Running Head: A WOMANS PLACE 1

A Womans Place within the Social Constructs of Society

Sabrina Hunter

JFK Middle College High School

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Abstract

The purpose of this research is to identify the origin of gender roles and varying biological and

social contributors, with emphasis on western womens developed public persona under a

patriarchal dominated state. The cultural and historical contingency of gender roles is highlighted

through the comparison of western traditions to states ruled by sub-variations of Islamic and

Christian culture. The aspects are explored through the research of highly respected educators

such as Susan Crea, Amy Blackstone, Syed Ejaz, Peggy Sanday, and other professionals in the

field of women social studies. By identifying both the practical and conceptual issues associated

with the assumption of generic inferiority of over half of the human population, this would allow

civil progression to united prosperity and mutual respect towards all persons.
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A Womans Place within the Social Constructs of Society

Issues shadowing the controversial topic of gender roles have sprouted from traditional

primitive culture in order to achieve an optimum level of reproductive efficiency. The

advancement of the human species lead to the cultivation of cultural variation, and in turn lead to

the unconscious degradation of over half of the human population. This unconscious degradation

has established social norms on the basis of socioeconomic duties. Industrialization has brought

human civilization far from our originating primitive animalistic tendencies, but nonetheless we

remain biologically constructed organisms manipulating the art of survival and reproduction vital

to the order of the animal kingdom. The human species recognized the highly beneficially act of

dividing resourceful tasks, such as scavenging and hunting, from the weight of child bearing in

order to accommodate for biological heterogeneity. Key distinctions in our physiques are

designed to suit each sex for the role it plays in reproduction; while others exist to help tell each

other apart and to aid in our mutual attraction(Wolchover 2011). Women are characteristically

known for having wider hips and an extra layer of fat distributed under their epidermal layer as

they allow the body to morph itself to provide nutrients for a developing fetus. A womens

prominent breast also indicate fertility and ability to properly nourish a developing child. Men on

the other hand benefit from being as lithe and strong as possible to aid in search for resources or

dominance over male competition. Males also exhibit a distinctive Adams-apple, felt on the

superior mid-portion of the throat area, giving them the signature deep voice while indicating

testosterone level, sexual fitness, and genetic quality. Testosterone levels in males can also be

exhibited through facial features such as jawline, cheekbones, and strong brows while also aiding

in overall muscular strength. Women produce higher levels of estrogen rather than testosterone

which can be exhibited through facial features such as fuller lips, higher brows, and a wider face.
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Women typically find masculine features to be more attractive when in search for a sex partner

but prefer less-testosteronic effeminate features when in search for a long term partnership as it

indicates an increased likelihood for a loyal, caring father to their offspring. A less notable

distinction within todays diverse society is skin pigmentation. Typically males are darker in skin

pigmentation in comparison to their ethnically similar female counterparts due to resourceful

outdoor scavenging exposing them to harmful UV light rays. Also, a females typically lighter

feature of hair, skin and eyes correlate to the amount of exposed estrogen during the time in

womb. Social constructs of preferred sexual dimorphistic characteristics are often a reflection of

varying ideology of represented health and stamina depending on geographical and cultural

region.

To fully understand the conceptual place of gender roles within our society it is vital to

understand the correlation between social constructism and its relation to cultural judgment. A

social construct is created when particular values, traits, or statuses is appointed to individuals by

other individuals, groups, or societies based on sex; ascriptions remain sociologically and

historically contingent. It is also important to correct a common misunderstanding in

terminology; The term gender roles requires an understanding of the term gendertgender as

a social term that is often confused with the term sex (Blackstone 2003). Social scientist Ann

Oakley became the first scientist to distinguish the two concepts. Sex is biological and is

determined by an individuals primary genological sex characteristics. Gender is the values,

meanings, and characteristics society has ascribed to male and female. According to Oakley,

gender parallels the biological distinction of sex, but involves the division and social valuation of

masculinity and femininity. This would conclude that gender is a socially created concept

developed through individual and environmental interactions yet heavily relied upon biological
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differences between males and females. Gender roles are socially constructed attributes or duties

expected to be occupied by each differing sex. For example, women are expected to be nurturing,

patient, submissive, and able to carry out domestic responsibilities; while men are expected to be

hardworking, self-confident, tough, and able to carry out leadership positions. Gender roles are

not only exhibited through characteristic traits and abilities but also through occupation, salary,

and quality workmanship expectations. In a general sense, these expectations of both male and

female held within society are considered gender stereotypes, which are exaggerated or over

simplified understandings or assertions between the varying differences in human nature.

