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Identity and Space

• Definition of Space & Place

  • Doreen Massey and Pat Jess (1995) define space as "social relations stretched out".

  • Place is defined as "particular articulations of those social relations as they have come together, over time, in that particular location".

• Social Relations

  • Embedded assumptions about ethnicity, gender, and sexuality influence behaviors and expectations in different spaces.

  • Spaces can be constructed or utilized in a gendered manner, impacting how both genders interact within those spaces.

Sexuality and Space

• Cultural Construction of Sexual Norms

  • Sexuality is a part of humanity and is influenced by cultural norms.

  • Most social science writing is heteronormative, defaulting to heterosexual perspectives.

• Geographical Studies on Sexuality

  • Early geographic inquiries focused on where shared identities live and how they create spaces.

  • Studies have examined the significance of gay neighborhoods and pride parades as expressions of identity and community.

• Queer Theory

  • Geographers like Glen Elder, Lawrence Knopp, and Heidi Nast are appropriating queer theory to challenge heteronormative structures and understand different political engagements.

• Census Data

  • The U.S. Census began counting same-sex households in 2000, which facilitated demographic mapping of sexual identities in cities.

Power Relationships Among Groups

• Nature of Power Relationships

  • Power relations dictate cultural landscapes and influence how places are perceived and who controls those perceptions.

• Historical Context

  • Examples include Jim Crow laws enforcing racial segregation, and in Belfast, divisions between Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods created through communal symbols.

Gender Dynamics Globally

• ** Labor Force Participation**

  • Women participate increasingly in the labor force yet face significant barriers such as lower pay and underrepresentation.

• Economic Models

  • Gross National Income (GNI) does not account for informal economies where women are active, leading to undervalued contributions in global economics.

• UN Report Findings

  • The UN reported that women compose a significant percentage of the world's poorest citizens and have limited access to financial resources.

Case Studies and Contemporary Issues

• Waterborne Diseases and Gender

  • Research shows that women's education and social networks are crucial in tackling health issues in developing countries, particularly relating to child health.

• Migration Patterns Affecting Gender Composition

  • In Subsaharan Africa, emigration trends often leave women in rural areas with increased responsibilities and limited rights.

• Dowry Deaths in India

  • The cultural practice of dowry leads to significant violence against women, despite legal frameworks intended to protect them.

• Power Relations in Los Angeles

  • The demographic shift in Los Angeles over decades reflects broader economic, political, and ethnic changes impactful to community dynamics.

Conclusion: Complexity of Identity

• Identity Formation

  • Group identities (gender, ethnicity, race, sexuality) are dynamic, influenced by local and global contexts.

  • Stereotypes can simplify understanding but obscure the complexities of people's realities.

• Social Geography

  • Geographers emphasize comprehending the multi-layered and evolving nature of place and identity complex by examining local and global contexts.