Gender Roles in A Game of Thrones

By Zachary Agovino

A Game of Thrones is one of the most popular and possibly controversial shows on television right now.  The show is set in a medieval land called Westeros, ruled by kings and queens, lords and ladies.  And as you can imagine in a world like this, there are very clearly defined gender roles.

                One of the most clearly defined gender roles is that men rule the kingdoms and women are the bearers of children for their husbands.  For example we see this happen to both Cersei Lannister, the Queen Regent, and Sansa, of the Stark House, when Cersei’s father Tywin tells them they are to be married off to lords regardless of what they want[1].  Even though Sansa is only 14 she is being married off to Tywin’s son Tyrion so that he can “wed her and bed her and put a child in her”[1].  Even though her husband to be tries to defy his father and protests, Tywin quickly shuts Tyrion down and tells him that he must marry her.

                Tywin is forcing both of his children to marry in order to secure a grandson from both marriages who will rule the 2 regions that Cersei’s husband and Sansa Stark are the heirs too.  Thus ensuring that a man will be born into the family that has allegiance to the Lannister family, and further defining the role that men play in ruling a kingdom and women play in providing them sons or heirs. 

                Sansa herself is also a great example of women who subscribe to their gender roles in this show.  She is an example of a “perfect lady” who loves embroidery, dancing, sweet songs, and romance[2].  She tends to abide by the gender roles established by society and is angered by those who do not abide by these rules.

                Interestingly enough, while there are quite a few examples of men and women fulfilling their individual gender roles in society, there are also some characters who defy these roles blatantly.  One such character is Arya Stark, Sansa Stark’s younger sister.  To be honest, Arya is a bad-ass.  While from the beginning she was a bit tomboyish, we see her quickly turn into a character who completely rejects the gender roles of the society, and is a polar opposite to her sister[2].  She is constantly defying the social rules put before her and when her father realizes that he can never turn her into what Sansa has become and gets a swordsman from overseas to train her in swordfighting[2].

                Many of the female characters within the show are objectified and treated as a tool for sex and child birth but nothing more.  The gender roles in this show are clearly personified at every corner and in almost every scene, leaving one with the impression that the show encourages these roles, when in reality it tries to show their ridiculousness and prove that the ones who challenge these roles will ultimately win.

1.  Martin, George RR, "Kissed By Fire," A Game of Thrones, Web, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRJock_ztw4.

2.  Payne, Rhiannon. "Girls of Thrones: Strong Female Characters in a Sexist Fantasy World." Feminspire, 3 28, 2013. http://feminspire.com/girls-of-thrones-strong-female-characters-in-a-sexist-fantasy-world/ (accessed February 28, 2014).

The Struggles of Being an Intersexed Individual in the Contemporary Society

By: Jordan Barker 

In our society there is a strict (invisible) line that distinguishes right from wrong and normal from abnormal. Sadly, the line is not politically correct. Many people become outcast due to which side of the culturally defined line they land on.  By definition, “an intersex is a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male.”[1] Therefore, a human can be born with undistinguishable features. The individuals who are born in this situation are often left with no cultural identity and find it difficult to fit in amonst their peers

Historically, the term “Hermaphrodites” was used when referring to someone that was born with ambiguous genitalia. The word hermaphrodite comes from the ancient Greek mythology of Hermaphroditus, the child of Aphrodite and Hermes that was transformed by a water nymph into a being of both genders. Hermaphrodites or people of intersex are believed to have a mixture of the two parts or just plainly have both.[2]  When an individual is born, as an intersex, the parents are the ones who are put in the position to choose what sex the child will be. This decision may not always be the right one because as the child grows up, they will start to realize their condition and want to make his or her own decision. It is for this reason that there are so many ethical issues attached to parents pre-selecting their child’s sex before they are able to become who they are meant to be. Therefore, many intersex individuals struggle with there self image not only on the inside but outside as well.

