Amelia Earhart Gender
In 1937, female aviator Amelia Earhart set course to fly around the entire world, however she disappeared, never to be found, while flying over the Pacific ocean (Ware 59). Before such tragic events occurred however, Earhart accomplished many feats of aviation and defied gender expectations of her time. From a young age, Earhart “struggled… against the restrictions imposed on her sex” (31) during the time period. For instance, Earhart had a passion for “strenuous games and exercise” (31), refused to accept the “Victorian selflessness and domesticity” (33) of her mother’s time, and had a “boyish” appearance (21). Earhart desired to wear “riding breeches and a heavy leather coat” (36) and kept “short, tousled hair” (19). Her appearance, along
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with her accomplishments, lead to her comparison to fellow aviator Charles Lindbergh. Once such instance of comparison occurred in May of 1932 when Earhart became the first women to fly solo across the Atlantic (19). She was often referred to as “Lady Lindy,” or “Lindbergh’s double” (19). Earhart was just one example of a gender role, common among her society at the time, being rejected by an individual. As Earheart shows, Gender roles and expressions are constructed by the majority to personify their needs and desires, which are then accepted as common behavior aimed benefits the society as a whole.
The way an individual is able to express their gender is based on the social trends and desires embodied by the majority. The rise of the Red Scare occurred in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s as political figure Joseph McCarthy began using intimidation and scare tactics to incite worried chaos among Americans (Red Scare). The idea of “McCarthyism” (Dean 66) became known as political groups attempted to eliminate others because of their supposed threat to the “natural order” of the American society (66). One such worry was the possible threat of American citizens who did not express the “fundamental elements” of “sex and gender roles” (67). Because the fear of this threat was so great, government committees put a “strong emphasis on sexuality and on the provision of sexual norms” when interrogating an individual (67). One sexual norm held at the time of the Red Scare was the social differentiation between men and women, a differentiation which Mead describes in Sex and Temperament as “each sex, as a sex, [being] forced to conform to the role assigned to it” (712). As such, during the 1950’s this enforcement, or conformity, of gender lead to “millions of middle-class American families” segregating into “traditional roles” (May 40). Among the traditional gender assigned roles, the man was given “male authority” in families, which became “associated with a man’s ability as a provider” (53). The female was also expected to behave based on the traditional idea that a women should act as the “mother, wife, [or] homemaker,” or all three roles combined (57). The Red scare, and the institution of traditional gender roles, had a “profound and enduring effect” (Red Scare) on American society. This effect is still evident today as gender roles and their differences are a result of “biologically based temperamental predispositions” (Chaplin 737), as well as behavioral observation among the sexes (Lehavot 3). By this predisposition and one observing another, the individual can understand what is “acceptable or unacceptable behavior” among the sexes (3). For example, in a study by Lehavot, it was reported that masculine gender expressions were conveyed when males observed that “‘big boys don’t cry’... sports heroes are tough and respond with violence when challenged” (4). These expressions convey the tough, authoritative actions which a male is expected by society to mimic. A study article written by Mike Parent reveals that “conformity to feminine norms is associated with lower levels of aggression” (959). This occurrence to female conformity, similar to that of the submissive housewife, is learned from a young age as the child grows “harassment related to sexuality and gender expression becomes more prevalent,” thus teaching submissiveness among young girls (Heinze 63). The social trends of masculinity and femininity that society has embodies, trends such as male authority or female submissiveness, stems from the majority's desires and needs. These trends often lead to the gendering of jobs.
The enforcement of gender roles, made popular through trends of social desires, lead to the gendering of jobs enforced by the majority.
In Gilbert and Gubar’s The Queen’s Looking Glass, the pair use classic fairytale stories to convey the extent to which women are hindered by the male sex. G&G discuss different aspects of the story Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, and how it conveys either “submissive femininity” (40) or monstrous rage. The two argue that the seven dwarves themselves are actually Snow White’s “dwarfed powers” (40), and that they also educate Snow White in lessons of “service, selflessness, [and] domesticity” (41). Although Snow White and the Seven Dwarves is only a fairytale, the concept G&G establish conveys the “realm of domesticity” (40) which society deems is best suited for the female. The education that G&G discuss illustrates the concept of “women’s work”(41), or what jobs are best fit for the female sex to perform, the jobs which have been gendered over time through stereotyping. Joan Acker elaborates on this in Hierarchies, Jobs, Bodies: A Theory of Gendered Organizations, by stating that gendering occurs in “divisions of labor, [and] allowed behaviors” (146). A study conducted by Annette Jinks and Eleanor Bradley “assessed the attitudes of 100 newly recruited student nurses to gender and nursing stereotypes” (122), which revealed that when nursing is observed as a profession, “70% of the student nurses… agreed that nursing was female dominated” (123). The nursing field has become saturated by females because of the stereotype that “female nurses are seen as handmaidens to doctors” (123). A handmaiden, or “female servant,” is meant to be submissive to the master (Merriam-Webster). This connotation of the word enhance the idea that nursing is feminine because the nurse is under the order of the doctor. This type of submissive service leads the female to become, what G&G would describe as, a “housekeeping angel” (41), or someone only
suitable for jobs of cleaning and cooking. Stereotypes pertaining to gender roles, such as the submissive female, lead to jobs becoming gendered and stereotyped, job fields such as the female saturated nursing field. These gendered jobs are continually reinforced by the majority which leads to an overall effect on the economy.
