Reflections on Gender Stereotyping and Sexuality

This collection of reflections delves into the topics of gender stereotyping and sexuality. Through a series of articles and videos, explore the impact of gender on society, the challenges faced by intersexual individuals, and the institutionalization of sex. Gain insights into the complexities of masculinity and femininity in different cultures and the rights of individuals with diverse sexual orientations.

REFLECTION 1
Reflection paper
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REFLECTION 2
Topic one
Article one: The Egg and The Sperm: How Science has constructed a Romance Based on
Stereotypical Male-Female Roles (Martin 1991)
Gender stereotyping is not something that begins when a person has been born and has already
associated himself with a specific gender as I have always thought. It is something that begins
even before fertilization takes place. The sperm and the egg are already associated with specific
characteristics that they identify with. Before fertilization, the sperm is already known to be an
active participant and known for its masculinity whereas the egg is also known for its feminism
due to its expelling role. According to (Martin 1991) stereotyping go all the way until a baby is
born. For instance, the male gender is associated with sitting while spreading his legs while the
female gender sits with the legs crossed. The current generation also base their decision using the
idea they got at the young stage. It is not easy for an individual to change his or her mindset
because that idea was stuck during early days of the person’s life.
Article two: Questions of Identity (Weeks 1987)
Sex of an individual has always influenced what one does. The society has aligned its roles based
on gender. In the society men do some things that women are not allowed to do. According to
Weeks 198, this is not because women cannot do them but perhaps that is how the society has
put it. Politics is a field dominated by men, we see women coming strongly to be seen competing
with men but, it is a long way as men are from time immemorial associated with politics and
leadership.

REFLECTION 3
Article three: Facts of Life (Jackson 1987)
According to Jackson, 1987, different culture has always treated their genders differently. This is
the recognition of the gender, the behaviors associated with different genders and even cultural
studies. Some culture recognizes very little to do with the gender that is, both male and female
share a lot in common. In other cultures, gender issues are taken with a lot of seriousness such
that male and female genders do not mingle freely. This article arouses my thinking on the nature
of how different culture have believed that their gender aspect matter.
It is absolutely true that there are a lot of stereotyping between the two genders. I never knew
that this is something that starts at that early stage from an egg and a sperm. From the natural
construction of the two genders, it is evident that there are different abilities and characteristics
within them. As practiced by different cultures the male has come out to be a superior gender.
The development in the female gender to fairly compete with the male is quite encouraging.
Topic two
Article one: The Occidental Tourist, Garber, 1992
Reading this article has helped me understand the thought that sexuality was something that
came naturally. My curiosity has been drawn by the fact that technology has also contributed to
gender stereotyping. Nationalism, as I earlier thought, it is all about a country where one is
naturally born and to which he owes allegiance. According to, Garber 1992 it is funny that
nationalism is contributed by the class identities, race and our sexuality. When one subscribes to
a different gender and class then a new nationality, he finds himself.

REFLECTION 4
Article two: Heterosexuality in the Face of Whiteness, Eng ,2005
According to Eng 2005, the Asian American migration was as a result of the masculinity. The
Asian Americans were known for their emasculation and queer. The sexuality of the Asian
Americans made them demanded all over for labor during the construction of the railroad. I have
always believed that one would be on high demand due to special skill he possesses. It is
juxtaposition that Asian American immigration was connected to race and sexuality.
Video: Hwangs Madame Butterfly
The affairs between Gallimard and Liling were just nice until Liling true gender was known.
Liling swayed Gallimard and was able to collect all the information he wanted. It has come out
clearly that it is hard to hide someone`s sexuality. Finally, Liling`s intention is known and he is
taken back to France. It is surprising how Gallimard after realizing that Liling was a man, leaves
him dormant in spite of the good songs that he sung for Gallimard.
Sexuality, as it is coming out, it is a very crucial aspect as it is being manipulated to achieve
some form of desires. Sexuality and gender have contributed to the development of different
nationalisms. Sexuality and race have made the Asian Americans to be exclusively sought.
Moreover, it is being manipulated to get information for spying. I can conclusively say that
sexuality is a tool that is used to achieve an objective.
Topic three
Article one: Intersexuality and the Right of Bodily Integrity (Ammaturo 2016)

