Aryan Sangha, Prof. James Gorham, CS 121, April 15, 2019

Aryan Sanghaiprof James Gorhamlcs 121 P1april 15 2019 Sanghaiannotat

Aryan Sanghaiprof James Gorhamlcs 121 P1april 15 2019 Sanghaiannotat

Aryan Sanghaiprof James Gorham LCS 121-P 1 April Sanghai ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR PAPER #4 Yarrow, Allison. “How the 90s Hurt Gender Equality Progress.” Time , Time, 13 June 2018, time.com//90s-gender-equality-progress/. ‘How the ’90s Tricked Women Into Thinking They’d Gained Gender Equality’ was a magazine article published by Allison Yarrow on June 13, 2018. The piece looks back into the recent past to educate the readers about gender inequality and the role of the 90s in its existence today. It begins with discussing the new opportunities - like postponing marriage and kids, seeking higher education and assuming economic roles and identities outside the walls of a home - the 90s brought for women.

The article focusses on factors such as a woman’s increasing marital age, which jumped from 20 to 24 in the 90’s, and surge in economic power to highlight the fact that the fight against gender inequality was going in the right direction. The article even gives examples of successful women in prominent economic and political roles and connected their success to the meteoric rise of women empowerment in society. Yarrow mentions Sally Ride, Madonna, Janet Reno and Madeleine Albright to name a few. The writer then introduces the term “cultural feminism” and movements like “Girl Power” to epitomize the growing force that gender equality was. The climax of the article, though, portrays very contrasting views to the start.

Yarrow claims that the more power women gained, the more was taken away from them due to pre-existing notions and pop culture that supports this gruesome hostility towards women. She goes on by explaining the role of the media in helping society to continue subordinating women like in the past and blames this decade for the rise of sexism based on careers, clothes and bodies as this accepted behaviour of the 90’s has rippled into contemporary society. I believe that this source relates very closely to the different short stories we have read over the semester while it also has a few stark contrasts. Most of the stories we read were written in the 1800 and 1900’s, where the authors explicitly portrayed the inequality towards women by illustrating the female protagonists as domestic housewives and as weaker than her male partner.

Examples are ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’ and ‘Story of an Hour’. The goal of the magazine article is also to show this inequality but it does so in a much more implicit tone by first describing the rise of women empowerment and girl power before hinting at the fact that this success was actually harmful as their fame led them to being objectified and looked at only as sex-objects of men’s sexual fantasies. The article is trying to highlight the mindset that still existed in society in the 90’s even after centuries of battling for equal rights. “The 2,500-Year-Old Roots of Gender Inequality - The Boston Globe.” BostonGlobe.com, 4 Mar. 2017, The article written by Kelly Kasulis revolves around the history of gender inequality and its roots dating back 2,500 years.

A study was conducted on Neolithic Age graves from the Chinese Central Plains. In the study, from Queens College in New York City, they examined male and female skeletons to search for signs of stress. By examining different proteins in the bones, researchers were able to determine the person’s diet which was consistent during the Neolithic Age but changed in the Bronze Age when men ate millet and animal products whereas women survived on the “poor man’s food,” a.k.a. wheat. This was considered to be a hint at the difference in societal status between men and women. More evidence to support these claims were found when it was found that males were buried with more riches although female skeletons were shrinking in size and this was concluded to be due to malnourishment during their childhood.

Anthropologists also believe that when families hit financial restraints, females would be deprived of food first, again highlighting the bias that existed against women even thousands of years ago. This article emphasizes the importance of understanding where the current social issues surrounding gender inequality originated. This article resonates with a variety of the studied short stories as it focuses on gender inequality in the past. This article lays a solid platform for us to understand gender roles in the 1800 and 1900s when these stories were written. Oppression of women is a common theme seen between the stories and this article.

This article will be very beneficial in helping me write my paper as it gives me the history of inequality and from where it originated. Understanding its roots will improve my understanding of the topic and will help me write my essay with greater depth and analysis. Sutherland, Ashley. “Higher Education Institutions Reflect Gender Inequality.” The Arizona State Press, 6 Apr. 2017, .

The article discusses how women dominate the education industry workforce but when it comes to positions of power, such as presidential positions at institutions, the numbers fall at staggering speed. Men are preferred in roles of academic leadership and this is seen across many industries in the economy. The profession of being a teacher is more often than not associated with females who are considered to be more caring and nurturing than men but stereotypes of men being more competent assure that the leadership roles are given to them and not women. The article gives great insight into what this means for female students studying women studies or are interesting in the education industry. Understanding the dynamics of education is essential in the study of gender inequality.

Over the semester we have seen in all the short stories studied that women often assumed powerless domestic roles as they weren’t given educational opportunities which would propel them to a successful career in the workforce. Education wasn’t considered important as women her married off at a very young age after which their life revolved around keeping her husband satisfied before her entire time and focus would be focussed on bearing a child and working on family responsibilities. Education has a huge role to play in the removal of gender inequality as it would help women to equal treatment in economic and political positions. Lack of education is what makes women powerless to the constant hostility against them.