In the past, an individual born as an intersex was killed on the spot because they were seen as animal-like. As time progressed, views changed and intersex individuals were seen as human and they were allowed to live.[3] In our society, the choice lies within the doctor and parents and that’s the decision the child lives with for the rest of their lives, unless other measures are taken to reverse the decision. The individual could change their mind along the road and dress differently than they used too, which is what would raise eyebrows of the people in our society. Sadly, that could lead intersex people to become victim to being judged and outcasts. Along with being an outcast, they could become depressed and self-conscious about their looks causing a lot of extra stress. Intersex people could seek counseling for their depression or be prescribed medication. As a last resort, parents and the intersex individuals could turn to surgery in an attempt to repair their problem. It has been said that there are approximately five surgical repairs per day in U.S hospitals. [4]

            Being an intersex child brings tough decisions for the parents and child. I feel as if our society needs to improve the way we treat these individuals because it is something they cannot help. I believe if people knew the true facts, they might look at this situation in a different manner.

---

[1] Intersex Society of North America, "What is Intersex?." Last modified 2008. Accessed February 27, 2014. http://www.isna.org/faq/what_is_intersex.

[2] Moore, Crystal. Instructor, "Unusual Sex: The History of Intersex and Transgendered Individuals in America." Last modified 11 30, 2013. Accessed February 27, 2014. http://sexualizedsociety.blogspot.com/2014/01/unusual-sex-history-of-intersex-and.html.

[3] Moore, Crystal. Instructor, "Unusual Sex: The History of Intersex and Transgendered Individuals in America." Last modified 11 30, 2013. Accessed February 27, 2014. http://sexualizedsociety.blogspot.com/2014/01/unusual-sex-history-of-intersex-and.html.

[4] Wordpress, "Intersex Children The Third Gender." Last modified June 24, 2009. Accessed February 27, 2014. http://thethirdgender.wordpress.com.

Living with and STD in America- Feb

           

There are over 65 million Americans currently living with an STD. After finding out that you are living with an STD you not only have to come to terms with it yourself but you have to have awkward conversations with your partners in hopes that they don’t overact. STD’s do not discriminate, anyone can get one, 1 out of 2 people will get or be exposed to and STD by the time they are 20, most won’t know. One in 5 people living with HIV have no idea because they show no signs.[1]

            STD’s can go as far back as the Old Testament, however they were once seen as a personal stroke of faith to know a concern of health.[2] Syphilis first became recognized in the 1500 when an epidemic hit Europe.  In the 20^th century syphilis and gonorrhea were thought of as one disease but soon later was distinguished into two separate STD’s. Treatment such as sulfa drugs and penicillin was introduced in the 1930’s and 40’s. Herpes was discovered in in 1960’s and 70’s and did not have a very satisfactory form of treatment. The fist identification of AIDS was found out in 1981, and once was thought as a disease for only homosexuals. [3]In 1985 the human papilloma virus (HPV) started to rise, cause genital warts. In 1990 there was a penicillin resistance strains of gonorrhea. In 1993 pelvic inflammatory disease was affecting one million new women each year.

            In this day and age teenagers are more likely to get an STD especially since the number of sexually active teens is on the rise. A 15 year old girl has a 1 and 8 chance of developing pelvic inflammatory disease, where as a 24 year old has a 1 and 80 chance of getting pelvic inflammatory disease. [4] With casual sex on the rise you can get an STD in the same day that you get tested.

            Some might as what is next in the STD world, but just like anything else it is just waiting to see how everything plans out. Some say that bacterial vaginosis will be the next thing to make its way into the STD world. Some scientists say that the next kind of STD will be one that infects the bacteria in a women’s vagina and they wouldn’t have done anything to get it there.

---

[1] http://www.itsyoursexlife.com/gyt/stds-testing-the-real-deal/

[2] Burg, G. 27 Feb 2014.

[3]  Encyclopædia Britannica, . N.p.. Web. 24 Feb 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/537217/sexually-transmitted-disease-STD>.

[4] Bohlin, R. G.. N.p.. Web. 24 Feb 2014. <http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/epid-std.html>.

