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Gender stereotypes are still present in society
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“Grow a pair of balls” is commonly used phrase in the postmodern age. This is a slang term that can be used by both men and women in the society. The phrase has been controversially used as sexist terminology as it references social inequality and the perspectives taken by individuals in society. The term as used in every day dialogue and is used on both males and females as an offensive phrase. The person addressed is questioned on the existence of their testicles or by the size of them directly relating having small (or in a females case, no) testicles a sign of weakness . The phrase has been used as a means of putting down the egos of numerous men in reference to the subject’s masculinity (Daubney, 2014).
In this modern society, the use of this phrase is widely used in everyday life. It appears in song lyrics, television shows and even newspaper article headlines. It has become so common that Katie Hopkins article in the published in the UK Sun newspaper
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In her book ‘Second Chance Romance’, Sophie Monroe identifies with the phrase grow a pair of balls and states her disbelief in the use of the term. She is of the opinion that the society should instead say “grow a vagina” (Monroe, 2013). Her supporting reason, “those things can take a pounding” (Monroe, 2013) links the idea that these gendered phrases are less about the actual body part themselves but instead about the gender as a whole. In gender slang women are represented as vaginas or pussies while men are represented as balls. Putting this theory into practice it changes the phrases to ‘don’t be a woman’ and ‘grow a man’. This is an attack on all those who think women are a bunch of “pussies” (Grossman & Tucker, 1997). Consequently, this creates a sense of conflict in the society between men and women in society (Frisby, 2010). The society wants to maintain the patriarchal perspective whereas many more seek for
The topics that Joe Ehrmann uses as framework for his Building Men for Others program are quite intriguing and make you really question masculinity. The first topic, rejecting false masculinity, can be interpreted a few different ways. In the book, it states: “As young boys, we’re told to be men, or to act like men” soon followed with “we’ve got all these parents say ‘be a man’ to boys that have no concept of what that means. I completely agree with the statement of Joe Ehrmann and often question the definition of ‘being a man’. Many boys and men will reject the idea of a man being anything other than being big and strong or having power.
We see the use of this in the following statements, “…most men make themselves as useful around the kitchen as ill-trained Labrador retrievers (paragraph 2).” and the statement, “I would no more enter that kitchen than I would attempt to park a nuclear aircraft carrier… (paragraph 4 )” and, “I realize this is awful. I realize this sounds just like Ozzie and Harriet (paragraph 7).” All of these statements are being used to add to the stereotype about how useless men are in the kitchen and to enhance and get across his point that, well, these stereotypes are pretty much accurate and true. The main technique we find Dave Barry employing is the use of humor. Throughout this essay he focuses on keeping the tone light and humorous so as to entertain and yet still educate. We see him casually admitting his and others shortcomings as men and directing the humor at himself as he makes fun of his horrible behavior. In doing so, he makes this piece very easy for the reader to relate to; whether you are a woman who can sympathize with the other women in this essay as you, yourself, have had experience with men who have acted in much the same
Margaret Wente’s Globe and Mail article on what women could learn from men presents itself as dogmatic and controversial. Wente’s intent is to persuade their readers into believing that men have become a scapegoat for society yet women could learn lessons from men. Although Wente does have a clear purpose in explaining what women could learn from men, her argument is weakened by her lack of substantial evidence and her appeal to emotions being manipulative.
Throughout history our understanding of the world has been manufactured through the judgment of human beings. The overall change and shift in paradigms can be explained by social construction theory. An article written by Carole S. Vance discusses the topic of social construction theory and illustrates how it impacts gender roles. Social construction can be defined as: a critical subject of reality that analyzes the ideas of a particular group or culture based on society and the aspects of society (education, religion, government etc.) Another article “Feminist Critiques of the Public/Private Dichotomy” written by Carole Pateman explains how men had placed women in a hypothetical bubble that is dominated by men. Men have always been looked
Realistically, when someone is more powerful, they have the ability to set the rules. Men have historically held power in society, which means that women did not have as much stance or freedoms as men have had in the past. For example, Canadian women did not have the right to vote until the year 1916. This factor has continued to trail into the present day, creating the ‘weak’ image towards women, overall forcing and pushing men to become the opposite of this factor. Thus, cultural ideals of masculinity rely on the ideas of femininity through patriarchy and gender binaries. The emphasis on characteristics of men are being exaggerated, as society is pressuring men with unattainable standards of masculinity such as being tough, muscular and buff. Men continue to conform to these characteristics, in the fear of being oppressed through exclusion, which only strengthens society’s standards even more. This leads to more societal pressures on men, thus leading men to experience more societal pressures in the fear of feeling excluded. These “systems of inclusion and exclusion are divisions or barriers that prevent people from joining and belonging.” (50). For example, if a man wears nail polish, they may be oppressed and excluded through facing ridicule and bullying, because wearing nail polish is considered “girly”, therefore this boy is rebelling against society’s socially
Zeilinger believes that not only women suffer from oppressive gender roles. Men often suffer just as much if not more. She seeks to expose the issues men face in todays society. Guys do have emotions, and when they come, they must face a big dilemma. They can either disconnect from their human emotions or live in a “state of contradiction” against their “manliness.” The traits that traditionally come with being a man are harmful to society. They are expected to be “cunning and take power and control instead of sharing it.” Men must be willing to point out weaker men in order to be above them. Zeilinger points out the adverse effect this mainstream mentality has. Guys are afraid to stray from the strict rules of manliness. If men go against the common standards they risk losing their identity as men. Those who choose to not follow these social norms are seen as a threat by those who are clinging to them. Gay men, for example often choose to stray from these norms. Zeilinger brings up a story of a friend who is gay and must overcome “male and female stigmas”. He often feels displaced as he does not fit in the realm of male or female roles. Zeilinger ends her article calling for change among both men and women in order to create a healthier
This inconsistency in the English language is hard to rectify, considering it is not the dictionary definition that needs altering, but the associations society as a whole has with these words. Therefore, in this circumstance the blame for the sexist lexical asymmetry does not lay with the English language, but with society’s interpretation of the vocabulary. The regular occurrence of marked terms for female roles is a second example where the English language may be seen as degrading to women. Illustrations of this include ‘actress’ for females, where a suffix has been added onto the end of the unmarked mal... ...
