LC 560

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 Table of Contents
LC 560.............................................................................................................................................1

Introduction......................................................................................................................................3

Sociology of Gender and Sexuality.................................................................................................3

Discussion from Everyday Experiences Examples.........................................................................6

1. Example-Sexual Objectification of Women.........................................................................6

2. Example- Gender Equality...................................................................................................8

3. Sexual Assault with Example.............................................................................................10

Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................11

Appendix........................................................................................................................................12

Reference.......................................................................................................................................22

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Introduction
The purpose of this is study is to gain knowledge about the core difference, everyday life and
sociological experiences of Gender and Sexuality. The arguments about gender and sex are
created in the society. Society has brought the reinforcement of sex and gender through the
invention of binary system. If we know the differences and learn the things about gender and
sexuality, it will be easy to accept and adopt them. The society has diversity and different beliefs.
The gender is significantly distinct from sex. From the very earlier century, the gender has been
influenced by society with masculinity standard. The masculinity traits are depended on gender
but these have carried away sufferings for feminine. These both are not traits rather emotional
and humble human being which are meant to be treated equally. Understanding of gender and
sexuality will help to respect the belief of others and eliminate the discrimination. Gender is a
term which refers to socially determined distinction between sexes based on biological
difference. Sexuality is consists of belief and value which can change and vary relying on
perspectives and concept. Sexuality comes from the sensation and the way people feel including
feelings, psychology, practice and attitudes (Nynäs, 2016).

Sociology of Gender and Sexuality

Sociology of gender is a study of influence of society in the understanding and distinction
between masculinity and femininity. Gender studies are frequently coupled with sexuality studies
in sociology. Sexuality, like gender, is determined by social and cultural variables as well as
biological elements. Sociologists refer to various sexualities rather than a single sexuality since
empirical research on sexual identity and behavior indicates such wide variance. The debate on
gender and its expressions to sex gives a proper frame on social and cultural understanding
which are constructed socially not biologically. Sociology focuses on culture in the concept of
gender rather than biology. Gender labels include cisgender, non-binary, transgender women and
man, intersexual which carry the gender identity (Lindsey, 2020).

Cisgender are those persons whose biological body by born matches their personal identity.
Transgender is a gender experience which doesn’t match with their biological sex identity and
transgender male is given women sex category but act and identify as men and transgender
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female is a gender identity as women but was born as men. Intersex people are born with
variation in sexual or reproductive anatomy and which is in the middle fitness of male and
female. Non-binary is a gender term which identifies neither man nor women that are outside of
gender binary (Brickell, 2006).

As gender is socially constructed term, so is sexuality. It depends on time, place and expressions.
The study of sexuality has started from 1970 and still going on. The categorical labels of
sexuality are heterosexual, homosexual, lesbian, bisexual and cisgender. In the way
heteronormativity works, it defines non-heterosexuals as other, despite that the homosexuality
has persisted throughout the history and lesbians, gay, bisexual, asexual are excluded because of
this function.

These all carry the expressions, feelings, thoughts, attractions and emotions towards others.
When one observes how men and women behave throughout countries, and how alternative
genders appear in various cultures and communities, it becomes clear that gender is a social
construct. Especially in Modern developed countries, such as UK believe of masculinity and
femininity in binary terms, seeing men and women as fundamentally opposed. Other cultures, on
the other hand, question this notion and have less clearly defined masculinity and femininity. For
example, in Navajo tradition, there was formerly a category of persons known as berdaches, who
were anatomically normal men but were classified as a third gender that fell somewhere between
male and female. Berdaches married ordinary guys (not Berdaches), despite the fact that neither
of them was deemed homosexual in today's Western culture. Women have been oppressed since
early era and the study has invented different fields such as human sexuality, were uplifted by

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academics at the same time (MONRO, 2010). The debate has established on the differentiation
of female and male and their ability of understanding process. The sociological process is being
changed rapidly. In social science, the importance of language and ideology to human action has
become more understandable. The masculinity alongside with homosexual context have brought
the gender attitude in a different level. After some of these new movements, the structure of the
study has changed, some new platforms have been opened with courses and majors, and also the
study of gender attitude and sexuality have restructured with new standard. These initiatives have
taken to eradicate issues and are being discussed in the academic courses. In the period of man’s
domination, women didn’t have equal rights as men to study and academic proficiency was
under man’s control. The right of a women is equal to the right of a men and women as citizens
will get all the facilities like a men does. This can be reflected by cultural and historical context.
The feminist academics has a belief that women’s responsibilities and rights should be studied
academically to understand and adopt them with a clear viewpoint. Including citizenship, the
education about democracy and rights should be sloped in for all. To grab the attention of gender
and sexuality section in social science, sex equity has been added as specialized project by
education act. The scholars from social science had barely covered the broader context of social
studies of citizenship, democracy education, new language and discourse analysis. This was a
thing to raise public awareness about gender and sexuality among all (Brickell, 2006).

