Sunday, January 26, 2020

The cultural belief of hegemonic masculinity

The cultural belief of hegemonic masculinity Hegemonic masculinity is a belief in existence of culturally normative ideal of male behavior that is characterized by tendency for male dominance. Proponents of hegemonic masculinity theory argue that hegemonic masculinity is not necessarily the most dominant form of expression in male although it is the most socially endorsed; always contributing to subordinate position of women. Connell (2005) notes that hegemonic masculinity is characterized by ambition, strength, drive and self reliance and argues that such characteristics are encouraged in males but not in females. In his opinion, Donaldson (1993) argues that hegemonic masculinity concerns the dread of and the flight from women; and views it as a culturally idealized form, a personal or collective project and a strategic strategy for men to subordinate women. It is violent, exclusive, anxiety provoking, internally and hierarchically differentiated. However, Donaldson (1993) highlights that not all men practice it, although many benefit from it. Furthermore, it constructs the most dangerous things that humanity must content with; it is resilient and incorporates its own critique, although unraveling. This essay discusses the concept of hegemonic masculinity in relation to gender and social change. Hegemonic Masculinity: Gender and Social Change The concept of hegemonic masculinity is criticized for being framed within hetero-normative conception of gender that essentializes male-female difference and ignores difference and exclusion within the gender categories (Trigiani 1999). The concept largely rests logically on dichotomization of sex, which is biological versus gender, which is cultural, thus marginalizing the body (Trigiani 1999). According to Cornnell (2005) hegemonic masculinity is constructed in relation to subordinated masculinities; especially women thus there is no feminist that is hegemonic in the sense that the dominant form of masculinity is hegemonic among men. Iacuone (2005) views hegemonic masculinity as the most common blueprint for gender in Western culture as it dictates how real men should behave and the goals they should aspire to attain through the masculinity practice. It is an imagined construct rather than a practical one, with only few people possessing all its traits, although majority hold the principle with highest esteem (Iacuone 2005). In line with hegemonic masculinity traits, the identity of heterosexual man depends on his dislike of subordinated gender constructs; hence Iacuone (2005) admits that hegemonic masculinity views women as objects, depicts them as servile and most appropriate for domestic duties; only being value to men in a sexual capacity. The dominant masculine culture influences attitudes of construction workers, whereby hegemonic masculinity prescribes that men should be tough, be courageous enough to face danger and to dominate over others. Such men only view social environment as a conducive place for ri sk taking, with most of them viewing women as sex objects who should be there to entertain them and even embrace sexual assault to women as acceptable (Iacuone 2005). However, a small portion of men try to resist the influences of hegemonic masculine culture in gender, especially in settings where men challenge traditional patriarchal relations with an aim of improving womens welfare (Iacuone 2005). Kimmel Amy (2008) view hegemonic masculinity as a social ideal of a real man, described by society as young, married, white, and protestant, urban, heterosexual, white of college education, good complexion, height, and weight and employed. They argue that any male who does not have any of the described character traits should consider himself as inferior or unworthy. Gender is an ever present force that defines daily behavior of human beings. Spade Valentine (2010) bring out the masculinity contrast between men and women as viewed by society. They argue that as women graduate from girlhood to womanhood and join mixed gender groups at work, in colleges or play, their voices are often ignored and subordinated; they have to monitor what they say, how they say it and how often they talk to ensure that they do not dominate because their gender limits their participation (Spade Valentine 2010). Gendered patterns of belief and behavior influence peoples way of life in daily intimate relationships, with family and friends. According to Spade Valentine (2010), studies shave revealed that girls who transgress into boys zone end up being eventually respected by their male playmates if they are good in conventionally male activities, while on the other hand, boys are harassed and teased when they try to participate in girls related activities thus dominance of hegemonic masculinity is maintained by denying boys access to girls