WGS 110 Midterm Assignment by

Gender Norms

aliyagoetzfried — 2025-03-04 00:43:45 UTC

Gender norms and their evolution connect directly with our class lectures. We explored how gender roles are deeply ingrained through both cultural and biological narratives, much like Freud's early theories about gender identity. The article highlights shifts in these beliefs, especially in the growing recognition of gender as a fluid concept. This evolving understanding challenged traditional norms, encouraging a more inclusive approach to gender.

Weingarten, Elizabeth. “How to Shake up Gender Norms.” Time, 20 Jan. 2015, time.com/3672297/future-gender-norms/.

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Power and Social Structure

aliyagoetzfried — 2025-03-04 00:50:52 UTC

This post emphasizes how traditional gender roles, rooted in historical and social contexts, continue to shape expectations and inequalities. In areas like the workforce and family decisions, these issues are particularly relevant. Understanding these dynamics amongst genders is crucial for developing strategies to address gender disparities and promote equality.

“ContentKeeper Content Filtering.” Teachers.institute, 2025, teachers.institute/gender-school-society/exploring-gender-dynamics-power-relations-structure/.

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Intersectionality

aliyagoetzfried — 2025-03-04 00:56:05 UTC

While women face challenges based on their gender in the workplace and in gender roles within their lives, Black women face the additional struggle of race-related challenges.

Black women face many barriers on top of being female. They are often judged more harshly than their counterparts in the workplace. They also are often forced to carry heavy emotional tolls from a lack of support by management. Many black women are used as a "token" or the representative of their entire race, which leads to undue burdens of isolation and feeling overwhelmed. They are also faced with a lack of recognition for accomplishments compared to their counterparts.

“7 Struggles Faced by Black Women in the Workplace.” The Corporate Sister, 3 Feb. 2021, www.thecorporatesister.com/blog/7-struggles-faced-by-black-women-in-the-workplace/.

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Gender Gap

aliyagoetzfried — 2025-03-04 01:06:04 UTC

The Gender Gap is a long dicussed issue. Women have been consistently underpaid compared to men for the same jobs. In 2024, women's participation in the labour force has surged beyond that of 2023.

Women fall behind men in the "C-suite" positions, holding only 25% of top positions. This article recommends quotas and professional networks to improve women's access to the world of work, helping to close the gap. They also discussed the Forum's Global Gender Parity Sprint 2030, a six-year initiative to promote economic gender parity.

Geldard, Rebecca. “Gender Gap: This Is the State of Work for Women in 2024.” World Economic Forum, 27 June 2024, www.weforum.org/stories/2024/06/women-work-gender-gap-2024/.

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Gender Expression

aliyagoetzfried — 2025-03-04 01:11:03 UTC

When it comes to gender expression there are no rules. Gender expression is what you feel is right and what makes you feel good. For many people, things like makeup, clothing, and other forms of gender confirming accessories can help them to feel at home in their bodies.

While there are options such as padding or binding, some even feel comfort in adding makeup to their every day look simply to better express their true identity.

Minus18.org.au, 2025, www.minus18.org.au/articles/ways-to-play-with-your-gender-expression/. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

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Heteronormativity

aliyagoetzfried — 2025-03-04 01:26:53 UTC

This article examines the impact of heteronormativity in elementary schools, highlighting how gender norms are reinforced in curriculum. It discusses how it can lead to bullying and exclusion of those that do not conform to "typical" gender norms. The study shows that while teachers are generally open to embracing diversity, they face barriers to addressing these issues effectively. Emphasizing the importance of early intervention and creating inclusive school environments to support all students.

Goodhand, Margaret, and Kathleen M Brown. “Heteronormativity in Elementary Schools: The Hidden and Evaded Curricula of Gender Diversity.” International Journal of School and Cognitive Psychology, vol. 3, no. 3, 2016, https://doi.org/10.4172/2469-9837.1000188.

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Women in the film industry

aliyagoetzfried — 2025-03-04 01:27:19 UTC

Although we have come to see some progress within the film industry in recognizing female filmmakers, significant challenges remain. Recent award season nominations highlight the continued underrepresentation of women in key categories. Initiatives like the #MeToo movement and the F-Rating have sparked efforts to address gender inequality in film, but the struggle for recognition continues. Although challenges remain, there is optimism for changes as the industry slowly shifts towards more inclusive practices in celebrating females in films.

Sinclair, Isla. “A Decade of Women in Film: How Gender Equality in Film Has Changed from 2010 - 2020.” Plymouth Arts Cinema | Independent Cinema for Everyone | Plymouth College of Art., 22 Jan. 2020, plymouthartscinema.org/a-decade-of-women-in-film-how-gender-equality-in-film-has-changed-from-2010-2020/.

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Same-Sex Marriage

aliyagoetzfried — 2025-03-05 00:10:32 UTC

Same-sex marriage was made legal on June 26, 2015. Before the legalization, same-sex couples were not allowed to marry and were not provided the same rights as heterosexual couples. The article shares that The Supreme Court stated that "the right to marry is fundamental". Prior to the ruling, 13 states had not legalized same-sex marriage, with the other 37 allowing for it by either state action or previous lower federal court rulings.

Chappell, Bill. “Supreme Court Declares Same-Sex Marriage Legal in All 50 States.” NPR.org, NPR, 26 June 2015, www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/06/26/417717613/supreme-court-rules-all-states-must-allow-same-sex-marriages.

