The One With The Male Nanny

Since the beginning of time there has been a distinct division between the sexes. Through sheer definition there is a physical difference between the two but as time has passed there has been an indisputable recognition of the differences in personality and cognition. There are also undeniable differences in the life experiences had by the two sexes that

Tyson explains the basic concepts of feminist theory, and the ways in which readers can use the theory as a lens to examine the social pressures and gender roles within a literary work. To examine through a feminist lens, theorists need to first look at the different characters’ genders to determine whether their roles and responsibilities “conform to traditional (patriarchal) gender roles” (Tyson 84). “According to [patriarchal] gender roles, men are naturally rational, strong, protective, and decisive,” but “women [are] naturally emotional…, weak, nurturing, and submissive” (87). Moreover, “anyone who violates traditional gender roles is [looked upon as] unnatural, unhealthy, or…immoral” (86). Therefore, due to the “oppression of women” in

Upon reading the book “Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Frontlines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture”, by Peggy Orenstein, I was extremely captivated to absorb the opinions that she had on raising a girl and all of the feminine influences that naturally surround her. The author herself had stated right from the first page how she initially wished for the child in her womb was a boy. My preliminary notion that joined this book to the course material was assumed before I even began reading, as several obvious details it became apparent that the book for sure had to be about gender roles and gender identity. The whole topic of princesses in the title, as well as the way the books cover flaunted pink and shimmery glitter it was just a telltale sign to have gender specific ties. That impression continued as I began reading the very first chapter boldly titled “Why I Hoped for a Boy”. There were such forthright examples making it overly apparent that she, the author, would be discussing the sexes, meaning girls vs.

Children learn as early as age two what it means to be a “boy” or a “girl” (Aina & Cameron). This is described as gender identity, a person’s sense of self as male or female. Gender stereotyping emerges hand in hand with the development of gender identity in Early Childhood (Halim). Gender roles are society’s expectations of the proper behavior, attitudes and activities of males and females. When babies are born they are either put in pink or blue, as they grow up they still maintain the same “gender” colors. As young children start to socialize, they are playing with either “girl” toys or “boy” toys. When they get older they

Gender stereotypes are common in the United States today, even though many men and women have been working hard to defeat it. The task is made difficult however, when society in general implants the idea of gender roles into the mind of a child. Two authors, Judy Mann of The Difference and Bernard Lefkowitz of Our Guys face the issue of gender roles and stereotypes, and how they affect our lives today.

Gender roles in children’s literature are linked to gender stereotypes. Gender stereotypes have always been a part of society and are seen in almost every aspect

In our HWOC class, there were a great deal of references to sexism in the major works we studied. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout’s older brother Jem says, “‘Scout, I 'm tellin ' you for the last time, shut your trap or go home—I declare to the Lord you 're gettin ' more like a girl every day!’" (24) His comment implies that being a girl is a bad thing, and that Scout is not allowed to play with them if she continues to act scared and “girly.” Jem believes having feminine qualities is unacceptable, whereas Walter, in Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin In The Sun, believes that it’s okay if women want to be feminine, as long as they remain in their place. He tells his younger sister, Beneatha, “Who the hell

The behaviors and societal norms we associate with male and female are socially constructed. As Dr. Thompson states in the film “boys and girls are far more human and far more the same than they are different.” However,

Gender stereotypes or abnormalities are not always apparent at first when reading a book. But it does become apparent when something is shown that is the opposite of what society thinks they should be. Gender is a serious issue that most people do not address because they only think of gender as what they were taught their whole lives. Then when someone does not meet these stereotypes they are seen as an outsider and are ostracized. This can be seen in the novel The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao when looking into the life of the main character Oscar.

Educators need to be aware of the gender stereotypes that their students are exposed to. The articles and book chapters that were assigned, give the reader an insight to how the media shapes the views of gender and how they can influence children as young as six.

The concept of the “ideal” woman that prominent during the early 1900s to about 1960s, is still seen today through television and films that talk about the happier time that the 1950s held. The long lasting effects that the construction of gender roles created still has an impact on women in today’s society. There have been many novels written which deal with the idea of gender stereotypes. Most recently, more fiction novels have been written rather than nonfiction. Gender roles can be seen in simple things such as covers of books or genres.

Little bear, little bear, what do you see? I see a feminist children’s book opened up for me. Often some words from children’s books get stuck in our head. We all have our favorites that our mom used to read us when we were younger. Most of the books have a princess getting saved by the prince or monsters hiding in the main character’s closet trying to scare him or her once she falls asleep. All of our childhood books hold a special place in our hearts but as a child, we would have never thought there would be any gender stereotypes or inequality between men and women. Most of the books we read seemed normal to us but as we are studying feminism, one would be surprised by all of the gender stereotypes found in children’s books. Although Little Bear may not be popular to many, Diane Namn portrays gender stereotypes though illustrations, characters, and the plot.

Within the American culture, our youth are taught that the masculine roles of the male has traditionally been associated with their role of being strong and dominant and the feminine role of a female has traditionally been associated with their role of being the follower and the nurturer. Children learn the gender roles beginning at birth through the socialization process. Historically our society has always identified male infants with blue and female infants with pink, however, with the turning of the 20th century more neutral colors are being thrown into the mix. More expecting parents are adventuring away from traditional blue and pink and choosing the neutral colors such as green and yellow. Children learn gender socialization through family members, education, other children and social media. Each reinforces the gender role by displaying and maintaining the normal expectation for each genders behavior. Our youth are taught at an early age of the separate expectations of each gender. Parents often teach the role not knowingly but through association. Boys are associated with trucks, toy guns and superheroes that teach them motor skills and independence, whereas the girls are associated with baby dolls, dress costumes, and toy kitchens which teaches them nurturing and social

Children books today are enforcing the many gender stereotypes and roles that are prevalent in society. Lack of female characters in books is sending children a message at young ages that females occupy a role beneath men in the society. This is then causing a possible contribution to our young girls feeling unimportant, and the boys privileged. Boys are also choosing not to pick up books that don't gender related to themselves or focused on things they like. Boy children are less likely to pick up a bright pink book with a female character on the front, whereas to girls will read everything.

Some of these gender roles and stereotypes have been created due to the differences in physique, thinking, personality, and behavior that is actually present between men and females. Physical differences are more visible to the eye due to the distinction between primary and secondary sex characteristics for each gender. Males have testes, deeper voices, a bigger body type, and more facial hair, where as women have a smaller body, higher voices, ovaries, and wider hips. (Rathus, 2010, p.448). Cognitive differences have to do with the brain and the way men and women