This Week:
Systems of
Privilege and Inequity
Learning
Gender
Read: Chapters 2, 3
View: Video 2
Write: (2) Blog Entries
Exam: Take the Quiz on Blackboard
Note: The Quiz is available now and will be available until 5 p.m. on July 4.
Note: The Quiz is available now and will be available until 5 p.m. on July 4.
Chapter 2 Systems of Privilege
The key concepts in Chapter 2 include difference, mythical
norm, normalization, hierarchy, stratification, target group, privilege,
entitlement, ranking, racism, sexism, classism.
Other items presented include compulsory heterosexuality, prejudice,
homophobia, hate crimes, sexual terrorism, societal institutions, ideologies,
stereotypes, bootstrap myth, internalization, horizontal hostility, hate
crimes, misogyny and sexual
terrorism. As you contemplate this
chapter, you may ask yourself, “What does it mean to say that humans are marked
by difference? In what kinds of ways are women different from each other?”
Chapter 3:
Learning Gender
The key concepts in Chapter 3 include sex, gender, intersex,
sissy, tomboy, femininity, masculinity, gender assignment, gender identity,
gender expression, gender performance, biology, culture, gender socialization,
intersectionality, androgyny, transgender, genderqueer, cisgender,
transsexuals, double bind, superwoman, gender ranking and stratification and systems
of inequality and privilege. You should emerge from this chapter with an
understanding of the distinction between sex and gender. Further, your studies
will allow you to understand the concepts of gender assignment, gender
identity, and gender expression.
For your reference, I have attached a link to the
Transgender Law and Policy Institute.
Blog Entries Due this Week:
July 2: Systems of privilege question
What
are three specific ways that societal institutions support systems of privilege
and inequality and provide examples.
July 4: Gender question
What
are the contemporary norms associated with femininity and masculinity? Provide
examples of the various institutions that maintain these norms.
Systems of Privilege Question:
ReplyDeleteThree specific ways that societal institutions support systems of privilege and inequality are sexism, classism and economically. Social and societal organizations and institutions create systems of inequality and privilege because they pattern and structure differences among women in relatively organized ways. First, sexism is prejudice or discrimination against women. Sexism can be seen in college sports. Colleges typically spend more money on men’s sports than women’s sports. Also in a gym that is shared by both men and women the men get the better practice time and they have more new and up-to-date exercise equipment than the women. Next is classism, which is favor in people belonging to a particular social class. Most people will associate with people that they view as being in their in-group and will less likely associate with people they view are in their out-group. High-class institutions will choose to hire someone whom they see is from a high social class. They will choose this candidate over someone from a low social class because they see this particular person as someone who is in their in-group. This person is someone whom they feel they will share particular interests with. Lastly, the economic system is another example on inequality. Our economic system distributes resources and wealth based off the work that we do. Women tend to work in jobs that are heavily occupied by women. Jobs like, clerical work, retail sales, teaching and nursing. These jobs are undervalued in our society and this contributes to the fact that a woman’s average salary is typically less than a man’s. These three ways are all examples of how societal institutions support systems of privilege and inequality, they all structure women and what is not considered the norm differently than they would for men and social classes that are considered the norm.
Nicole, I really enjoyed your example of sexism. Areas like sports are the perfect ways to describe it. There are just as many female athletes as male athletes but somehow only male sports get the attention and attendance they deserve. Take Clemson basketball for instance. Have you ever been to a women's basketball game at Clemson? Probably not. I'm guilty of it too, the only women's game I went too had a maximum of 50 students present.Yet the amount of students who show up for mens games are upwards of selling out the arena. Why is this? Our female basketball players are incredibly talented, yet receive no credit based on the assumption that their skills are less exciting or inadequate due to their gender. Inequality at its finest. Good post!
DeleteThree societal institutions that support systems of privilege and inequality are family, health, and the economy. These institutions remain and unfair through because they are founded upon systems of oppression that include sexism and classism which support discrimination of people based upon sex or gender and socioeconomic status, respectively.
ReplyDeleteFamily supports a system of privilege and inequality because of the rift associated with being a man and a woman in a union. Men of the family are constantly looked to as the heads of households and studies have even shown that households ran completely by women alone are closer to living in poverty if they are already not destitute. Men are said to be the providers of the household while the women are the caretakers of the children and maintain the upkeep of the home. This institution of inequality is a common source of issues that arise from gender roles and stereotyping.
