Analysis Of The Egg And The Sperm Essay

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The article, “The Egg and the Sperm: How Science Has Constructed a Romance Based on stereotypical Male - Female Roles,” is written by Emily Martin, an anthropology professor at New York University. The author explores how scientists have imposed gender-biased stereotypes through the use of scientific language and terminology. Martin suggests that biological scientists have influenced the way our culture views gender and the stereotypes imposed by society based on male and female roles. When reading this article I gained the perspective of how science has been influenced by our cultural definitions of male and female. When analyzing our cultural history, as well as today’s culture, gender has been constructed through the ideas and values …show more content…

Where as the male reproductive organs are always spoken about in a positive manner. The sperm is productive and hard working, as the egg is lazy and lifeless. Just like described in science, society has viewed the male role in a more positive outlook as female roles are seen to be less important. Males are seen to be productive and valuable as they go to work and provide for the family, where as females are to stay at the home and be the caregiver towards the children. As a result, women are seen to be dependent on the men and without men; women can often be shown as weak. Within the article, there is a piece where the author shows how scientists have used the Disney movie “Sleeping Beauty” to help readers understand how the reproductive system works. The egg is seen as the bride awaiting her king’s magic kiss, as the sperms mission is to “move through the female genital tract in quest of the ovum”(Martin, 2013, p.119). It is the sperm’s job to fight off the other candidates in order to save the egg, which will die in hours if not rescued by the sperm. Without the sperm, the egg is seen to be useless. Within this text readers can see how often the sperm is projecting such masculine characteristics, as the egg is very feminized. I viewed this to be closely related to the idea that was brought about in the 1960’s to 1980’s. It was believed if women had a husband and was able to treat them right, the women could then find happiness. Without a husband, it was believed that women were unable to live a normal and productive life

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