Though men and women have a natural affinity toward their corresponding gender role based on

biological sex, categorized to be cisgender, there are increasingly common cases of transgenders

who do not identify with culturally conventional gender roles; having changed their gender

identity, or affiliating with elements of both, or other gender identity (Boundless 2016). The

notion of true gender has become a heavily debated topic in American society as culture has been

steadily shifting to a greater humanitarian state, regardless of genetic and psychological

contributions, gender remains heavily relied upon developmental and environmental influence.

From the instance a baby is born the doctor announces if the child is a boy or a girl, this

evidence alone is enough to demonstrate how salient gender is and the ways in which it acts as a

determinant toward aspects of life (Greco 2013). The child is welcomed into the world

showered with gender specified gifts, such as clothes and toys, represented through the

stereotyped discourse of colors; pink being traditionally known for girls, blue for boys, and

yellow or white for gender neutrality. This introduces the concept of gender to the new born with

the, often unconscious, hopes of conformation into one of the two differing gender identities.

The strongest influence on gender role development seems to occur within the family setting,
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with parental influence passing on, both overtly and covertly, their own beliefs about gender

(Witt 1997). The passing on of gender morality from parent to offspring would indicate the

influential power of rules and rituals from previous generations to have a direct impact on

modern day customs. Parents often tailor or alter their behavior accordingly to care for the child

as it is commonly seen for women to take a great extension of time off work to care for her child.

It is also common for parents to uniformly align the childs toys to their corresponding gendered

sex that enhance the notions of masculinity or feminity. In most stores within the United States

there is a distinct division between the boy and girl toy section, each being dramatically

highlighted in the colors pink or blue. The shelves in the girls section showcase a varying degree

of baby dolls, dolls, plastic accessories, and princess memorabilia to provoke and reinforce

common gender stereotypes such as nurturing motherly instincts or concept of physical

attraction. There is a dramatic distinction from the girl section to the boys as companies try to

appeal to a different social ideology. Boy toys often include cars, swords for battle, plastic and

foam guns, or virtual games challenging the gamer to become a sought out hero through

strategic levels. Later, and commonly overlapped, gender stereotype conformation is sought

through secondary socialization such as involvement in sports or gender segregation in early

schooling. Parents often seek to involve their children in sports for development of physical

coordination and social skills, with their sport of choice often corresponding to gender

stereotypes; for example, cheerleading and dance as being strictly for girls and baseball or

football being strictly for boys, though society is slowly breaking down gender specified sports

allowing for gender neutrality. Gender segregation is highlighted through early schooling in the

separation of different tasks or skills to often reinforce gender stereotypes; this can be seen

through crafts and varying classroom duties.

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The division of gender roles and gender stereotypes continue to be reinforced onto later

adulthood through influences of media and social involvement. Sports and music in particular

demonstrate an adamant point of reinforcing and maintaining hegemonic masculinity. Todays

popularly culturalized rap music can be associated with aggressiveness, toughness, baggy street

style, over sexualization of the female anatomy, and male competition demonstrated through

wealth and prized possessions. Sports on the other hand have been a tradition for the human

species in showcasing male competition against those found to be the bravest, the strongest, and

the fastest, with athletes becoming a modern-day males worshipped persona. The multi-million

dollar sports industry has not only highly influenced the idolized identity of male ideology but

has actually come to violate stereotyped masculine views. This is demonstrated through the

acceptance of a player to cry after a great accomplishment or showing of affection toward their

teammate when circumstances beyond the sports arena would label these public displays of

emotion and affection as soft, gay, or other tantalizing words related to feminity or

homosexuality. Media in particular contributes negative conceptions of what it means to be a

girl and latently demonstrates the subordination of Women. These conceptualizations of feminity

have been present in past media forms such as comics, and still reside in contemporary media in

the form of magazines(Greco 2013). In a popular superhero comic strip series known as

Batman, Kathy asks Batman and robin to wait for her as she puts on her costume. Batman

responds A wifes place is in the home; this makes humor of a women even attempting to fight

a battle and her confinements to a domestic lifestyle. The comics use of wife terminology also

initiates her character of tending to the needs of her husband. Modern-day teen magazines use of

pseudo-feminist rhetoric provoke empowerment and independence to sell products to enhance

feminity. Articles prominently found in these magazines are often titled something strikingly
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similar to How to make your lips bigger, How to Kiss, or Dieting Strategies; all of which

intended to appeal to the socially constructed insecurities of females based upon a patriarchal

dominated persona of the ideal female.