In addition to family, health and healthcare is also a system that supports the same privilege and inequality. People who are insured are commonly receiving better healthcare and evaluations than those people who are not. Even though there are policies in place that are supposed to safeguard against such practices and everyone is to receive care, the thought; effort; and manpower is not always utilized to its best ability when regarding the under-insured.
Lastly, the economy supports privilege and inequality by affording opportunities and lessened judgments to people who possess a higher financial status; the same rules do not always seem to apply to them. An example of this would be the teen of a wealthy family that was drunk driving and killed several people, but he was not charged with any type of murder based on a made up condition called “affluenza”. Dictionary defines “Affluenza” as (n.) the guilt or lack of motivation experienced by people who have made or inherited large amounts of money (dictionary.com). This young man took lives but served no time because of he was too rich to understand the consequences of his actions.
The aforementioned are merely three examples of how some institutions support privilege and inequality. I am positive that the list could go on for days.
It bothers me so much, especially in the state of South Carolina. I have heard someone explicitly say "I don't get tickets because so and so is my father." Why should it matter who your father is? I would like to say sometimes, my mother is a working-class police officer who watches over the city at night so you can be safe, so what do I get? It is sad how society has twisted the system and made everything about who you know or who you are. I didn't come from a lot of money, but I am no less of a person that the people that come from the family that owns Clemson. It baffles me. Sorry to be so long winded under your post. Haha.
DeleteHaha.. No!! I understand exactly how you feel!! I really didn't understand the " it's not what you know, it's who you know" concept until I moved here... It's alive and well!!
Delete
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter 2, within the subheading labeled, "Institutions" we are introduced to what Institutions are. Institutions are defined as social organizations that involve established patterns of behavior organized around particular purpose. Further reading concludes that institutions function to support systems of inequality and privilege. It is noted that social organizations are central in creating systems of inequality because they pattern and structure differences among women in relatively organized ways. These systems of inequality are accomplished in three specific ways: sexism, inequitable distribution, and classism.
"First, institutions assign various roles to women and men and are also places of employment where people perform gendered work." The educational system was an example used in the book, but I am beginning to disagree with this more. In my time at Clemson I have had significantly more male teachers than I have had female. Though the text did not specify what level of educational institutions, I would have to say, from my experience, that the higher the level, the less you will find women in the class room. However, I do agree with the fact that women tend to have render jobs that are traditionally for women and undervalued such as clerical work, service and retail sales, or teaching and nursing. Women like myself, who are African American do not come from economic stability, have an even harder time. We are marginalized even further and face even greater obstacles in the suit of employment. However, women as a whole face inequality
"Second, institutions distribute resources and extend privileges deferentially to different groups. The example used in the book was sports. I agree totally with the books views on the under-representation of women's professional sports. An example I would give would be ESPN. They advertise NBA games or college football games on just about every network. However, the WNBA rarely has coverage. You would not know it was happening unless you were pursuing the situation personally. Another example I would offer refers to the sports programs at Clemson University. Clemson spends millions of dollars on our football program, but we do not have a University official softball team. This is an example of how resources and privileges do not benefit women.
The third would be classism. In our society, it isn't about what you know; it is mostly about who you know. A woman could be well qualified for a position but would quickly be rejected if the next applicant, more than likely a man, knows who's in charge. People are given positions they want or that they are deemed best for, and they aren't earned. Again, for people like me in one the "target groups", it is disheartening and very discouraging. Most African Americans were not birthed into families with high ranking in society. And this makes most feel as though they will never get passed this system. This is why I am working so hard to rise above this status quo.
These were some of the ones that stood out to me, and were most relatable to me.
I feel that all three of your examples are very relatable. Relating to your second point, I was a walk on for the Women's rowing team at Clemson and I can still remember the coaches making a big deal that there was only a women's team and there wasn't a mens team. And that was a big deal because men's sports are always given priority over women's. Also, relating to your third point, I myself have experienced growing up around a society that is about who you know and not what you know and it is disheartening and discouraging. We just have to overcome inequality and the privileged.
