Abstract The paper presents journal entries which examine a broad sociological concept. It provides the strengths and limitations of popular definitions of each concept and indicates the importance of each concept to the study of contemporary society. The paper describes the importance of a keen understanding of terms like class, gender and discrimination.
From the Paper " Library Research Journal: Definitions and Explanations of Class, Gender and Discrimination Class, Gender and Discrimination are items that are very important in any sociological discussion of our times. As society remains fractured along class, race, sex, ethnicity and a host of other divisions, knowing what these concepts are as well as their applicability to contemporary matters is very important. The following paper will provide definitions of the aforementioned concepts, an example showing application of each concept, some commentary on the concept and copies of the source page from which information on the concepts is drawn. In the final analysis, what should emerge is a recognition that these concepts are somewhat more complicated than they might otherwise appear."
Abstract This six page undergraduate paper examines representations of social class, gender, ethnicity, race, and/or age in the media. It seems evident that the best way to accomplish this is to examine television ads, radio ads, billboard ads, newspaper ads, magazine ads, and Internet ads. The writer points out that since ads are trying to sell a certain product or service, their content represents people who buy their product as extremely attractive, friendly, popular and happy people.
From the Paper "In conducting a content analysis of representations of social class, gender, ethnicity, race, and/or age in the media, it seemed evident that the best way to accomplish this would be to examine television ads, radio ads, billboard ads, newspaper ads, magazine ads, and Internet ads. Since ads are trying to sell a certain product or service, their content represents people who buy their product as extremely attractive, friendly, popular, and happy people. These representations in media ads may differ in specific content, but they all reach out to their target audience in the same way by appealing to the social instincts and values of people."
Abstract This paper analyzes Luis Rodriguez' memoir, "Always Running: La Vida Loca: Gang Days in L.A." It particularly discusses how identity is shown to be a prison of race, class and gender in which few young Mexican-Americans are able to escape. The paper gives examples from the text that illustrate how the very first social interactions of Latino youth in Los Angeles are severely impacted by their undeniable Mexican-American identity.
From the Paper "Another substantial iron bar of Rodriguez's prison was that of Gender. Clearly, male bravado played a big part in the early teen trouble-making years of Luis and his fellow gang-members. One example closely follows a summer expedition to the beach with some friends--both male and female. Rodriguez tells the story of young teens at the beach, flirting and fondling--interrupted by the local police. One thing that is interesting is his description of one of the female's body rising from the water after being thrown in by one of his friends. It is the first detailed account of the female form, and the account's graphic nature shows that his interest in becoming desirable to women has now become important. This description of his subject of interest, Hermie, is harshly broken up by the young group's run-in with the local law-enforcement. The reason this seems significant is because when Rodriguez gets home, his mother scolds him for being a trouble maker, saying: "You have to work, to help us out here. You're a big man now." The close relationship between his graphic memory of untouchable Hermie and his inability as provider for his family shows that his role as a man amidst all the other social challenges had just added more height to his mountain."
Abstract The writer researched the topic of gender, social class and race, by interviewing a Jamaican nurse and single mother; an English white male immigrant to Canada; and a female doctor of colour. The paper examines the testimony produced, discusses feminist research; and further examines how to dispel stereotypes
From the Paper "This paper was researched in a north Toronto hospital's emergency waiting room and coffee shop. I had gone to the hospital with a friend who was ill. Over the course of a 3-hour wait, I recalled my paper and began to speak to strangers, including 2 women and one man, all Canadian citizens. I gained different ideas of how race, class and gender can influence one's life experience with much to bring into question what is assumed of Canadian society, showing the disadvantages faced by women, by people born to less privileged backgrounds, and the not Caucasian. "
Abstract This paper uses reality television as an example of race, class, gender and sexual orientation in popular culture. The author argues that reality television shows are filled with stereotypes. The paper relates that these stereotypes are used to maintain the status quo.
From the Paper "Reality television, which is a hybrid of a game show and a documentary, is a relatively recent development. Basically contestants have to do some type of unusual activity and this activity is filmed for a television audience. The nature of the activity and the prizes vary from show to show with some shows involving stunts and large cash prizes, other shows involve changing life styles and the prize is a new and supposedly better lifestyle. Although the contests on reality television programs are not actors they are still picked using a very deliberate selection process."
