It is almost humorous to read my initial position paper because my position on gender issues was very uninformed and full of assumptions. However, while I am still learning the causes of gender issues, inequality, roles and stereotypes, I have a very different position than I had at the beginning of the semester. To start, I recognized the existence sex stereotypes, or the beliefs about what qualities an individual should possess based on their sex, but I had no idea how damaging and defining they were. The constricting spheres that sex stereotypes create, also create sets of “behaviors socially defined as appropriate for one’s sex”, or gender roles (Lips, 2008, p. 70). Men and women feel pressured to fill both descriptive and prescriptive
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For example, the emergence of both hostile and benevolent sexism arises. While hostile sexism can encompass overt negative beliefs and actions that women are inferior to men, hostile sexism is a more chivalrous attitude that women should be cherished and protected (but also implies that they are weaker and less than men, and can also apply to men being viewed as incapable of doing something because they are a man). I recognized actions of hostile sexism before this class, and fully acknowledged the damaging effects that they have in a man or woman’s self-image. However, I did not know that benevolent sexism may be even more damaging to women because it makes them subconsciously doubt their ability to do things (Lips, 2008). Learning about benevolent sexism has also shown me how prevalent it is and how harmful it can be to both women and men. For example, I was at Walmart a few days ago because I needed to buy a few groceries and windshield washer fluid. Walmart employees are usually busy and I have actually never been asked if I need help finding anything. However, when I was in the car aisle, a male employee approached me and asked, “How can I help you with this car stuff?” I felt as though he thought I didn’t know what I was doing because I was a woman, and I felt annoyed that simple car mechanics were designed for …show more content…
I first assumed that this was somebody who was struggling with their gender identity, or one’s conception of themselves as a man or women, but I am embarrassed of how wrong I was. Our society polarizes the sexes and causes us to classify proper men and women to those who fit in the sphere. However, being an androgynous person would allow an individual to have all of the positive traits, regardless of society’s classification of gender roles. On a more religious note, perhaps this class taught me one very important aspect: Christ was the most androgynous person that lived in this world. He was nurturing, warm, affectionate, and caring, and also driven, intelligent, determined, and a leader. I have learned that nobody should be penalized if they leave their “spheres” to acquire positive traits associated with the other gender. The spheres restrict the way we view ourselves and others, the behaviors we exhibit, and the manner in which we should act, and they are absolutely unnecessary. That is one of the greatest lessons I have learned in Psychology
For example, the emergence of both hostile and benevolent sexism arises. While hostile sexism can encompass overt negative beliefs and actions that women are inferior to men, hostile sexism is a more chivalrous attitude that women should be cherished and protected (but also implies that they are weaker and less than men, and can also apply to men being viewed as incapable of doing something because they are a man). I recognized actions of hostile sexism before this class, and fully acknowledged the damaging effects that they have in a man or woman’s self-image. However, I did not know that benevolent sexism may be even more damaging to women because it makes them subconsciously doubt their ability to do things (Lips, 2008). Learning about benevolent sexism has also shown me how prevalent it is and how harmful it can be to both women and men. For example, I was at Walmart a few days ago because I needed to buy a few groceries and windshield washer fluid. Walmart employees are usually busy and I have actually never been asked if I need help finding anything. However, when I was in the car aisle, a male employee approached me and asked, “How can I help you with this car stuff?” I felt as though he thought I didn’t know what I was doing because I was a woman, and I felt annoyed that simple car mechanics were designed for …show more content…
I first assumed that this was somebody who was struggling with their gender identity, or one’s conception of themselves as a man or women, but I am embarrassed of how wrong I was. Our society polarizes the sexes and causes us to classify proper men and women to those who fit in the sphere. However, being an androgynous person would allow an individual to have all of the positive traits, regardless of society’s classification of gender roles. On a more religious note, perhaps this class taught me one very important aspect: Christ was the most androgynous person that lived in this world. He was nurturing, warm, affectionate, and caring, and also driven, intelligent, determined, and a leader. I have learned that nobody should be penalized if they leave their “spheres” to acquire positive traits associated with the other gender. The spheres restrict the way we view ourselves and others, the behaviors we exhibit, and the manner in which we should act, and they are absolutely unnecessary. That is one of the greatest lessons I have learned in Psychology