Parasexuality, as defined by Bailey (1990/2007, pp.148-172) is “sexuality that is deployed but contained, carefully channeled rather than fully discharged; in vulgar terms it might be represented as ‘everything but’”. Women working in bars and clubs are some of the best example of people who employ parasexuality, as they use sexuality in their jobs but are not actually putting their bodies to use. This paper will explore the ways in which the female bartender and the bottle girl employ parasexuality in their jobs and the way that parasexuality affects the class structure of women working in clubs. Further, the way that, while parasexuality is used to the advantage of women in both those positions, it can also lead to sexual harassment and may complicate the question of what constitutes harassment when sexuality is part of the job. …show more content…
However, unlike other jobs, the female bartender can use this sexualization to her advantage. Consequently, sexuality becomes her job, though technically she is being paid to pour drinks. Further, as much as the bartender may be sexualized, she is always behind the bar. This physical barrier keeps her from being able to make any sexual advances but may even make her more alluring. As Peter Bailey (1990/2007, pp.148-172) explains in his analysis of the Victorian barmaid, “the configuration that secured her separation from the public in the public house made her role there more conspicuous and seductive.” Further, he explains that the confines of the bar can have effect of putting the barmaid on a stage. This remains true today, as the basic structure of a bar has hardly change since the Victorian era. All of which makes the bartender a prime example of parasexual figure; while the bartender may dress provocatively or even engage in flirtatious banter with punters at the bar, that will always be as far as it
...both prostitutes who hardly speak out against the men and will do anything for them, this apparent when at the docks Candy was harassed by other men.
Frances Willard’s top priority through her literary piece was to show the negative effects and degradation of the common man due to excessive use of alcohol. Frances Willard’s article on the temperance movement portrays the women’s part in pacifying man’s grasp on alcoholic beverages and the steps they had to take to make it h...
This exciting nightlife led women to seek for the elimination of double standards in regards to gender; therefore, they began to experiment more in their sexuality than did previous generations. In the generation leading up to the emergence of the flapper, the popular style for women was that of the “Gibson Girl”. Based on the depictions of women by Charles Gibson, these women do share some similarities in their demeanor, as they both emphasize this new idea of women being self-sufficient.... ... middle of paper ... ...
An extremely interesting, but ever-contradictory sociological study of sexual relationsis presented in the Kathy Peiss book Cheap Amusements . The reason I say that it is ever-contradictory is that the arguments are presented for both the benefit of cheap amusements for a woman s place in society and for the reinforcement of her place. In one breath, Peiss says that mixed-sex fun could be a source of autonomy and pleasure as well as a cause of [a woman s] continuing oppression. The following arguments will show that, based on the events and circumstances described in Cheap Amusements , the changes in the
This hypersexual behaviour is the most straightforward way for a man to assert his masculinity, most often at the expense of women, while undermining the definition of masculinity given by hegemonic masculinity. The self reference artists make, framing themselves as pimps, hustlers, and players, asserts an oppositional masculinity defined by consciously chosen hypersexuality, and the affluent “pimp” is preoccupied with the commodification of women (Miller-Young, 2008, p.
Governed under the principles of male supremacy and superiority, it is comprehensible as to why female sexuality has been coined a “dangerous mechanism”
In the 1920s, women struggled to develop a work identity that would give them professional status and preserve their femininity (Walkowitz, 1051). They wanted to be eligible for an executive position, but at the same time they also wanted to be Women finally began working outside the home, but not yet at the level, status, and rank they deserved. They deserved
While “The Yellow Wallpaper” mainly touches on the treatment of women in Gilman's time and only majorly addresses how negative the reception was for them while the men of her world were well-respected individuals, “A Streetcar Named Desire” makes a commentary on the gender roles of masculinity and femininity as a whole, including the two different portrayals of masculinity and how femininity was still generally looked down upon by American society in the late 1940s, unfortunately noting that not much had changed in the time between the stories passed.
...ve begins generating rumors for male peers who do not qualify as a stereotypical male. For instance, Olive pretends to have sex with a male peer during a popular house party (Gluck, 2010). This imaginary hook-up benefits the male peer’s bullying dilemma. Again, gender policing occurs between men when masculinity is questioned (Kimmel, 2008). “One survey found that most Americans boys would be rather be punched in the face than called gay” (Kimmel, 2000, p.77). The gender police govern Olive’s and the male peer’s status in social standings. America’s obsession with sex disregards if a girl truly sleeps around.
Wilton, Tamsin. "Which One's the Man? The Heterosexualisation of Lesbain Sex." Gender, Sex, and Sexuality. New York: Oxford University, 2009. 157-70. Print.
Gender has been around throughout history; however, within recent years, gender has separated itself from the traditional view of sex, e.i., male or female, and has become centered on ones masculinity or femininity. Of course gender is more than just ones masculinity or femininity, gender has become a way for one to describe, he or she, in a way in which they are different from everyone else. Gender has turned into a sense of identity, a way for one to feel different and fulfilled among all of those around them. Of course gender’s sense of freedom would seem outside of structure and only affected by one’s own agency, however, structure is a key component in establishing gender. We can look into both ethnic Mexican’s culture practices regarding sexuality, children songs and games, and see that cultural traditions still heavily influence gender, creating what is masculine and what is feminine and what is the role of each gender, as well as challenging the notions that gender is solely based on agency.
Kendal, Diana. "Sex and Gender." Sociology in Our Times 3.Ed. Joanna Cotton. Scarborough: Nelson Thomson, 2004. 339-367
Gender and sexuality can be comprehended through social science. Social science is “the study of human society and of individual relationships in and to society” (free dictionary, 2009). The study of social science deals with different aspects of society such as politics, economics, and the social aspects of society. Gender identity is closely interlinked with social science as it is based on an identity of an individual in the society. Sexuality is “the condition of being characterized and distinguished by sex” (free dictionary, 2009). There are different gender identities such as male, female, gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual that exists all around the world. There is inequality in gender identities and dominance of a male regardless of which sexuality they fall under. The males are superior over the females and gays superior over the lesbians, however it different depending on the place and circumstances. This paper will look at the gender roles and stereotypes, social policy, and homosexuality from a modern and a traditional society perspective. The three different areas will be compared by the two different societies to understand how much changes has occurred and whether or not anything has really changed. In general a traditional society is more conservative where as a modern society is fundamentally liberal. This is to say that a traditional society lists certain roles depending on the gender and there are stereotypes that are connected with the genders. One must obey the one that is dominant and make decisions. On the other hand, a modern society is lenient, It accepts the individual’s identity and sexuality. There is no inequality and everyone in the society is to be seen as individuals not a part of a family unit...
How does 'sexuality' come into being, and what connections does it have with the changes that have affected personal life on a more general plane? In answering these questions, Anthony Giddens disputes many of the interpretations of the role of sexuality in our culture. The emergence of what he calls plastic sexuality, which is sexuality freed from its original relation of reproduction, is analyzed in terms of the long-term development of the modern social order and social influences of the last few decades. Giddens argues that the transformation of intimacy, in which women have played the major part, holds out the possibility of a society that is very traditional. "This book will appeal to a large general audience as well as being essential reading for those students in sociology and theory."(Manis 1)
Robyn seemed to be a little mad by the thing that the waiter in the restaurant thought that she was an ordinary secretary who went out to have dinner with her boss. Even if there was not that situation, she was put in the same category of women. “She was less amused by their waiter 's evident assumption that she herself was Wilcox 's secretary, being set up for seduction.” (Lodge 201)