ANTH Lecture 7

Class Schedule and Updates

• This Week's Lectures

  • Both Days: Lectures on Sex, Gender, and Patriarchy.

• Next Week's Schedule:

  • Monday: No regular lecture; film day instead.

  • Wednesday: Regular lecture.

• Reason for Changes:

  • The professor will attend a three-day workshop on creative writing for academics on Monday.

Films for Upcoming Papers

• Film Opportunities:

  • Barbie: Focused on femininity and feminism, discussing sexual objectification.

  • The Mask You Live In: Explores hegemonic masculinity and pressures on boys to conform to gender norms.

• Assignment Notes:

  • For the third essay, students can choose to write about either film, or any other assigned film so far.

  • These films heavily relate to the themes of gender discussed in upcoming weeks.

Readings and Academic Feedback

• Essay Feedback Timelines:

  • Expect feedback for the second essay at least one week before the third essay is due.

• Reading Clarifications:

  • Both Anne Fausto Sterling readings will be counted as one for essay purposes.

  • Anticipated readability for the week's readings is relatively accessible, with the Ochoa reading expected to be the most challenging.

Special Event Announcement

• Open Mic Event:

  • Date: Next Monday evening, following the workshop.

  • Venue: Art gallery downtown Kelowna, open to the public.

  • Format: Short readings by faculty and open mic for attendees to share their writing (5 minutes or less).

  • Refreshments: Free brownies, coffee, and tea provided.

Introduction to Sex, Gender, and Sexuality

• Key Definitions:

  • Sex: Biological status typically assigned at birth (anatomy, chromosomes). Not limited to only male or female; includes intersex variations.

  • Gender: Socially constructed roles and norms for individuals in a specific culture and time period.

  • Sexuality: Desires, beliefs, and behaviors related to eroticism, not innately linked to sex or gender.

• Intersections: Understanding that sex, gender, and sexuality are separate but interconnected.

Social Construct of Gender

• Cultural Norms:

  • Gender norms affect behaviors from pre-birth (color coding baby clothes) throughout life (dress codes, behaviors).

  • Example: High heels were originally a masculine symbol before being gendered feminine in the 1900s.

• Variability Across Cultures:

  • Many cultures recognize more than two genders. European binary views can oppress non-binary or trans individuals.

Gender Policing and Its Impacts

• Policing Behavior:

  • Boys who do not conform to masculinity often face bullying, regardless of sexuality.

  • Gender roles affect not just women but men as well. Policing can create harmful environments for everyone.

• Cultural Examples:

  • High school experiences show that non-conformity in boys often results in harassment.

Judith Butler's Contributions to Gender Theory

• Key Concepts:

  • Gender performativity: Gender is enacted through behaviors and actions, not simply an identity.

  • Distinction between sex (assigned at birth) and gender (socially constructed and performed).

• Tension in Gender Theory:

  • There exists tension between seeing gender as a construct versus an innate identity, particularly in trans discussions.

Notable Discussion Points

• Societal Influence on Gender:

  • Cultural influence shapes perceptions of masculinity and femininity. These norms can lead to significant emotional damage and societal exclusion.

• Global Perspectives:

  • Norms and pressures can vary globally, as evidenced by differing practices in gender training across cultures (e.g., China).

• Personal Experiences Shared:

  • Anecdotes from students highlight real-life gender policing experiences and societal expectations that persist today.

Conclusion and Next Steps

• Reflection on Gender Issues:

  • Daily lives, social norms, and personal identities are shaped by these constructs and pressures of gender.

• Further Learning Opportunities:

  • Students are encouraged to engage deeply with the concepts discussed, both in future lectures and through coursework.