Heteronormartive Notions of Gender Essay -- Gender Studies

Heteronormartive notions of gender create challenges and issues that require a complex process of resolving gender inequalities. In particular, one of the challenges is resolving the inequalities that are reinforced by male and female gender norms. The notion of gender creates a dichotomy in male and female roles. Through socialization processes, we learn to identify specific behaviours as 'masculine' or 'feminine', and boys and girls are taught to perform and display these traits, which become a dominant part of their identities. Western society has constructed gender roles that promote and maintain notions of suitable behaviours and expectations. For instance, males and females are required to act a certain way according to their situational and contextual location. Moreover, gendered behaviour can be seen in the context of families because parents continue gender roles into families, preserving the idea of â€Å"doing gender† (West & Zimmerman, 2011). â€Å"Doing genderâ⠂¬  refers to the process of socially guided perceptions, which make us believe that male and female behaviours are â€Å"natural.† Further, these perceptions are routinely embedded within our everyday interactions that claim a specific gender (West & Zimmerman, 2011). Although parents in Western society continue to hold onto traditional roles of parenting, they are slowly recognizing methods that have no gender boundaries. Ideas of masculinity and femininity are reinforced in families to form practices and customs that create an imbalance among genders (Coltrane, 2011). Within heterosexual families, gender role inequalities are reinforced through household labour and domestic work. Furthermore, it is important to analyze this topic in order to understand the problematic notions ... ...rison, D. and Albanese, P. (2011, in press) Parental Military Deployments and adolescent's housework. Studies in Political Economy, 88 (1).   Margolis, M.L. (2009). Putting mothers on the pedestal. Ontario: Oxford University Press. Shaw, S.M. (1988). Gender Differences in the Definition and Perception of Household Labour. Family Relations 37(3), 333-337. Silverman E.L. (2011). The Last Best West: Women on the Alberta’s Frontier, 1880-1930. In M. Kimmel (Ed.), A. Aronson (Ed.), A. Kaler (Ed.), The Gendered Society Reader. (pp. 186-197). Ontario: Oxford University Smith, D. (1993). The standard north American family. Journal of Family Issues. 14(1), 50-65. West, C, & Zimmerman, D.H. (2011). Doing Gender. In M. Kimmel (Ed.), A. Aronson (Ed.), A. Kaler (Ed.), The Gendered Society Reader (pp. 28-42). Ontario: Oxford University Ontario: Oxford University Press.

Kite Runner Essay

In Khaled Hossenis tale of the vindictive pressures borne by those with antagonistic motives, ? The Kite Runner’ illustrates that for one to be relieved from their negative actions, they must undertake the support of heroic qualities. The novel suggests that for one to become closer to self realization they must adopt the use of altruism. Such trait can help lead the characters away from past horrors and grievances. In addition to such quality alone may not be enough, one must also utilize being brave and loyal towards the surrounding world, evoking these personalities allows one to be alleviated from and obtain a conscience free from guilt. However, the novel also displays the possibilities that if one does not enlist the support of such heroic qualities, they will be forced with vehement ramifications which will be burdened upon them, taking them away from a state of tranquillity. To grow closer to self realization, altruism must be evoked. A perfect example of such suggestion is Baba. Trying to be alleviated of his sins, Baba took in Ali and Hassan in order to hide from the pain and disloyalty caused by his earlier mistakes. Utilizing altruism as a positive trait Baba created an orphanage in order to help others in a quest to atone for his sins. Amir going older, had reached a certain stage of realization, he took in the fact that he had to be unselfish and had to sacrifice himself when saving Sohrab from the terrible Afghanistan. Sanaubar had also sought altruism, after coming back to Afghanistan to see her son who she had neglected after birth. â€Å"I have walked long and far t Even more† By obtaining such trait, it becomes easier for one to become closer to godliness. However altruism alone may not suffice. Evoking a since of strength and loyalty, Baba had been brave despite what others thought and their negative reactions, he still undertook the creation of the orphanage on his own. â€Å"Sceptics had urged him to stop . Of course, Baba refused. † Being brave Baba was also willing to sacrifice his life in order to save an innocent woman from being shot and rapped. â€Å"Tell him ill take a thousand of his bullets?.. Indecency take place† Bravery in Amir was unsought for until he was older. He flew back to the troublesome Afghanistan, and fought a once lost battle with the Neo Nazi Assef. Realising that Hassan was a true friend; Amir committed himself to being a loyal friend, and took in Sohrab, Hassans Son. Sanaubar had faced her inner demons and her acts of disgrace by showing up returning to the discrimination of Afghanistan to be with her son and spend her last dying days with him and his family. However, not reaching realization and being away from positive traits may lead to horrific consequences. Such acts include, Amir betraying his loyalty to Hassan, abusing such friendship, each betraying motif had lead to a new lie which soon enough being entrapped under the tangle of lies, being in that sort of state forever haunts him, disallowing him to even hear the words Hassan. Sanaubar could not achieve redemption by fleeing the new born Hassan to save her Reputation, leaving behind her life and her own flesh and blood. Baba had faced a difficult ? bear’ when being forced to commit extraordinary acts in order to admit to his actions and to receive true realization. ?The Kite Runner† has conveyed many possibilities that one may explore for them to redeem for their sins. The Novel illustrates and highlights the relative importance of facing burdensome obstacles and achieving a state of godliness. Without pursuing these demons one may be faced with many ramifications which may sooner or later change their life forever.

