Sc2220 lecture 4 2011
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This document provides a summary of a lecture on masculinity and femininity. It discusses: 1) Where gender studies has been, from the study of women to theories of gender. It also discusses the sex/gender distinction and gender socialization. 2) The content of the current lecture, including where gender systems come from, unpacking gender systems through examining beliefs and practices, and examples of gender systems and their changing nature over time. 3) Examples of how gender beliefs can affect evaluations of people's skills and products, and an example of how economic crisis in Russia marginalized men both in and out of the home.
Sc2220 lecture 4 2011
- 1. SC2220: Gender StudiesLecture 4: Masculinity and FemininityEric C. ThompsonSemester 2, 2010/2011
- 2. Where We Have Been…History of Gender StudiesFrom the study of women to theories of genderSex/Gender DistinctionGender is built on sex differences but not determined by them.Becoming Male or FemaleGender socialization; paths to learning gender.
- 3. Where We Are Going…Gender SystemsGender as systems of beliefs and behaviorsGender in Popular CultureGender in Social RelationsGender and PowerGender and WorkGender, Here and NowGender in Singapore
- 4. Today’s Lecture…Part 1: Where do gender systems come from?Part 2: “Unpacking” the gender system.Part 3: ExamplesEffects of Gender SystemsChanging Gender Systems over Time
- 5. PART 1: Where do Gender Systems come from?How do we go about producing Systems of Gender and Sexuality?The Cultural Process . .General Concepts ofMasculinity and Femininity
- 9. Tell that to these guys…
- 10. Difference and Distinction are essential to MeaningMapping things onto a gendered structure gives them meaning.
- 11. DressSariPretty
- 13. Gender versus SexualityGender and Sexuality are very closely related, but not the same.“Gay” and “Straight” – refers to sexuality (sexual practices)Pondan, Katoey, Berdache, Man, Woman, etc. are “gender” identities (a broader category that mere sexual practices).Example of “Katoey” gender.See: Oetomo (1995) in Supplemental Readings
- 14. Gender Systems at PlayGender systems (cultural beliefs) provide us a basis for knowing how to behave.This enables and empowers us to act (as gendered individuals) in society.It can also be constraining and limiting (for example, Billy Tipton, who had to go to great length to overcome gender constraints).Gender is also a source of pleasure, amusement and play in all cultures.
- 15. PART 2: “Unpacking” Gender SystemsHow do we go about understanding gender systems?What are the elements and processes that make up gender systems?
- 16. Gender Is Not Primarily IdentityGender is systems of beliefs and practices. It is not something we are but something we think and do.We come to think of gender as identity as a result of regular reinforcement of these beliefs and enacting these practices.Masculinity and Femininity are “Structures of Appropriate Behavior” (see: The Gender Tango); they are socially constructed in relationship to each other.
- 17. “Doing Gender”Gender is something we do (a performance) not something we are (an identity).West and Zimmerman 1987 – “Doing Gender”Judith Butler 1990 – Gender TroubleMasculinity and Femininity are beliefs and guidelines for appropriate behavior – they are beliefs that guide us in doing gender.Because gender is something we do all the time, everyday, we experience it as identity – as something we “are” rather than something we “do”.
- 18. “Unpacking the Gender System”(Ridgeway and Correll 2004)Gender is a System of:Gender BeliefsInstitutionalized Social Practices“Unpacking” the Gender System means Critically* examining these Beliefs and Practices*”Critical” Social and Cultural theory does not mean “criticizing” or bashing; it means carefully and reflectively examining.
- 19. Hegemonic Gender BeliefsCultural Beliefs – beliefs that are shared by two or more people.Hegemonic Gender BeliefsA belief is hegemonic when everyone in society must act in relationship to it – whether they believe it or not.Hegemonic Masculinity (from Connell).Alternative (Nonhegemonic) Gender BeliefsMany alternative beliefs may exist in a societyDifferent beliefs may be hegemonic in different groups or different contexts.
