Question 1: How do systems of privilege and oppression function in our society? How do we combat these systems?

Socialization plays a key role in how systems of privilege and oppression function in our society. Through socialization, we learn to navigate social life as the systems of oppression are intertwined in the foundation of American culture.  Allan Johnson stated, “through all of this, we develop a sense of personal identity-Including gender- and how this positions us in relation to other people, especially in terms of inequalities of power.” By then occupying social positions, we are involuntarily contributing to the systems themselves. 

In order to combat these systems, we have to be willing to go the more difficult route of rebelling against them. Audre Lorde stated, “ There is no hierarchy of oppression.”  Every person is a member of one or more groups of people who are actively oppressed and we must think about the equality of the whole as opposed to the equality of some. We can also individually acknowledge the unspoken ways in which we might have benefited from privilege to share the benefit from the positive and reject the negative advantages so as to break the cycle of oppression.

Question 2: What is the concept of intersectionality and why is it important in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies?

In order to combat societal oppression, we have to work together as human beings to set aside the systematic grouping of people and pursue equality for all. However, most people have been subject to oppression or have benefitted from a privilege linked to one or more of the groups that make up their social identity. This is intersectionality; the overlapping of oppressed social groups. This concept is extremely pertinent to women’s, gender, and sexuality studies as we are focusing on the social identities that come with each group and the oppression that they might face. Wendy Syfret stated, “The best way to make sure you’re able to stick with it for the long haul is to have a clear and deep understanding of what you’re fighting for.” (38)

By learning more about the oppression and privileges that exist for other social groups, we are being equipped with the tools to shake up the ‘norm’ and pursue equality for all.

Question 3: Why is it important to recognize patriarchy as a system and not an individual identity?

Patriarchy, like other systems of oppression, is built into the foundation of our society. It encompasses and affects every person regardless of what additional memberships they might have with the other social groups that form their identity. By viewing patriarchy as an individual identity, we will overlook the fact that this is a system in which we are all participants. Marilyn Frye stated, “It is perfectly obvious that the bird is surrounded by a network of systematically related barriers…but which, by their relations to each other, are as confining as solid walls of a dungeon.” (13) 

In order to combat patriarchy, we have to address the system itself. It is not the individual wire created by one form of oppression or privilege but the entirety of the cage in which develop our social identities. Johnson states, “We cannot do this without realizing that we all participate in something large than ourselves..” This is why is crucial that address patriarchy as a system and not an individual identity. 

Question 4: How is gender constructed and learned in our society? How do we perform gender?

In our society, we are taught that gender is assigned based on the genitalia a person is born with. Gender, like patriarchy, is engrained in our society and influences our social identity. We are conditioned to behave in a manner that is culturally acceptable to the gender in which were assigned. Karl Myers state’s that “Biological sex is universal and static. Gender is a cultural construct that shifts between societies and across time and affects how people are treated based on their sex.” 

A man is supposed to be strong, masculine, and in control. A woman should be submissive, docile, and complacent with the burdens of motherhood. This can be expressed in clothing choices, body language, and a myriad of other socialized behaviors. It is by the adherence to the unspoken rules of gender norms that we perform gender. 

Question 5: What is the difference between sex and gender? How are sex and gender conflated (converged and confused) within our culture?

In our society, we are taught that a person’s biological sex is what leads to their gender assignment. Myer’s states, “Gender assignment means that a person is categorized as either a masculine gender (boy/man) or a feminine gender (girl/woman) based on their external genitalia.” While sex is something that we associate with biological differences in the male and female body, gender is something that was created and leveraged to dictate the norms of socialization. Sex has very little to do with the construct of gender except as a means by which to justify the social forms of inequalities. 

In this day and age, a person can choose to surgically alter their body so as to align with the gender with which they identify. That said, one can even maintain their biological makeup and identify with a gender that is not socially aligned with their sex. Alok Manon stated, “Gender non-conformity causes such a huge reaction because we’re consistently taught that there are only two fixed and universal genders. Seeing other people defy this mandate brings the entire system into question.” (29)  In order for the construct of gender to exist, for our society to maintain the status quo, we will see continue to see gender be linked to sex.

Question 6: What is a double bind? How do double binds function within our society?

When a person receives two or more conflicting messages, they can find themselves in a double bind. Sadly, this is not something they can resolve nor is it something they can opt-out of. As with all other forms of oppression linked to our social system, a double bind can serve as a source of control. Allan Johnson states that “the patriarchal ideology that supports male privilege and women’s oppression devalues the human qualities associated with being female yet also sets men up to envy and resent women for being able to weave those same qualities into their lives.” (82) In our society, women live in a constant double bind as a result of patriarchy. Men benefit from the privilege that comes with patriarchy but can delve into misogynistic behavior as they blame women for the limitations patriarchy imposes on them. Double binds function in our society as they are a direct result of the systematic forms of privilege and oppression that are built into our culture. Participation is subconscious and absolute.