Module 4 Discussion: Gender and Sexuality

Part 1: 200 words

Discussion Topic

This week we will explore how ethnocentric beliefs and the social construction of gender play into power relations. I this weeks quiz, you discussed a reading which suggested that the power dynamics associated with the choice of many Middle Eastern women to wear the veil or burqa do not align with many Western perceptions of this practice. We also read about how women’s stepping outside of traditional gender roles and and a culturally normalized view of “male honor” allows for femicide in Turkey. Now I want you to explore how gender roles affect the distribution of power in your lives.

Instructions

Gender roles consist of the conventional attitudes, values, behaviors, and tasks that are considered appropriate for, and are assigned by a culture to, members of each sex. In your initial post:

1. List two gender roles you believe your culture associates with men, and two with women. (If you are bi-cultural, pick one culture and mention this. If you identify as other than cis-gender, or as LGBTQ+, you may choose to frame this discussion from within that context.)
2. List two advantages and two disadvantages you feel your culture places upon you because of these gender roles.
3. List a gender role behavior or task that you think people expect of you because of your gender that you are caught up in, but would like not to be caught up in. Analyze and discuss how this gender role within your culture impacts, or has impacted, power relations within your life. How might the concept of benevolent sexism from your assigned reading play into this? How difficult or easy would it be to detach from this gender role? Why?

part 2: 1-2 sentences each person

Once part 1 is complete, I will add 2 classmates post you can respond to.