Education would help give them a stronger voice and put them in a position of power where they will be heard. The influence of education on gender inequality will help me look at the issue in a broader view and in turn increase my understanding of the subject.

Paper For Above instruction

Gender inequality has been a persistent and pervasive issue throughout history, manifesting in various social, economic, and political dimensions. The scholarly and journalistic sources reviewed in this paper—ranging from contemporary analyses of the 1990s to ancient burial practices—highlight the deep roots and evolving nature of gender disparities. This essay explores how history, media representation, education, and cultural perceptions have contributed to ongoing gender inequality, offering insights into its origins and potential pathways toward equality.

One of the most compelling aspects of gender inequality is its historical foundation. Kelly Kasulis’s article on the 2,500-year-old roots of gender inequality underscores the enduring nature of societal bias. Through archaeological evidence from Neolithic graves in China, Kasulis demonstrates that gendered differences in diet and burial riches reflect ancient social stratification. Males, often buried with more valuables, symbolized higher status, whereas females suffered malnourishment, indicated by skeletal shrinkage. These findings suggest that patriarchy and gender-based resource allocation have longstanding origins, predating modern societies and indicating that gender inequalities are embedded in historical practices (Kasulis, 2017). This historical perspective is essential for understanding present disparities, illustrating that gender bias is not merely a modern construct but deeply ingrained in human history.

The role of media in shaping societal perceptions of women further complicates gender inequality. Allison Yarrow’s article examining the 1990s reveals a paradoxical era where women’s empowerment appeared on the rise, yet underlying misogyny persisted. The 90s saw an increase in women’s ages at marriage, higher representation in politics and business, and movements like “Girl Power.” Nonetheless, Yarrow argues that media and pop culture simultaneously objectified women and perpetuated sexist stereotypes, which undermined true progress (Yarrow, 2018). This illustrates how media can craft a double narrative—celebrating women’s achievements while reinforcing damaging stereotypes—that hampers genuine gender equity. The media’s influence extends into contemporary society, affecting perceptions of women’s roles and self-image, as in the case of the objectification of female celebrities and pop icons.

Education emerges as a critical factor in shaping gender roles and opportunities. Ashley Sutherland’s analysis of higher education institutions highlights the paradox where women dominate educational employment but are underrepresented in leadership roles. Despite their prevalence as teachers and academic staff, women are often sidelined from top administrative positions due to stereotypes of male superiority and competency (Sutherland, 2017). The stereotype that men are more capable leaders persists, limiting women’s advancement in institutional power structures. This phenomenon underscores how societal biases influence perceptions of women’s abilities, thus perpetuating gender inequality in professional spheres.

The historical and social contexts inform the depiction of women in literature, which often mirrors societal attitudes. Classic stories such as “The Yellow Wallpaper” and “The Story of an Hour” depict female characters trapped in domestic and subordinate roles, reflecting the oppressive social norms prevalent during the 19th and early 20th centuries. These fictional narratives serve as literary mirrors of real societal constraints, emphasizing how gender roles have historically limited women’s autonomy and opportunities (Gilman, 1892; Chopin, 1894). The contrast between these literary portrayals and the more recent emergence of female empowerment in the late 20th century illustrates a cyclical struggle against entrenched gender biases. Although progress has been made, remnants of these norms continue to shape societal attitudes today.

The role of education in combating gender inequality is profound. Education can empower women, provide them with a stronger voice, and facilitate their access to economic and political power. Historically, women’s limited educational opportunities kept them in domestic roles and excluded them from decision-making spheres. Today, however, expanding access to education for girls and women is recognized as a vital step toward equality. Education not only enhances women’s economic independence but also challenges stereotypes by promoting new perceptions of gender roles (UN Women, 2020). The historical context of inequality emphasizes the importance of ongoing efforts to promote educational equity, which is instrumental for societal transformation.

In conclusion, understanding the roots of gender inequality—through historical archaeology, media analysis, educational disparities, and literary representations—reveals that gender bias is both ancient and persistent. Each perspective emphasizes different mechanisms through which inequality is reproduced and challenged. While progress has been made, particularly in the late 20th century, underlying cultural and institutional norms continue to sustain disparities. Addressing gender inequality requires a multifaceted approach, including historical acknowledgment, media literacy, educational reform, and cultural change. Recognizing these interconnected factors can help inform policies and initiatives aimed at achieving genuine gender equality in the future.

References

• Gilman, C. P. (1892). The Yellow Wallpaper. The New England Magazine.
• Kasulis, K. (2017). The 2,500-Year-Old Roots of Gender Inequality. Boston Globe.
• Chopin, K. (1894). The Story of an Hour. Vogue.
• Sutherland, A. (2017). Higher Education Institutions Reflect Gender Inequality. The Arizona State Press.
• UN Women. (2020). The Importance of Education in Achieving Gender Equality. UN Reports.
• Yarrow, A. (2018). How the 90s Hurt Gender Equality Progress. Time.