DeleteYou are right Nicole, but it's like how can we overcome if we aren't given a chance for any leverage? I just want a chance. It's like getting an internship. They want you to have experience. How can I have experience if you won't give me a chance? I'm glad to know that we at least have one up on the men at Clemson! haha
DeleteAgreed! After reading that part in the chapter about the typical employment industries occupied or EXPECTED to be occupied by a female, I thought to myself, " clearly, I've got to get my doctorate now because people are expecting me to just stop at being a nurse". Which in itself is a lot to prove down here in SC. I work for a hospital in Oconee County in the ER and I am the only African American care provider in my department on ANY shift. There are Black nurses that work on the floors in the entire hospital. I understand what you're saying about being misrepresented and all, but there's also got to be a desire
DeleteFor our people to be noticed and rise against odds.
DeleteYeah, it is partially our own fault. I agree with that 100%. It's the same at the job that I am at this summer. I am the only female in my department and the only black person. It's awkward at times, but it empowers me and makes me certain that I chose the correct path. The road less often traveled by our kind.
DeleteInteresting that you brought up inequitable distribution. Not only are females and types of minorities given less opportunity, worse hours and so on, they are also payed significantly less. The pay gap between men and women in South Carolina is almost $10,000. Thats crazy to me! Women are doing the same job yet getting paid less. Not okay in my book. (info attainted at: http://www.usa.com/south-carolina-state-income-and-careers.htm)
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ReplyDeleteInequality is probably the longest and most fought against problem in society's history. Yet it continues to grow and be a problem because societal institutions and the people of today allow each other to encourage inequity and privilege. Examples of ways in which this is done is through sexism, aesthetic bias, and colorism. Sexism is to me, the most obvious way inequality is still influenced by society. Women are given less opportunity, less pay and less respect without any reason for such treatment. Men also suffer from sexism, haven't you ever heard someone mocking a male nurse for doing a woman's job? One particular part of sexism that intrigues me is the double standard of it all. An example that applies to college aged students is the idea of sexual lifestyles. A man, well let me not give them so much credit, a male who has bountiful sexual partners is applauded by other males and encouraged to keep it up. However, females are disgraceful "sluts" if they have multiple partners. Not saying either is okay, but why the double standard here? From sexism one can encounter cosmetic bias. This affair which is referred too as "lookism" judges a persons quality or ability based on appearance. The media connives us into believing that a certain body shape is perfect and we strive to achieve that. We even idolize celebrities for arbitrary traits such as perfect hair or airbrushed skin without knowing anything else about them. This lookism can move even further into a big category of colorism. I'm not just speaking about whites vs. blacks, but yet the further conflict between ones own race. People may associate with others or seek after people who are tan rather than pale or light skin rather than dark skin. All of these trivial differences are what makes people who they are and the fact that we are judging each other for them is the explanation for why inequality continues to exist. Before we can even begin to solve this problem, the question of "what is different?" must be answered. To me, the answer is that different doesn't exist, instead things are personal, innovative, individual. This way we can stop obsessing over trying to fit a certain image or mold and embrace the beauty of makes us together instead of resenting the ways in which we're different.
ReplyDeletePerri, I completely agree with you when it comes to sexism. To me, men do hold higher paying jobs, but will be discriminated for holding a position that is considered a "woman's job." Also, I really like how you included how college students encourage inequality with each other. In my blog, I wrote that certain clubs do not allow someone in because of their status in society regardless if they are a good person. There are double standards that men and women hold against each other.
DeleteI really related to your blog, and agree with every example that you gave that shows how society supports inequality.
Three ways societal institutions support systems of privilege and inequality are racism, sexism, and classism. All these intertwine and have a system of cause and effect with each other. For example, the book states that racism and classism are intersections with each other because, “…25 percent of Latino/as and almost 26 percent of African Americans compared to 9 percent of white Americans were living in poverty.” Personally, I do see how certain businesses will not hire someone because of his or her race, gender, or social class. Discriminating hinders the ability for someone to get a job, which causes the poverty rate to increase. Sexism is also a problem when it comes to the work force because it is known that men hold better paying jobs than women do. The book says, “…as the prestige of the teaching position increases, the number of white males in these positions increases, along with high salaries.” In this statement we see that a person who is a male and white hold better and higher paying jobs. This shows how societal institutions support sexism and racism. To me, I feel that certain clubs on college campuses support these institutions through classism. If someone does not come from a family that shows considerable amount of wealth then they may not be invited into the group because they do not hold a high position in society and cannot contribute enough funding to a group. This is my opinion, and a way I feel campuses around the United States create ways of supporting systems of privilege and inequality.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteInstitutions are social organizations that involve established patterns of behavior organized around particular purpose. Even though institutions are intended to meet the needs of society generally, or people in particular, they meet some people’s needs better than others. Three specific ways that societal institutions support systems of privilege and inequality are sexism, classism and inequitable distribution.
