This week we will watch and discuss a few videos regarding gender socialization. Killing Us Softly by Jean Kilbourne critically analyzes mass media advertising images and how they create an unattainable social beauty standard, while Tough Guise by Jackson Katz describes how cultural messages about manhood/masculinity impact boys and men, particularly regarding aggression and violence. Both serve as examples of how “normalcy” is established and upheld, which should be the focus of your paper: how do gendered experiences teach us about what is considered normal? How do we come to know what is normal? More specifically, how do our gendered experiences shape and mold our understanding of acceptable (“normal”) thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and self-evaluations?
Reflect on the required videos and course content with personal experience and academic research:
The Power of Normalcy
Why is “normalcy” a powerful agent of gendered social learning?
Analyze how the media (movies, music, news outlets, etc) creates values and serves as the main agents of “normalcy.”
Society and Gendered Learning
How does society create gendered expectations?
Reflect on “traditional gender roles” and how society has changed (or stayed the same); how has this affected you?
Society and Beauty
How has beauty evolved and how does it affect you?
Why does beauty evolve and who benefits from these changes?
Gender and Aggression
Discuss the relationship between aggression and gender.
This question is specific to Katz and McKelley, but feel free to include information from the other speakers as well.
What is the relationship between video game aggression? This is a good question to answer with one of your 2 required peer-reviewed academic journal articles.
What is your story?
Gender is a very personal experience that can be quite stressful and confusing. Reflect on the stress you experience related to gender, gender roles, identity, and various social expectations.
