Developmental Issues for Women

1. Developmental Issues for Women Dr. Cyndi Matthews Counseling 5670D

2. “Although women constitute more than half of the population…women have been historically subjected to prejudice and discrimination as well as a disadvantaged status.” Sue & Sue ( 2008) p.501

3. What is Feminism? • The advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, educational, and economic equality to men. • Feminism is a collection of movements and ideologies aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equalpolitical, economic, and social rights for women. • All humans are of equal value; deserving of fair and equitable life opportunities, regardless of demographics.

4. What Has the Term Feminism Meant in the Media?Struggles for Gender Equity: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnJxqRLg9x0 • Most major changes in society do not occur quickly or quietly. • The desire for independence and equal rightswere the fuel that fired the struggle for gender equity. • Myth of male decline http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/30/opinion/sunday/the-myth-of-male-decline.html?pagewanted=1&ref=general&src=me

6. Three Waves of Feminism Transforming Movement First Wave • Right to Vote • Women are Human Beings • Women are not Property of men • Rights to Divorce • Right to control property • Right to speak in public Second Wave • Reproductive Control • Equal Pay for Equal Work (1963) • Title VII (1964) prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin & sex • Equal Rights Amendment (1976) • Gender Neutral Language Third Wave • Celebrate Diversity: Race, Religion, Age, Social Class • Queer Theory • Equality in jobs, pay, schooling, personal choice • Social Justice Advocacy

7. Fourth Wave of Feminism Fourth Wave • Abuse/domestic violence • Rape/Violence Against Women • Women’s rights to their body/to choose • Ageism against women • Sexualizaton of women/media • Global Issues for Women • Equal Pay (77cents on the dollar) • Equal representation in government and Power Positions/Jobs

8. Group Work • Divide into two groups • Group 1 • List differences between women and men and consider: • On what are these perceived differences based? (e.g. biological, social, cultural or religious beliefs) • Group 2 • List similarities between women and men and consider: • On what are the perceived similarities based? (e.g. biological, social, cultural or religious beliefs) • Feedback

9. Discussion • What are the effects of highlighting differences rather than similarities between men and women?

10. What is the Difference Between Biological Sex and Gender?

11. What is the Difference Between Sex and Gender? SEX GENDER • Physiological differences • Determined by • hormones • chromosomes • genitalia • internal organs • US culture recognizes two genders Female and Male • Other cultures recognize combined male/female gender • Structure of social relations • Refers to the way sexes are perceived, evaluated, and expected to behave • Masculinity • Femininity • Environment and Culture are paramount in distinctions

12. Most humans are born with unambiguous anatomical features that result in a designation of male or female. This designation is not biologically determinate for their skills/abilities/inclinations/desires

13. Sex, Gender, Sexual Orientation • Biological Sex (hormones, chromosomes, genitalia, internal organs) • Male Intersex Female • Gender (Society determines) • Masculine Androgynous Feminine • Sexual Orientation (Kinsey Scale) • 0 3 6 • Straight Bisexual Gay/Lesbian

14. Biological DifferencesNot as Many as Originally Thought99.8% Same – Mark M or W for each 1. ( ) They generally live longer. 2. ( ) They have lower blood pressure on average. 3. ( ) Their teeth last longer. 4. ( ) They have larger stomachs, kidneys and livers. 5. ( ) They have larger lungs. 6. ( ) Their thyroids are larger and more active. 7. ( ) Their blood contains 20% more water. 8. ( ) They are somewhat stronger. 9. ( ) Their heart beats more rapidly (80 beats a minute against 72 of the other sex). 10. ( ) They tolerate higher temperatures whereas the other sex tolerates lower temperatures. 1.W 2. W 3. M 4. W 5. M 6. W 7. M 8. M 9. W 10. W

15. Discussion • What happens when you assume all differences between men and women are biologically determined? • To what extent do assumptions about biologically determined sex differences between women and men influence popular culture, sayings or beliefs in your cultural setting? • Biological School of Thought (Biological Determinism) leads to seeing: • Differences as “normal ” – don’t question stereotypes or inequities • Often used to resist social change and legitimate unequal gendered sexualized social order • Reproduction main emphasis of sexes and drives behavior (male and female attraction only acceptable – all behavior is driven by desire to mate)

16. As we Discuss Tonight - Continue to ask Yourself Is this Nature or Nurture? Biological construction (sex) or Social Construction (gender)? WHY Important????