Sexism is prejudice or discrimination against women. As stated in the book, “institutions assign various roles to women and men and are also places of employment where people perform gendered work.” It is very true that schools are more likely to hire women to teach over men. I have noticed that as the prestige of the teaching position increases, the number of white males in these positions increases.
Classism is to have favor in people belonging to a particular social class. Classism allows you to place people in a group and judge them based off what class they are in. While a women may be better for a job than a man is, the man may end up getting the job over her just because he is a man. Also, if you are in a lower class, only lower class institutions will be interested in you because they feel like you are more like their group.
Inequitable distribution is when institutions distribute resources and extend privileges deferentially to different groups based off of their gender. The book talks about how sports is a good example of this problem. Men’s sports are more highly valued than women’s sports and are a major focus for sports entertainment. I can relate to this. I am a cheerleader at Clemson and I notice that the men’s sport teams are treated with way more respect than any of the women’s teams. The males receive better practice times and they have better workout equipment than we do. This is just some of the things that show how resources institutions have are more favored to men.
Question #2
ReplyDeleteGender performances are associated with meanings about femininity and masculinity, while sexuality concerns sexual desire, feelings, and practices.
Masculinity has been constructed from the classical traits of intelligence, courage, and honesty. Weakness, softness, and vulnerability are to be avoided when you are a male. Some key dimensions dictate no sissy stuff, which means they need to reject anything associated with femininity. They need to have big ambitions and want the pursuit of success, fame and wealth. They are expected to have confidence, competence, stoicism, and toughness.
Femininity has been constructed from the classical traits of being soft, passive, domestic, nurturing, emotional, dependent, sensitive, as well as delicate, intuitive, fastidious, needy, and fearful. These are the very character traits that have kept women in positions of subordination and encourages them to do the domestic and emotional work of society.
Institutions maintain theses social norms. An example is sports. Men are not necessarily better athletes than women; rather, sports as an institution have developed to reflect the particular athletic competencies of men. Gender norms provide the standards or parameters through which thoughts and behaviors are molded. Another example is the various ways the Internet and other virtual technologies have facilitated the difference between femininity and masculinity. The book also talked about toy stores. The difference between girl toys and boy toys are extremely different. The mini ironing board made for little girls and the toy gun made for a little boys play a huge role in creating and justifying how each gender is suppose to act. This also includes video and cell phone games and computerized activities that also teach lessons about gender.
Gender Question:
ReplyDeleteFemininity and masculinity are social constructs that are shaped through society. Gender provides standards for behaviors that can then be molded. Men and women learn the practices of gender that are associated with masculinity and femininity and are rewarded for appropriate behaviors and are punished for inappropriate behaviors.
Femininity and masculinity differ across cultures but, we will focus on the contemporary norms associated with femininity and masculinity in North American societies. Femininity contemporary norms include more androgynous characteristics than a woman from the past like, smart, competent, independent, beautiful, thin, athletic, sexy, loving, sensitive, domestic, emotionally healthy, strong, assertive, and active. An example of a modern woman is someone who will go to work at a corporate job where she holds and executive position, when she leaves work she comes home to care for her husband and children. The new liberated and modern woman is best described as superwoman. An institution that maintains these norms would be woman’s rights.
On the other hand, masculinity contemporary norms are, intelligence, courage, honesty and sexuality, strong, independent, sensitive and vulnerable. The old view of masculinity was emotional stoicism and that heterosexual men dare not dress out of the norm or they will be subject to ridicule and discrimination. Now a days the contemporary man is more metrosexual. Men tend to dress more fashionable and “hipster”. Today’s contemporary man is more in touch with his feelings and takes on more feminine roles in the household, like laundry or cleaning. Contemporary masculinity is well-rounded. An institution that maintains these norms would be pop culture and todays society.
Where to begin with this blog entry?!?! Well, for starters, I was raised by my father. So, my own mental construct of what it is to be a woman or feminine is largely different from what is probably considered the “norm”. So much of society places constraints on being masculine or feminine that people cannot even live their lives happily because of the fear of contempt for actually being true to themselves.