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Discussion from Everyday Experiences Examples

1. Example-Sexual Objectification of Women

The films and documentaries always represent all the different genders in a good attribute and
they convey the unique interpretation about that specific gender. The women has always been the
sex objects and it has been reflected in the movies. As a part of investigation of the relevant
context, women in regions of Asia have been objectified as an instrument for sexual goals. In the
analysis of objectification of women, they tend to lose their mental capacity while promoting
objectification and it decreases their perception. In India, the rape cases, objectification of
women and sexual assault against women and their negative influence are being examined
(Zimmerman, 2008).

According to the mainstream audiences and critics from IMDb, Mean Girls (Mark Waters, 2004)
(Appendix A) is one of the best produced film with gender attraction, objectification and current
cultural context. It is integrated with all the generation and a film of culture. It is defined as
anything that represents contemporary society's mediatization which proceeds to reflect culture
and other sectors by influencing them. Another example of objectification of women is viewed in
“On The Basis of Sex” where it tried to establish a theory of constitution and gender
discrimination. Female sexism has been showed up in the Mean Girl and the masculine
objectification also has been popped up (Downing, 2018). The best dialogue “Four for you Glen
Coco, You go, Glen Coco” from the script of this movie had showed the greater audiences about
the influence on the generations. Mean Girls sketched a dramatic portfolio with a terrible
experience, as the sexual undertones got revealed. There is no skepticism about female sexism
that has been presented with several dimensions in the movie as well as masculine sexual
objectification of female and also considering one’s own body as a product. The slut shaming at
such teenage period without understanding the cultural aspects and expectations are portrayed in
Mean Girls (Blaikie, 2018).

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Attractiveness of female characters has almost been revolved in every scenes. The screenwriter
of this movie has brought up a scene where Regina’s younger sister lowered her blouse down in
the intimate scene. The media has showed that it can be anything to have influence on audiences.
The scene named “The Burn Book” has a lucid demonstration of physical appearance that has
been the reason for degradation (Branscome, 2020).

Objectification is a worst case scenario which have influence on the society. These should be
included in the study of social science and other practical courses. As, these issues can be
terminated by proper education, learning and practice with major contribution both from
institutions and learners. Women have equal rights like men and they are not born to get
objectified by any means. Fredrickson and Roberts have stated the objectification theory to
enhance the growth of women and reduce the sexual abuse over them. This theory is established
to eliminate the concept of body shaming, objectification and sexual assault (Bobbitt-Zeher,
2011). This would damage the mental capacity of women and also the image in the society. To
treat someone as an object rather than a human being is traumatizing for the person and also a
discerned matter when it comes to cinematic films. In the movies, they are promoting sexual
things rather than delivering the mandatory social message. As the movies can influence
profoundly on audiences so they should work on this. This reflects the patriarchal culture, where
women’s body attributes and functions are used to count their worth. The women body has been
treated for sexual pleasure and consumption from a men’s perspective. Women have been
abducted for their physical organs with the aim of thrilling the male attraction and gaze. They are
often judged on the basis of their beauty and body structure. Fredrickson and Roberts (1997)
have delivered a thought that the sexual objectification of women in the films result to sexual
assault, oppression and other violence (Calogero, 2011).

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 2. Example- Gender Equality

In many regions alike Egypt, Myanmar, Africa and others, women are struggling to claim their
rights and living without standard where men are having all the resources they need. They lack
of education, property rights, social values which are restricted for them and they face trouble to
gain them. This has made a portion of social science as feminism studies and created few
theories to revolute the society with proper knowledge about women’s worth. When women are
not treated properly, the nation won’t be able to develop itself (Morrissey, 2010).

