Intersections of gender, social class and ethnicity Flashcards
Intersections of gender, social class & ethnicity. Do Gender Identities emerge in a vacuum or a bubble?
Gender identities do not emerge in a vacuum or a bubble, exempt from the influences of other social influences. This is a key issue with many studies into gender identity which do not consider the class or ethnicity of being a boy/girl.
Intersections of gender, social class & ethnicity. Is it important to acknowledge that gender is completed wrapped in social class and ethnicity?
It is important to acknowledge that gender is completed wrapped in social class and ethnicity. As a result we have differing gender identities according to class and ethnicity. One example related to social class is that girls would dress, behave, have different body images and expectations which are very much related to social class differences as much as they are to do with gender. Whilst Postmodernists argue that we have choice and diversity about the creation of our identity, the Marxist analysis argues that this ignores the economic differences between groups which results in some women having more ability to create a certain gender identity over others (such as plastic surgery or designer goods), the cultural differences and therefore the ability to achieve the same identity.
Connolly (see previous) also noted that gender is heavily linked with ethnicity with regards to expectations around hegemonic masculinity.
Are traditional notions of gender still an important source of identity?
Yes.
Many points to note:
Radical Feminism: Patriarchal ideology. Identify surrounding dominance/subordination. Gender is an active, politicised identity for many women. Gender is fixed and single.
Agents of Socialisation reinforce traditional notions:
Family
Gender role socialisation (Oakley v Parsons)
Education
Hidden curriculum, Francis: Gendered behaviour, pursuits, classroom power, role of teacher
Skelton (RF): Gender stereotypes created and maintained in primary school.
Media
Billington: Traditional identities reinforced on TV.
Mac an Ghaill: Male Gaze
Coughlan: Increased sexualisation of images of women in media.
Tebbel: X10 more adverts and articles about weight loss in women’s mags compared to men’s.
Tuchman (RF): Women are symbolically annihilated in media – excluded, condemned and trivialised.
Peers
Conformity to stereotypes to gain acceptance.
Lees: Double standards of gender identity (studs/slags)
Willis: Encouraging masculine dominance – WC ‘lads’ chased girls for sex and the often dropped then and stigmatised them as ‘loose’ after.
Collier: There have been changes but men still subscribe to hegemonic notions of masculinity.
Bradley: Gender is still important. Common experience of sexism provides a basis for shared identity.
Are traditional notions of gender still an important source of identity?
No.
Many points to note:
Rise in changing gender identities
Crisis of masculinity (Mac an Ghaill): Hegemonic masculinity facing crisis – decline of traditional work as source of identity.
Converging identities - rise in ladettes (Wilkinson, Jackson),
Gender is still important, but we have the emergence of new masculinities: New Man, Subordinate, Marginalised (Connell) Metrosexual (Mort), Mew Lad, Emo Boy
Postmodernism: New masculinities merge with feminine traits, identity is much more fluid and diverse today. Men’s identity is built on ‘mosaic identity’.
Gilmore: Men’s traditional identity of ‘provider, protector, impregnator’ is met with insecurity and loss of purpose.
Impact of feminisation of the economy – changing ambitions
Identity is gained through workplace or consumption and leisure now.
Marxism: Social class is still the main sources of identity
Marxist Fem: Class is more of an important source of identity than gender for women. Capitalist ideology is more oppressive than patriarchal ideology.
Diff Fem: Women are not a single group, but a fragmented group. Some women see other aspects of their identity as more important – ethnicity/sexuality.
Media Representation is changing