ReplyDeleteIn order to be feminine you have to be nurturing, gentle, delicate, sensitive, etc. Basically, all this soft stuff that makes you think of pink flowers, rainbows, and unicorns. On the other end of the spectrum, being an obnoxious, violent, sexual deviant is acceptable for a man as long as he remains the “strong” “provider” that the “man” is supposed to be.
It is unfortunate that there are so many institutions that help to uphold these accepted gender norms that are primarily double standards and completely unfair and inaccurate representations of what it is to be a male or a female. Since sports are an obvious and very big example of an institution that supports the norms associated with being feminine or masculine, I will choose the military. Having served 8 years in the Army, I have seen first hand that there are some units or jobs in the military that are not open to women, like Special Forces. The idea behind this is that there are conditions in which someone (probably a man) decided would not be suitable for a woman; it would’ve been “too tough” for a female. I would like to know how many women they interviewed before they came to this conclusion. Including myself, I know several women who would have loved to get the extra training to be in that unit but were denied on the basis on being female.
Another institution that maintains these norms is the media. Media is horrible with these constructs of masculinity and femininity. They go beyond just how you should behave or act to identify with a specific gender; they also tell you how you should look weigh, wear your hair, etc. If I turn to the food network, I am looking at a woman in the kitchen preparing quick and easy meals for the kids after soccer practice. Where is Dad in the kitchen? Males have to eat too, right? Women are paraded around in beauty pageants and such while males are broadcasted in body building (how macho). I won’t even begin to get into how the media portrays sex in regards to being masculine or feminine because that is entire other blog in itself. (16 and pregnant, pregnancy pact, male gigolo, etc) It is just really disgusting how the media portrays a man and a woman. Not to mention that the woman always seems to get the short end of the stick and portrayed negatively!!
Using the military as an example was brilliant! I also come from an Army family and I have watched gender roles be broken first hand. My oldest cousin, Adam, is a foot solider for the army and my cousin Sydney just earned her pilot license. Both very important jobs, that require the same amount of extensive training. Most people would attribute this type of job to a man but my girl Sydney is kicking butt right there with them showing them that girls can do any job not matter how tough. Great post and thank you for your service!
DeleteNot a problem! And you make sure that Syndey continues to kick butt! Lol.... It's one thing to do a "man's job", but it is soooooooooo much more empowering when she does it better than any of this men.
DeleteStephanie, I really like your post. The military was a great example. I have family that serves, and I agree that it is harder for women to be accepted in training for Special Forces. It is also true that media plays a huge factor. It has created a way for these contemporary norms to be spread across the world. These insitutions now have a faster way to spread these horrible "norms." It's a shame that women are considered vulnerable and soft compared to men, and I think it is also shameful that young boys are expected to be "masculine" starting at such young ages. Its sad that a gender gap is created as such young ages.
DeleteFeminine vs. Masculine is a hard line to draw. Not for all people I suppose as some languages, such as Spanish, devote every word to being either female or male. But for me however, it is hard to define. What makes something manly?Well thats hard to say because there are so many different types of men. But yet society has managed to stereotype these words into being something more concrete. For society, for something to be manly it would be something tough, rigid, strong, big. A manly drink wouldn't be the correctly portioned 16oz soda but instead the 60oz jumbo size because "men need things bigger" or some bogus saying like that. Women like on the other hand is thought of as anything dainty, weak, sensitive and so on. Well I hate to break it to you men, but I have met a few women on my day that give absolutely zero meaning to the words dainty, weak and sensitive.
ReplyDeleteIts easy to point out that these stereotypes to exist but breaking the gender roles set in stone by society is harder than it looks. This is probably due to the societal institutions encouraging inequality that we talked about in the last blog. When looking at the words used to describe feminine or masculine they are exact opposites, unequal terms. Sexism and determination based on appearance or physical ability are all institutions that encourage gender roles and "masculine" or "feminine" adjectives. As long as there is inequality, injustice will be present. Because people are able to point out the stereotypical differences in men and women, these differences are continuing to be used in a condescending or humiliating manner.
