Question 1

Does conventional femininity help or hurt women in their fight against misogyny?

Accepted Answer

Conventional femininity often places women in a binary where they must either conform to traditional roles that emphasize helplessness and dependency on men or reject these norms and face social ostracization. This dynamic can undermine women's fight against misogyny by reinforcing gender stereotypes and limiting women's perceived choices.

Question 2

Explain the phenomenon of the double bind.Why do the authors highlight media treatment of Sarah Palin (who ran for the 2008 Democratic vice presidential nomination in the United States)as an example of a double bind? Provide another example of a double bind placed on women in public life and discuss how it fits this concept.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the phenomenon of the double bind.Why...

Question 3

In contemporary American society,men are encouraged to avoid femininity and women are strongly encouraged to embrace both femininity and masculinity.With the help of three examples,explain this phenomenon in your own words.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In contemporary American society,men are encouraged to...

Question 4

Aliya directly challenges male dominance and freely engages in sexual relationships without concern for whether or not men approve.Aliya is demonstrating which term?

Accepted Answer

Pariah femininities refer to a form of femininity that deviates from traditional gender norms and is often stigmatized by both men and women in society. Aliya's behavior of challenging male dominance and freely engaging in sexual relationships without concern for male approval suggests that she is embracing a pariah femininity.

Question 5

Both women and men are constrained by the binary gender system.How do the constraints they face differ systematically? Whose constraints do you find more unfair? Make sure to provide detailed reasoning to justify your conclusion.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Both women and men are constrained by...

Question 6

The idea of a matrix of domination is intended to solve what problem for feminism?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The idea of a matrix of domination...

Question 7

Feminists argue that we are in the middle of a stalled gender revolution in which

Accepted Answer

The correct choice, B, reflects the argument that while women have made strides in entering traditionally masculine fields and roles, there has not been a reciprocal movement of men into traditionally feminine roles and fields, indicating a one-sided progress towards gender equality.

Question 8

In what ways do women make patriarchal bargains in order to promote their well-being and autonomy? Compare and contrast three ways in which women can make a patriarchal bargain and assess which strategy you think would be more effective for a woman working as the only female chemical engineer at a chemical company.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In what ways do women make patriarchal...

Question 9

Why do the authors call benevolent sexism and hostile sexism Plan A and Plan B respectively,as strategies to ensure women's subordination? In the development of your answer,give an example of how benevolent sexism and hostile sexism work together to ensure women's subordination.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why do the authors call benevolent sexism...

Question 10

__________ uses negative stereotypes about men to justify men's dominance,whereas __________ uses positive stereotypes about women to justify women's subordination.

Accepted Answer

Exculpatory chauvinism refers to the use of positive stereotypes about women to justify their subordination, while benevolent sexism uses seemingly positive but ultimately patronizing stereotypes about women to justify their inequality. Hegemonic masculinity, on the other hand, uses negative stereotypes about men to maintain their dominance, while the feminine apologetic is a term used to describe women who blame themselves or other women for the gender inequality they face.

Question 11

Dianna recently joined the Houston Fire Department.She is the only female at her station,and she does not want to draw attention to this distinction.Dianna asks to be treated "as one of the guys," and she tries to imitate her male counterparts in behavior and appearance.What term is Dianna demonstrating?

Accepted Answer

Dianna is demonstrating emphatic sameness, which involves trying to fit in with the dominant group by downplaying or hiding any differences that may be seen as inferior or deviant. She wants to be treated the same as her male coworkers and therefore tries to act and look like them.

Quiz 6: Inequality: Women and Femininities