Gender roles, which lead to gendered jobs, are formed due to the overall economy of a society. In 2013, vice chair Amy Klobuchar of the Joint Economic Committee wrote in The Economic Contribution of America’s Farmers that “the agricultural sector makes an important contribution to the U.S. economy, from promoting food... to supporting jobs in communities” (6). Not only does the agricultural community have a local benefit, Klobuchar also states that “agricultural exports” have a critical impact on America’s foreign exports which boost our economy. And as Klobuchar states, “America’s farmers and ranchers” (1) are also very important to this aspect of our economy as they provide a reliable food supply. However, farming itself has become a “masculine sphere of activity” because of the exclusion of women (Saugeres). This exclusion is continually enforced with different competitions that test the physical strength of male individuals, one such competition is the International Plowing Match. This competition promotes “gendered masculine identities,” and a “male work culture” among farmers. It also allows men to equate “masculinity with skill,” (Wilson 158-159) and “prove their own hardness by challenging men to trials of physical strength” (Greer 732). This type of masculinity leads to the belief that there is a certain performance that is acceptable for the male, a gender assigned role that is “unflinching, [and] hard in every sense” (732). This very masculine gender role can be restricting those who wish to pursue a career that is gendered against the individual. The masculine farming role allows no spot for female contribution. In fact, “women’s contribution to crop production … [has shown] a relative decline” (Ember 286). These gender roles lead some fields to become “female dominated” (Jinks 123) while other fields are becoming masculine fields. These fields and their gender stereotypes are enforced by the overall economy.
In conclusion, gender roles exist today because there is a desire for order among genders. Such desires can lead to the enhancement of the economy, or to segregation of genders within the workforce. This can result in gender roles being enforced to an extent of submissiveness femininity or extensive masculinity with many different variable in between. Such trends among gender expression can affect the “individual [who is] trying to figure out their own sexual and gender identity in adolescence” (Heinze 64) by conveying a subconscious message of what is appropriate behavior based on biological sex. Through this, gender roles are continually popularized among adolescents and therefore reinforced among a society. Altogether, such gender roles and the expressions of them are constructed due to the overwhelming desire of a majority in society to categorize individuals by biological appearance. This construction is then accepted among larger groups due to the solidarity of the actions observed. These actions continue to shape and reshape respectable appearances within society and therefore restrict individuals who find true freedom in the rejection of such appearances.
with her accomplishments, lead to her comparison to fellow aviator Charles Lindbergh. Once such instance of comparison occurred in May of 1932 when Earhart became the first women to fly solo across the Atlantic (19). She was often referred to as “Lady Lindy,” or “Lindbergh’s double” (19). Earhart was just one example of a gender role, common among her society at the time, being rejected by an individual. As Earheart shows, Gender roles and expressions are constructed by the majority to personify their needs and desires, which are then accepted as common behavior aimed benefits the society as a whole.
The way an individual is able to express their gender is based on the social trends and desires embodied by the majority. The rise of the Red Scare occurred in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s as political figure Joseph McCarthy began using intimidation and scare tactics to incite worried chaos among Americans (Red Scare). The idea of “McCarthyism” (Dean 66) became known as political groups attempted to eliminate others because of their supposed threat to the “natural order” of the American society (66). One such worry was the possible threat of American citizens who did not express the “fundamental elements” of “sex and gender roles” (67). Because the fear of this threat was so great, government committees put a “strong emphasis on sexuality and on the provision of sexual norms” when interrogating an individual (67). One sexual norm held at the time of the Red Scare was the social differentiation between men and women, a differentiation which Mead describes in Sex and Temperament as “each sex, as a sex, [being] forced to conform to the role assigned to it” (712). As such, during the 1950’s this enforcement, or conformity, of gender lead to “millions of middle-class American families” segregating into “traditional roles” (May 40). Among the traditional gender assigned roles, the man was given “male authority” in families, which became “associated with a man’s ability as a provider” (53). The female was also expected to behave based on the traditional idea that a women should act as the “mother, wife, [or] homemaker,” or all three roles combined (57). The Red scare, and the institution of traditional gender roles, had a “profound and enduring effect” (Red Scare) on American society. This effect is still evident today as gender roles and their differences are a result of “biologically based temperamental predispositions” (Chaplin 737), as well as behavioral observation among the sexes (Lehavot 3). By this predisposition and one observing another, the individual can understand what is “acceptable or unacceptable behavior” among the sexes (3). For example, in a study by Lehavot, it was reported that masculine gender expressions were conveyed when males observed that “‘big boys don’t cry’... sports heroes are tough and respond with violence when challenged” (4). These expressions convey the tough, authoritative actions which a male is expected by society to mimic. A study article written by Mike Parent reveals that “conformity to feminine norms is associated with lower levels of aggression” (959). This occurrence to female conformity, similar to that of the submissive housewife, is learned from a young age as the child grows “harassment related to sexuality and gender expression becomes more prevalent,” thus teaching submissiveness among young girls (Heinze 63). The social trends of masculinity and femininity that society has embodies, trends such as male authority or female submissiveness, stems from the majority's desires and needs. These trends often lead to the gendering of jobs.
