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Gender Transgression and Video Game Culture, 2007.
An examination of gender transgression - specifically, the violation of traditional gender roles by females - in video games and video game culture.
2,312 words (approx. 9.2 pages), 9 sources, MLA, $ 71.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that video games represent a site for role-playing in ways that violate both the corporate-constructed gender roles of game worlds, as well as the norms of masculine and feminine in our society. The writer discusses how this analysis applies to a range of levels in video game culture: the design level with its sub-culture of game patch design where users patch existing video games to fundamentally re-design game worlds that reflect distinct constructions of masculinity and femininity and the game play level where both female and male users play games in ways that challenge normative gender roles. The writer's main focus is on female game designers and players, whose interactions with video game culture critically undermines common conceptions of female gender identity.
Outline:
Introduction
Gender Bias as a Methodological Problem
Women Coding Women: The New Gaming Female
Conclusion
From the Paper
"In reviewing the scholarly literature upon gender roles and video game culture, it is important to recognize the operation of gender bias as a methodological problem. Before one can address the subject of video game and gender role transgression among females, one must note the profound degree to which traditional gender biases appear to impact scholarship on the subject of video game culture. Consider, for example, the question of the popularity of video games among males versus females, as well as the view that males prefer "violent" games while female players tend to reject these games for games that better reflect "feminine" qualities. There is a substantial body of research literature that has argued since the late 1980s that video games are a predominantly male cultural preoccupation. Surveys tended to reveal an extraordinary disproportion both in terms of numbers of players and the lengths of time devoted to gameplay. For example, adolescent boys have been shown to be as much as three times more likely to play video games as adolescent girls."
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Gender Bias and Women in Sports, 2007.
An examination of the challenges posed for women in sports by the gender binary system.
2,441 words (approx. 9.8 pages), 7 sources, APA, $ 74.95
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Abstract
This paper explains how female athletes face tremendous obstacles and prejudice because by definition they are in opposition to the twin pillars of our patriarchal society: the gender binary system, and compulsory heterosexuality. The paper shows that many athletes and athletic organizations spend a great deal of energy on countering suspicions that women athletes are not "natural," "real," heterosexual, feminine women. The writer suggests that women stop wasting their energy on counteracting societal prejudices, and concentrate on being the best athletes they can be. The paper concludes that society has to change, and acknowledge and affirm the new ways in which 21st century women are choosing to express themselves. The writer believes that in this way, women's sports will some day command the same respect and money as men's sports do.
From the Paper
"Our society is rigidly structured on the basis of a gender binary system, which stipulates and prescribes that there must be two - and only two -genders, and moreover that these two genders are the opposites of one another. This system commonly posits the male as the norm, and the female as merely the "other," or simply the opposite of the norm. Within this system, certain attributes are regarded as quintessentially masculine, and others as feminine. Deviation from this is not well tolerated by mainstream society, possibly because it threatens the patriarchal status quo."
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Transsexualism, 2008.
An examination of the evidence supporting transsexualism as a medical condition.
915 words (approx. 3.7 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 32.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses and analyzes the physical etiology of transsexualism. It looks at the arguments supporting and against the medical status of transsexualism. The paper concludes that there is compelling medical evidence that transsexualism is in fact a medical condition and, therefore, suggests that it should be treated with the same care and compassion that other medical conditions are treated.
Table of Contents:
Exordium (Introduction)
Exposition
Thesis
Plan of Proof
Confirmation
Refutation
Concession
Recapitulation
Peroration
From the Paper
"Thus, it is concluded that although we cannot be absolutely certain of the causes of transsexualism, it is both humane and sensible to listen to those who actually have the condition. Some people believe transsexuals are mistaken, and are merely misfits in our strict, binary gender system - but surely the important point is that transsexuals themselves believe they have a medical condition? Moreover, there is medical research which supports their belief. Yet transsexuals are often severely victimized, and even killed. This makes as little sense as beating up on people in wheelchairs, or attacking children in cancer wards. It seems very likely that transsexualism is a medical condition, and as civilized people we should not allow other people to be victimized for medical conditions. Therefore, prejudice against transsexuals should be stopped, and transsexuals should be entitled to have the medical treatments they request."
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Zhu Tianwen and "Notes of a Desolate Man", 2007.
A review of the book "Notes of a Desolate Man" by contemporary Taiwan writer Zhu Tianwen.
