Abstract This paper examines why it is important to give genderstudies an international history. The paper considers that both men and women have been on the planet for the same amount of time and claims that each must have contributed to the success of the human race in order for the whole to have survived. The paper contends that by presenting the accounts of gender history from an international perspective, the overall accomplishments of women can be seen as an even more spectacular series of events than by isolating those undertakings to a region or isolated part of history which minimizes in the scope of the big picture.
Outline
Introduction
Thesis
Blacklisted Witches
Rulers
Twisted Tales
Oppression and Violence
International History Gender Conclusion
From the Paper "Access to scholars and information who maintained humankind's history has been maintained by gender, location, birth or luck and men seem to have had more luck than women. History is prejudice in the sense that it certainly helps to have been born a male first son in a secure family that knew how to read, write or cipher. Women have been literate of course because of tutors, a benevolent father, husband or brother willing to share the male knowledge base. And the religious factions did well to educate many nuns or women living in convents of Europe and mainly in England, France or Germany. "They further argue that in this pursuit, when cultural and gender rights come into conflict, much sensitivity and careful balancing is necessary." (Moller-Okin, Susan, 1999) The fact remains, a very helpful skill was scholarly pursuit but because those skills rarely put food on the table, they were not pursued by all and the majority of those who did pursue those skill sets were men. The majority of mankind prior to the twentieth century had little to no educational opportunities available to them. "
Abstract The film "Boys Don't Cry" presents several themes, problems and questions that apply to and can also serve as examples for issues of women's and genderstudies. The paper shows that it relates especially well to Judith Lorber's chapter of the book Feminist Frontiers, entitled "'Night to His Day': The Social Construction of Gender." The paper shows that both of these works, although certainly in very different ways and in different mediums, convey the message that gender as we know it today is simply a construction of society. Therefore, gender is not a simple classification created by nature or biology, but instead one that has evolved and been shaped to fit particular social needs.
From the Paper "However, there are identifiable differences between this film and Judith Lorber's "'Night to His Day'": The Social Construction of Gender." It seems that Lorber both strives to emphasize, and maintains as a thematic backdrop for her chapter, the inferior and subordinate position of the female gender in comparison to the male gender. This is a topic that Boys Don't Cry only subtly touches upon. She states, "when gender is a major component of structured inequality, the devalued genders have less power, prestige, and economic rewards than the valued genders" (46). Men have historically taken the role of the oppressor and women the role of the oppressed, which is certainly not a natural condition but a product of enduring social structures."
Abstract History and politics, at least according to most college course catalogues, are separate disciplines. 'Women's Studies' also forms its own separate category, apart from these two disciplines. Yet in her work "Gender and the Politics of History", Joan Wallach Scott makes it clear that for as long as women's studies has existed as a discipline, feminist historians have suggested that all three elements are intertwined in a proper analysis of history.
From the Paper "Scott writes her work both in response to these feminist historians, and as a part of the tradition of the rash of academic and popular womens writing about women in history in recent years. (15) Although it is impossible to reduce these writings on women's histories to a particular political stance she suggests a certain commonality between all of them in their lack of commonality. She pinpoints a problem that arises because of the lack of a tradition of historiography when writing about gender. Historians with political projects, such as Marxists, employ different historiographic techniques than those mainly interested in studying the construction of the feminine narrative of reproduction, and how women have attempted to control their bodies throughout history, for example. (16) "
An evaluation of a recent paper published in the journal ?Women's Studies International Forum,? published by Regina Scheyvens and Helen Leslie entitled ?Gender, Ethics and Empowerment: Dilemmas of Development Fieldwork.?
Abstract This essay is an evaluation of a recent paper published in the journal ?Women's Studies International Forum,? published by Scheyvens and Leslie, in which the authors present facts and discussions related to several important issues for researchers pursuing ethnographic and cultural studies related to women"especially third world women. This essay involves an assessment of the following: Is there, or should there (or not) be a power distinction between the researchers and their subjects" Can the work be regarded as legitimate because of the vast differences in cultural perceptions? Certain ethical questions also crop up: Can the researchers bridge the gender divide and have males research females in third world countries? Is there an imposition of a researcher's sentimentality on the research, and is this exploitative? How valuable is such research"can it be presented objectively, honestly and more importantly in an unbiased manner" And, can such research help empower third world women? This essay addresses these issues within the context of the Scheyvens and Leslie's paper.
