Gender

     I totally agree with the statement that gender is learned.  I am taking cultural anthropology in conjunction with this course, and it is quite interesting to see how the different social contexts influence gender roles.  Today, for example, we somewhat superficially examined how the division of labour differs between males and females.  Females often do work closer to home while the men do work that is generally more dangerous, requires more strength, or causes them to travel away from home.  Yet, this is not the rule cross-culturally.  Although our western society would stereotypically think of construction as men's work, in some parts of Africa, it is the responsibility of the women. 

     There are also the issues of how the media influences our perception of gender.  With many of the women portrayed on television being rather unhealthily thin, this creates an unacheivable ideal that many of the young women in our society fruitlessly try to achieve.  Even in class  today, the three attributes we chose as inherently feminine were, in effect, all quite external.  We determined that the ideal female is classy, stylish, attractive and beautiful, and yet we pretend that we are well aware of the way that the media influences our perception of such matters.  Yet, feminity goes far beyond efforts to preen oneself into a fascimile of another's natural physical beauty.  We neglect to mention the emotional sensitivity women posess, their strength and determination, their ability to sacrifice themselves for the sake of those they love.  Are these not mose important than ensuring that every last hair is in place prior to leaving the safety of one's home?  If feminity is defined by the external, then it is extremely repressive. 

     This question of gender roles is extremely relevant to teaching.  When we as teachers condone this limiting, superficial feminine identity, we help to mold our students into shallow imitations of some supposed ideal when we should be encouraging them to become more fully themselves, regardless of any culture influences that act against this process.  It is also important to note that as the idealized cultural perception of femininity is quite physical, there are girls who develop eating disorders in an attempt to gain the status, respect, or sense of belonging that they believe accompanies this ideal physique.  In good conscience, teachers must be proactive concerning these issues, not merely part of the problem.

-Rachel


The above three images were all found when I googled femininity...
They were the only three that significantly deviated from the sensual to show
real women who seemed to be truly unique and enjoying this difference.