activities. Furthermore, the dominance of masculinity is reinforced when boys are ridiculed because they do not comply with society expectations of hegemonic masculinity; hence they fail to be sufficiently dominant. In order to cope with pressure from the society, Spade Valentine (2010) note that most men have learned how to do the behaviors that maintain hegemonic masculinity, while at the same time suppressing feelings and behaviours that might make the m look feminine. This shows the extent of slavery, frustrations and fear experienced by men in order to maintain their hegemonic masculinity status in the society. Despite these frustrations, hegemonic masculinity comes with its benefits as it is maintained in a hierarchy that is realized by only few men, with every other person subordinated to them; including women, poor white men, men of colour, gay men and men from devalued ethnic and religious groups. This dominance may be institutionalized in the structure of the situation. Hegemonic masculinity is supported by sex role theory, which advocates for people to learn from societys institutions to behave in ways that are appropriate to their sex. According to Trigiani (1998), the sex role theory views men as aggressive, rational, dominant and objective while women are passive, intuitive, submissive and subjective. The theory further assumes that culture values characteristics of each sex equally and that these values complement each other in to bring out balance in the society; whereby women are just as esteemed for their passivity as men are for their aggressiveness (Trigiani 1998). However, Haenfler (2006) views hegemonic masculinity as a configuration of gender practice that only embodies the currently accepted answer to the problem of legitimacy of patriarchy, taken to guarantee the dominant position of men and the subordinate position of women. Haenfler (2006) laments that since late 19th century, the social basis of masculinity has been undermined and men hardly understand what it means to be a man. Furthermore, modernization, rapid industrialization, urbanization and the rise of bureaucracy has separated boys from fathers and destabilized the male breadwinner role. In addition, feminists have challenged dominant notions of gender, making it a challenge for a young man to figure out how to be a man in modern days (Haenfler 2006). Haenfler (2006) observes that the young mens current fears and continued erosion of male breadwinner role might provide a historic opportunity for men, both collectively and individually to reject the destructive and narrow limiting definitions of masculinity and prefer to create more peaceful and egalitarian definitions of manhood. In a culture that glorifies masculine displays of confidence, sexual prowess, strength and power, men increasingly feel unsure, impotent, weak and powerless hence they have often responded to their confusion and feelings of inadequacy through self control, reactive exclusion and escape from reality (Haenfler 2006). Haenfler (2006) observes that men who feel like they are losing control over their work and relationships often exercise extreme control over their personal lives, fitness, alcohol consumption and sexual appetites; hence becoming objects of self control. They react to crisis of hegemonic masculinity by attempting to shut women out of positions of power and influence and escape womens influence by retreating to male only social behavior (Haenfler 2006). Haenfler (2006) laments that while hegemonic masculinity may have its benefits to men in terms of public status and masculine privileges, it comes with a price as men often pay with poor health, shorter live and emotionally swallow their relationships and suffer from mental distress. Other critics of hegemonic masculinity argue that hegemonic masculinities do not correspond to actual lives of men, thus the theory provides a vague and imprecise account of social psychological reproduction of male identities. Conclusion In conclusion, hegemonic masculinity embodies men as superior human beings and views women as inferior and submissive creatures, who should live at mercy of their male counterparts. It teaches men to undermine and mistreat women and fellow men who are perceived as inferior. It values competition of hierarchy, sexual prowess and physical toughness at the expense of human dignity, self respect and peace of mind. Hegemonic masculinities often suppress their true feelings to avoid looking feminine as they internally suffer from mental and emotional distress to please the society and live as expected. However, with increasing modernity and industrialization, hegemonic masculinity is slowly losing its meaning; with many women assuming the role of breadwinners and rising to leadership positions as many young men become more and more afraid of society defined masculine responsibilities associated with hegemonic masculinities.