Abstract This paper examines how African-Americans struggled to resist stereotypes of race and gender in the face of hostile and aggressive racism and how white southerners had for generations 'owned' their African-American counterparts making the struggle for equality and respect a long and difficult process. It discusses how, although it is important not to underestimate the achievements of African-American women, especially, the vitriolic hostility and fervent racism meant certain white constructed race and gender roles, still live on in the south.
From the Paper "The oppressive nature of slavery had had dramatic effects on African American gender roles. As the slaves were property of the plantation master, there was no need for males to act as the family head or providers. Stanley Elkins argues the severity of the slave regime crippled the slave personality, which therefore made slaves unable to partake in any actions that would resemble those of an organised community. Elkins believed that the severe mental trauma resulted in a defensive response, manifested in a loss of individuality, and instead created one uniform psychologically handicapped personality, which he termed 'Sambo.' "
Abstract This undergraduate paper examines conflicting African American attitudes about race and gender equality. The paper discusses how African Americans have spoken out against racial injustice and condemned the evils of discrimination. Ever since the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, successive generations of African American men and women have fought to end racial injustice in the United States. They have justifiably argued that it is morally wrong to deny equality to another human being because of race, and have won important legislative and court victories, especially during the height of the Civil Rights Movement in the nineteen-sixties. The paper further discusses how many African American men who have fought so courageously for racial equality have, ironically, denied gender equality to women.
Abstract This three page undergraduate paper examines societal conditions from the perspective of a Black woman. The writer conducts this analysis as though an urban Black American woman living during the Industrial Era. This provides the writer with a greater appreciation for present-day freedoms, for nearly all of them were unavailable to Black women at that time. The writer would have lived under segregation, would have had no right to vote and would have had no minimum wage protection, if in fact holding a job.
From the Paper "Imagining myself as an urban Black American woman living during the Industrial Era provided me with a greater appreciation for my present-day freedoms, for nearly all of them were unavailable to Black women at that time. I would have lived under segregation, I would have had no right to vote, and I would have had no minimum wage protection, if in fact I even had a job. As Franklin and Moss (2000) note, many other advantages would also have been unavailable to me then, such as primary, secondary, and higher education opportunities, college loans, and affirmative action programs."
Abstract This paper reviews the social structures that shape gender in our society, based in some part upon biological determinants, and the degree to which gender is socially constructed possesses striking levels of convergence with inequalities with respect to class and race as well. This essay examines the social structuring of inequality in respect to gender, race and inequality in order to highlight both the social determinants of gender stratification and how this has converged with inequalities of race and class over time.
Abstract This essay looks at advertising and the way race and gender are represented in today's ads. The essay argues that gender and racial inequality and stereotyping are very much present in advertising today and that this furthermore serves the advertising needs. The essay also looks at how advertising directly influences what we see in the media and how advertisers only goal is profit making which is best served by the consumerist culture we live in today.
From the Paper "Advertising is very important in today's society and have been for over 30 years, if only simply because it cannot be avoided. Ads are a major part of mass media and the mass media has a great advantage of being able to reach a large number of people in a very short time. In large industrial societies media takes on a mass scale so that television, radio, newspapers, magazines and now the Internet link tens of millions of people, and influence the way they think and spend their time and money."
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 Gender inequality is a worldwide epidemic that has plagued our society and others since the beginning of time. This paper attempts to look at how society and its members address the myriad of other issues (i.e., racism, classism, ageism, etc.) that are intricately interwoven into this deeply seeded and complex issue. An examination of these issues takes place through the summary of three journal articles in addition to other readings regarding the aforementioned theme of gender inequality.
