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Females in American Slavery, 2008.
A discussion of "A'rn't I a Woman? Female Slaves in the Plantation South" by Deborah Gray White.
984 words (approx. 3.9 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 34.95
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Abstract
The paper examines "A'rn't I a Woman?" by Deborah Gray White, which focuses on the roles of females in the pre-Civil War American society.
The paper discusses White's belief that female slaves endured not only racism but sexism and how stereotypes of both black women and white mistresses were totally unfair and untrue. The paper looks at how White explains the black female slaves' cultural survival. The paper concludes that the metaphorical question, "Ar'n't I a Woman?" is answered by the historical record of courage, resistance, survival and female heroism that comprised the experience of black African-American women during this period.
From the Paper
"The historians of slavery of an earlier generation, as exemplified by Ulrich B. Phillips, painted a somewhat romanticized picture of slave life on the plantations that would be considered distorted and oversimplified by modern historical standards. This was in keeping with the ideology of "sectional healing" after the Civil War, in which whites in the North and South reunified under the infamous Tilden Hays Deal of 1877. That pact essentially sealed the fate of the political and economic reforms attempted under Reconstruction, completed the evacuation of the progressive Union Army from the South, and allowed white supremacy to return for many subsequent decades, until it was successfully challenged in the 1950s and 1960s by the modern Civil Rights Movement. Phillips distorted picture of the Old South featuring blissful student slaves on the plantation-as-school was challenged historians of the 1950s such as Kenneth Stampp and Stanley Elkins."
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Suffrage in the New World, 2008.
A literature review of the correlation between economic development and suffrage across North America.
1,118 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 38.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how the extension of suffrage affected long-term economic development in the America's vis-a-vis wealth distribution and political influence. It looks at the U.S. democratic model as a paradigm explaining why economic elite might choose to award universal suffrage. The paper concludes that the U.S. eventual granting of, what they deemed to be universal suffrage, was due to the machinations of the political elite and that universal suffrage never existed in any real sense until later in the 20th century, contrary to popular opinion.
Outline:
Article Summary
Literature Review
Analysis
From the Paper
"Even after universal suffrage for both women and blacks in America were granted, it was not until the mid 1960s that many legal and regulatory barriers that prevented many women and blacks from voting were struck down in the Supreme Court of that country (Perelman 149). The only conclusion that can be made regarding this development is that even in the U.S. the political elite did not freely choose to award universal suffrage in that country's beginning nor even in its later developmental stages. This seems to be a point that Engerman and Sokoloff completely overlook in their research regarding economic development through institutional control and granting of suffrage. "
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Women and Equality, 2008.
An outline of a proposed paper to explore whether men and women are equal in contemporary Canadian society.
946 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 33.95
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Abstract
The paper presents an outline for a paper that will look at the recent history of the feminist movement and explore legislation on affirmative action, domestic violence issues, issues pertaining to workplace harassment and sexual assault and on matters relating to equal pay for equal work. The paper explains that the research will look at the legal and institutional apparatuses which have sprung up in recent decades to protect women and whether those apparatuses are actually working. The paper further explains that the proposed research will conclude by arguing that the quality of citizenship and democracy in Canada is profoundly compromised if half of the population is being treated unequally.
From the Paper
"The structure of my argument will proceed from broad to narrow - or at least it will do so as much as possible. Depending upon the sources available to me, I would like to start out by looking at the history of the women's movement in Canada from around 1970 onward, paying special attention to any benchmark achievements or successes that have taken place since that time. Of course, before going into this matter in great depth, I will most likely contextualize the issue by looking at the status of women before that date (although I really do not want to spend a great deal of time upon it). With the historical background out of the way, I will examine the situation as it presently stands. In particular, I will try to use scholarly databases which provide up-to-date information on rape statistics and the number of women to be found in non-traditional occupations or positions (such as senior management). Ultimately, I hope to use specific examples of where women are in ascendance or where they are still lagging behind; I may also discover that the concerns many women have about various issues are unfounded."
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Beauty Contests, 2008.
This paper explores the cultural practice known as the "beauty pageant".
