Essays and Research Papers on Women's Studies (All)

A 6 page research paper that discusses gender expectations as reflected in the American culture of the first half of the twentieth century. Numerous examples are cited and discussed, such as the Native American custom of berdache; the romance between Margaret Mead and Ruth Benedict; masculinity in Death of a Salesman and the portrayal of ...

A 5 page commentary on how Betty Friedan contributed to the shift in gender role identification. The writer focuses on both the negative (gender confusion) and positive aspects of her contribution (life-sharing and equal opportunity). Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 5 page paper on this controversial book by American anthropologist Diane Bell. The paper argues that Bell evocatively renders the importance of ritual and myth in the lives of aboriginal women, but overstresses the importance of their achieving social parity with tribal men. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 3 page paper examines two theorists' approach to gender. Identity and issues involving gender are explored. Examples are provided. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 5 page report discusses Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s (1797-1851) “Frankenstein” and the ways in which serves as a metaphor for the social realities regarding gender in the early 19th century. The premise is that women are rejected in their efforts to be whole as surely as the monster was. In fact, the circumstances of the early 19th century would appear ...

A 12 page discussion of the differing social expectations in Canada which result in an unequal representation of women in the professional workplace. Notes that Canada would prefer to import trained professionals rather than take advantage of Canadian women who are interested in entering the professional workplace. Contrasts this difference with the much ...

This 3 page paper discusses the issues of gender, not necessarily female, in the works of Alice Walker and Virginia Woolf. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

3 pages in length. Several factors exist to help encourage organizations to adopt gender equality initiatives, not the least of which include creating a more productive work environment, reducing the ever-looming threat of legal action and building a foundation of respect, appreciation and broadmindedness where contempt, condemnation and intolerance once was. Bibliography lists ...

A 5 page examination of the roles of our gender in society and the differences in the way these roles are perceived and treated. No sources are listed.

This 9 page paper takes a look at gender inequality historically and points out that it is still ever-present, despite changes in society. The ways in which society constructs gender is duly noted. An outline is included. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

This 5 page paper looks at gender roles. Many examples from contemporary society are provided. Academic sources are used to analyze gender and society. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

Western Civilization often emphasizes the theme of human freedom. The role of women in medieval Europe has been portrayed as having limited freedom, denying them the right to exercise free will in a society dominated by religious considerations as well as being in the process of social and economic transition. This 7 page paper proposes that during the ...

This 5 page paper provides an overview of the issue of income inequality, especially in regards to gender parity, and outlines a historical view of the possible reasons for this disparity. This paper considers gender and race as factors influencing pay rates in the United States. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

A 5 page overview of the problem of gender-based violence. The author makes it clear that gender-based violence is not just a problem in third world countries but extends even to the most technologically advanced countries. To address this problem we must attack its roots, roots that condone the belief that males have an inherent ...

This 5 page paper considers Machiavelli's view of women and differences in gender. In particular, this paper looks at Machiavelli's view that "virtue is a woman" and relates this to his beliefs on gender and politics. This paper is based on Machiavelli's The Prince. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 3 page review of author Margaret Ehrenberg's views on the emergence of gender roles in mankind's evolution. Published in editors Caroline B. Brettell and Carolyn F. Sargent anthology titled "Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective", this article questions the traditional anthropological explanation of women's role in evolution. No additional sources are listed.

11 pages in length. Gender inequity is a social ill that even now as mankind moves into the twenty-first century is still as prevalent as it was fifty years ago. Even though the feminist movement garnered some tremendous strides for gender discrimination in developed countries, it has not had a noticeable impact upon ...

5 pages in length. Expectations of gender and class structure have long carved out predetermined paths for those within global communities, not the least of which includes assigned roles of masculinity/femininity and hierarchy of social status that serves to stratifying social structure in such a way that reflects a definitive separation of economic, political, ...

5 pages in length. The concept of boundary crossing, as it relates to gender issues, is relevant in such a way that it forms social dictates. Clearly, boys and girls, men and women have specific gender roles to uphold that have been ingrained since childhood; when those boundaries are crossed, it sometimes creates an ...

13 pages in length. Men and women have waged a battle of the sexes since human beings first established hierarchy during the formation of Millennium Man; to think contemporary society still grapples with this long-standing struggle is to understand just how the aspect of gender identity continues to be, with the presence of females ...

10 pages in length. No one likes to be branded as different from the social norm, especially when such unwarranted labeling is founded within a quagmire of gender, cultural and racial intolerance. Miss Helen, of Athol Fugard's The Road to Mecca, represents just such a person whose only crime against society is being ...

5 pages in length. Joyce Trebilcot's article entitled Two Forms of Androgynism provides the reader with a significantly better understanding of the multifaceted meaning of the word androgyny. Clearly, society has formed a finite opinion of what gender is supposed to reflect; if an individual falls outside the pre-established barriers, then he or ...

5 pages in length. Leslie Marmon Silko's "Ceremony" addresses a long-standing issue that has existed between Native American men and women: the open and equal pursuit of identity. That patriarchy has been the controlling social force for centuries has effectively placed the female gender in the shadows of acceptance, while the male gender has ...

4 pages in length. The topic of this paper is important for many reasons, not the least of which includes the social, economic and gender oppression Vietnamese women have historically experienced with regard to cultural development. One only has to be concerned with equitable treatment for everyone across the globe to have an ...

5 pages in length. Priorities began to take shape in the middle of the twentieth century that had never before been addressed. Women were prepared to put all aspects of their lives on hold as a means by which to fulfill their professional desires; however, this was not to bode well with the ...