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Anti-LGBTQ Hate Crimes

aliyagoetzfried — 2025-03-05 00:40:09 UTC

The study in the article examines the rates of violent hate crimes faced by LGBT individuals in the United States. It discusses how LGBT people are five times more likely to experience violent crime and nine times more likely to face violent hate crimes than non-LGBTQ individuals. Race also was a key topic in this study where it was found that the victimization rights of Black LGBT people were amongst the highest compared to Hispanic and White LGBT people.

thisisloyal.com, Loyal . “Anti-LGBT Victimization in the United States.” Williams Institute, 19 Feb. 2025, williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/anti-lgbt-victimization-us/.

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Heathcare for Transgender People

aliyagoetzfried — 2025-03-05 00:48:57 UTC

Transgender people face unique health risks, often influenced by discrimination. Stressors such as social stigma, internalized negative beliefs, and gender minority stress can lead to individuals being reluctant to seek preventative healthcare and screenings. Additionally, transgender people may be more vulnerable to mental health issues and STDs. In order to promote better health, it is important for transgender individuals to seek healthcare providers with expertise in transgender care and maintain open communication with them.

Mayo Clinic. “Taking Charge of Transgender Health.” Mayo Clinic, 31 Aug. 2017, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/transgender-health/art-20154721.

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Intersectionality

aliyagoetzfried — 2025-03-05 00:59:17 UTC

For LGBTQ+ people of color, intersectionality means their experiences of discrimination and violence can differ from those of other community members, requiring an inclusive and intersectional approach to advocacy. It is crucial to address privilege within the LGBTQ+ community to foster equality. Additionally, it is important for others to listen and amplify the voices of those with more marginalized identities.

Olsen, Billie. “How Intersectionality Affects the LGBTQ+ Community.” LGBTQ and ALL, 3 July 2021, www.lgbtqandall.com/how-intersectionality-affects-the-lgbtq-community/.

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LGBTQ+ in the Media

aliyagoetzfried — 2025-03-06 01:29:17 UTC

LGBTQ+ representation in film and television has grown significantly, with many positive portrayals, such as Heartstopper and Will&Grace. These films helped to normalize LGBTQ+ characters in the media. Additionally, shows like Schitt's Creek and Booksmart offer indirect representations by focusing on characters' identities and not just their sexualities. However, films like Riverdale failed in their execution by resorting to stereotypes and using LGBTQ+ characters for shock value. Proper representation of LGBTQ+ people is essential, but when done poorly, it can be harmful to the entire community.

Powers, Stella. “The Good and the Ugly of LGBTQ+ Representation in Film and Television.” The Miami Student, 30 Nov. 2023, www.miamistudent.net/article/2023/11/lgbtq-representation-film-tv-movies.

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Male vs Female Gaze

aliyagoetzfried — 2025-03-06 01:42:14 UTC

The "male gaze" and "female gaze" describe the the way gender influences how we see, interpret, and represent visual media. The female gaze seeks to portray women in a more empathetic and complex perspective, focusing on their inner lives and experiences. The male gaze refers to objectification of women, where they are often reduced to objects of male pleasure and desire. Media created from a female perspective, such as "The Piano or Lady Bird" offers alternative and more authentic representations of women compared to the male gaze.

Aleyna Nur Çankaya. “The Sistine Chapel Ceiling: A Masterpiece of Renaissance Art.” Typelish.com, 2018, typelish.com/b/the-sistine-chapel-ceiling-a-masterpiece-of-renaissance-art-112724, https://doi.org/1006360780/CZB1CM7Z4KcDEMyx798D. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.

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Gender Socialization

aliyagoetzfried — 2025-03-06 01:49:52 UTC

This article, the role of Disney movies in gender socialization is explored. Gender serves as a mechanism for children to understand societal norms and expectations, but they can also limit opportunities, especially for females. Examples of these barriers include he "glass ceiling" in professional environments. This article specifically talks about "Cinderella" and "Snow White" and how they historically reinforced traditional passive female roles and assertive male traits. More recently, films like "Brave" have presented females who challenge these gender norms and offer alternative representations of women. Additionally, films like "Barbie" are breaking down gender stereotypes, by challenging real-word gender disparities.

Garg, Shriya. “Understanding Disney Movies: The Role of Media in Gender Socialization | the Classic Journal.” Theclassicjournal.uga.edu, 18 Apr. 2024, theclassicjournal.uga.edu/index.php/2024/04/18/understanding-disney-movies-the-role-of-media-in-gender-socialization/.

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Intersectionality

aliyagoetzfried — 2025-03-06 01:59:55 UTC

This article emphasizes the importance of intersectionality, which examines how multiple identity markers, like gender, race, and sexuality intersect to create unique experiences of oppression. The article criticizes the "additional problem" approach to intersectionality, arguing that is oversimplifies the interaction between different systems of oppression. There is a need for intersectionality in both advocacy movements and media representations, and ignoring it can result in media that fails to address the real issues faced by marginalized people.

Baten, Jasmine. “How to Authentically Represent Intersectionality in Media.” Center for Scholars & Storytellers, 27 Sept. 2023, www.scholarsandstorytellers.com/blog/diversity-in-hollywood-the-importance-of-representing-intersectional-identities.

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Processing Question

aliyagoetzfried — 2025-03-10 01:15:58 UTC