of steady instruction and supervision. A third idea of the title is that it represents the daughter's struggle to find her own rising identity in the shadow of her mother and the shadow of the identity her mother wants her to take on. She is not named in the story, nor is her place defined; she is not "daughter", "sister", "mother", or "wife", but "girl"."
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."
Abstract In this article, the writer looks chiefly at the native girl syndrome as it makes its appearance in the text and how the use of this slur by whites complicates the lives of the two protagonist, Cheryl and April Raintree. The writer discusses that part of the horror of the native girl syndrome is that it renders aboriginal women and young girls into little more than intemperate, slovenly and incontinent children who possess a "bad seed" that makes them susceptible to wrong-doing and also highly susceptible to being a drain upon the public purse. The writer maintains that the native girl syndrome, inasmuch as it reduces aboriginal women to lesser moral, intellectual and emotional beings than their white counterparts - also de-legitimates their voices and makes it more probable that they will be compelled to suffer injustice in silence. The paper explores these issues and also looks at how the native girl syndrome came about - it may even still be the case today - a rationale for tearing apart native families.
From the Paper "Cheryl and April are two young girls who suffer a great deal in Beatrice Culleton Mosionier's, In Search of April Raintree. For one thing, Culleton Mosionier's work describes in painful detail the various ways in which aboriginal peoples coming of age in 1950s and 1960s Canada were infantilized by the dominant culture. For one thing, the intrusion of Child Welfare Services into the inner goings-on of the Raintree family reveals the callous manner in which aboriginal peoples were perceived as "wards" who could do nothing - be nothing - without the mainstream culture imposing itself upon them. The book, at least in the view of one perceptive critic, suggests that the violence of the troubled aboriginal home is equaled by the more subtle violence of Child Services, a dark and dubious entity that tears children from their families or at least did in the 1950s and 1960s and undermines the autonomy and, indeed, the adult personages of aboriginal parents. The book is also painful in the sense that it captures how the "culture of violence" ascribed to the native culture is a designation better ascribed to the dominant culture of the age. To wit, April and Cheryl experience racism and ageism and sexism in the dominant culture and face punishment from that culture at every turn; in fact, there is even a frightening instance wherein April is brutally raped by a gang of men who react explosively when she denies their advances. In this sense, part of the native girl syndrome is to be viewed as an inferior being - emotionally, intellectually, morally - and therefore deserving of such brutal mistreatment."
