Ishmail R.

Coleman

1/16/14 Discussion Leader Intro to I (BS-1)

Anth of Gender

Introduction basically attempted to find out biologys role in human behavior and development. The chapter elaborated on the different anatomical and hormone differences between men and women and the importance of these differences for gender roles and personal attributes. In a nutshell, the main points and arguments were that biology sets the parameters for a broad range of human behavior and the biological differences between men and women have no uniform and universal implications for social roles and relations. Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. What are some common themes within the article? Do you look at behavior different after reading the passage? How so? Did the text give you a different idea of how to classify behavior? Do you consider behavior to be affected by environmental factors and how so (Take the Yanamamo for example, they live in the forest, does this attribute to their high levels of violence?)? 5. After reading the passage, would you say that everyone is programmed to perform specific gender roles since birth or develop gender roles based on life experiences? 6. How big of a factor does biology play? Do you think the passage was correct about the amount of influence that biology has or do you feel biology has a far greater impact. Animal Models and Gender Article basically attempted to showcase how biologists view the evolution of sex differences in animals and by showing how understanding the connection between our sexual behavior and that of other species can be informative. In a nutshell, the article basically compared animal sex models with our sexual behavior and gender roles. Questions 1. What are some common themes of the passage? Do you feel that Darwin was correct with his theory of sexual selection? 2. Do you think that using animal models can be helpful with understanding sex and gender roles in humans? 3. Would you say that the sexual selection process and sexual character development of animals (See page 7. With Charles Darwin suggestion) can be suggested for humans as well? For example, do men develop certain traits and characteristics to attract women? 4. Do you think pressures from society and social norms causes humans to think that they have to act a certain way or is it biological? For example, are men designed by

Ishmail R. Coleman

1/16/14

Anth of Gender

evolution and biology to mate with many females, or is that an action constructed by society on how a male should act? Gender and War: Are Women Tough Enough for Military Combat Article is a broad overview on the policies concerning women partaking in military combat. The author would argue that all arguments concerning women partaking in military combat is based on gender ideologies and are simply myths, prejudices, and stereotypes about male and female natures rather than verifiable gender differences that demonstrate womens irritability to competently perform combat roles in the U.S. Military. Questions 1. What are some common themes of the passage and how did the passage make you feel? Do you agree with the author? 2. Do you think that there is even a such thing as gender ideology? Can gender ideology be mistaken for simple biology or the natural way to act? 3. Would you say that the statements made on page 31 about women being psychologically weaker than men, using the example of being raped in combat is true to some extent? Also the simple fact that men can experience the same, do you think that makes men more psychologically stable than females? 4. When taking into consideration the physical strength and other physiological distinctions that men and women have, do you think women should partake in military combat? 5. Would you say that there is something wrong with wanting to keep women safe, and by doing so should there be no women partaking in military combat? 6. Thoughts on pregnancy/motherhood effects on the military, and women affects with unit cohesion, and male bonding amongst male troops. Lifeboat Ethics: Mother Love and Child death in Northeast Brazil Article basically elaborated on passive infanticide in the Northeast region of Brazil. Article elaborates on what causes the child mortality rate to be high, such as diseases and malnutrition. Practices recorded in this passage are similar to practices recorded in Africa, India, and Central America. 1. 2. 3. 4. What was your initial response to this passage? What common themes do you see in the passage? Does this article showcase problems that are relevant within the world today? Can you consider this practice to a result from poor economic and harsh environmental situations or just fairly common practices across cultures? Therefore, is this morally acceptable?

Ishmail R. Coleman

1/16/14

Anth of Gender

5. Do you think that it is motherly instinct to let some of the badly ill children die or do you think that it is the lack of knowledge when it comes to nutrition and other health practices? 6. Does this article debunk the stereotype of all women being motherly or possessing motherly traits, or do certain situations prevent women from acting out their natural motherly duties? The Five Sexes Interesting article about intersexual and sex classifications. 1. 2. 3. 4. What is your initial response to this article? After reading this article do you feel that the term hermaphrodite is offensive? Did this passage strike or remind you of something that you have seen society? If the intersex anatomy isnt present at live birth and the person lives and ides without ever knowing their intersex anatomy, does this showcase that intersex maybe by choice or from a psychological aspect in most cases? 5. Does this article touch on problems that exist now? 6. In the case of Joan/John failed reassignment, does this showcase that people are set to be born and act a certain way just based on genetic programming?