This topic made me think of that new Always tampon commercial. Every time I go on Youtube to watch a video the commercial first comes up as an advertisement. Its over 3 minutes long but I watch it every time. Young girls have the right idea here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJQBjWYDTs
Question 2:
ReplyDeleteContemporary norms associated with femininity and masculinity is something everyone does. The books states that it is something we “do” and something we do not “have.” Sports have become a contemporary norm because men are not necessarily better athletes compared to women, but the sport institution has focused on the “athletic competencies of men.” If a sport such as the balance beam or long-distance swimming would be considered a popular sport then women would outshine men. Toys have shaped what is considered a norm for femininity and masculinity. Little girls are supposed to play with Barbie or American Girl Dolls, and little boys are expected to play with G.I Joe. Although, both are dolls, the G.I Joe represents “buff” men with guns, and Barbie come with “pretty” dresses and shoes. This is a way our society has forced gender identity at such young ages to boys and girls. Contemporary norms associated with femininity and masculinity can vary by race, class, and age. The book states, “For example, due to historical and cultural reason, many African American women have not internalized the association of femininity with passivity and dependency characteristic of white femininities.” I found it interesting that patterns of gender in the United States have been adopted world wide because of “production, consumption, and communication.” The Internet has made interaction between nation to nation easier, so this is also a fast way for “contemporary norms” to expand. To North American society being “masculine” involves breaking rules, sexual potency contextualized in blending of sex and violence, and contempt for women. Women are considered week, soft, and vulnerable. For this to be considered a norm is absolutely horrible to me. Our society is very cruel to each other to let this be considered normal for both male and females.
Society shapes gender roles, such that men's sports are more competitive like football or hockey thus making them more enjoyable to watch. Society also shapes gender roles when children are very small, females are told to play with Barbies and boys with cars or trains because that is the social norm. I agree that technology has made it easy for norms of masculinity and femininity to expand because different cultures and societies have different norms for masculinity and femininity.
DeleteThe notions of femininity and masculinity are socially constructed. With that being sad, they are interpreted differently in different cultures.
ReplyDeleteSome contemporary norms in masculinity include traits of intelligence, courage, and honesty. I know men that do not incorporate either of the three. So does that make them less of a man that incorporates one, two or all three? This is how society makes you feel. Other key dimensions described in the book include potent sexuality and an affinity for violence. I don't understand it. Society thinks all men want to black their woman's eyes. And when that happens they throw him into jail. But I would like to challenge that with isn't he just reacting the way he's supposed to? Not saying it is right, but we must stop associate ourselves with these LABELS.
Some contemporary norms (or traits) associated with women include softness, passiveness, domestication, nurturing, emotional, dependence, sensitivity, as well as delicate, intuitive, fearful, etc. I disagree with some of these and agree with others. We, as women, are very nurturing. That is a trait that God gave us because He made us for the purpose of bearing life. However, the fearful and sensitive part, I disagree 100%. I know some men who would jump out of their skin if you said BOO! Again, my culture has by default (in my opinion) made me a strong woman.
One institution in which these notions are upheld and emphasized is in sports. Have you ever heard kids say, "You throw like a girl?" I would like to challenge that statement with how does a girl throw? As described in the chapter, the way girls throw a ball is an object of derision. Whereas throwing like a boy is learned, practiced, and made a big part of the way athletes train. There's a movie on a young lady who became a quarter back for her high school, but that isn't taken into consideration. Society makes us believe that boys (or men) are far more superior in sports than us ladies. This is because, as the book describes, sports where women perform less well than men are valued in the United States.
"Gender norms provide the standards or parameters through which thoughts and behaviors are modeled." In today's society, if one does not conform to the outlying norms you are deemed inappropriate, and sanctioned. Women and men have expectations of them when it comes to behavior. And if they are not upheld to the slightest detail, they are labeled inappropriately: weird, whores, sluts, stud, jerk, jokey, etc.
Politics would be another institution which upholds masculinity and femininity. I had never seen this practiced more than in the 2008 election. A black man was running against a woman! Talking about rare and diverse! President Obama was expected to be "inarticulate", amongst many other stereotypes associated with African American people. Senator Clinton was expected to be emotional and maybe fearful, amongst other stereotypes associated with women.
Lastly, there was a line the chapter that really caught my eye. This line represents many positions economically, socially, and politically. The chapter speaks of the group called the "Promise Keepers" who believe that "men are to rule and women are to serve within the traditional family system". This brings me to my third and final institution that incorporates practices of femininity and masculinity. Family, some men think that they are supposed to be the sole provider, while their wives sit at home like a bump on a log. I think this is by far one of the dumbest (and I do emphasize dumbest) statements man could have ever made. Media, however, reaffirms this notion sometimes. This makes society think it is okay to think like this. It isn't, hasn't been, and will never be okay to think like this. Women are equal, and anything a man can do, we can do better.