1,168 words (approx. 4.7 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 40.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the book "Notes of a Desolate Man" by Zhu Tianwen and relates that the author's way of fitting in so many non-Chinese influences, past and present, his homosexuality, and the death of an old friend in Japan due to AIDS, fit together to produce a deliberately disjointed psychic environment in which the narrator can only feel thankful for small reminders of a world that seemed normal. The writer points out that throughout "Notes on a Desolate Man", the past continues to be mixed up with the present. The writer believes that this book leaves the reader with no doubt as to the narrator's emotions, sense of being displaced and that his life has been rather pointless, though one wishes the narrator could also see through this state of ennui to find the answers of purpose that were suitable for modernists.
From the Paper
"Like many a post-modern character, the narrator, Xiao Chao, can observe his own isolation, well aware of what is happening, amid Western consumerism and media influences. His friend, Ah Yao, is a former lover, a person with whom he has been able to discuss Chinese poetry but also the culture arriving from the West including 1960s avant garde films and thought. Set in the 1990s, Xiao Shao reflects on his 20s as a well to do young Taiwanese in Europe and in America just as countless other persons at mid-life tend to reflect on how they spent this earlier interval in their lives. Like Ah Yao, he had known the gay scene in New York, Paris and Rome, and also the complications of being a gay Chinese male in a conservative Taiwanese society where both men's families were known in Taipei."
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Family and Sexual Orientation, 2008.
This paper discusses the family impact on sexual orientation and looks at discrimination in this regard.
1,300 words (approx. 5.2 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 43.95
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Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that the term "sexual orientation" has become the phrase used to identify a class of protected rights in law and in business and presumably includes all forms of sexual orientation. In practice, though, the writer points out, the term is a way of assuring some protection for homosexuals without actually using the term. When speaking about majority sexual orientation, meaning heterosexuality as the norm, there is no need to speak about orientation. The writer maintains that it is the basic role of government to protect each citizen from other citizens, and so protections on the basis of sexual orientation are needed no matter what the source of a different orientation might be. The writer concludes that protecting the class is a legal question and does not depend on the other elements to be in force.
From the Paper
"Yet punishing people for a "crime" that is not a crime at all is un-American, and there is no reason for the government to be involved in an effort on the part of segments of society to force other segments to bend to their will. Some critics claim that there is a reason in that the government should be promoting so-called family values, while homosexuality is detrimental to those values. The recent battle in Congress was framed in part as a battle between the Employment Non-Discrimination Act on the one hand and the Defense of Marriage Act on the other, an act which defines marriage so as to eliminate homosexual partnerships. The title of the latter act shows the belief that marriage is under attack by homosexuals and so that heterosexuals can rally and defend themselves. Differential treatment of homosexuals thus becomes defense rather than discrimination."
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African Women's Roles, 2008.
An exploration of the impact of Islam and European culture on the roles of African women.
3,975 words (approx. 15.9 pages), 9 sources, MLA, $ 107.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the historical roles of African women within African culture. The paper specifically looks at how these roles have changed over time and analyzes the impact of Islam and European culture on the roles of African women. The paper shows how the presence of the Arabs and Europeans in Africa changed the course of African women's lives forever.
From the Paper
"As the impact of the Islamic influence on women spread throughout Africa, the Europeans began to infiltrate the country, adding their own perceptions of the female gender to the national philosophy. Yet, the Europeans believed that because African women were no more than slaves, they had the right to inflict any action against them that they desired. This often included rape and the forced captivity of African women as concubines. While these events occurred in a widespread manner throughout Africa, no effort was made by African men to stop the degredation of African women. Furthermore, over time it became apparent that African men had adopted the ideologies of the Europeans and allowed African women to become the least respected individuals within the social order."
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Icon Barbie and the Female Image, 2007.
An examination of the impact of the concept of Barbie as the "perfect" woman.
2,820 words (approx. 11.3 pages), 7 sources, MLA, $ 83.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the influence of the image of the Barbie doll on the female gender. The writer discusses Stacy Handler's (the granddaughter of the Barbie creator) struggles with weight, self-worth and social acceptance as a young female in society. It explains how many young girls have developed eating disorders while trying to emulate Barbie physically and how this has had many psychological repercussions. In its conclusion, the paper shows that until society is willing to comprehend the damage that it inflicts on children through these unrealistic expectations, the concept of Barbie as the "perfect" woman will continue to negatively impact the female gender.
From the Paper
"The Barbie doll was introduced to the American public in 1959. The idea for the doll was conceived by Ruth Handler who, with her husband, founded the Mattel Toy Company ("Inventing"). Handler has toured Europe and found the German "Lilli" doll a possible appealing toy for young girls. However, the "Lilli" doll was considered to be too risque' for the young American girl and Handler set about making a doll that would embody the American ideal of femininity. Barbie as a housewife, Barbie as a fashion icon and Barbie as a teenage tennis player were just a few of Handler's visions ("Inventing"). With the assistance of a clothing designer Handler set about creating fashions for the Barbie doll and it was not until these fashions began to catch the eye of parents that the Barbie began to gain in popularity."