From the Paper "The authors? work is also very limited. Consider the countries they talk about: Fiji, El Salvador, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. The title of their paper is misleading; it promises sweeping work that would lead to generalized conclusions. The countries used in the research do not allow that. The countries researched are very isolated, quasi-aboriginal and primitive cultures though, this is not an indictment of these countries. Developing countries (third world) like India and China where poverty and sexism exist within a modern infrastructure (and a range of social situations?urban and rural) would provide a better subject for such a study. Religion (or its lack in China) plays an important role in the customs and traditions of these countries. Also, India and China have enjoyed fairly evolved civilizations before becoming the over-populated behemoths they are today. The paper, in its limited scope, should be more aptly titled ?Empowerment of women of the Pacific Islands and El Salvador.? "
Tags: power, gradient, cross-gender, research, United, Nations
Abstract The paper discusses a research which examines the impact of same-gender grouping during benchmark test administration on the performance of sixth grade science students who have otherwise received instruction in a co-gender classroom context.
Outline:
Objective
Introduction
Methodology
Key Terms and Definitions
Purpose of the Study Significance of the Study Literature Review
Summary of the Literature Reviewed
Conclusions
From the Paper "The work of Thomas S. Dee entitled: "Teachers and the Gender Gaps in Student Achievement" offers an insight into the gender gaps that exist in education in today's schools. It is stated by Dee that: "this study presents new evidence on whether assignment to a same-gender teacher influences educational outcomes. And it uses these evaluation results to discuss how the gender interactions between students and teacher may shape the early evolution of gender gaps across academic subjects." (2006) Furthermore, the educational outcomes examined in this study include teacher perceptions of a student's performance and student perceptions of the subject taught by a particular teacher. These subjective outcomes are useful simply because they are educationally important outcomes that provide a complement to the results based on achievement scores." (Dee, 2006) The following table lists the 1999 NAEP scores stated by Dee in by subject, age and gender."
Abstract The paper discusses the article, "The Role of Gender in Academic Achievement" by Lea Hubbard, which deals with issues such as the study of low-income African-American public high school students.
The paper states that the findings of this qualitative study suggest that gender and variables other than ethnicity and class distinctions are a prime determining factor in the performance assessments and achievement levels of African-American public high school students.
From the Paper "The above assertions are dependent on the qualitative research method using a sample of 30 highly successful, low-income, African American public high school students. It should be noted at the outset that the study is limited in terms the extent and range of its data sample. This not only refers to the emphasis on the low income selection and the category of 'successful student," but also to the important fact that the sample group is the participant in the AVID program. While this does not necessarily invalidate the findings of the study, it should be borne in mind as it indicates the parameters of the study and affects any generalized assumptions that can be derived from the research. This is essentially an ethnographic based qualitative study, and, as will be become evident in this review, this form of research method has obvious limitations in terms of validity and overall worth as a research methodology."
Abstract The paper discusses the declaration by Nancy Bonvillain that "gender relations can be characterized on a continuum from full equality to the complete domination of members of one gender by members of another...[and] may include economic, social, political and religious activities." The paper examines how this serves as a reminder of the complexity of conducting gender analysis in different contexts. This essay argues, with reference to several case studies on representations of women in early Canadian writing, that gender analysis must necessarily consider the existence of both the observer and the subject along a continuum that incorporates a recognition not only of gender, but also of variables of race, class, politics and religion.
Abstract One of the buzzwords in recent presidential elections has been "gender gap." Poll after poll, particularly in the past four presidential campaigns, have shown that men and women view candidates differently on the issues and vote accordingly. The gender gap, however, has been around for at least five decades, and we will study it here and learn how men and women tend to cast their ballots.
Abstract This paper reviewed a study of the responsiveness, which spouses have to each other during times of stress. The author details the type of study run, the variables used, the methods used and the results and conclusions based on those results. The paper relates some of the limitations of the study.
From the Paper "This study is intended to study the differences between genders in the way that they respond to their spouses' difficulties and stressors. The goal of the study was to gain understanding of the perception of women as better support providers, through examining certain events in which spousal support was perceived as necessary. There were two predictions made for the purpose of the study. The first prediction was that wives would provide better support than husbands would when the partner needed that support. The second prediction was that husbands would feel more supported by their wives when under high-stress conditions than wives would feel supported by their husbands under similar conditions."
Abstract This paper explores possible sources of gender roles and discusses some of the problems they create for society, as well as proposing some solutions. In this essay, the writer examines and compares two works concerning the issue of gender roles. The writer studies Judith Lorber's article 'Night to His Day' and the work 'Masculinity as Homophobia' by Michael S. Kimmel. The writer maintains that the fight for the civil rights of all people in the United States seems promising. Further, the writer notes that equality for both race and gender has come a long way since the early 20th century, but there is still a lot of work to do. The writer concludes that if gender role segregation continues, the opposition of sexes will continue indefinitely and that it seems that the best way to solve this problem is to fight to stop gender role enforcement from birth.