1,543 words (approx. 6.2 pages), 7 sources, MLA, $ 50.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses the importance of the cultural practice of the beauty pageant, in particular the Miss America beauty contest. The paper discusses how although there has been scholarly aversion to studying the phenomenon, it is clear that this apparently frivolous cultural practice is enormously significant in shaping how sexuality, gender and race are shaped within the broader fabric of power relationships in our society. The paper also demonstrates how this cultural practice has spread across the world during the twentieth century to become a global phenomenon.
From the Paper
"The topic of "beauty" and, in particular, "beauty pageants" is a highly controversial one in contemporary academia. In the wake of late twentieth century feminism, scholars in the fields of sociology and anthropology "often see beauty contests as somehow trivial, frivolous, or vulgar" (Cohen 5). In large measure, this scholarly response reflects the widespread controversy over addressing the cultural construction of "beauty" in the modern context. While feminist critics have led the debate over the scholarly analysis of the construction of beauty, scholars in other fields have tended to avoid discussion of the issue and the cultural practice of beauty contests. As one critic observes of this scholarly aversion: "The failure to grant beauty pageants serious attention may reflect a reluctance to deal with beauty itself as a serious matter" (Cohen 6)."
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The Legalization of Prostitution, 2006.
An examination of the legalization of prostitution as a positive step towards protecting the safety and dignity of sex-trade workers.
1,629 words (approx. 6.5 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 53.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the positive effects that legalization of prostitution would have not only on the people involved in this industry, but on society as a whole. The writer discusses a recent study that focuses chiefly upon the impact of legalized brothels in Nevada. The writer further explains how, based on this study, legalization will reduce the spread of sexually-transmitted disease, cut down on violence against sex-trade workers, and discourage the upsetting of public order. The writer concludes that while there is an understandable public aversion to legalizing prostitution, the benefits to women engaged in this industry makes legalization something law-makers should seriously consider.
From the Paper
"One of the first things which becomes apparent with regards to the legalization of prostitution is that several of the rationales which have historically been brought forward in defense of keeping it illegal - reducing the threat of sexually-transmitted diseases, discouraging "violence" against community order, and thwarting inter-personal violence against women who happen to be sex-trade workers - are actually better-served by legalization. For example, a recent study - focusing chiefly upon the impact of legalized brothels in Nevada - reveals that a compelling case can be put forward that legalization of prostitution brings with it a level of public scrutiny and observation, a measure of official regulation, and sufficient "bureaucratization" that the forms of violence detailed above are actually reduced (Brents, 270 and 280-295)."
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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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Violence, the Media and Women, 2008.
A persuasive paper arguing that violence in the media promotes a violent society with a focus on violent women.
2,076 words (approx. 8.3 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 65.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the allegations that the media is to blame for various random acts of violence. But is the media really to blame? The paper investigates this question, as well as the question of whether we can expect to see more females committing violent crimes, now that there has been an upsurge of media depictions of violent women. It gives examples of violence in film, on the television, in video games and in music and music videos.
From the Paper
"Certainly, many people believe that the media causes people to act violently. For example, at the trial of Lee Boyd Malvo, one of the two notorious American snipers/serial killers in 2003, it was alleged that his older partner in crime, John Allen Muhammad, had attempted to utlize violent video games - such as Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon and Rainbow 6: Covert Ops - to train Malvo as a sniper (Miller). And after the shootings at the Columbine High School in Colorado in April 1999, in which two school boys killed 13 people, it was found that one of the boys, Eric Harris, had played the violent video game Doom a great deal. (Duin) While it is impossible to know whether the game Doom played a part in encouraging Eric to commit multiple murders, it is certainly a possibility. And given the serious impact of his actions, even a possibility needs to be taken seriously."
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temporarily unavailable
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House-Keeping and the Modern Advertisement, 2008.
A look at how advertising still targets woman in a supposedly gender equal world.
1,798 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 8 sources, MLA, $ 57.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses how advertisements, sometimes insultingly, portray women as empowered in terms of taking on so much of the general cleaning labor, but the positioning of woman as the house-keeper remains unchanged. To explore this issue, it looks at a range of advertising for cleaning products, arguing that women continue to be portrayed in a limited manner and in fact are likely to be spending more time on cleaning as a result of social expectations for private spaces to be showcases.