Antigone Is A Drama Based - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 892 Downloads: 5 Date added: 2019/05/23 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Antigone Essay Did you like this example? Antigone Antigone is a drama based on a fictional work written by Sophocles, that recounts the tragic plight of Antigone, after she defied the order of King Creon. However, the civil disobedience exemplified by the main character seeks to awaken the moral courage of every citizen who lives under a harsh rule. It is submitted that every person has a moral obligation to stand against oppression and injustice, even if it means offending the existing laws. The story of Antigone revolves around the courageous story of the main female character. Her brothers, Polyneices and Eteocles fought a battle leading to their untimely death. The king of Thebes, Creon, ordered not to bury the body of Polyneices for being a rebel. The start of the play showed how Antigone convinced her sister Ismene to bury their brotherrs body. Ismene refused as it was a clear defiance of the kingrs order, but Antigone still pursued. Upon learning this, Creon confronted Antigone, who did not deny her civil disobedience. Despite the plea of Haemon, Creonrs son and Antigoners fiance, to forgive her, the king still ordered her to be sent to the cave. Antigone, who was then sorrowful, took away her life by hanging herself inside the cave. Upon learning of Antigoners death, Haemon stabbed himself. When Haemonrs mother, Eurydice, learned of his death, she also took away her life. Creon, devastated of his son and wifers death, condemned himself for his unfortunate fate. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Antigone Is A Drama Based" essay for you Create order The philosophical essay that is relevant to the discussion is the Day of Affirmation, delivered by Robert Kennedy in 1966 at the University of Cape Town (Kennedy 379). This essay is relevant to the thesis, because it resonates the aim of Antigone in defying the order of the king. When Kennedy delivered the speech, racial discrimination was rampant because Apartheid was still in place. Kennedy addressed the speech to the students of Africa, with the aim of challenging them to stand against oppression and injustice, and bring social change in their society. In the same vein, Antigoners civil disobedience was an expression of her desire to challenge the existing status quo, under pain of punishment. The oppressive act came after Creon ordered that Eteocles (Antigoners brother) be given military honors and soldierrs funeral, while Polyneices should not. This was deemed unfair on the part of Antigone, because both deceased were her brothers whom, she believed, have fought bravely. She gave no distinction, but gave equal regard to their contribution. Kennedy said, so too in life of the honorable and good it is they who act rightly who win the prize. I believe that in this generation those with the courage to enter the moral conflict will find themselves with companions in every corner of the world (Kennedy 382). These lines highlight the importance of doing morally good, a deed that Antigone showed. Antigone acknowledged the importance of unwritten laws, which she perceived as divine. She invoked the unwritten code in the society to justify her act of defying the written law. It was clear that Antigone was guided by the principle of the gods, which justified her act of disobedience to the order of the king. One of the scenes that illustrate the moral courage of Antigone was the confrontation between the main character and King Creon. This scene was effective in portraying the courage of the main character, and her gender being a female bolstered this. She did not only resist incorporation or domination, but also explanation or categorization. As opposed to the character of her sister Ismene, who has been depicted as an assailable and disempowered woman, Antigone was a sharp contrast. In other words, the protagonist displayed an unorthodox character of an ancient Greek woman. During their confrontation, she was not assisted by any single person, while Creon was surrounded by many guards. Yet, Antigone spoke without regrets and fear. When Creon asked her if she was the one who buried the body of Polyneices, Antigone bravely answered Yes I am guilty Because it is your law, not the law of god You are merely a man like me, and laws you enact cannot overturn ancient moral laws (Antigone BBC). She also acknowledged that she was not afraid of death as punishment. This scene explained why the law was oppressive and unfair. Aside from the fact that she valued her blood relationship with Polyneices, the kingrs order was also not in consonance with the law of god. Her fierce conviction resonated what Kennedy had said that it was dangerous to be timid the state of being afraid of disapproval from fellows, censure from colleagues, and wrath of the society (Kennedy 382). He encouraged every person to have a moral courage, the same value that Antigone showed in the play. She was prepared for any punishment that Creon might give, even if it was her death. Antigone is the epitome of courage, worthy to emulate. The heart and soul of civil disobedience is the defiance of the written laws, to stop oppression and injustice. Antigone was right in the play, because her acts were aligned with the higher law the divine law. Although she died in the story, Creon received a harsher punishment, when his son and wife died. In the end, the audience could feel how Creon regretted his act of following his order and defying the law of the gods.