Girls Will Be Girls?

We will discuss more on this next week, but for now, read this article from the New York Times.

What are gender roles? Should boys do boy things and girls do girl things?

What do YOU think?

Homework Questions for Monday and Tuesday night:

a. What does the author, Peggy Orenstein, mean when she says that many women are "struggling to find an ideal mix of feminism and femininity"? Do you agree? Why or why not?
b. Why did some people get upset about the implicit "Girls Keep Out" sign on the cover of the "Dangerous Book for Boys"? Does this bother you? Why or why not?
c. Who does Orenstein believe the "Dangerous Book for Boys" was marketed to? How was it marketed to this group?
d. How do the new girls' books push for girls to "have it both ways"? What does this mean? Do you think this is a good goal for today's young girls? Why or why not?
e. Orenstein believes that the book "How to Be the Best at Everything" subscribes to "the 'I am woman, see me shop' strain of feminism." What does this mean? Do you think that this ideology is a positive or negative one for a new generation of women?
f. What is "relational" feminism? Do you subscribe to this type of feminism? Why or why not?
g. Does anything about Isabelle Cherney and Kamala London's study surprise you?
h. What does Orenstein mean when she says that girls are "allowed more latitude in their identities" than boys? Do you agree? Why or why not?
i. What conclusions do you come to after learning that boys are just as likely to play with "feminine" toys as "masculine" toys when they think that no one will find out?
j. What does Orenstein mean when she says that "learning to 'create an amazing dance routine' ... is still far more Dangerous for boys than … learning to juggle"? Do you agree?
k. If you were to one day become a parent, what would you want your child to learn about gender roles?

PART II (For Wednesday and Thursday)

"When Women Rule" article.


HOMEWORK Statements to respond to:

1. -"Hillary Clinton isn't the only woman struggling to find an ideal mix of feminism and femininity, one that allows a woman to behave both like and unlike a man without being penalized either way."
2. -"In democracies in the television age, female leaders also have to navigate public prejudices -- and these make democratic politics far more challenging for a woman than for a man."
3. -"The broader conundrum is that for women, but not for men, there is a tradeoff in qualities associated with top leadership. A woman can be perceived as competent or as likable, but not both."
4.-"It's an uphill struggle, to be judged both a good woman and a good leader."
5. -"Exposure reduces prejudice.":