GENDER & IDENTITY

GENDER & IDENTITY

1. FAMILY- SOCIAL IDENTITY

   • MODERNIST
     • MURRAY (New Right Party)
       • The number of female-headed single-parent families are increasing > no male authority figure to impose discipline > lack of respect for authority > social problems such as crime
     • MARGARET MEAD
       • Role modelling + taking- helps children to learn their gender roles, responsibilities and leisure oppurtunities
     • ANN OAKLEY
       • By the age of 5 girls were familiar with their gender role
       • Gender roles are still asymmetrical- reinforcing patriarchal society where men impose discipline
     • Nuclear family + heterossexual relationships were the norm, everything else is deviant
   • POSTMODERNIST
     • YOUNG & WILMOTT
       • Gender roles are becoming increasingly symmetrical- men and women perform similar tasks and have similar opportunities- legitimising gender equality

2. MASS MEDIA

   • MODERNIST
     • GAYE TUCHMANN
       • Women are 'symbolically anihilated' in the media- their gender is less represented suggesting male roles are more important
       • Unrealistic female body images are portrayed in the media which has correlated with an increase in eating disorders
         • GOFFMAN
           • Any other body shape is stigmatised- thus impression management strategies are used to conceal the stigmatised identity e.g. cosmetic surgery
   • GOFFMAN
     • GENDER ADVERTISEMENTS
       • RELATIVE SIZE: Muscle and Height were emphasised as strong male characteristics showing power FEMININE TOUCH: Women are frequently depicted touching persons or objects in a ritualistic manner FUNCTION MANNER: When collaborated men are given the high ranking THE FAMILY: Women are displayed close to their child of the same gender whilst men are distanced shown as protector STANCE: Men body erect and head high to show superiority WITHDRAWAL: Women are shown as lost in though

3. SCHOOL- SOCIAL IDENTITY

   • POSTMODERNIST
     • SUE SHARPE
       • Aspirations of young women in 1974 were focused on motherhood and family whereas in 1997 aspirations of young women were career based + they took for granted equal oppurtunities
     • MELANIE PHILLIPS
       • FEMINISATION OF EDUCATION- To improve equal opportunities in school, slow&steady, creativity and discussion, appealing more to girls were focused on rather than high stake exams
     • MAC AN GHAILL
       • 'CRISIS IN MASCULINITY'
         • Due to deindustrialisation and loss of primary sector jobs as well as the rise in service sector jobs matching women's aspirations, their was increased competition for jobs
           • RESULT: Little, if any, aspirations > disengaged from school as educational success was seen as feminine > they didn't know how to react so formed anti-school subcultures to regain high status/power
         • Correlates with increase in sexual crimes against women as it could suggest how men are attempting to regain power
   • MODERNIST
     • HAMILTON (2003)
       • APPROPRIATE GENDER ASPIRATIONS
         • Scottish careers advisory service found from GCSE results that students were taking overwhelmingly gender specific subjects
         • Gender stereotypical work experience placements- however this combined student free choice, availability & assumptions held by teachers
     • GODDARD-SPEAR
       • Girls were marginalised in the classroom- marked in traditionally male specific subjects such as maths and science

4. SUBCULTURES

   • VALERIE HEY
     • Reinscribing a socially constructed female streotype
       • Practices of bitching, falling out and rituals of exclusion

5. LEISURE- PERSONAL IDENTITY

   • POSTMODERNIST
     • YOUNG & WILMOTT
       • Along with symmetrical gender roles, there is now also symmetrical gender leisure opportunities
     • Sport is now representative of both genders
   • FEMINIST
     • Leisure consumption reinforces a patriarchal society
     • Men expect women to choose cheaper alternatives such as home-based activities
     • Married women are likely to become involved in their husband's leisure activities
     • Social expectations such as motherhood mean that women depend on men for economic security, thus have less power over how money is spent
     • Men have larger social networks and perform leisure as part of their jobs
   • MARXIST
     • Women's leisure choices also depend on their class, age and marital status
       • Middle-class women: fitness club members
       • Working-class women: husband's leisure
       • Old: time-consuming activities
       • Young: confidence building/ team work
       • Married: Home-base activities
       • Single: Evening's out

6. POSTMODERN- DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN FEMININITY AND MASCULINITY ARE BECOMING BLURRED

   • HARRIET BRADLEY'S LEVELS OF IDENTITY
     • MEN- Passive to Active due to 'crisis in masculinity'
     • Feminist- politicised
     • WOMEN: Active to Passive- they take for granted gender equality