The enforcement of gender roles, made popular through trends of social desires, lead to the gendering of jobs enforced by the majority.
In Gilbert and Gubar’s The Queen’s Looking Glass, the pair use classic fairytale stories to convey the extent to which women are hindered by the male sex. G&G discuss different aspects of the story Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, and how it conveys either “submissive femininity” (40) or monstrous rage. The two argue that the seven dwarves themselves are actually Snow White’s “dwarfed powers” (40), and that they also educate Snow White in lessons of “service, selflessness, [and] domesticity” (41). Although Snow White and the Seven Dwarves is only a fairytale, the concept G&G establish conveys the “realm of domesticity” (40) which society deems is best suited for the female. The education that G&G discuss illustrates the concept of “women’s work”(41), or what jobs are best fit for the female sex to perform, the jobs which have been gendered over time through stereotyping. Joan Acker elaborates on this in Hierarchies, Jobs, Bodies: A Theory of Gendered Organizations, by stating that gendering occurs in “divisions of labor, [and] allowed behaviors” (146). A study conducted by Annette Jinks and Eleanor Bradley “assessed the attitudes of 100 newly recruited student nurses to gender and nursing stereotypes” (122), which revealed that when nursing is observed as a profession, “70% of the student nurses… agreed that nursing was female dominated” (123). The nursing field has become saturated by females because of the stereotype that “female nurses are seen as handmaidens to doctors” (123). A handmaiden, or “female servant,” is meant to be submissive to the master (Merriam-Webster). This connotation of the word enhance the idea that nursing is feminine because the nurse is under the order of the doctor. This type of submissive service leads the female to become, what G&G would describe as, a “housekeeping angel” (41), or someone only
suitable for jobs of cleaning and cooking. Stereotypes pertaining to gender roles, such as the submissive female, lead to jobs becoming gendered and stereotyped, job fields such as the female saturated nursing field. These gendered jobs are continually reinforced by the majority which leads to an overall effect on the economy.
Gender roles, which lead to gendered jobs, are formed due to the overall economy of a society. In 2013, vice chair Amy Klobuchar of the Joint Economic Committee wrote in The Economic Contribution of America’s Farmers that “the agricultural sector makes an important contribution to the U.S. economy, from promoting food... to supporting jobs in communities” (6). Not only does the agricultural community have a local benefit, Klobuchar also states that “agricultural exports” have a critical impact on America’s foreign exports which boost our economy. And as Klobuchar states, “America’s farmers and ranchers” (1) are also very important to this aspect of our economy as they provide a reliable food supply. However, farming itself has become a “masculine sphere of activity” because of the exclusion of women (Saugeres). This exclusion is continually enforced with different competitions that test the physical strength of male individuals, one such competition is the International Plowing Match. This competition promotes “gendered masculine identities,” and a “male work culture” among farmers. It also allows men to equate “masculinity with skill,” (Wilson 158-159) and “prove their own hardness by challenging men to trials of physical strength” (Greer 732). This type of masculinity leads to the belief that there is a certain performance that is acceptable for the male, a gender assigned role that is “unflinching, [and] hard in every sense” (732). This very masculine gender role can be restricting those who wish to pursue a career that is gendered against the individual. The masculine farming role allows no spot for female contribution. In fact, “women’s contribution to crop production … [has shown] a relative decline” (Ember 286). These gender roles lead some fields to become “female dominated” (Jinks 123) while other fields are becoming masculine fields. These fields and their gender stereotypes are enforced by the overall economy.
In conclusion, gender roles exist today because there is a desire for order among genders. Such desires can lead to the enhancement of the economy, or to segregation of genders within the workforce. This can result in gender roles being enforced to an extent of submissiveness femininity or extensive masculinity with many different variable in between. Such trends among gender expression can affect the “individual [who is] trying to figure out their own sexual and gender identity in adolescence” (Heinze 64) by conveying a subconscious message of what is appropriate behavior based on biological sex. Through this, gender roles are continually popularized among adolescents and therefore reinforced among a society. Altogether, such gender roles and the expressions of them are constructed due to the overwhelming desire of a majority in society to categorize individuals by biological appearance. This construction is then accepted among larger groups due to the solidarity of the actions observed. These actions continue to shape and reshape respectable appearances within society and therefore restrict individuals who find true freedom in the rejection of such appearances.