Western societies have cultivated their own ideology of a womens persona as

traditionally being expected to serve as the protectress of religion and civilized society(Cruea

2005) during the 1800s. Young girls were often taught the importance of self-control and

obedience with modesty and virginity to be held as prized possessions. They were taught

motherhood was vital to a womens lifetime duty and stressed the importance of shaping the

moral values of their sons who were believed to have a direct impact on the nations success.

Womens education was strictly limited to basic concepts and religious instruction only for the

purpose of teaching her children, with intellectual pursuits strongly discouraged within the

strongly patriarchal dominant society. Women during this time period were also depicted as

being weak, delicate, and prone to fainting or illness; therefor, it became increasingly important

for women to not exert themselves too much emotionally or physically in fear of their health.

Part of this physical deficiency was real due to restricting and unproductivity of attire. During

this time heavier women were also praised within society as it represented their spouses wealth

and abundancy of resources.

Factors including industrialization, advancement, and commercialization of

transportation and the civil war led to a mass workforce vacancy with necessity forcing women

to forsake True Womanhood in order to fill mens positions(Cruea 2005). During this time

period it became increasingly common for women to abandon their strictly domestic lifestyle to

adopt occupations such as office workers, teachers, store clerks, and government workers. Some

woman even took on the role of managing large plantations populated with hundreds of slaves as
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their husbands were sent off to war or killed in combat. Women made great strides in earning the

nations respect as they became vital for the recovery and healthcare of wounded soldiers with

over three-thousand nurses and volunteers. Hundreds of thousands of casualties from both sides

of the Civil war left a great window for women to seize their opportunity to become more

involved in the workforce and public lifestyle as tens-of thousands were left widowed in dire

need of in income. In response to these factors, another, more open, completely autonomous

and indigenous American ideal came to exist for women to emulate(Cruea 2005); this became

known as Real Womanhood.

Real Womanhood stressed the importance of economic stability, greater independence,

and encouraged activity and healthy exercise. Social encouragement of casual walks and

gardening in addition to participation in sports such as gymnastics, horseback riding, archery,

and skating began to emerge. Not only were these activities encouraged but they were praised for

their stimulation of health and attractive red coloring of the cheeks. This represented a striking

contrastment in comparison to True Womanhood ideals where women were socially expected to

remain docile and torpid. Restricting clothing such as corsets and heavy skirts were abandoned

for more sensible, practical clothing allowing for a greater range in movement and comfort.

While True Womanhood strictly limited womans education to basic concepts and religious

instruction for the purpose of teaching her children, Real womanhood advocated the overturning

of educational ideals. A woman with an education was more likely to be a suitable partner for

an educated husband and better able to participate in conversations on a more equal level of

understanding(Cruea 2005). When time of urgency a woman of educated background was

deemed more respect when needing to provide financial aid for her family. Real Womanhood

offered young woman the importance of gaining insight into the moral character of a prospective
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mate to avoid an abusive alcoholic with discouraging money habits. During this time period the

valued degree of hardworking and compassionate morals began to surpass physical attraction and

wealth and woman were able to avoid legal partnership to a man of unsuitable characteristics for

the reason of financial support. Greater socioeconomic progressions for Woman called for the

transition of Real Womanhood to Public Woman where woman developed self-sufficient,

respecting, and fair occupations. Woman were also granted the right to vote and hold public

office. Controversy surrounded these progressions as it was previously assumed that a woman

outside the confinements of her home without a male escort was immediately suspected to be

participating in the vile, unclean act of prostitution.

The New Woman emerged, as the daughters who had watched their mothers struggle for

public access came into adulthood. While their mothers had been satisfied with gaining a

minimal amount of public figure and some independence and control over their lives, their

daughters were not willing to settle for these (Cruea 2005). The New Woman focused their

ideology on creating an environment ridden of social expectations forced upon by tradition.

