Question 1: How do systems of privilege and oppression function in our society? How do we combat these systems? In our society the systems of oppression and privilege work to separate individuals or groups of people based on their difference in race, class, gender, sexual orientation and other social identities. This is a systemic issue where power is used to normalize the advantages of one being and the disadvantages of the other to the point where basic resources may limit or benefit them from coexisting equally. Those who face oppression are often mistreated by prejudice behavior and discrimination because they are considered powerless. We can combat these systems by adjusting how we may perceive those around us in a positive way and resist victimizing a person because of what society says about them. It’s important to keep in mind that the outcome to fighting oppression results in equality, justice and liberation for all.  

Question 2: What is the concept of intersectionality and why is it important in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies? The concept of intersectionality is where all oppression no matter race, class and gender a person classifies as are all connected as one since they are faced with the struggles and disadvantages of inequalities and discrimination throughout society. It’s important in women’s, gender and sexuality studies because oppression is an issue that denies unprivileged females from equal rights and opportunities. In the reading “There is No Hierarchy of Oppressions” Audre Lorde is disadvantaged by her gender, race and sexual orientation which are all different aspects of her identity that fall short in each of these communities. Lorde made a point stating “I cannot afford the luxury of fighting one form of oppression only”(Lorde 1). It is ideal to tackle each form of oppression and promote social injustice which is central to each part of our lives and experiences.    

Question 3: Why is it important to recognize patriarchy as a system and not an individual identity? It’s important to recognize patriarchy as a system and not an individual identity because it is a social problem that creates conflict between both men and women making one seem better than the other. In “Patriarchy, the System” by Allan G. Johnson states “A lot of people hear “men” whenever someone says “patriarchy,” so that criticism of male privilege and the oppression of women is taken to mean that all men—each and every one of them—are oppressive people. It is enough to prompt many men to take it personally, bristling at what they often see as a way to make them feel guilty. And some women feel free to blame individual men for patriarchy simply because they are men” (Johnson 2). Society’s patriarchal norms of masculinity have always given men that control and power whether it makes them the head of their household, workplace and overall leaders of social groups. I feel like men should be more supportive on empowering women’s rights and gender equality and challenge the status quo so that gender sterotypes, discrimination and violence towards women are being destroyed and prevented.

Question 4: How is gender constructed and learned in our society? How do we perform gender? Gender is a social construct that serves as a foundation with the characteristics, behaviors and gender roles that exist to distinguish male from female. Gender is performed through societal norms that tells us how to act, how to dress, how to behave and how to present ourselves as either masculine or feminine. In society and different cultures certain gender roles may vary based on what is expected of them. Women are stereotypically considered as the nurtures and family oriented within their households and men are stereotypically considered as assertive and are the moneymakers that bring in the income within their household. In our society the tables have turned and the majority of the female gender roles have changed since they are not confined to the social construct associated with being female. For example women have become more independent and don’t have to rely on performing as a housewife because they too can take care of their family economically by being employed.    

Question 5: What is the difference between sex and gender? How are sex and gender conflated (converged and confused) within our culture? Sex refers to a male or female by a persons reproductive organs and other biological traits first assigned at birth, whereas gender refers to a persons identity which can be influenced through cultural and social factors. Sex and gender are being misunderstood within our culture today because people are not limited to the traditional gender binaries in which a person identifies as either male or female and adheres to those gender roles. There are non-binary people who are unidentifiable and those from the LGBTQ community with multiple identities getting discriminated against for being the “black sheep” in society. There isn’t enough respect going towards labeling or identifying a person neutrally since people can be unsure of that person’s gender. We may assume the wrong pronoun which is a part of their identity just because of how their appearance or behavior is reflected on us. To make these social interactions equally fair to those we aren’t familiar with and don’t seem to make it clear what they identify as they should be referred to by using “they, them and their ” since we should acknowledge that there may be genders outside the binary.

Question 6: What is a double bind? How do double binds function within our society? Marilyn Frye compares a double bind of the oppression of women to a bird in a cage. A woman may share her own opinion and think and act a certain way but society sees her actions and behavior as something wrong or meaningless. Females want to be leaders by trying to increase all levels of opportunities for women but how this functions within our society is by giving women the ability to change but end up with the same result with no other option left to choose. Oftentimes women may not be aware of the outcome to their decision and are despised from society. An example of a double bind is when a women is catcalled in public and she accepts when a man flirts with her she is considered a “slut” but if she was to reject that same man now she is considered an “ugly b word” just because the masculine power and dominance they thought they were exerting is now a form of weakness.