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Does everyone have a right to a child? Essay

What are the different alternatives to conceiving naturally? Artificial insemination Artificial insemination is often used by couples that are infertile due to sperm disorders such as low sperm count etc. Usually the process involves injecting sperm through a narrow catheter into the woman’s reproductive tract or for most couples AI is performed with the man’s sperm. For: it is a harmless procedure. Against: It goes against religious values because masturbation may be required in the process also it has a low success rate. IVF Couples who usually have unexplained fertility problems or female factor such as blocked fallopian tubes or endometriosis. Step 1: the woman takes fertility drugs to stimulate the production of eggs Step 2: once they are mature they are collected by ultrasound guidance. Step 3: the man produces a sperm sample, which is prepared before being put with the eggs in a Petri dish left for a few days to see if it has fertilised. Step 4: a healthy embryo is placed in the womb Step 5: remaining embryos are suitable for freezing may be stored for future use. For: This treatment option gives women with blocked, damaged or missing fallopian tubes a chance to have a baby. Against: fertility drugs used to stimulate egg production themselves can have severe side effects, risk of multiple pregnancies and increased risk of miscarriage and other complications. Catholics believe IVF is wrong because embryos may be destroyed in the process Intracytoplasmic sperm injection. This procedure would often be used by males with low sperm counts, poor mobility or abnormally shaped sperm. Sperm is usually retrieved from the testicles which is usually involves inserting a small needle to draw out fluid containing sperm. For: it has a 25% success rate Against; the insertion of a needle into a male testicle may be very painful The Roman Catholic Church, under the papacy of Benedict XVI, has condemned the practice of Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, in the magisterial instruction Dignitas Personae because it causes a complete separation between the marital act and childbearing. Gamete intrafallopiam transfer It is often the best choice of For: high success rate between 25-30% Against: The fertility drugs used to stimulate egg production can have severe side effects, you will need to be closely monitored while you are taking them. The Catholic Church nevertheless is concerned with it because, some theologians consider this to be a replacement of the marital act, and therefore immoral. Egg Donation This may be necessary for a number of reasons if the female partner; * If the female has no ovaries * Too many miscarriages * High risk of passing on an inherited disease For: some women receive financial compensation for their time and efforts Against: Since the fertility drugs are injected daily, or several times a day, there is also a risk of infection and bruising at the injection site. Some Christian leaders are concerned about all in vitro fertility therapies because they disrupt the natural act of conceiving a child. Infertile couples are instead encouraged to consider adoption. Sperm Donations Sperm donation may be required if the male partner; * Has had a vasectomy * Has high risk of passing an inherited disease * Is producing little sperm For: Male can receive money for donating his sperm cells Against: Male donor is not allowed to stay anonymous Masturbation may be required to ejaculate the sperm cells which go against catholic teachings as masturbation can be seen as a form of adultery. Surrogacy A surrogacy arrangement is one in which one woman (the surrogate mother) agrees to bear a child for a couple (the intended parents) and surrender it at birth. This provides an opportunity for those who are unable to carry a child themselves to overcome their infertility. For a woman who can’t conceive, surrogacy creates a chance for her and her partner to parent a child who is their genetic offspring at least partially (if they use the father’s sperm and the surrogate’s egg) or completely (if they ask the surrogate to carry an embryo created from the mother’s egg and the father’s sperm). If they set up an open arrangement, the couple can be intimately involved in all the details of their baby’s gestation and may be there for the birth of their baby. Against: In addition to the complications accompanying procedures, such as IUI and IVF, surrogacy is highly controversial and can be legally complex. Some surrogates face difficult emotional and psychological issues over letting the baby go. The infertile couple not only experience the usual suspense and anxiety of waiting for a pregnancy to reach full-term safely but also worry about legal complications, the ethics of â€Å"buying† a child and the possibility that the surrogate will change her mind. Roman Catholics do not allow any form of fertility treatments where spare embryo’s are created Catholics believe they are not a disposable commodities. Adoption This is when a person is given the right to look after a child who is not of their own; there are three forms of adoption such as gay, single and ethnic. Gay adoption is when a gay couple adopt a child; people are concerned with the upbringing of a child to a gay couple and may object to this because the child may face bullying because of their adopted parents being 2 men or 2 women. Single adoption also raises concern because the single parents may not have the time to look after their adopted child and may not be able to fulfil the Childs care needs. Ethnic adoption is one which raises the most concern because as we see from the media celebrities use foreign children for fame and as a fashion accessory, also the child may feel lost and lose their sense of identity. Catholics believe that adoption is the best alternative to fertility treatment because no embryos are harmed in the process. Conclusion In conclusion I believe all fertility treatments are right because everyone has the right to bear life and god encourages us to mate. So partners who want children should be able to have children whether it is in a natural way i.e. intercourse or artificial treatments such as IVF. Scenarios Scenario 1 In this scenario a married woman who has had her embryo’s frozen has passed away but she wishes for her embryo’s to be destroyed as she had passed away, but her husband now wants to use the embryo’s to carry his dead wife’s child/baby. I believe he is going against his wife’s wishes therefore he is should not do it, as it is also disrespectful to his late wife. Scenario 2 Julie was dying from leukaemia and she wanted, to store her embryo’s to be frozen. I believe that they should not use a surrogate mother because the child would not have their true mother and it is unfair to the child as they are born without their mother so I believe that the embryos should be destroyed. Scenario 3 A couple have embryos left over from their IVF treatment and they are not too sure what to do. The doctor suggests that they should be used for other patients so their embryos remain frozen in perpetuity. I believe they should be donated instead of destroyed because they can help other people who were in their position. Scenario 4 Lorraine Hadley had two frozen embryos with her husband when she found out she was diagnosed with cancer and the treatment could leave her infertile, however when she split up with her husband he wished the embryo’s to be destroyed and the court has said the same thing. I believe because this the only way for Lorraine to have a child she should still be able to keep the embryos and subsequently have the child because every mother has the right to keep their child whether it is born or still an embryo. Scenario 5 Liz Buttle told doctors a lie and had IVF at the age of 61 claiming she was 49; she now has a child named Joe. I believe that this is totally immoral because she told a lie and got a child which she may not be able to physically look after also the child may feel uncomfortable having a mother who is old enough to be his grandmother and a sister who is old enough to be his mother.