REFLECTION 5
According to Ammaturo 2016, bodily integrity is a matter of personal decision. However, for
small kids, the decision can be made by their parents or guardians. The Assembly of the Council
of Europe bypassing regulation to control this practice is something I highly welcome.
Circumcision and other body cutting are practices that have their own negative consequences.
These acts should not be forcefully done on anyone however young he might be. Just like any
other right, it must be respected.
Article two: Distracted Attentions (Holmes 2005)
For a long time, according to Holmes, 2005, intersexual individuals have been faced with very
many challenges. Stigmatization is one of such challenges. There are demands from the family
and the society at large that, medical intervention should be done to deconstruct such parts of
their bodies. These people have never had a voice to be heard concerning this demand. What is
much needed by the intersexual individuals is self-respect and an end to stigmatization. The
policies to end the stigmatization are yet to be implemented by international organization
Videos:
Gender Trouble
This video is insufficient how it defines gender. From the very beginning, it outlines what a
small girl should do, what a newborn boy should do and what he should grow up to. This video
demands of girls to be gentle and expressive of their emotions while boys should hide their
emotions.
Gender puzzle

REFLECTION 6
Technology has influenced everything not even gender issues are left behind. Am surprised that
it will no longer be a case of xx or XY chromosome to determine gender. It’s a new development
I would want to miss.
Reflection
It is clear that attention has been shifted to the transgender and the intersexual. In as much as
technology is being employed to deconstruct their deformed body parts, it is equally important to
protect their rights and stop the stigma against them.
Topic four
Article one: Above and Below (Gilmore 1996)
According to Gilmore 1996, the understanding of male and female is on a vertical scale and it is
measured in terms of above and below. In the aspect of power, men have been put at a higher
scale as compared to women. The sexuality of one individual will determine how one is treated
with respect to the subject in question like morality.
Article two: Male Sociability and Rituals of Masculinity in Rural Andalusia (Driessen
1983)
It is interesting how men in Andalusia are taken to be by their society and also in some instances
how they are perceived to be by the neighboring community. Why is it only men in Agriculture?
The article exposes that it is because they drink a lot as compared to any other person. These
agricultural laborers’ behavior is linked to their sexual identity. It is this identity that Driessen
1983, say has greatly affected their behaviors.
Video: Codes of Gender

REFLECTION 7
The use of different gender in advertising is not a matter of availability or any other factor but
really an intended message that needs to be passed. The choice of advertiser goes hand in hand
with the objective of the advertisement.
Reflection
Our sexual orientation will determine what we are best at or it will influence what we are fond of
doing and interested at. In the long run, these features should be used to add value rather than a
mere sideshow.
Topic five
Article one: Sexual Subordination Creed 1984
It is important that the Melanesia has recognized that just as food and shelter are important sex is
as well important. The institutionalization of sex and sexual practices will help in creating
awareness among the initiates and even prepare them for the expected. It appears strange to
institutionalize sex but it is a good move. According to (Creed 1984), the institutionalized sex
will orient the young generation of what is expected of them.
Article two: Turning Women Things into Men Lidz 1986
According to Lidz 1986 Papua, New Guinea is experiencing low masculinity in their newborn
babies. This is a fact that indeed must be disturbing. The mothers are now struggling with wiping
the feminism that their children are born with. If this is the case in Papua then it ought to be
looked into details as the effect must be long term. The article surprises how nearly all newborn
male children have feminism characters.
Video: Fire Eyes

REFLECTION 8
This video is surprisingly presenting a very least of expectation. Where do women get
circumcised? The Somalis circumcise their women simply because of the fear of not getting
married. This is unheard of. The subjection that the girls are given is so cruel with many negative
health conditions.
I notice that there is a change in the way people live in the past as compared with the current
moments. More challenges have come up as a result of the change. In Melanesia, sex has been
institutionalized. New Guinea is experiencing the untold story of masculinity and yet again
Somalis are circumcising their girls. This is a change in the way of life and some attributed by
technology.
Topic six
Article one: Sexual Subordination (Creed 1984)
It is essential that the Melanesia has recognized that as food and shelter are important, sex is as
well important. The institutionalization of sexual practices will go well in creating awareness
among the initiates and even prepare them for the life after their initiation rite. It appears strange
to institutionalize sex but it is a good move. According to Creed 1984, the institutionalized sex
will orient the young generation of what is expected of them.
Article two: Turning Women Things into Men (Lidz 1986)
According to Lidz 1986, Papua, New Guinea is experiencing low masculinity in their newborn
babies. This is a fact that indeed must be disturbing. The mothers are now struggling with wiping
out the feminism that their male children are born with. If this is the case in Papua then it ought

