User:Ahartz2/sandbox
This is my sandbox.
Sexism in Language
Sexism in language exists when language helps to devalue members of a certain sex and thus fosters gender inequality, reinforcing ideas of gender-based dominance. [1] What is now termed sexist language often promotes the idea of inherently male superiority, resulting in discrimination against women. [2]
Sexism in language has arisen as a topic of concern as academics have pointed to the role that language plays in articulating consciousness, ordering our reality, encoding and transmitting cultural meanings and affecting socialization.[3] Researchers have pointed to the semantic rule in operation in language of the male-as-norm. [4] This results in sexism as the male becomes the standard and those who are not male are relegated to the inferior. [5] Examples include the use of generic masculine words which refer to all humanity, like man, master, father, and brother. Other examples include the use of the singular masculine pronoun (he, his, him). Further examples point to terms ending in 'man' that may be performed by individuals of either sex, such as businessman, chairman, policeman. Finally, ordering of words also relegates women to an inferior position, in examples like "man and wife". Sexism in language is considered a form of indirect sexism, in that it is not always overt. [6]
Sexist and gender-neutral language
Various feminist movements in the 20th century, from liberal feminism and radical feminism to standpoint feminism, postmodern feminism and queer theory have all considered language in their theorizing. [7] Most of these theories have maintained a critical stance on language that call on a change in the way speakers use their language. One of the most common calls is for gender-neutral language. Many have called attention, however, to the fact that the English language isn't inherently sexist in its linguistic system, but rather the way it is used becomes sexist and gender-neutral language could thus be employed.[8] At the same time, other oppose critiques of sexism in language with explanations that language is a descriptive, rather than prescriptive, and attempts to control it can be fruitless. [9]
Sexism in Languages other than English
Languages other than English are also charged with sexism in language.
In the French language, for example, due to pressure from several feminist groups, the word 'mademoiselle', meaning miss was declared banished in 2012 by Prime Minister François Fillon.[10] Current pressure calls for the use of the masculine plural pronoun as the default in a mixed-sex group to change.[11]
In Chinese, some writers have pointed to sexism inherent in the structure of written characters. For example, the character for man is linked to those for positive qualities like courage and effect while the character for wife is composed of a female part and a broom, considered of low worth.[12]
Spanish has also been accused of sexist structures, in that the masculine form is the default form. To combat this, Mexico's Ministry of the Interior published a guide on how to reduce the use of sexist language. [13]
German speakers have has also raised questions about how sexism intersects with grammar. [14]
References
- ^ Santa Rosa Junior College. “Uses and Abuses of Language.” http://online.santarosa.edu/presentation/page/?37061
- ^ Linguarama. “Sexism in Language.” http://www.linguarama.com/ps/legal-themed-english/sexism-in-language.htm
- ^ Santa Rosa Junior College. “Uses and Abuses of Language.” http://online.santarosa.edu/presentation/page/?37061
- ^ Spender, Dale. “Man Made Language.” http://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/works/ot/spender.htm
- ^ Spender, Dale. “Man Made Language.” http://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/works/ot/spender.htm
- ^ Mills, Sara. “Language and Sexism.” http://www.langtoninfo.com/web_content/9780521001748_frontmatter.pdf
- ^ Mille, Katherine Wyly and Paul McIlvenny. “Gender and Spoken Interaction: A Survey of Feminist Theories and Sociolinguistic Research in the United States and Britain.” http://paul-server.hum.aau.dk/research/cv/Pubs/mille-mcilvenny.pdf
- ^ Ruthven, K.K. “Feminist literary studies: an introduction.” http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/samples/cam034/90034404.pdf
- ^ http://www.friesian.com/language.htm
- ^ Sayare, Scott. “’Mademoiselle’ Exits Official France.” http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/23/world/europe/france-drops-mademoiselle-from-official-use.html?_r=0
- ^ Carson, Culley Jane. “Attacking a Legacy of Sexist Grammar in the French Class: A Modest Beginning.” http://www.jstor.org/stable/40545648
- ^ Tan, Dali. “Sexism in the Chinese Language.” http://www.jstor.org/stable/4316075
- ^ BBC. "Mexico advises workers on sexist language." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12843948
- ^ Reuters. "Grappling with language sexism." http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate-uk/2011/03/05/grappling-with-language-sexism/
DRAFT OUTLINE
We propose to significantly edit the Wikipedia page on Sexism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexism. Our edits will encompass a re-titling of the page to Sexism/Gender Discrimination. We will also rewrite several sections to include a more global perspective and a more neutral and academic viewpoint, delete several sections that we feel do not belong and add several sections that better illustrate and explain the concepts. Where possible we will draw upon theoretical foundations to form our arguments. Our proposal includes the following.
