Gendered Lives
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In the first six chapters of Julia WoodÆs (2005) Gendered Lives, the author illustrates the main concepts that form the foundation of the book, definitions of gender, culture and communication. Wood (2005) maintains that ôReading this book will enlarge your awareness of genderùhow it is shaped and expressed in contexts ranging from the political arena to intimate relationshipsö (7). Through social institutions like the judicial system and the media, Wood (2005) argues that ôcultural marginalizationö occurs for some groups like women, homosexuals, and minorities (5). Chapter 1 makes the distinction between sex, a biological classification, and gender, a social, symbolic system in order to show how certain associations are connected to gender. Gender is a ôwhole system of social meanings that specify what is associated with men and womenö in a particular society at a particular time (Wood 2005, 34). Different images of masculinity and femininity are influenced by culture and played out through communication.Chapter 2 discusses theoretical approaches to gender that include biological, psychological, and cultural theories. Such theories on sex and gender do more than provide explanation, they ôaffect our thoughts and behaviorsö according to Wood (2005, 37). Such theories influence how we define the self as well as others. For example, symbolic interactionism argues that it is through communication that ôwe learn who we are and what that means in
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enables us to reflect the identity we want as opposed to an identity foisted upon us. Only by working to change the values assigned by society to masculine and feminine means of expression will marginalization be undermined.
PART TWO
The second half of WoodÆs (2005) Gendered Lives is focused on illustrating the various ways in which marginalization of groups is transmitted and maintained in society, from the family and schools to the legislative system and the media. Chapter 7 uses Freudian development theory to show gendered communication processes within the family. The family is a key factor in notions of gender. Wood (2005) argues that ôThrough overt instruction and subtle, unconscious communication, families contribute in major ways to the formation of gender identityö (149). Notions of manhood such as ôDonÆt be female,ö ôbe successful,ö ôbe aggressive,ö and ôbe self-reliantö shape not only impressions of self for men but also views of women (Wood 2005, 160-161). Chapter 8 explores how male and female gendered viewpoints are distinct and when not understood by men and women ôcreate misunderstandingsö (Wood 2005, 169). In personal relationships gender patterns have produced a number of theories on masculine and femini
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Approximate Word count = 1706
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)
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