Is our language gendered

The word resting bitch faced is certainly a gendered word. This is evidenced by the definition on Urban dictionary beginning with a person, usually a girl. The expression is rooted in the word which although is defined, as a female dog, is commonly used to refer to woman with a bad attitude. The term "resting bitch face" is used exclusively for women, so I found it a bit surprising the definition did not explicitly say a woman. In practice, I have never heard the phrase used towards a man. This is certainly a prime example of a gendered phrase. 

A very interesting word for the purpose of studying gendered language is slut. This is defined as a woman with the morals of a man. Firstly, it blatantly addresses woman in the definition, but more interestingly, it states the derogatory word slut, and compares it to the morals of men. This means that the negative association with slut for a girl, is not negative to a man, but is simply the norm. Therefore, all men are sluts. In addition, since this derogatory term is understand as having the morals of a man, then men must all be promiscuous and cannot have positive morals. This word is a very interesting example of a gendered term.

The term fun-sized also has the term girl in it's definition. In my opinion this is because the ideal woman is supposed to be fun-sized so it is associated with women. On the otherhand, the ideal man is supposed to be large and bulky. Therefore, they do not fit the fun-sized mold. Realistically guys are short just as often as girls are, so it makes no sense this word is gendered. 

Another term that is gendered is the word gangster. The word refers to a person involved with gang activity, but it is only used to refer to men. It is true more men are involved wit this type of activity, but it is not unheard of for a women to be involved. Again, I believe this has to do with the tough persona of men as opposed to the gentile nature imposed upon women. Men are associated with gang like attributes, but women are not. These words highlight that our language is quite gendered. 

Ch 14 - Hetero Barbie?

The chapter starts out by discussing how lives of heterosexual females becomes reliant on their relationship with boys at a very young age. At this young age they feel pressure to fit the mold of the "ideal women" through their features and characteristics. A prime example of the "ideal women" is the Barbie doll. The Barbie doll is glorified, however, the doll is not married and has no kids. With this being the case, why would a women that is different from so many other women be considered the "ideal woman"? This confusion leads to a multitude of interpretations.

The author specifies one interpretation as Barbie being not a woman, but a man in drag. This is evidenced by her manly features and assortment of makeup.These characteristics speaked the interest of homosexual men.  Furthermore, Barbies life is free of heterosexual norms, making the toy inciting to those who do no fit the heterosexual mold. These facts have lead to Barbie being constructed to fit many different molds. In fact, Rupaul has her own version of the Barbie doll which is part of a larger collection. The author then brings normative jobs into the occasion. Normative jobs are jobs which are expected to be a certain gender such as a soldier for men, and dancer for girls. Osborne, the owner of the Barbie collection, discusses how Matel can use Barbie to influence society in the way they desire. This can have a profound impact on the perception sexual identity.

The white mans's burden summary

The article begins by discussing how porn featuring a black male and white female is extremely popular currently. He argues, "if pornography is pleasurable because it sexualizes inequality between mean and women" there is no better way to do so then with a black man and white female.

Furthermore, pornography has become much more extreme and the furthest degree of this is gonzo porn. This makes it is impossible to deny the relationship between porn, masculinity, and the degradation of women. In addition, the author argues "hegemonic masculinity is unproblematically coded as white". That white masculinity is like the role of a 'nuclear' father, where black men don't meet these standards. So, what is so attractive about interracial porn?

In fact, this promotion of IP, namely black males in porn, emasculates the white male. Strangely enough, the black penis becomes the star of the show. This IP is also the preference of gay whites, and both gay and straight prefer a working class black man. The author argues this preference is deeply rooted in hegemonic ideologies of race in America.

So, why is it white men allow themselves to be demasculinized through IP? The author argues it is similar to minstrel shows, where performances were cruder and exaggerated. The author concludes the IP serves as a peephole for whites to experience black sex life.

Nuclear family v. modern family

The 'nuclear' family is composed of a mother and father of the same race, was well as children whom take typical gender roles. The father is the bread winner of the family. He works a 9 to 5 and responsible for paying the bills and that is basically the extent of his role. On the other hand, the mother is the caretaker of the family responsible for caring for the home and children. The mother is expected to have dinner on the table when the father returns home, as well as the dishes done etc. The nuclear family is composed of biological children, typically 2, who are well mannered and caring. The family is single income and generally the father is the disciplinarian. 

The modern family is much harder to tie down. Families could be composed of a mother and father, but also 2 mothers or 2 fathers or neither. The head of the house could be an aunt or uncle or grandfather. The children can be adopted or biological or a combination of both. The family could be interracial and interfaith. The mother and father's role is not as defined. Many families are duel income as well as single income, and unfortunately others are without income. The father is still somewhat viewed as the bread winner, but there is much more wiggle room. The mother can work, raise the kids, or most commonly, a combination of both. The idea of the idealized children is much lesser nowadays. Children are more free to express themselves in a way of their choosing. Often times, the mother and father, if that is the case, both take disciplinary roles. The modern family is mish mosh of possibilities. 

In comparison, the lack of similarity is obvious. Today's modern family has no blueprint or template, while the 'nuclear family' is based off a very specific and stringent qualifications. There is not much wiggle room in the 'nuclear family', roles are assigned and expected to be kept. The modern family is all over the place. The head of the household could be either parent, if there are even two. There really are no specific roles assigned, but happenstance decides what roles are taken and can change over time.The roles are not based off gender, but other factors. The family has evolved immensely over time. 