17. Importance of Understanding Cultural Differences in Gender? • Human cultures have developed rules/norms/social mores for gendered behavior. These rules are fluid and vary from culture to culture, sometimes resulting in contradictory fashions. • Throughout recorded history the human male has been favored as the normative, dominant, and sex preferred by expecting parents.

18. Gender Schema Theories • Gender Schema • A network of expectations and beliefs about male and female characteristics • Schemas can result in reinterpretations of memories • Can result in applying schemas to activity choices or judgments

19. How are Masculinity and Femininity defined in the US? • Masculinityis often measured by a man’s independence, assertiveness, and leadership. • Femininity is stereotypically characterized as emotional, dependent, and nurturing. • Most cultures value masculinity over femininity. • Many people do not fit the stereotypical profile associated with their sex.

20. My Big Fat Greek Wedding Monsters vs aliens, my big fat greek wedding, junior:http://warmupsfollowups.blogspot.com/2010/07/monsters-vs-aliens-my-big-fat-greek.html As you watch the video clip, consider the socialization messages. What is the socialization of Greek men/women according to this segment? How similar/different from US culture?? What messages did you get about being an man/woman when you were growing up?

21. Gender Role Acquisition • Sex at Birth: • The complexity of born “gender.” • What truly makes one a “woman” or a “female” ? • Possible psychological and physical cost of gender at birth (Asia, other countries?) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWa9jmv3u90 • At approximately 18 months, a child can identify their gender. • Soon after children begin to acquire gendered behaviors • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMldVZOxW64

22. Children’s Knowledge of Gender Stereotypes • At age 2 yo there is little awareness of gender stereotypes • By age 3 yo children understand gender-related prefer for toys and activities • By ages 4-6 yo expectations about people and behavior are now gender related. • By age 10 children are well aware of gendered stereotypes from their culture. • Gender/Sex Constancy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZb2len6f18

23. Sex Segregation • Starting at 2 ½ yo for girls and 3 yo for boys, children often choose same sex play partners • At age 4, the number of time spent with same sex peers is 3x that spent with non-same sex peers • This continues to increase until sexual attraction draws non-same sex peers together at adolescence. • What happens when children go against this norm?

24. Play Time – How is it different for Girls and Boys? Play of Girls Play of Boys • More cooperative with turn-taking • Choice of companions is based on personality • More likely to enact school or home environments in play • Typically use affiliative speech • Speech that is keyed to what someone says, expresses agreement, and expounds on ideas. • More competitive • Often uses themes of heroism or war. • Choose play partners based on similar interests • Boys tend to play in larger groups with hierarchies • Frequently use domineering speech • Use of commands or restrictions

25. 1. How Do Social Influences Play a Role in Gender Construction? 2. What/Who are the Dominant Forces in Socialization of Gender Roles? (give examples)

26. Gender Role Socialization as an Infant and Child? • Adults, parents, and other children propagate gender role stereotypes • Toys, clothing, color of rooms influenced by perceived gender • Emotional reactions – encouraged in girls, discouraged in boys • Activities encouraged according to gender • Other children may “call names” or tease if go against stereotype

27. How does Media influence our Perception of Gender Roles Televisionis a perpetuator of gender stereotyping. Many popular magazines portray the two sexes stereotypically. Retailers market products for the appropriate sex and reinforce stereotypical roles and expectations. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z6ks8Z0X20&playnext=1&list=PL7061ED2F44E5DD21&feature=results_main

