Doing Gender in Daily Life.
ANSWER
Title: Unraveling Gender: A Slice of My Daily Life
Introduction: From the moment we wake up to when we go to bed, our lives are infused with gender norms and expectations. This essay delves into a specific segment of my daily routine, shedding light on the subtle and not-so-subtle ways I engage in gendered behaviors and display my gendered identity.
Body: Morning Routine: My day typically starts with my morning routine. As I select my clothes for the day, I navigate a wardrobe divided along traditional gender lines. I choose a shirt and pants, adhering to the masculine norms I have grown accustomed to. This choice, in itself, is a manifestation of my gender identity.
Walking to Class: I notice myself altering my behavior during my walk to Class. I instinctively adopt a confident and assertive stride, often associated with masculinity. This is a clear example of conforming to societal expectations of how men should carry themselves.
Lunchtime: I observe the subtle ways I engage in gendered behaviors. I opt for a hearty meal, adhering to the stereotype that men should consume larger portions. I also catch myself avoiding certain foods, like salads, to avoid being teased about my choices.
Shopping: During a shopping trip, I become more aware of the gendered expectations placed on me. When I browse clothing stores, I feel pressure to limit my exploration to the “men’s” section, avoiding anything deemed too feminine. This restriction illustrates how societal norms influence my choices.
Driving or Riding the Bus: I sometimes unconsciously adjust my driving style or posture to align with perceived male competence and control behind the wheel in transit. This mirrors the stereotype that men are more skilled drivers.
Social Interactions: When I go out on a date, I become aware of my efforts to conform to traditional gender roles. I may take the lead or make decisions influenced by societal expectations of male assertiveness. Alternatively, I may suppress my emotions to avoid appearing vulnerable.
Watching Movies with Friends: Even during leisure activities like watching movies with friends, gender dynamics are at play. I have observed that discussions about the characters often revolve around their adherence to or deviation from gender norms, highlighting how deeply ingrained these concepts are in our perceptions.
Conclusion: In every aspect of my daily life, I find myself “doing gender” to some degree. Whether it is the clothes I wear, how I walk, or my choices, gender norms and expectations are an ever-present influence. This exercise underscores the importance of recognizing these behaviors and their impact on our lives. By understanding how we engage in gendered actions, we can begin to challenge and reshape these norms to create a more inclusive and equitable society.
QUESTION
Description
You will be given two possible essay topics to write about. You have to choose one of them. The two possibilities are:
ESSAY OPTION 1
Are we ever not doing gender? From the moment we wake up until we go to bed, it seems like we are constantly doing gender. For this essay, I want you to walk me through a small segment of your day (when you wake up, when you walk to class, when you eat lunch, when you shop, when you drive or ride the bus, when you go out on a date, when you attend religious ceremonies, when you watch movies with friends, etc). Do not describe your whole day, but rather, choose some small segment (a strip) of your life to describe. During that small segment of your day, in what ways are you doing gender? How are you displaying your gendered identity? Given the situation you find yourself in, how are you conforming — or not — to gendered expectations of behavior?
ESSAY OPTION 2
In class on Friday, we watched a TED Talk by Tony Porter, where he focused on what he calls “The Man Box.” According to Porter, what is The Man Box? What are its core elements? Why are men afraid of getting outside of The Man Box? When Porter says, “my liberation as a man is tied to your liberation as a woman,” what do you think he means by that?
https://www.ted.com/talks/tony_porter_a_call_to_men?language=en#t-88457