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LENSES
Individual experience underlies the interpretation that everyone makes regarding the information that is processed in every learning experience. We apply the concepts, Social Mores and Norms that exist in our lives to the information that is received, particularly in sociology, psychology, history, and other areas where human interaction occurs. Time changes the concepts with respect to societys history or within different cultures in our time. We need to understand the context that specific actions and culture exists in its natural environment. We should not expect our expectations and concepts to apply these cases.

Lenses of History
As the study of any subject turns to review the history that encompasses the particular subject we look back through colored Lenses. The changing attitudes and knowledge that develop over time affect the reasons that any particular idea, concept, or practice within a particular society exists, or existed. We also need to be wary of information that is provided by individuals, groups, and organizations that promote their agendas. Examples of interpreting past events in view of current thought abound. Within the Social science classes the example of Homosexuality throughout history is particularly emotionally charged and demonstrates the peculiarity that occurs with changes in societies norms. This subject also reflects the agendas that various individuals and groups on either side of the issue have; and the way they select and present the information from the historical perspective.

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Lenses of Gender
This discussion is on an article from Sandra Lipsitz Bems book Lenses of Gender. Bem is an American psychologist known for her works in androgyny and gender studies. She is/was a feminist in her early days and this may Have influences some of her conclusions. The books chapters include Biological Essentialism, Adrocentrism, Gender Polarization, The Construction of Gender Identity, and Transforming the Debate on Sexual Inequality. The first three chapters are identified as the three lenses that society looks at gender. The term Lenses appears to be a metaphor for how individuals and society perceives relationships and the results of the interactions on the social community. The article in the packet indicates that these lenses are how we see, perceive, conceive, and maintain our approach to gender roles. These roles are embedded in society and the institutions of society, and as such propagate the notions of gender differences. This further results in the separation between the male and female gender with respect to wages, power, acceptance in hierarchies, etc. Adrocentrism is the idea of a male centered world where the male concept is normal and all others are deviations. Bem specifically indicates females, which is her ideas from her feminist views and studies. This also applies to the range of genders that are likely to occur through the entire spectrum of the human species. Gender polarization results from society defining the roles of men and women. The male role is considered normal and anything that deviates from this role becomes problematic. This relates to societies take on when women entered historically male

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occupations, In cases the deviance becomes immoral, such as in LGBTQ issues and with sodomy laws, and harassment by the Androcentric community. Biological Essentialism is used to justify the first two. The idea that males are superior has developed throughout history and the male role has received higher standing than typical women roles. This has been reinforce by social structures such as Churches, Civic organizations, and business practices. An example would be the LDS church support of the Boy Scouts for their primary male youth activity that is celebrating 100 years; and the fact that they do not have a similar program with the Girl Scouts. The idea of this argument is that males are intrinsically dominant because of biology and biological differences. Society defines and has historically defended the Gender binary where one gender is greater than the other. Until the concept of this binary is eliminated the result will be discrimination and relegation of all non-androcentric individuals to lesser or lower social status within society.