From the Paper
"For the most part, given most of these advertisements, it would seem that it is almost entirely up to women to deal with all of the grime in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and anywhere else it may lurk. Whether it is an advertisement for Swiffer products, Tide laundry detergent, or the curious bathtub scouring substance known as Vim, women are consistently portrayed as the lone crusaders, responsible for such matters of the home, and that reinforces stereotypes that keep women as the lead in such roles. For despite making more progress in closing the gender-gap at work, studies show that women still have more to gain in terms of getting their husbands to pick up the slack at home."
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"Surfacing" by Margaret Atwood, 2008.
This literary study analyzes the dualistic gender roles within the main character of Margaret Atwood's novel "Surfacing."
979 words (approx. 3.9 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 34.95
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Abstract
The paper examines the gender conflict of the main character in "Surfacing" by Margaret Atwood. The paper explains the ecofeminist position that allows the main character to integrate male gender role attributes into her own life. The paper illustrates the power of natural environments to reconstruct a woman's divided psyche.
From the Paper
"The main issue for Atwood's Surfacing is the conflict between gender roles that are present within the main character. The novel is set within the Northern Quebec, where the main character had grown up in an isolated cabin. She has suffered a divorce, the death of her father by drowning, and an abortion. Atwood creates this past history to help build the character around a return to her childhood, which forces the protagonist to face her fears and family history. The central aspect of Ecofeminism within this novel is defined by the main character's victimization of patriarchal domination."
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An Heirloom, 2008.
A discussion of the emotional and symbolic value of a family heirloom.
1,144 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 0 sources, $ 39.95
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Abstract
This paper tells the story of a family heirloom, a ring. It describes this ring, explains its history and describes the writer's feeling towards it, both as an aesthetic object and a symbol of heritage. The writer attempts to describe what, in her opinion, the ring meant to her grandmother. This paper provides an example of an item whose emotional and symbolic value exceeds its material value by far.
From the Paper
"My mother chose the object for this assignment, but when I first examined the requirements exactly the same item came to mind. It is an item that has a history within our family. However, it is important just to the women of the family and in particular to me as I am in possession of it now. The item in question is a ring that belonged to my grandmother, and from the material point of view, it is valuable but not extremely so."
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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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Canada's Gendered Welfare State, 2007.
An examination of the Canadian social welfare policy.
1,406 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 46.95
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Abstract
This paper examines a series of articles which all criticize the current push towards a neo-liberal interpretation of social welfare policy - both in Canada and in a number of other western nations. The paper suggests that the articles' central theme remains the same - that women are unjustly victimized by the prevailing social welfare network. The paper examines the argument made that women are falling behind in some regards vis-a-vis social welfare after some moderate advances in previous decades and concludes that the articles' authors are not necessarily wrong in their views, but occasionally over-state their cases - in large measure because their work is informed by ideological commitments as well as by scholarly concerns.
From the Paper
"In her work, Ann Porter seeks to advance a "feminist economy" that illustrates how women are - and have been - oppressed by the capitalist system and by the patriarchal order. Specifically, Porter devotes a great deal of her time to looking at the historically strained relationship between the state and women and draws approvingly from socialist (or Marxist) feminists who critique how the traditional capitalist order supported a traditional "dual" arrangement whereby the man served as breadwinner and the woman served as a dependent subordinate in charge of the household. However, the advent of women entering the paid workforce in great numbers changed this arrangement and therefore blunted the inherently exploitative features of the patriarchal capitalist order as it pertained to women."
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Discrimination Against Fat People, 2007.
An examination of the oppression and discrimination against fat people - fat prejudice.
2,212 words (approx. 8.8 pages), 10 sources, MLA, $ 68.95
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Abstract
In this paper the writer argues that the effects of oppression and discrimination against fat people exact a heavy toll, especially on women. It shows that there are health advantages in being fat, that the dangers of fat are over-rated, especially in relation to women, and that the health dangers of being too thin are systematically under-rated. This paper explains that the true problem is fat prejudice, not the so-called obesity epidemic. The writer points out that fat prejudice works in favor of the powerful diet industry, giving rise to the suspicion that fat prejudice is fanned in the media due to the influence of this industry.
From the Paper
"The media constantly tells us that thin people are healthy and beautiful, and that fat people are unhealthy and ugly. However, it is argued that the health dangers of obesity are hugely over-rated, for a variety of reasons. These include the interests of the multi-million dollar diet industry, as well as the fact that coercing women into worrying constantly about their weight is an effective part of the anti-feminist backlash, ensuring that women waste their energy on frivolous matters. Moreover, it will be argued that the greatest threat to the mental and physical health of fat people is not their fat, but rather fat oppression: the discrimination that fat people face in our fat-phobic society."