Friday, January 10, 2020

Field Trip Should Not Be Removed

NO TO THE REMOVAL OF FIELD TRIPS By: Maries Imee M. Venturillo BSEd1-1 Palawan State University College of Teacher Education Title: No to the Removal of Field trip Thesis statement: I am writing about keeping field trip in the curriculum of the schools and I am going to argue, show and prove that field trip should remain the curriculum by stating: the integration of field trip to teaching program, field trip as the ground of oral communication, studies about scientific exploration in field trips and as classroom extension. ————————————————-Students remember most of their experiences rather than the lessons they have learned during their school days. So, it is not a surprise of having field trips in school curriculum. Field trip aims to aggravate and support the educational program. Therefore, it should be reasonably provided for all students. There are many issues regarding field trips. Many suggest about its removal; some are in favor but some are anti. However, if this issue is addressed and informed to the public, they will see how important field trip is.I am writing about keeping field trip in the curriculum of the schools and I am going to argue, show and prove that field trip should remain the curriculum by stating: the integration of field trip to teaching program, field trip as the ground of oral communication, studies about scientific exploration in field trips and as classroom extension. â€Å"Field trips should be integrated into teaching program (Griffin et. al. , 1994). † They suggested that teachers need to use plans that will reflect informal teaching methods rather than use of formal classroom methods which are the main focus of their training.Teachers behold that this kind of activity aggravates students’ understanding of the process included and also enhance students’ attitudes toward the subject matter and in t he classroom as well. Furthermore, teachers have also seen that having field trips are potent pedagogy which they prefer to use both more often and effectual. In addition, most teachers assumed to be capable of adapting their teaching to participate students in small group but much of it is passing worksheets after field trip. Excursions or field trips are used as the ground of oral communication.Therefore, many find that it is a convincing way to make sure that the students having field trip are extracting the data or information. In addition, students can also have interactive learning through asking questions and discussing it to the other students to understand the matter fully. However, discussions of students should be regulated because this may cause noise that will distract other students. It may also involve in a class discussion wherein after the field trip they can print ideas or what is the implication of what they conducted to them.Therefore, students’ best learn while hearing and discussing things, and field trips can provide the students’ need in learning. Studies have shown that obligating students in scientific exploration may have a difficulty in class. However, if students are brought out of the classroom, scientific exploration often appears naturally. Therefore, these students are tactual learners that learn best through manipulating things. Bringing students at a science center or in historical museum accompanied by a hands-on staff, children will probably be excited to learn from someone or something new rather than in printed books.Therefore, if field trips are eliminated, students that do not learn well in scientific exploration in the classroom may decline interest in a particular subject. Making field trip as a classroom extension is also an effective way. Tests and classrooms may not be effective for some children; field trips give every student at the same level. Students often ask the importance of topic they study i n class. However, if you will take them to places where your topic is related they will know what it’s like. Teachers assumed that tudents are highly benefited on field trips and most students wanted to go on field trip. For many teachers, the main focus why they want to take field trips are learning new experiences and giving students a real picture of what is available outside their school. Moreover, getting out of a classroom to learn is good for some students. They want to see the real world other than the classroom. Students often see a field trip a free day out of the classroom. However, students will likely have an educational experience that they never could have had in the classroom.Field trips are important way for students to perform skills they have learned into action. Field trips are only naive tasks, but they teach students a lot of beneficial things in life that they will be needed in their future workplace. However, the enthusiasm of the teachers for field tr ip varied from highly enthusiastic to disillusioned. Therefore, these issues should be addressed in schools. The most powerful memories are those we have experienced. In addition, learning in new environments can provide challenges for more individualize learning.The learning is experienced rather than taught. Therefore, field trips should not be removed in the school curriculum. References: 1. Equitable Participation Opportunities for Student on Field trips Louise Herrity(2005) 2. http://www. newfoundations. com/ETHICPROP/Herrity718F04. html 3. â€Å"In Pursuit of Equity: An Idea Whose Time Has Come. † IDRA Newsletter (San Antonio: Intercultural Development Research Association, September 1990). 4. http://www. griffinlearning. com/GriffinLearning/about-us. php 5. http://www. ehow. com/info_8065185_importance-field-trips. html

