ANTH Lecture 9

Quick Reminders

• Check the syllabus for meeting days and schedule.

• Class on Monday next week will finalize the current section on gender; upcoming lecture on disability.

• Important concepts to discuss: intersectionality, marked and unmarkedness (relevant for essays).

• No class this Wednesday (writing day for essay #3 due next Friday).

Feedback and Office Hours

• TAs are finalizing feedback, due Friday.

• Grades will be released Friday with feedback for one week.

• Office hours will be available on Zoom today and in-person Thursday afternoon on campus—email if interested.

Lecture Overview

• Topic: Gender Inequality and Patriarchy.

• Key terms: gender stratification and gender stereotypes.

Gender Stratification

• Definition: Unequal distribution of power, resources, opportunities based on gender.

• Example: US Senate—historically all male (1970), currently 75% male.

Gender Stereotypes

• Preconceived notions about gender roles and attributes.

• Example of stereotypes:

  • Women associated with nurturing—results in maternity leave policies favoring women, reinforcing patriarchy.

  • Men labeled as aggressive—affects military drafts where only men are often drafted; Norway/Sweden having gender-neutral drafts as an exception.

• Consequence: Women's athletic achievements are undervalued due to stereotypes.

Concepts of Gender Ideology

• Definition: Cultural view of the fundamental traits of different genders.

• Patriarchy defined as a system where men have more rights, privileges, and power.

• Advanced term: Phallocentrism—focus on the significance of the male penis in culture and architecture.

Key Reading Discussion

• "The Egg and the Sperm" by Emily Martin critiques the language around fertilization reflecting gender biases.

• Key points:

  • Eggs are often depicted as passive and waiting for sperm, reinforcing stereotypes.

  • When acknowledging eggs' active role, language shifts to portray them as dangerous or manipulative.

• Illustrates a cycle where biased language becomes accepted as biological fact, reinforcing gender stereotypes.

Cultural Implications in Science

• Bio-sciences perpetuate gender biases, affecting treatment and understanding in medicine.

  • Example of heart attack symptoms typically described using male-centered data.

  • Medical research largely conducted on male subjects, leading to misdiagnosis in women (e.g., heart attacks).

Gendered Products and Experiences

• Everyday objects, clothing, and experiences demonstrate gender stratification.

• Clothing conversations illustrate that clothes designed for women lack functionality (e.g., pockets).

  • Abercrombie and Fitch's hiring policies reflect strict gender roles and led to legal cases over discrimination.

Sports and Gender

• Gender stratification in athletics demonstrated through pay gaps and opportunities in sports.

  • Example: Women's soccer team earnings compared to men's team, despite equal performance.

• Disparities in treatment observed from childhood, reflected in sports coaching and encouragement.

Early Socialization of Gender Roles

• Studies show biases in play and toy selection for boys and girls, even when gender is disguised.

• Asserted that early exposure to spatial / athletic games can change neurological development, contributing to adult capabilities.

Closing Discussion

• Need for awareness about how deeply embedded biases affect everyone.

• Ideas on how we can work to change these disparities and improve gender equality in various domains.