From the Paper "When it comes to defining people from a sexual perspective in the United States, people often confuse two words: sex and gender. The word "sex" has a purely biological definition, creating the categories of male and female. "Gender" has a completely different connotation, and contains many more than two categories. Gender roles in society are incredibly pervasive, and play an important role in defining a person. According to Judith Lorber in her article 'Night to His Day', children learn to play certain gender roles from birth, receiving cues from many different sources. In Michael S. Kimmel's 'Masculinity as Homophobia', the author focuses more on the male experience, focusing on how males learn and "perform" these roles that define our society. These articles contain a lot of similar themes, and at certain points it seems like they compliment or expand on each other. At the core of the concept of gender it is observable that both sexes receive subliminal cues from influential figures that attempt to define their actions for the rest of their lives; however, the separate expectations that apply to each sex are striking in their dissimilarity."
Abstract The purpose of this study is to examine the nature of the gender gap that exists between girls and boys at the primary and secondary levels of education. This paper first discusses some of the root causes that influence the development of gender stereotypes and the gender gap in science and math. It then examines some of the effects of this gender gap also within an educational context.
From the Paper "Consistently, studies have demonstrated that gender stereotypes can have an effect on the ability of girls to excel in either science or math. Cultural perceptions that assume that those subjects are the domain of boys and not girls can have a deleterious effect upon the ability of girls in a schooling setting to pursue and master either of these subjects that are considered to be so crucial. Science and math constitute two of the core academic subjects that are taught in school, especially at the primary and secondary level. Despite the basic importance of science and math to education at these levels, studies seem to indicate that the current educational situation actually accentuates the gender disparities that exist between girls and boys regarding learning in science and mathematics."
Abstract In this essay, the writer analyzes one episode of the T.V. program "Home". The writer explores the plot and the characters in this show. In this paper, the writer points out stereotypes and gender issues that appear in the show. The writer looks at the gender roles portrayed in one episode of the show.
From the Paper "Channel House is a medical show and the episode analyzed involved the case of a homeless woman who is brought to the hospital unconscious from a seizure. She was found in a punk night club looking for someone only identified as Jamie. The young doctor attending her believes she may have a brain tumor but the neuro surgeon he consults dismisses his diagnosis and says that the woman is faking and just wants a bed for the night. The case is discussed by ... "
Abstract This article studies the works of Judith Butler and George Mosse in order to discuss a definition of gender and masculinity. The writer discusses that Butler has controversial theories about gender roles and the need to discard current concepts of sex and gender. In this paper, the writer looks at her views of feminist theory. The writer explains how Mosse looks at the development of masculinity from the mid-1800s.
From the Paper "Judith Butler considers herself primarily committed to feminist theory and believes that gender comes from performativity. She distinguishes performativity from performance by explaining that the former presumes a subject but the latter does not accept the idea of a subject. Butler does not believe in distinctions between male and female but rather that they are based on performativity. For instance she does not see such factors as the ability to become pregnant, as being necessary to define a woman. She points out that there are females very young ... "
Abstract A synopsis of 'Beyond Gender' and the social issues it discusses such as: gender equality, corporate downsizing, welfare, affirmative action, pay differences, and families. It analyzes each of these issues from a male and female perspective and as opposed to a paradigm. It also studies the roles of mothers and fathers in our society and how they are depicted in several textbooks. It discusses the pressing issue of why women are paid less than men.
From the Paper "Beyond Gender by Betty Friedan covers a series of social issues that are of interest to most Americans, partly families and definitely women. Nearly 40 years ago Friedan wrote The Feminine Mystique, and this is her follow-up. Among the subjects that Friedan addresses are gender equality, corporate downsizing, welfare, affirmative action, pay differences, and families. Each of these issues were discussed in relationship to a paradigm shift ? ?...a change in the system that defined the problems, the models, and the methods on which a whole community ... was trained? (Friedan 1997). From a male perspective, it was a grating book to read, but full of a lot of ideas that I consider ?good starts.? "
Abstract The paper is presented in the form of an experiment which was designed to test the spatial ability of six male and six female rats using the Morris water maze, in order to see if a gender difference was present. The paper describes the experiment - it shows that surrounding the submerged platform were four geometric cues and each rat ran three training and six testing trials on the first day, then six testing trials on the second day. Results showed that there was no significant difference in gender spatial ability. The paper attributed this finding to the fact that many variables were not controlled.
From the Paper "Since its creation by Richard G. M. Morris, the Morris water maze (MWM) has helped researchers understand the spatial ability of rats. Many scientific experiments done using animals are aimed to predict the outcome of human beings when presented with the same situation. The studies done using the MWM were meant to reflect on the spatial ability of humans as well as of other species. These studies wanted to answer the basic question of "how does an organism reach its goal object if they cannot see it"? Rats were used in these experiments for many practical reasons. Rats are easy to handle and care for. Rats have a shorter lifespan than humans, for example, do. They will reach "adolescence" after six months while humans typically reach adolescence after twelve years. The following literature tests different groups of rats placed in different situations, the difference between male and female rats? spatial ability, the difference between male and female rats with age as an important factor, and the difference between male and female rats after a brain impairment."