- 20. Hegemonic Masculinity(Connell and Messerschmidt 2005)Not necessarily “normal” (in the statistical sense)… but “normative” (it sets the standard – it is the way a man should be).Not a fixed idea; differs over time and from place to place.Plurality and Hierarchy of Masculinities.The power of Hegemonic Masculinity requires men (and women) to act in relation to the set of beliefs that are “hegemonic”Adoption, complicity, privilege, defense of status-quoResistance, alternative masculinities, “passing”
- 21. Hegemonic Femininity?Hegemonic Femininity vs. “Emphasized Femininity”Debate over whether forms of femininity can be called “hegemonic” (because femininity is more often than not culturally devalued compared to masculinity).Can we assume that masculinity is always hegemonic (powerful) and femininity “emphasized” (subordinate)?As with Hegemonic Masculinity; “Emphasized” or “Hegemonic” Femininity is normative – it sets standards in relation to which everyone in society must act.
- 22. Cultural OperationsSex CategorizationCategorization by sex/gender is a First Order Cultural Operation; before any interaction with other people we place them in abstract gendered categories (man, woman; boy, girl).Gender as Background IdentityGender is something “always there” but often implicit (and taken-for-granted)Effective SalienceGender comes into effect in certain social contexts (but not always, in all situations).
- 23. Rules for Acting in SocietyGender systems guide our behavior; they give us a blueprint for:How we ourselves should act.How we should act toward others.How we evaluate others.How we evaluate ourselves.
- 24. Beliefs and their EffectsWill changes in Gender Beliefs change Social Practices (inequality, discrimination)?Do changes in Gender Beliefs follow rather than lead Social Change (changes in practice)?Answer: We don’t know… (but we have some ideas; and the answer is probably both, in different cases.)
- 25. PART 3: Examples (Case Studies) of Gender Systems…A. Effects of Gender SystemsB. Changing Gender Systems over Time
- 26. Gender Beliefs and EvaluationOne example where there seems to be good evidence for the effect of Gender Beliefs…Peoples skills are evaluated differently, based on whether they are men or women.Many studies have shown that resumes (e.g. in applying for jobs or schools) with a MALE NAME are judged more favorably than the same resume with a FEMALE NAME.There is also evidence that men are negatively evaluated when performing traditionally female tasks (e.g. domestic work, childcare).
- 27. Product EvaluationProducts are evaluated more highly when portrayed as produced by men than when portrayed as produced by women.If the products are “masculine” (engineering, military) then the effect is very strong.If the products are “feminine” (domestic and childcare products) then the effect disappears or slightly favors women.
- 28. Men in Crisis in RussiaIn the 1990s, Russia experienced severe economic crisis.Unemployment among men was high.Although men were available to help with domestic work, women actively excluded them from housework by controlling the domestic sphere.Men were doubly marginalized: in the economy outside the home (through unemployment) and in the domestic sphere.S. Ashwin “Men in Crisis in Russia: The Role of Domestic Marginalization,” Gender and Society (2004)
- 29. Transitions Through Time and SpaceMasculinity and Femininity are constructed differently in different times and places.“Where Have all the Trans-Gender Ritual Specialist Gone?” (Peletz 2006)Hollywood Images of Masculinity in the Late 20th Century (More on this in Lecture 6)
- 30. Examples of Transgender Ritual Specialists (Peletz 2006)Pre-Colonial Southeast Asia: Widespread Evidence of “Trans-Gender” Ritual SpecialistsSida-Sida (Peninsular Malay)Bissu (Bugis)Basir and Balian (Ngaju Dayak)Hau Bralin (Khmer Initiation Ritual)Acault (Burma)As well as others…
- 31. “Where Have All the Trans-Gender Ritual Specialist Gone?”Contemporary Southeast Asia: Apparently less “Tolerant” Attitudes; Marginalization of Trans-Gender Individuals (But still many examples)Pondan, Mak Andam (Malaysia)Banci (Indonesia)Khateoy (Thailand)Bakla, Bantut (Philippines)Why? Modernity? Bureaucratic Rationality? Religion (esp. Spread of Islam and Christianity)? Capitalism? Westernization?Transition from “Gender Pluralism” to “Gender Dualism”