Outline
Introduction
Personal Reflection
From the Paper "In the first reading, Age, Race, Class, and Sex: Women Redefining Difference, the article's author, Lorde (1997), attributes the continued oppression and dehumanization of women not as the sole existence of differences, rather as the inability to recognize and appreciate those differences. The article's author also points out that the inability to deal effectively with differences causes distortions in which individuals tend to ignore or even misname the definition of others. Lorde (1997) utilizes many of Freire's (1970:93) concepts regarding relationships as defined by oppression and stresses the importance of collaboration, self-reflection, and exposure to and appreciation of differences. "
Abstract This study examines the nature and effects of race and gender on managerial progression within the investment banking industry. It attempts to prove that race and gender have the potential to negatively impact a minority's ability to progress in the industry. Successful advancement opportunities, in theory, should be contingent upon an individual's skills, abilities and work history; unfortunately, time and time again, this theory has been disproved by statistical data, which indicates that race and gender do, in fact, impact on employees' potential for achievement. The study focuses on the managerial progression of candidates, both male and female, of minority and non-minority descent within the U.S. and the U.K. It also details the importance of developing more comprehensive recruiting and promotional activities targeted specifically toward these populations. The paper concludes that equality measures implemented thus far have not been efficient in attracting and promoting candidates.
Table of Contents
Abstract
List of Tables
List of Figures
Chapter I: Introduction
Problem Statement (or Purpose)
Significance of the Study
Assumptions
Limitations
Definitions (or Acronyms)
Chapter II: Review of Relevant Literature and Research
Chapter III: Research Methodology
Research Technique
Research Design
Survey Population
Sources of Data
The Data Gathering Instrument
Distribution Method
Reliability
Validity
Treatment of Data and Procedures
Chapter IV: Results
Chapter V: Discussion
Chapter VI: Conclusions
Chapter VII: Recommendations
Appendixes: Bibliography, Tables, Interview Questions
From the Paper "Research also reveals that at least within the United States, finding African American presence among the highest levels of responsibility at Wall Street firms including financial institutions and investment banks is not nearly as difficult in modern times as in historical times (McCoy, 1992). Black finance professionals have actually "built impressive track records with their own investment firms" (McCoy, 1992).
The good news however is tempered by statistics that reveal that in general there are still very few African-Americans and like minded minorities working in managerial positions overall within the nation's leading investment banks (McCoy, 1992). This is even truer for minority women, who often face double discrimination, being an ethnic minority and being a woman. Statistics also reveal that few black finance professionals are currently "coming through the pipeline" to help statistics (McCoy, 1992)."
Abstract This paper examines how gender discrimination effects everyone and overlays an additional burden to any true minority and how every man, no matter his race or religion, has a mother and most have sisters, wives and friends who are women effected by gender discrimination. It evaluates the conflict among the experts about just how much effect the combination of race and gender discrimination has upon the individual. It also looks at how the literature associated with discrimination often links race and gender in the same category.
From the Paper "Though the overwhelming statistical and behavioral research indicates that the problem of gender discrimination will be hard met and that solutions are complicated and hard to employ, there are many social theorists who argue plans of action that both make sense and will hopefully help the problem. In the past some of the responses to the difficulties that arise when a mixed gender competitive system is in play have been answered with further discrimination, usually leveled against women, something similar to the mythical "separate but equal" that was offered to black children during an earlier era, and interestingly ruled against in the era that allowed these law schools to openly discriminate against women. ?The twentieth century actually produced retrogression rather than progress. The handful of medical schools that had opened to women in the nineteenth century reduced their offerings in the early 1900s."
Abstract The paper proposes research on a New Jersey college campus to ascertain the perceptions of race and gender on white collar crime. The paper provides a literature review to either prove or disprove the hypothesis that white males will find white-collar crime less prevalent and damaging then racial minorities and women. The paper explains the methodology to be used and looks at previous research on this topic.
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Literature Review
Theory and Hypothesis
Methods
From the Paper "How can one expect society to act towards a crime if the lines are so vague that it often is only used to characterize those considered elite and upper class? This study attempts to further explain and clarify the perceptions of white collar crime by gender and race. It is our belief that White males (who benefit the most from the practice) will find white-collar crime less prevalent and damaging then racial minorities and women. This research helps to affirm not only is there a need for further research regarding perceptions men and women of various races regarding how they view white collar crime, there is a need to see why these perceptions have not been studied extensively over the past decade of research."