Woman began to urge the justification of natural rights and equal opportunity for both sexes in

aspects of civil rights, profession, education, income, and behavioral expectations. New

philosophy surrounding the cultural acceptances around woman emerged during a time of great

social change, when notions about sexuality and gender had become complicated through

increased awareness of homosexuality( Mendes 2011), stressing the importance of human

equality in all forms. A womans primary concerns shifted from the stability of her family

relations to the demands of attending higher educational facilities of integrated sexes. Often

facing public resentment woman cultivated a sisterhood that became a safe heaven and support

net to withstand the obstacles faced toward a society of mutual acceptance. Because the New
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Woman believed sexual behavior and identity should not be linked to individual respectability or

reputation, they rejected the holy customs of repressed sexual desires and prized innocence. The

rejection of True Womanhood in favor of new ideals like Real Womanhood and Public

Womanhood liberated women significantly, creating long-term changes in cultural attitudes

regarding gender, and shifted them further away from the patriarchal control that inhibited them

(Cruea 2005). Today society has adopted a majority of ideals stemming from the New Womans

movement; however, to believe in an equal representation of the sexes would be a stretch in

cultural identification as perspectives regarding the hierarchy of sex and expected behavior vary

upon individual social awareness of both foreign and domestic issues, as well as kin interaction.

Womans highly gained respect through challenging of social ideals has proven to

create a dramatic shift in power dynamics shared between the sexes. Hanna Rosins newfound

data on the rise of women demonstrates women surpassing men in both educational and

occupational settings. Recent statistical research has shown that for every two men, three women

will receive a college degree, not only that, but women are also expected to be receiving these

degrees at a faster rate than the opposing sex. Womans progression in the workforce is

demonstrated through the calculations of the majority of the 2010 workforce where women again

showed a newfound dominance. This newfound dominance can be found to have an association

with the expected thirteen of the fifth-teen expected occupations demonstrating the greatest

growth within the next decade to be led by women. Statistical relations also hypothesize that a

majority of new future home owners will be single women in their late twenties paradoxal to the

previously dominated early thirties aged male. Hanna Rosins research extends beyond the

western hemisphere to demonstrate women in stronger patriarchal dominated societies such as

India, South Korea, and China are also making steady sociological advances(Rosin 2010). It
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was found that these patriarchal states have decreased intensity for specific son preference to

under 20% in 2003, significantly less than the previous results of over 50% calculated in 1985. In

India women have been shown to surpass their male counterparts efforts to learn English at a

faster pace to accommodate staff positions in developing call centers. Patterns in Chinas private

enturprenership also exhibit the increasing commonality of female business ownership with the

rate of developmental success also surpassing their male counterparts. Fairly recent progressive

industrialization of South Korea also pushed a great number of women into the public workforce.

Though not seemly great strides made in comparison to a progressively humanitarian state, such

as the United States, the steady advancements against strict inferiority of the female population

has been proven throughout history to create lasting domino effects.

In the conceptual hemisphere of dominated patriarchal states, regions of Islamic sub-

variation have created a looked down upon stigma of their treatment of woman, many blaming

Islamic religious practices. The fault of generations of religious deportment can be blamed upon

the unintegrity of numeral Islamic scholars, such as Abul Ala Maududi, who sought to establish

subordination within Islamic culture. Abul Ala Maududis writings were notoriously successful

in developing anti-women sentiments in likeminded males with hegemonic and misogynic

mentality of the society (Ejaz 2011) as he borrowed Hinduistic ideas that were non-islamic.

Traditional Hinduistic literature presumes womens ideal role as child caretaker and slave to her

husband. The Brahma perceives women as an obstacle to the path of devotion, a hindrance to

emancipation, and a representation of vile desire(16.52-60); While the Devl Bhagvata describes

women as falsehood vain boldness, craftiness, stupidity, impatience, over greediness, impurity,

and harshness as natural qualities of woman (1.5.83); Not to mention the Mahabharata claiming

woman as always dependent and their inability for wealth for whatever they possess belongs to
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their master(2.71.2). False proclaiming Islamic scholars have sought the establishment of

subordination by ignoring religious scripture proclaiming their natural equality right to man.

True Islam promotes equalism between the two sexes, discouraging misogyny. True Islam praises

womans source of comfort, solace, consolation, and relief to hearts. True Islam does not refer to

the inferiority and slave treatment of the opposite sex and allows the opportunity for woman to

claim their individual independence. True Islam does not depict a womans exclusion of shared

inheritance or independent financial stability. The disortment of religious practices have given

justification to the abuse and mistreatment of woman who are often placed in a position of little

to no defendant.

Though Islamic culture lives in the light of greater infamization, the origin of most

misogynistic ideals lies within the history of Christianity. A founding belief of Christianity holds

women responsible for the fall of Adams heavenly state of bliss, to then be blamed for the evil

that resides within the universe. During the times of Christianitys peaked dominance, girls were

looked at as unprofitable due to their socially constructed customs of patriarchal lineage rule.