The word “cunt” used in modern language carries a heavy offensive potency in just one syllable. Saying phrases such as “You’re a cunt!” “Stop being such a cunt” or “You fucking cunt” for those with more gusto for its use, reveals the misogyny that the word possesses. After all, “cunt” is another, albeit derogatory, word for vagina and (most) females have a vagina; and the vagina is the central powerful symbol for femininity. What does it mean then to essentially be a “vagina” (read cunt)? Furthermore, as a woman, what does it mean to have such a pejorative word aimed towards you with the intent to offend, harm, and essentially oppress one’s own femininity? Yet, as British journalist Zoe Williams states, the word “vagina” is not used to insult women; however, cunt” is. To be called a “cunt,” then, suggests that the offender is attempting to dishonor this very symbol of womanhood, by scandalizing the word in attempt to claim and perpetuate its pejorative power, thus diminishing the woman, and inadvertently her power.
‘Women and men are different. Equal treatment of men and women does not result in equal outcomes.’ (Corsten Report, 16: 2007) According to Covington and Bloom (2003) numerous feminist writers have demonstrated and documented the patriarchal nature of our society and the variety of ways in which the patriarchal values serve masculine needs. ‘Despite claims to the contrary, masculinist epistemologies are built upon values that promote masculine needs and desires, making all others invisible’ (Kaschak, 11: 1992).
Phillips says that the future of men is women because women have a long standing battle or history of women’s movement and right protests. The study of masculinity is growing due to the influence of the successful feminist movements. Women and Men are compared to one another for the longest time, but men has always been the dominant during the early stages of humankind. It is said that male and female bodies were innate and suited for specifics roles in society. In the 18th century, male bodies were more superior, stronger, more able, suited to be leaders, roles in government, business, family and land. While the females we're fragile, weaker mentally, and physically, and better suited for childbearing and household roles (Phillips, 514) . Males have always had the upperhand, but no one ever talks about their insecurities and
Masculinity is a subject that has been debated in our society for quite some time. Many wonder what it means to be masculine, as it is difficult to define this one –sided term. Pairing this already controversial term with “feminist studies” can bring about some thought - provoking conversation. Feminist studies of men have been around for many years with regards to the feminist movement. It seeks to create gradual improvements to society through its main principle of modifying the ways in which everyone views what it means to be a man. Feminist studies of men bring forth the discussion of hegemonic masculinity; how this contributes to the gender hierarchy, the radicalized glass escalator and ultimately the faults of this theory.
As one looks through society, one starts to see many cracks and loopholes where one set of standards does not apply the same way for men as it does to women, and vice versa.
Paul Theroux articulated the differences the world places between the male and female genders. Men are always looked upon as the superior gender in the sports world, newspapers, and articles. From the early ages of this planet women were always put down under men. In the 21st century, we give women more attention and rights, but there are still some people that are against the term “feminism”. Paul Theroux states that “has always hated being a man, the whole idea of manhood in America is pitiful, in my opinion”. Paul is a man and saying this shows that we still have gender differences and opportunities.
Sexist language can be described as any language that confers a higher value or greater significance to one type of gender and devalues the other. Sexist language is usually used to stereotype, subordinate or trivialize onesex. More often than not they are mostly used against women or describing women and rarely are they used against men. Hence the rise of feminism to advocate the rights of women. The purpose of this paper is to outline how the use of sexist language such the boys has been used to control how women think and make them want to be associated with the bigger sex “male.”
Michael Levin, a professor of philosophy and author of the book Feminism and Freedom, faults feminism for trying to impose an inappropriate equality on men and women that conflicts basic biological differences between the sexes (Levin, Taking Sides, 42). Women are not the same as men, neither physically nor psychologically. In the past, men tended to be the stronger more powerful gender, while women have traditionally been viewed as the weaker, more feeble one. The untrue assumption that men and women are the same in their ways of thinking and physical capabilities leads to the failure of the feminist message. Their agenda of eliminating all observable differences between men and women is doomed to fail and will inflict more pain than gain in the process. Recognizing the differences between the sexes and allowing each to do what they are strongest at will in the long run make society stronger, more efficient, and more effective.