Group Presentation

My role in the Gender/ Feminism group was that of the housewife. I picked out three quotes from Gilbert and Gubar which best explained the “role” of the housewife. I also brought/ bought props
including the housewife necessities (apron, towel), Barbie dolls with clothes, provided numbered note cards for the game. I adapted to the role of housewife while passing out cookies. Based on the idea that housewives are supposed to be quiet, I fit my role in the group nicely especially since I am by nature quiet (at least in class.)
Our group wanted to spark discussion about gender roles and let the class construct their own ideas about gender. In the last game they each wrote three adjectives describing themselves and based on what they wrote had a classmate write if it was a boy or a girl. This was great because some girls were thought of as more masculine because of their descriptions and some guy were more feminine because of theirs. This proved that people do have preconceived notions of words and what they mean.
The class was very participatory throughout the entire presentation, especially the debate about existentialist vs. constructionist. This conversation was sparked by bringing barbies and GI Joe’s questioning whether children are naturally driven to feminine/ masculine toys or if they are guided. Personally, I feel that it is dependent on the child, the parent, and their situation. I’m a nanny for an 8 yr old boy, 5 yr old girl, and a 2 ½ yr old boy. The youngest likes to paint his nails when his sister does, but he also is obsessed with garbage trucks and fire engines. The little girl similarly likes her barbies and dressing up, but also dresses up in her big brother’s clothes and plays basketball. However, the oldest boy will not do anything remotely girly and only involves the sister if it is something he wants to play. So, as it was pointed out in class, it is not only existentialist or constructionist, it is both.