After critically analyzing American singer Jennifer Lopez’s song “Ain’t Your Mama”
(Appendix B) and also the song from another American artist Beyoncé Knowles song “Run the
World (Girls)” (Appendix B) , it is perceived that gender equality should be promoted and
women are stronger than before with empowerment. These two songs have been chosen to
elucidate the gender viewpoint, discrimination, women’s power and equality. These songs have
been selected for conveying the message about women ruling the world. They are no more
dominated and more work-centric.

Feminism is exaggerated in the society to remind people that women are no longer behind the
men. The lyrics have greater meanings and it is interpreted by feminist critics. There has been
three waves of feminism. According to feminist criticism, the writer tried to show a literature
where it undermines the oppression of women (Lester, 2014). They are oppressed by patriarchy
and the goal of the feminist theory is to promote gender equality.

This song has a reflection of a book by Mary Wollstonecraft - A Vindication of the Rights of
Women. Feminist criticism has followed up its waves including first, second and third feminism
wave. Feminism’s third wave- early 1990s- present implies the ration of ethnicity, racial frame
and the problem of women is being considered as second-class citizens. The third wave theory
has been established to solve the issues like this and by this theory many sociologists can provide
diverse solutions (Snyder, 2008). These lyrics of power and feminine aspects might have been
used to highlight the concern of being second-class citizens. Jennifer Lopez also mentioned in
her songs about work and they don’t want to depend on the men’s strength and potentiality
(MASARI, 2018). There are other women as well besides the second-class black women and this

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music has exposed their feelings and manifested how they want to live that they can’t tell the
society. To change the world and their perspective, women need a platform and these music have
created one (Olgiati, 2002).

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 3. Sexual Assault with Example

Everyday example from films and media have a massive impact for shaping culture and we
follow up most things from them. The popular culture has been introduced in the module to
perceive an understanding about the influence on gender, sexuality and society (Marshal, 2013).
From the ancient time till now women have been facing the sexual assault which made them
more powerful now and still in some regions, it didn’t stop. Whatever the media shows us isn’t
always right and optimistically positive to follow when it comes to draw sexual assault. This
definitely has backlash and reverse reflections in our practical world (Hollander, 2018). A
theoretical study stated that the rape scenes, sexual assault, abuse, violence and coercion are
often showed in the TV series, movies, documentaries and other platforms can be tolerated and
create violence against women in mind with intense attraction and these lead to crime. In UK, the
social violence against women is solved and their life is protected through CPS approach VAWG
strategy.

To have a quick look-ahead at some of the shows that are presenting violence, sexual crime and
rape scenes which is gender-based and also provide evil dispensation for people who watch
them. A recent news has been published on BBC News, that a 35 years old tennis player ‘Peng
Shuai’ has been victim of sexual assault (BBC, 2021). Vikings (Appendix C) has the disclaimer
that they don’t have any qualm for the portrayed sexual crime and violence scenes based on
gender. It’s a mythology and it was not intended as storytelling accessories in Vikings. Survivors
are more concern about their offenders and malefactors. In this show, almost 12 rape attempts
have been showed and one occurred (Reffield, 2017). This show has the potential to normalize
gender-based violence without taking into account the long-term effects on people who are
victims.

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Conclusion

The struggling of equality has been started to reduce the issues which are faced by women. In the
workplace, there are still typical societal bias which are the obstacle on the women opportunities.
On the report of study, men don’t usually recommend to promote women’s position and this
happens especially when they disdain the gender stereotypes. Women and other gender have
dealt with recruiting policies as consequence of gender-neutral. A study found that, boys and
girls both competed the mathematical Olympiad and girls were ahead of them with intellectual
power. Women are assessed on obtaining their awards and accomplishments, on the other hand,
men are repeatedly assessed by their potentiality.

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Appendix

(Appendix A)

Figure: Poster of Mean Girls

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Appendix B

Song by Jennifer Lopez

Lyrics

I ain't gon' be cooking all day, I ain't your mama

I ain't gon' do your laundry, I ain't your mama

I ain't your mama, boy, I ain't your mama

When you gon' get your act together?

I ain't your mama

No, I ain't your mama

No, I ain't your mama, no

Wake up and rise and shine (ah-yeah-yeah-yeah)

Best get to work on time (ah-yeah-yeah-yeah)

No more playing video games (ah-yeah-yeah-yeah)

Things are about to change ('round here, 'round here)

We used to be crazy in love

Can we go back to how it was?