REFLECTION 9
to be looked into details as the effect must be long term. The article surprises that nearly all
newborn male children have feminism characters.
Video: Guardians of the Flutes
This video presents the interesting story of the Sambia people in New Guinea. A people who
believe in their culture and have documented because of the threat of extinction. In as much as
the roles of the different genders of Sambia are that distinct, their roles are still interdependent as
mothers live with their son until they are of age to start their own lives. Their nature being war-
like, they are hardened and bolded. A very interesting way of life.
The male gender is seen to take center stage in the above articles. From a young age, the males
are groomed appropriately. Communities have some rites of passage like the initiation that
strengthen their boys in readiness of their task ahead. The Zambia people take their boys to
initiation in order to be molded. The Melanesia people are also afraid of the feminism among
their children and have resorted to muscling.
Topic seven
Article one: Woman/Woman Marriage among the Nandi of Kenya (Oboler 1980)
This article according to (Oboler 1980) tells a shocking revelation of woman-woman marriage
among the Nandi community in Kenya. The Nandi community tries to explain why they have
resorted to this kind of marriage. According to me, the reasons are not adding up. In as much as
the right to marry is guaranteed, I have a feeling that other marriages should not be allowed by
the relevant authorities. Again, it is a new development that must be embraced.
Article two: Three into Two: The Third Sex in Northern Albania (Littlewood 2002)

REFLECTION 10
A new development that has emerged among the gender-related case. The argument that this
particular gender can change to a different gender is what I do not agree with. The article
according to (Littlewood 2002) talks of the female gender is able to change and become the
male. The sworn virgin case is something I would love to know more about.
Video: Sworn Virgins
It is unconvincing as it is in the video of the two girls, Flonja Kodheli and Alba Rohrwacher. The
fact that these two people live together when they were young as girls and after some years one
has turned to be a man is thought-provoking. Otherwise sworn virgin is yet a new development
that the world has to handle.
The developments in the above articles have affected female gender adversely. From
woman/woman marriage to women who want to change to men. These simply show what men
are left at and the challenges men will have to overcome so as to be felt and impact the society.
In the wake of such cases, crucial interventions are needed.
Topic eight
Article one: Silence, Sin and the System Wieringa 2007
I do not fully agree with the feelings of the Japanese women that they love their same-sex
marriages. It is maybe because am not gay. These women according to Wieringe 2007 do not

REFLECTION 11
love the husbands they stay with but rather prefer their same-sex partners even after their
separation. This is a case that can be subjected to an investigation to know more other than the
complain that they feel lonely. The self-hate that the lesbians have towards heterosexual
marriage is disturbing. There is a lot of fear these behaviors could be transferred to the young
generation. Japan men have the challenge of making their women love them and not loving
fellow women.
Article two: Women Sexualities and Masculinities in a Globalizing Asia Sinnott 2007
A very encouraging article of how women have gone beyond their known roles. Am encouraged
by these articles specifically women battling t take leadership positions. The masculinity that is
going on in Asia has gotten my full attention. Overcoming the sexually oriented challenges and
taking over the more demanding roles is overwhelmingly awesome in my view. From sexual
identity to realigning oneself to the expectation of a different gender is commendable. I must
admit that am personally pleased. According to Sinnott, 2007 agrees that the urge of women to
acquire masculinity is also attributed to sexual identity.
Video: Shinjuku Boys
An interesting video spurring thought of why women would not want to get married and give
birth to children. The Shinjuka boys are exemplary according to me. The fact that they are
interested in their hosts who are ladies raises a lot of questions in my mind. The validity of such
marriage is normally questionable. Again, I ask myself why these women are not interested in
marriage. The video portrays a situation of lazy women who are not ready to take responsibility
and take charge of their homes.

REFLECTION 12
I did not really expect to encounter a story of these two different kinds of women. One who has
gone beyond life expectations to achieve tremendous accomplishments? The other was different
in their own way, they do not want husbands but prefer same-sex partners, others want
relationships but are not interested in the parenting role. These two scenarios say different things
on women. As women show such contradicting characters it should worry men, in particular, the
roles that women are running away from. I believe that sexuality is one of the causes of such
experiences. Some people have a problem of identifying their culture and therefore they will try
doing different things in order to know what satisfies them most.