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Body Objectification in Woman Athletes, 2008.
An analysis of the relationship between women athletes, body objectification and eating disorders.
2,291 words (approx. 9.2 pages), 29 sources, APA, $ 70.95
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Abstract
This paper explores the body of scholarly and research literature on the subject of female athletes, body image and objectification. It analyzes the role that the feminine ideal plays in the cognitive dissonance many sportswoman experience in reconciling the need for musculature to compete with the societal pressure to confirm to traditional norms of gender appearance. It pays particular attention to the correlation between this dissonance and the onset of eating disorders. The paper concludes with an analysis of qualitative research done by the author. The paper includes several interviews and discusses the light they shed on the previously discussed theories.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Literature Review
Interviews
From the Paper
"The coding of these interviews, albeit abbreviated because of limitations of time and length, nonetheless reveals distinct clustering patterns of words that connote issues central to our research topic. There clearly is a strong correlation between perceived body type, female athleticism and eating disorders in the case histories recounted in our interviews. Self-objectification is also in evidence as one of the root causes of the underlying psychological conflict that finds expression in eating disorders. Maggie's story in particular illustrates how destructive the discontinuity between the 'feminine ideal' and perceived body image can be. Just as the interview with the woman body builder demonstrates how the feminist perspective consciously applied to the problem of stigmatization of "muscular' woman can in fact insulate women from the social approbation of outright bias."
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"Raise the Red Lantern", 2008.
An analysis of the tragic fate of Chinese women under the influence of the feudal ideas, as depicted in the film "Raise the Red Lantern".
1,020 words (approx. 4.1 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 36.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses how the 1991 film "Raise the Red Lantern", directed by Zhang Yimou, may be viewed on different levels. It argues that we should view the film as depicting the subjugation and hopeless situation of Chinese women on the one hand; while keeping in mind that this is mirrored by the subjugation of the peasants by the landowners. Both systems of subjugation utilize a system of divide and rule, so that the oppressed aim their anger at each other, not at their oppressors. The paper attempts to show how, in this way, the film is an excellent allegory of the way in which dictatorships succeed, by dividing and ruling the common people.
From the Paper
"This most noticeable feature of this film is that despite the fact that it is shown from the viewpoint of Songlian, the Fourth Mistress, nevertheless it constantly reflects anti-women prejudice, much of it internalized by women themselves. For example, Second Mistress seems at first to be friendly towards Songlian - causing one to question why. However, it is sad to see that when she introduces her little daughter to Songlian, she states: "How useless! I only have a daughter!" This is a brutally destructive remark to make in front of the small girl, and teaches her to expect nothing from her life. It is shameful that this comment should come from someone who is herself a woman, and reflects a deeply sexist society. No wonder that by the time we meet Songlian at the beginning of the film, she is already resigned to being nothing more than a concubine. "
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Global Problems Facing Feminism, 2007.
A discussion about moving towards a transnational feminist movement.
1,353 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 4 sources, APA, $ 45.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the gap between theoretical feminism and practical feminist activities. It looks at how a global movement needs to change male attitudes and how whole social systems need to be understood. The writer suggests that the examination of case studies could help create a number of workable models, separate from mere ideology, oriented towards raising women's basic status, reducing women's suffering, and seeing that women come to be appreciated as equal citizens, across the world.
Outline:
Introduction
Essential Consultation
Concluding Remarks
From the Paper
"Western countries offer much familiarity with the women's movement and topics of feminism as can be said of the educated classes in the non-Western world. However, on a global scale, the gains of feminism have been quite low, as should inspire interest in a global movement towards public education, legal and social reform, so that all citizens are at least aware of the ideal of gender equality. The United Nations and various non-governmental organizations have long discussed the imperatives of women's rights and gender equality. Many Westerners fail to see the degree of sexism to non-Western societies in extreme class gaps, deep poverty and general suffering affecting women, and less activity in making women aware of their rights, as comes to being seen as rather a luxury under such circumstances. Unfortunately, Western feminists can seem to avoid such realities though they are essential to the building of a bona fide transnational feminist campaign."
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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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