When did you get too comfortable?

'Cause I'm too good for that, I'm too good for that

Just remember that, hey

I ain't gon' be cooking all day, I ain't your mama

I ain't gon' do your laundry, I ain't your mama

I ain't your mama, boy, I ain't your mama

When you gon' get your act together?

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I ain't your mama

No, I ain't your mama

No, I ain't your mama, no

You're lucky to have these curves (ah-yeah-yeah-yeah)

Stop getting on my nerves (ah-yeah-yeah-yeah)

You still tryna ride this train (ah-yeah-yeah-yeah)

But somethings have gotta change ('round here, here, here)

We used to be crazy in love

Can we go back to how it was?

When did you get too comfortable?

'Cause I'm too good for that, I'm too good for that

Just remember that, hey!

I ain't gon' be cooking all day, I ain't your mama

I ain't gon' do your laundry, I ain't your mama

I ain't your mama, boy, I ain't your mama

When you gon' get your act together?

I ain't your mama

No, I ain't your mama

No, I ain't your mama, no

I ain't your mama, no

We used to be crazy in love

Can we go back to how it was?

When did you get too comfortable?

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'Cause I'm too good for that, I'm too good for that

Just remember that, hey

I ain't gon' be cooking all day, I ain't your mama

I ain't gon' do your laundry, I ain't your mama

I ain't your mama, boy (no, no, no)

I ain't your mama, boy (no, no)

When you gon' get your act together?

'Cause I ain't your mama, hey

I ain't gon' be cooking all day, I ain't your mama

I ain't gon' do your laundry, I ain't your mama

I ain't your mama, boy (na, na, na)

I ain't your mama, boy (na, na, na)

When you gon' get your act together?

I ain't your mama

No, I ain't your mama

No, I ain't your mama

No, I ain't your mama

No, I ain't your mama, no

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Song by Beyoncé

Girls, we run this mutha (yeah)

Girls, we run this mutha (yeah)

Girls, we run this mutha (yeah)

Girls, we run this mutha, girls

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who run this mutha? Girls

Who run this mutha? Girls

Who run this mutha? Girls

Who run this mutha? Girls

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Some of them men think they freak this

Like we do, but no they don't

Make your check, come at they neck

Disrespect us, no they won't

Boy, don't even try to touch this (touch this)

Boy, this beat is crazy (crazy)

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This is how they made me (made me)

Houston, Texas, baby

This goes out to all my girls

That's in the club rocking the latest

Who will buy it for themselves and get more money later

I think I need a barber (barber)

None of these niggas can fade me (fade me)

I'm so good with this, I remind you, I'm so hood with this

Boy, I'm just playing

Come here, baby

Hope you still like me, F you, pay me

My persuasion

Can build a nation

Endless power

With our love we can devour

You'll do anything for me

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who run this mutha? Girls

Who run this mutha? Girls

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Who run this mutha? Girls

Who run this mutha? Girls

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

It's hot up in here, DJ, don't be scared to run this, run this back

I'm repping for the girls who taking over the world

Help me raise a glass for the college grads

41' Rollie to let you know what time it is, check

You can't hold me (you can't hold me)

I work my nine to five, better cut my check

This goes out to all the women getting it in, you on your grind

To all the men that respect what I do, please accept my shine

Boy, you know you love it

How we smart enough to make these millions

Strong enough to bear the children (children)

Then get back to business

See, you better not play me (me)

Oh, come here, baby

Hope you still like me

F you, pay me

My persuasion

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Can build a nation

Endless power

With our love we can devour

You'll do anything for me

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who run this mutha? Girls

Who run this mutha? Girls

Who run this mutha? Girls

Who run this mutha? Girls

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

Who are we?

What we run?

The world

Who run this mutha? Yeah

Who are we?

What we run?

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The world

Who run this mutha? Yeah

Who are we?

What do we run?

We run the world

Who run this mutha? Yeah

Who are we?

What we run?

We run the world

Who run the world? Girls (girls)

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Appendix C

Figure: Vikings

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Blaikie, F., 2018. Habitus, visual and cultural identity: Mean girls’ hyperfeminine performances
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Brickell, C., 2006. The sociological construction of gender and sexuality. The Sociological
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MONRO, C.S., 2010. Towards a sociology of gender diversity: The Indian and UK cases. In
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