Thursday, January 2, 2020

Literature Review of Strategic Management - 8039 Words

Literature Review on Strategic Management with Emphasis on Porter’s Theories as Applied in Current Decision Making Abstract This review provides an overview of a few of the key topics that have defined the strategic management field since the later twentieth century. Strategic planning, strategic planning frameworks and strategy implementation issues are discussed both from a historical and modern perspective. Michael Porter’s frameworks and generic strategy provide an excellent backdrop for formulation of strategy but scholars argue that the current environment of business may require new or altered frameworks. A blended strategy of differentiation plus cost leadership may be possible within the new technology†¦show more content†¦This often results in confusion and can undermine the credibility of the leader. The word strategy is derived from the Greek strategos, which means the art of the general. The business general must form a coherent strategy which is the sum of the parts of the organization. If this is not accomplished then mid level managers will focus time on their own pri orities and the organization will risk fragmentation (Hambrick Fredrickson, 2005). The origin of the subject of strategic management is heavily debated but H. Igor Ansoff is commonly noted as having significant influence in the field prior to Michael Porter whom took center stage in the 1980s (Martinet, 2010). Ansoff’s bestselling book titled Corporate Strategy was published in 1965 and started to transition the mindset from strategic planning to strategic management. Much of the current understanding of strategic management can be traced back to Porter’s (1985) low cost, differentiation, focus framework. His concepts marked a key transition point in the strategic management field by integrating organization specific factors into a model of firm performance (Parnell, 2006). According to Porter’s generic strategy, a firm can maximize performance by either being a low cost producer or differentiating its products or services from other businesses. Either of these strategies can be accomplished by focusing the organizations efforts on a segment of the market. PorterShow MoreRelatedStrategic Human Resources Management: a Review of the Literature and a Proposed Typology10855 Words   |  44 PagesStrategic Human Resources Management: A Review of the Literature and a Proposed Typology Cynthia A. Lengnick-Hall; Mark L. Lengnick-Hall The Academy of Management Review, Vol. 13, No. 3. (Jul., 1988), pp. 454-470. Stable URL: http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0363-7425%28198807%2913%3A3%3C454%3ASHRMAR%3E2.0.CO%3B2-0 The Academy of Management Review is currently published by Academy of Management. 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