The Gender Project

Assessment

To demonstrate your understanding of how gender is perceived in our society, express your own perspective in writing.  You may do this ANY WAY YOU WANT!  Here are some suggestions:

1. Write a poem with gender as the theme.
2. Write an essay explaining your own perspective on gender.
3. Explain how gender is perceived by society, drawing upon evidence from the sources above.
4. Write a (very) short story that demonstrates aspects of gender in today's society.
5. Write a personal narrative that portrays how gender affects your own life.
6. Make a Prezi to present what you learned in class about gender.
7. Write a song expressing your own views on gender.
8. Come up with your own way to write about gender (but check with Harrison or Silvia first).  

You will have two full class periods to complete this assessment.  That's TWO HOURS.  You will be graded on the quality of your writing, creativity in presenting a subject related to gender, and your ability to structure and organize your writing using Standard English.  

Make sure to edit/revise and proofread before sending your writing to me!  All work must be sent electronically. 

 

 According to Society, What Does it Mean to "Be a Man?" 

• You have to act tough
• Hide your emotions at all costs
• "Man up" when someone disrespects you
• Never act "gay" 
• Be strong; both physically and emotionally

 Questions to Brainstorm

• Who will you become as an adult man? 
• Can a man be a sensitive and compassionate human being? 
• As a society, how are we failing our boys?
• How does society's perspective on masculinity affect you? 
• How can we feel confident about our masculinity without resorting to homophobic behavior or sexist rituals? 
•  Is there a "boy crisis" in our society
• Do you feel comfortable with your masculinity or is it something you feel needs to be proved? 
• What is strength?  Is there any room for emotional strength or are men expected to only be physically strong? 

Resources

Cultural Stereotypes of Masculinity  

9 Signs we Have a Boy Crisis

According to Society, What does it Mean to "Be a Woman?"

• Look beautiful;  but based on the standards of society
• Don't be "slutty" 
• Showing your emotions is okay because it indicates weakness
• Try not to play sports too much because it means you're a "lesbian" 
• You were born to play housewife to all men 

 Questions to Brainstorm

• How does misogyny affect you? 
• Do you feel represented as a young woman by the media or our government? 
• Statistics show that people learn more from the media than anywhere else.  How does this affect society's view of women? 
• How do you feel about your appearance? 
• Do men take women seriously? 
• As a culture, are we raising girls to feel insecure as women? 
• How do women sabotage one another? 

 

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