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Men and Housework, 2008.
This paper provides an analysis of men's participation in housework and childcare.
2,000 words (approx. 8.0 pages), 5 sources, APA, $ 63.95
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Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that as more and more women have entered the paid workforce, one might expect that men would take on an increasing share of the housework and childcare. The writer points out that after all, the rationale for women doing almost all of this used to be that the domestic sphere was their sphere, while the paid workforce outside of the home was the male sphere. As this is no longer the case, one could reasonably expect that men would be sharing housework and childcare equally. However, while there has been some change in this respect, the writer maintains that domestic labor is still regarded by many as "women's work," and men do not participate sufficiently. This paper reviews this unfortunate situation, and the reasons for it. It argues that the primary reason for this situation is that it derives from the fundamental structure of patriarchal, capitalist societies, so that the solution can lie in nothing less than a fundamental, radical restructuring of society.
From the Paper
"These are precisely the two major difficulties that face us in solving this riddle. For example, it would certainly seem that work in the domestic sphere and work in the paid labour force outside of the house are negatively correlated, in that the more hours one puts in at one workplace, the less hours one has available to put in at the other. It is a fact that women still work fewer hours per year, and as we noted above, it is a fact that they still do the lion's share of work in the domestic sphere. These two facts are clearly related, although in something of a chicken and egg way - and as Hou and Omwanda explain, we certainly cannot say that one factor causes the other, due to the possibility of multicausality. For example, we might need to look to religious, social or educational factors to account for the differences, as well. And even if we could say that this was the case for one woman, we could scarcely generalize to the entire population of women, particularly in a diverse country."
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Bias in Gender Roles, 2008.
This paper discusses the portrayal of males and females in children's books.
1,974 words (approx. 7.9 pages), 5 sources, APA, $ 62.95
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Abstract
Many children's books contain myths and stereotypes which, although they appear to be commonsense understanding, are actually completely inaccurate. Children learn from text and images that represent the culture, and then they organize their perceptions of the world based on that information. This paper makes use of symbolic interactionism and structural functionalism to argue that gender as it is depicted in children's books has a social purpose and that very young children are capable of interpreting the meaning. The four themes of gender bias, gender role socialization, gender-based traits, and pseudo gender equality are discussed.
Outline:
Introduction
Gender Bias
Gender Role Socialization and Stereotypes
Pseudo Gender Equality
Conclusion
From the Paper
"At the same time, Gooden and Gooden provide a persuasive rationale for the over-abundance of males in children's books and picture books they surveyed that were published from 1995 to 1999. The authors were all simply accepting of the traditional view of the work role assigned to the male, and these values were therefore promoted in the books. Diekman and Murnen found that even in nonsexist books for children, gender segregation and the traditional idealization of femininity result in an unequal representation of the sexes. The patterns pointed out by these authors exist for a purpose. That purpose, as is perceived through structural functionalism, is to maintain social equilibrium which depends on male dominance and female subservience. Symbolic interactionism allows us to see that very young children are aware of and are quite capable of interpreting and internalizing these patterns through the books they encounter."
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Marketing Power of the Lesbian Community, 2007.
Summarizes and discusses the articles, "Advertising and the Political Economy of Lesbian/Gay Identity", by Fred Fejes and "Commodity Lesbianism", by Danae Clark.
858 words (approx. 3.4 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 30.95
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Abstract
This paper looks at two articles dealing with the growing economic, political and marketing power of the lesbian/gay community: "Advertising and the Political Economy of Lesbian/Gay Identity" and "Commodity Lesbianism". The writer explains that the gay and lesbian communities are finding themselves more recognized in society because marketers and advertisers have seen the importance of the demographic for marketing campaigns. The writer suggests that this new-found attention from the marketing community has produced some interesting social and political effects. In conclusion the article suggests that capitalism is creating a new identity for the the lesbian/gay community and that this identity is built on the recognition of the lesbian community as a viable and important market that can be exploited.
From the Paper
"In "Advertising and the Political Economy of Lesbian/Gay Identity" Fred Fejes examines the complicated relationship that gays and lesbians have developed between political agency and economic power. In fact, the interesting point that Fejes makes is that it may be that gays and lesbians are gaining political equality and clout not through traditional economic means. Other minority and disenfranchised groups have, in the past, developed political equality because they have controlled some aspect of economic production and/or capital. This is not the case with the gay and lesbian communities, Fejes argues. Instead, this group is gaining political ground because mainstream society is beginning to recognize the important market position of these individuals as consumers."
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