Therefore, they sought little purpose in raising girls due to their inability to carry on their family

name, commonly resulting in infacide. It was also common for a man to beat his wife, killing in

Karo Kari, honor killings due to a family members demonstration of dishonor, or even trading

of woman to equalize tribes. Abuse toward the female sex was in the form of strangling,

drowning, or exposure and sending to wet-nurses. Teachers of Religious scripture were known to

back bloody beatings as necessary to punish endless sins (Ejaz 2011). In modern times, abuse of

woman remains prevalent in all geographical regions, in all religions, as they do not make

women exempt from mistreatment, keeping in mind that a majority of abusive cases remain

locked behind closed doors. Womens deprivation of education and knowledge of literacy in
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strictly patriarchal dominated countries, such as Pakistan, men are able to keep a strong grip over

society; providing proof of the importance of equal educational opportunity for sex equalization.

To create the perceivance of an abusive male dominated universe would be highly

inaccurate as there are countless cultures and customs, some not yet known to man, that remain

patriarchally dominated that have adopted ideals known to matriarchy, or even claim matriarchy

as their sole system of governance. Patriarchy defined as a social organization marked by the

supremacy of the father in the clan or family and the legal dependence of wives and

children (Webster), provides the common misconception in parallel definitions residing in

the terms matriarchy and patriarchy. Matriarchy is not a system of governance exclusive to

female roles within society but rather a balances social system in which both sexes play key

roles founded on maternal social principles (Sanday 2008). Maternal social principles are

reflections of maternal social philosophies such as the nurturing nature toward the old, young,

poor, and sick and seekment of peace. Matriarchy does not reflect female superiority but female

responsibilies diffused among a partnership to uphold social rules and practices(Sanday 2008).

Civilizations known to be matriarchally dominated include the Iroquois, Zapotec, Minangkabau,

and the Mosuo. In the Chinese tribe of Mosuo, lineage heritage is passed down through women

and children remain resided in the same household as their mother even after partnership and

children of their own. The father of the children is expected to continually reside under the

household of his own mother and there is no formal marriage labialization. By having no formal

marriage this eliminates the possibility for shared property, finances, or shared custody; thereof

no disputes in Mosuo tradition (Youtube 2007). In all societies both male and female are upheld

to responsibilies set on by social expectations; whether it be patriarchal or matriarchal, the main

disputes concern the degree to which the sharing is balanced, symmetric, and productive.
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Conclusion

The human species, evolved from primitive culture, share the universal characteristic of

reproduction vital to the delicacy of the animal kingdom. Men and Women have known their

place within the social constructs of society since the first unrecorded accounts of reproduction.

The separation of resourceful tasks such as scavenging and hunting from the weight of child

bearing have made the human species highly successful in population growth; leading to the

advancement of civilization. In turn, leading humans to expand into unknown lands and setting

the fundamental root of a culturally and historic contingency of gender roles. Gender roles have

been woven throughout American history to portray a strong successful male provider and a

submissive family-oriented female whose duties remain restricted beyond the domestic. Only

until fairly recently in American history have women made great progression to eliminate strict

interpretation of gender role constructs, with credit being given to a greater developed country.

Regardless of womens steady progression past the glass-ceiling in both educational and

occupational settings, over half of the human species is still labeled inferior to the opposing sex.

The resultant degree of an individuals judgment is largely dependent on the environment in

which the individual has become accustomed too, as well as level of awareness to domestic and

foreign social matters. The unconscientious degradation of the female population provide a

hindrance to not only valuable sociological contributions, but progression toward further united

prosperity and mutual respect towards all persons.

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References

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webster.com/dictionary/patriarchy

Blackstone, A. M. (2003). Gender roles and society (J. R. Miller, R. M. Lerner, & L. B.

Schiamberg, Eds.). Retrieved from

http://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?

article=1000&context=soc_facpub

In Blackstones research report, Gender roles and Society, she analyzes the

misconceptions between the terminology of sex and gender while finding the social

associations linked between the two. She supports her analysis through the use of an

ecological impactment to an individuals perceptions. Her purpose is to differentiate the

concepts of sex and gender and the socially constructed influences impacting societys

perception of gender and gender roles. Blackstone speaks in an unbiased, casually

educational tone to appeal to her audience of assumed social studied students.

Brahmavaivarta purana. (1829).

