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Fall 2021
Issue
Published Dec 01, 2021
Gender and Sexuality Throughout World History
Fall 2021
Published December 2021
Gender and Sexuality from the 18th to the 21st Century: Media, Race, and Culture represents the fourth collection of primary source analysis essays from students in Dr. Mir Yarfitz’s fall 2021 class “Gender and Sexuality in World History” (HST 114/WGS 214) at Wake Forest University. Through working with Dr. Yarfitz and several librarians, students learned how to identify, find, and analyze primary sources. Individually, students found a primary source related to the class that interested them, and chose a medium through which they analyzed that source. The class worked throughout the semester to comprehend the historical significance of gender and sexuality through firsthand experience with primary sources and archives.
Introduction
Section 1: "Where do Women Belong?" Women in Professional and Domestic Spheres
Almost all modern societies were founded on patriarchal ideals that have consistently oppressed women and forced them into unsatisfying positions. The role of women has been fluid, yet always constricted to benefit their male counterparts. With the ever-changing expectations for women, a common motif found in the rhetoric of said expectations is doubt. Nevertheless, when given the opportunity, women are extremely capable, independent, and strong. Women have fought to gain autonomy and equity, and the chapters in this section will analyze historical aspects of this courage.
A poetic expression of how women’s rights are essential to a thriving nation
Section 2: Representation of Gender and Sexuality in Visual Media
When we watch, listen, or look at visual media in our everyday lives, we often do not realize the significant influences they have on us. Media teaches us from a young age what it means to “be a man” or “be a woman” and sets expectations about personal actions and interactions with others. Furthermore, the media portrays certain stereotypes that ultimately create negative and positive impacts on society. This section explores the stereotypical representation of gender and sexuality in various forms of visual media, such as movies, music, advertisement, and photography.
Section 3: Print Media's Influence on Gender Expectations
This section is a collection of analyses from primary sources in print media. This print media includes newspapers and magazines throughout history touching on themes of gender and inequality in gender. We are analyzing how this media has influenced gender expectations in society.
Section 4: Sexuality and Oppression in Print Media
Sexuality as shaped in the environment