As mentioned above, it is still somewhat assumed that the father is supposed to be the bread winner in the family and the mother the caretaker although not nearly to the degree it was in the past. Furthermore, their is still a macho factor in leaving the house everyday and heading to the office as opposed to taking care of the kids. This makes it incredibly difficult for the father to transition roles after losing their job. Initially the father goes into a state of disappointment and slacks on his role, only natural with the helplessness feeling of financial instability. However, the father eventually takes on the caretaker role out of necessity as the wife assumes the bread winning role. In my opinion, it is less of gender roles in the family and more the macho factor which makes these situations difficult on fathers. 

There are Bitches and Hoes- Summary

The article begins by addressing the growing phenomenon of the pimp culture in pop culture today, beginning in the hip hop music genre, but now branching into other areas. Not only the pimp receives praise, but the hoe also is promoted. Clearly this praise is incredibly demeaning to women, but some choose too still defend this phenomena. The defense is that the artists are not mentioning all women, but just "Bitches and hoes", a ludicrous defense(pun intended). This glorification of the "street" lifestyle is leading many women down a path they do not desire, but are commercially attracted to.

What makes this challenge even greater for women, is those who speak out are alienated and almost seen as traitors. The defense platinum rappers often employ is the "personal experience" defense, even though all of them have had opportunities to leave their troubled lives behind and experience so many different viewpoints and people.

The combination of alienation and denial is exceedingly troublesome and the author even calls hip hop a "'bitches and hoes' factory,   encouraging girls and young women to play the limited roles assigned to them. Furthermore the roles have now become the "player" or the "one getting played" with nothing in between, and whichever role women are assigned they are demeaned for.

The author argues it is crucial for empowered women to be in charge of their own sexual imagery and to stop this justification of the "thug culture" It is also crucial to understand the roots of the sexist imagery and reduce their visibility in order to end them.

Music Videos Imagery and Lyrics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqs7iXKc93Q-- "Spa Day" Le1f

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaSy8yy-mr8-- "Before he cheats"

More and more often in pop culture, artists challenge stereotypical gender roles in a variety of ways. One phenomenal song/video that challenges these roles is "spa day" by Le1f, an openly gay rapper. The first way Le1f challenges typical gender roles is through the music video. The first time he appears in the video he is wearing a pink robe and performing typically feminine acts such as rubbing himself and nibbling his fingers in very provocative ways. The background dancers in the video are also not typical. Although there are woman scarcely dressed, there are also men almost naked. Many of the woman are fierce looking, with tattoos and piercings although not all fit that description. This is similar for the men. There a men dressed in a stereotypical homosexual way, but also typically heterosexual ways with guys with gaudy jewelry and skull caps etc. The most intriguing part is how the video uses men and women dancing explicitly in an interchangeable way. As far as the lyrics, they also challenge gender roles. Obviously it is not typical for men to openly flaunt being attracted to men especially talking so openly which is often considered a heterosexual trait. Le1f uses lyrics such as "peep how your man wants to eat it like a kati roll", "I'm not a yoga master but he want to see my body fold", and "dudes just want to bring me home like the troops". Obviously, there aren'y many like Le1f. The most intriguing lyric is "now what you wanna do, and who you wanna do it with".  Shattering the stereotype that a man should be with a woman and vice versa. 

Another song that challenges gender roles in a much less explicit way is Carrie Underwood's "Before he cheats". As we discussed in class, women are perceived as innocent and pure, but no way Carrie Underwood is in this video/song. Throughout the song, Carrie looks beautiful as always, but certainly not dainty. She has fierce black makeup on and dark clothing. Her body can not be viewed at any time in the song. In one scene she has large dark glasses on, black gloves, and is carrying a baseball bat in manner making her look like she is about to do some damage. The song is about Carrie not standing on being cheated on, the opposite of submission. In return for her man's unfaithful acts, she destroys his vehicle. Smashing the windows and keying the car, a tough act undoubtedly. In addition to the video there are two awesome lines where Carrie takes shots at typical roles. Firstly, "Right now, he's probably buying her some fruity little drink 'cause she can't shoot whiskey". Carrie calls typically feminine drinks fruity and pokes fun at his other woman because she can't shoot whiskey. She turns around the stereotype and basically ostracizes the woman for not being "tough'. The other line is "Cause the next time he cheats oh, you know it won't be on me". Often women are portrayed as submissive to men even when they cheat, but Carrie is clearly not the "typical" woman.

Overall, both of these songs challenge typical gender roles in very contrasting ways. 

Chapter 7- Women read the Romance

The article begins by introducing the audience to Dot Evans, a specialist in the romance genre of literature, and the focus group, women whom employ Dot for information concerning these novels. The group is representative of the larger group whom read romantic style novels. The article goes on to discuss how these women enjoy the "escape" factor of these novels, but do not enjoy the more radical books within the genre that are often overwhelming. Moreover the women ideally enjoyed novels with one powerful women, and an emotional yet masculine man. The author argues, " the ideal romance may thus enable a woman to satisfy vicariously those psychological needs created in her by a patriarchal culture unable to fulfill them". Satisfying the needs she has, that the male figure in her life is unable to.

On the other hand, bad romance novels are categorized by abusive males and men whom are not faithful. The readers want to believe the male front is typical of men, but that the men in their life are not truly bad guys. Modelski labeled this "the mystery of male motives" and the women of Smithton enjoyed the books which placed these mystery motives in a positive light. Books with characteristics of bad romantic novels make the readers uneasy.

Overall, the motivation for reading these books is a, "longing caused by patriarchal marriage's failure to address all their needs" as opposed to a longing for a fairytale life.