A chinese tribe that empowers women [Video file]. (2007). Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoTrARDa8BU&app=desktop

Cruea, S. M. (2005). Changing ideals of womanhood during the nineteenth-century woman

movement. In S. M. Cruea (Author), General studies writing (pp. 1-17). . General Studies

Writing Faculty Publications.

In Crueas research report, Changing ideals of womanhood during the nineteenth-

century woman movement, she analyzes the historical contingency of the socially

constructed ideal woman persona. Cruea illustrates a womans place within society
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starting from the early 1800s, a time where women were restricted to a life within the

domestic, to the present times of newfound individual freedom. Her purpose is to inform

her audience of changing cultural ideals and womens progression within social

hierarchy. Crueas tone remains informative and empowering toward her audience of

those seeking information within the field of womens social studies.

Devi bhagavata purana. (n.d.).

Ejaz, S. S., Dr. (2011). Journal or Social Sciences and Humanities: Gender discrimination and

the role of women in pakistan. Retrieved from

http://www.academia.edu/267659/Gender_Discrimination_and_the_Role_of_Women_in_

Pakistan

In Ejazs research report, Gender discrimination and the role of women in

Pakistan, he discusses religious practices adopted into sub-variations of Islam that have

given men unreasonable justification for the mistreatment of women in Islamic states.

Ejaz supports his claim by providing examples from Hindu scripture and Christian ideals.

His purpose is to give justification to the religion of true Islam and bring social awareness

to his audience of the mistreatment of women in a place of no defendant. Ejaz speaks in a

highly educated, informative tone to his readers reaching across various cultures.

Gender roles in the U.S. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.boundless.com/sociology/textbooks/boundless-sociology-textbook/gender-

stratification-and-inequality-11/gender-and-socialization-86/the-cross-cultural-

perspective-499-10465/
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Greco, J. (2013, May 12). Gender: A social construction. Sociological Imagination: Westerns

Undergraduate Sociology Student Journal, 2(2), 1-10. Retrieved from

http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1014&context=si

In Grecos article, Gender: A social construction, she analyzes key distinctions of

the gender formality of gender and gender roles. Greco supports her analysis through the

demonstration of highlighted boy and girl distinctions exhibited through colors, toys,

sports, music, and media. Her purpose is to call attention to the unconscious social

structure devoted to gender conformity and stereotypes associated with gender. Greco

speaks in a concerning yet unbiased tone to her audience that lives in the affects of years

of socially develop gender identity.

Mahabharata. (n.d.).

Mendes, C. (2011, March 2). The new woman. Victorian Literature.

https://doi.org/10.1093/OBO/9780199799558-0045

Rosin, H. (Presenter). (2010, December). New data on the rise of women. Lecture presented at

TED Talks, .

In Rosins Ted Talk, New Data on the Rise of Women, she asserts the shifting

power dynamics between men and women. Rosin supports her claim by providing

statistical research on the basis of women surpassing men in both educational and

occupational arenas. He purpose is to inform her audience of shifting cultural values that

go against hundreds of years of cultural normality. Hosin speaks in a professional,

educated tone for her listening audience to adopt her sense of credibility.
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Sanday, P. R. (2008). Matriarchy. The Oxford Encyclopedia of Women in World History.

Retrieved from https://feminismandreligion.com/2011/07/29/matriarchy-by-peggy-

reeves-sanday/

In Sandays article, Matriarchy, she defines matriarchy in comparison to

patriarchy, correcting the misconception of parallel definitions. Sanday provides the

evolution of the meaning behind matriarchy with the modern definition of exhibiting

motherly characteristics rather than a government ruled under the female. Her purpose is

to inform her readers of matriarchal values that may have become distorted from

common misconceptions. Sanday uses an informative, straight forward tone toward her

audience of assumed prospecting women social studies students.

Witt, S. B. (1997). Parental influence on children's socialization to gender roles. School of Home

Economics and Family Ecology. Retrieved from

http://gozips.uakron.edu/~susan8/parinf.htm

Wolchover, N. (2011, September 22). Men vs. women: Our key physical differences explained.

Live Science. Retrieved from http://www.livescience.com/33513-men-vs-women-our-

physical-differences-explained.html

In Wolchovers article, Men vs. women: Our key physical differences explained,

she analyzes the key physiological distinctions between men and women. She focuses her

distinctions in physiques by the roles they play in reproduction, sex distinction, and

mutual attraction. Wolchovers purpose is to distinguish general physiological differences

between the sexes for her audience to understand the reasoning behind sex differentiation.

She uses a very straight forward tone with her audience that appeals to the general

population.
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