28. How are Gender Roles Influenced by Schools and Teachers? 1. ( ) Teachers usually give more attention to boys. 2. ( ) Teachers are more patient with girls. 3. ( ) Girls are usually praised more for their neatness of work than accuracy. 4. ( ) Girls excel until they are teens, but they have a drastic drop of self-esteem when they are 14 or 15. Why do you think there is a drop??? 1T, 2F, 3T, 4T

29. How are Gender Roles Influenced by Schools and Teachers? Educators often reinforce the stereotyped behaviors associated with males and females. More males get “air time” than females in classes Girls rewarded for “appropriate obedient” behavior Boys rewarded for “intelligent” answers Attitudes and values about appropriate gender roles are embedded in school curriculum. Textbooks Books in English classes Children are active participants in the socialization process. (peer pressure)

30. How Can Teachers Combat Gender Stereotypes in the Classroom? Teachers should ensure that classroom activities do not favor one group over another. Teachers need to pay attention to the leadership in cooperative groups to ensure gender equity. Teachers need to be aware of the gender and ethnicity of the authors, protagonists, antagonists being read by students.

31. Allen Sroufe’s Rules • Accidental Contact • Incidental Contact • Contact is in the guise of a clear and necessary purpose • Adult compels contact • You are accompanied by someone of your own gender • Is accompanied by disavowal.

32. Female Development & Puberty • Puberty arrives earlier now – Effects? • Socially • Physically: 10-12 now, used to be 13-16 • Earlier development of body image issues • Mature Early • Mature Late • Effects of “unwanted” or “unplanned” pregnancy • Who is seen at fault? • Who becomes the primary caretaker?Whose life does it affect the most? How?

33. Women’s Bodies: What is Beauty? • The desire to be “thin” – body image • What are the ramifications?? • Size/Shape – to criticize/critique • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUOpqd0rQSo&feature=youtu.be • Women were seen as property and less than men up until early 19th century – Ramifications??? • Therefore bodies not their own to control – under their husband’s (men’s) control • Children • Rape/Sexual Assault • Decisions concerning their bodies • Reliable Birth control 1960s • women started having control over their reproductive lives

34. What about Romantic & Social Relationships? Pressures? Effects? • Common role of women as the object of desire • Women are sexualized • Lack of identity in young women having relationships too early • Lack of egalitarian elements in relationships – why?

35. What are the Attachment Patterns of Caretakers – Biological Sex/Gender? • Female vs. Male attachment to caretakers • Normative role of mother as primary care-taker • Lack of Male caretakers • What are the implications?

36. Career and Family Roles – Problem? • Women may experience pressure to hold stereotyped roles in society and in the home. • Women are seen as the primary caretakers (work/home) • Role at work • The sexual division of labor has historically been fairly rigid. • The gap between the participation of men and women in high prestige professions has narrowed, but not been eliminated. (managerial/power positions) • Women are underrepresented and stereotyped in areas of perceived weaknesses such as math and science.

38. Careers & Income • Women experience differential treatment in male dominate dcareers. Women are more likely to face discrimination and harassment in the work place. • Both women and men will earn higher incomes with increasing education. • Women typically earn less (67%) than men when their educations are equal. • Women earn 77 cents to every dollar a man earns • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhVOdsWI88U • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA3vGtMctUU

39. Division of Labor – Men vs. Women at Home? • Women still working two shifts – at work and at home • Implications?

40. How is Gender Affected by Spiritual or Religious Identity? • Gender identity is influenced by a family’s ethnicity and religion. • Patriarchal stance of many faith/religious practices • Religions generally recognize and include masculine and feminine expectations as part of their doctrines. • The more conservative the religion more likely to reinforce patriarchal, traditional gender roles • Implications?

41. What is Sexual Harassment?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euXzkLZQPRY • Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that has long existed in the workplace. • The harassment can be verbal, visual, or physical. • Sexual harassment can be very damaging to its victims, having an impact on their emotions, subsequent behavior, and academic performance • What is Sex Discrimination? Wages/job/promotions

42. What is Sexual Assault? • How does sexism play into a rape and sexual assault? • Blame Victim • What is a rape culture? • Sexual violence and rape are common in attitudes, practices, and norms. • Media (tv, movies, video games) normalizes, trivializes, tolerates and even condones sexual violence • Victim blaming, sexual objectification, and trivializing rape are common practices • What is the danger of rape/sexual assault? (1/3 women) • So what can we do in schools and in helping professions regarding rape and sexual assault?