First, we will add a section on “gender discrimination” to the page. The term gender discrimination is theoretically different from the term sexism. Drawing from a conceptual basis that distinguishes sex from gender, our group has decided to add a section on gender discrimination for the purposes of problematizing the differences. Currently, the wikipedia search for gender discrimination results in the page on sexism. Therefore, we propose to add a section on gender discrimination to the sexism page in order to explore the differences. Ultimately, gender discrimination should be developed into its own page, but for the purposes of this exercise, we will develop the section on gender stereotypes as an intersecting practice of gender discrimination.
Next, we will rewrite the section on “Coverture and Marriage”.
Next we will rewrite the section on “Gender Stereotypes”. The gender stereotypes section that currently exists takes a very narrow view on gender stereotypes, focusing only on negative views of women. It does not take stereotypes of men into account. Nor does it use any theoretical bases in looking at the effects of gender stereotypes, how gender stereotypes work and how they affect all people. We will include men into the idea of gender stereotyping and bring a more theoretical foundation to the section.
Then we will rewrite the section on “Objectification”. Why must we include objectification? Objectification is a direct consequence of sexism, as it often reduces women to a single body part, thus dehumanizing them in the process. Objectification can take place in a variety of areas, such as in pornography and the media. More importantly, objectification can have important repercussions on women, particularly young women, as had been demonstrated by Fredrickson & Roberts (1997), who have argued that it can lead to mental disorders (depression, eating disorders, etc…) It is important to point out, however, that the section will need substantial editing and reorganization. Some sub-sections, such as “media portrayals,” must be expanded, as there is much more additional scholarship that must be included, while other sub-sections sections such as “sexist jokes” must be minimized, or eliminated altogether.
Following that, we will also rewrite the “Language” section. Language is both descriptive, reflecting reality, as well as prescriptive, in that language can reinforce certain systems. Thus, it is important to examine both what sexism/gender discrimination in language is and what it looks like as well as the effects it has. Theory from both linguists and feminists will be utilized, such as Douglas Hofstadter and Sherryl Kleinman. The current section does not accomplish this, as it only looks at pejorative language with no foundation in theory. We will take a more academic and holistic look at how sexism operates in gender discrimination for both men and women.
We will rewrite the Occupational Sexism section - particularly because it contains very few references to the claims which are being made. The subsection - wage gap can be supplemented with a more global perspective on the discrepancies between wages of women and men around the world.
We will also rewrite the section on “In Politics”. Then we will rewrite the section on “Objectification”.
The section “gender discrimination in politics” must be kept, as gender discrimination in politics is highly problematic. Indeed, on a fundamental level, gender equality in government is necessary for any democracy to thrive. In addition, sexism can manifest itself in politics in more subtly ways, by voters choosing government officials based on perceived qualities of each gender (e.g. women in education) or based on looks. It is important to note, though, that the section will need to be significantly altered, as it is superficial and not thorough enough.
Rather than summing up examples of sexism at the end of the page, we plan to include examples throughout the different sub-chapters. Therefore, we plan to delete the “Examples” section.
We will add to the “Anti-feminism” section.
We will add a section on “Sexism in Education”.
Education part requires serious improvements due to the lack of academic materials in description of phenomenon and poor analytical cohesion in the paragraphs. Therefore, our mission would be to deal with these theoretical imperfections of secondary data and sequence of description.
We will also add a section on “Criminal Justice”.
‘The criminal justice system is often condemned as an institutionally sexist operation that lets down female victims, fails to help women offenders out of a cycle of crime and prevents professionals reaching the top jobs.’ (Guardian, May 2009) Clearly criminal justice encounters numerous interconnected issues with sexism. The section ‘Criminal Justice’ in Wikipedia requires more balanced view on the problem. It should include broader worldwide vision from theoretical and contextual perspectives. Currently the subject includes only US position towards female criminal justice and sexism. With this regard, our group suggests to add ‘men’ in the sexism’s analysis of criminal justice system.