43. Man: Hello, I'd like to report a mugging.Officer: A mugging, eh? Where did it take place?Man: I was walking by 21st and Dundritch Street and a man pulled out a gun and said, "Give me all your money."Officer: And did you?Man: Yes, I co-operated.Officer: So you willingly gave the man your money without fighting back, calling for help or trying to escape?Man: Well, yes, but I was terrified. I thought he was going to kill me!Officer: Mmm. But you did co-operate with him. And I've been informed that you're quite a philanthropist, too.Man: I give to charity, yes.Officer: So you like to give money away. You make a habit of giving money away.Man: What does that have to do with this situation?Officer: You knowingly walked down Dundritch Street in your suit when everyone knows you like to give away money, and then you didn't fight back. It sounds like you gave money to someone, but now you're having after-donation regret. Tell me, do you really want to ruin his life because of your mistake?Man: This is ridiculous!This is a rape analogy. This is what women face every single day when they try to bring their rapists to justice.

45. Other Abuses against Women • Domestic Violence (95% are men) • Relationship/Dating violence • One billion women across the globe will be raped or beaten in their lifetimes. That's a really depressing statistic. So on the 15th anniversary of V-Day, Feb. 14, 2013, the One Billion Rising campaign is inviting one billion women (and those who love them) to stand up and dance — to DEMAND an end to violence against women. It's an invitation to woman and men to put an end to the status quo, it's an act of solidarity, and it's a refusal to accept violence against women and girls as a given. On Feb. 14, I'll be dancing with a billion other people. Will you? • Half the Sky http://www.upworthy.com/video-3-minutes-thatll-horrify-you-then-make-you-want-to-dance?c=ufb1

46. Midlife and Aging: What is Ageism against Women - What is it caused by? • Special treatment of younger women in a society that places an importance on youth and beauty. • Loss of value in societies eyes due loss of child-bearing potential/beauty • What are counseling issues for midlife? • Value seeking in midlife and aging

47. What are the Causes of Depression in Women? • Hormonal levels – menopause, puberty, menses • Societal Expectations • Abuse/Domestic Violence/Rape • Sexual Harassment/Sex Discrimination • Counseling Theories/Assessments

48. Feminist Identity Model • Stage I, Passive Acceptance: Passive acceptance of traditional sex roles and discrimination; belief that traditional roles are advantageous; men are considered superior. • Stage II, Revelation: Catalyzed by a series of crises, resulting in open questioning of self and roles and feelings of anger and guilt; dualistic thinking; men are perceived as negative. • Stage III, Embeddedness-Emanation: Characterized by connectedness with other select women, affirmation and strengthening of new identity. Eventually more relativistic thinking and cautious interaction with men. • Stage IV, Synthesis: Development of an authentic and positive feminist identity; sex-role transcendence; “flexible truce” with the world; evaluate men on an individual basis.

49. How Can Sexism and Gender Stereotyping Hurt Clients in the Helping Professions? • Stereotypes in: • Career Counseling: Encouraging Professions or limiting options for the future • Diagnosis • Theories • Family Therapy? (reinforcing patriarchal roles) • Abuse can be overlooked or allowed to continue (seen as cyclical and not as an act of violence) (95% domestic violence – males) • See sexual assault as woman’s fault (re-victimizing the victim)

50. Implications for Practice • Be aware of potential biases. • Modify any male-centered theories to work with women. • Stay current in your knowledge of issues that affect women. • Assess factors that are major challenges for women. • Help clients understand power imbalances, gender expectations, and societal definitions of attractiveness on mental health. • Emphasize unique strengths that women bring to work and interpersonal relationships. • Help clients correct cultural misperceptions that males are superior in math, science, and technology. • Assess for possible impact of abuse or trauma-related experiences.