The Church's Opinion on Sex in Medieval Europe

by Sam Ackels

Sex was very common in Medieval Europe.  It was considered to be a normal, natural part of life, much like how it is today. However, the Medieval times were not governed by equality and fairness as our society today is. There was heavy prostitution, rape, adultery, etc. Because the Medieval times were ruled by an extremely dominant patriarchy, much like the Colonial and Victorian eras, there was a severe lack in women's rights and women could barely do anything to protect themselves. Because of this, rape was extremely prevalent, even common place. This was a very bad time to be a woman. People committing rape did not have an attached sense of intent and personal responsibility as they do in modern times, so women did not have anyone to protect and defend them and could not seek action against any perpetrator. Charges for men were usually mild (unless they were repeat offenders) but if a women complained about being raped, they would often be arrested on charges of false appeal [1]. There are many different accounts for the punishment of rape during this time period. It ranged from penance (a favorite punishment for the Church it seems), to paying fines, to brutal physical torture. Punishments for adultery were extremely severe and cruel. A common punishment by the Church for adultery was something called "The Pope's Pear." During this punishment, a crude metal device resembling a pear where put into the vagina for a woman and the anus for a man. The torturer then clicked the handle of the device, causing the pear to extend and inflict further damage to the victim [2]. Men and women suffered these unusually cruel punishments for committing this act because of the strict laws established by the Church. Keep in mind that this era was before The Enlightenment so people greatly feared and blindly followed whatever the Church said. This led to extreme manipulation and corruption. People were also punished for different sexual acts, like oral and anal sex. The punishments for this were usually three years of penance. Very contradictory to the views of most men in Medieval Europe, the Church established all these strict laws governing what was deemed acceptable and unacceptable in society for a reason. They sought to control the population and prevent anyone from rising up and questioning their authority.  However, according to John M. Carter, "Clerics, or those claiming to be clerics, formed the largest percentage of rapists," [3]. This is extremely hypocritical of the Church because their own people were accused of rape. This shows us that no matter what laws are in place, human lust will usually corrupt a society and cause moral people to commit otherwise immoral acts. Although the grasp of the Church slowly fades away in the future, history still repeats itself and we are shown this in Colonial and Victorian America with the further abuse of women.





Bibliography
[1] - Michael, Streich. Suite, "Rape In The Middle Ages." Accessed February 26, 2014. https://suite101.com/a/rape-in-the-middle-ages-a399883. 
[2] - HubPages, "TOP 5: cruel medieval punishment." Accessed February 26, 2014. http://aisas.hubpages.com/hub/medievalpunishments.
[3] - John Marshall Carter, Rape in Medieval England: An Historical and Sociological Study (University Press of America, 1989).
 

Carson Cherry-Sex in Advertising

            Marketing and advertising is a multi-billion dollar industry every year. The goal in these fields is to catch your eye and make you want to go out and buy their product or approve of their idea. People who create advertisements for marketing purposes use many different techniques but one of the most effective is through the presentation of sex. When some people think about sex in advertising they see it as a modern thing; not something that would be occurring over a hundred years ago. It is said that one of the first known advertisements to use sex came in 1871; this was an advertisement for the pearl tobacco brand ^I. This advertisement encompassed a naked woman on the front in the hopes that it would catch the eyes of men. Other companies during this time saw that this type of advertising actually worked and started to follow suite. Sex was still being used through the beginning of the 1900’s with soap advertisements. One of the most prominent in this time was an ivory soap advertisement that had naked sailors washing and rinsing each other off ^II.

http://ifactory.ca/does-sex-in-advertising-sell/

            Even though sex was in advertising in past history I would say that we see more of it now. A study was completed at the University of Georgia on how much sex really plays its part in advertisement. According to the article sex is seen the most in hygiene, beauty, clothing, travel, and entertainment advertisement’s ^III. The article also says that using sex when advertising things such as banking and utility services is not effective; sex use during advertising is catered toward things that are low-risk impulse purchases ^III. I totally agree with the data in the article. Just look at the transformation in the Hardees commercials over the past year or so. They went from a modest conservative burger advertisement to a commercial with beautiful half clothed women that are sure to catch the eye of anyone. We go to the movies and have to set through 30 minutes previews of movies that seem to be full of sex scenes, we walk by the magazine racks in the grocery store and you can’t help but glimpse at the half naked women on the covers, we walk through the mall and see advertisements to our left and right that contain some sort sex appeal.

http://www.memphisflyer.com/HungryMemphis/archives/2012
/08/27/hardees-racy-ad-for-the-memphis-bbq-thickburger

            

           Sex in advertising is all around us and it will continue to be there because it works. I don’t see sex in advertising as a bad thing, it’s just something that we have to be mature about and come to a realization that it is there to grab out attention. This blog was very interesting to write and yes I do love the Hardees commercials but they have still yet to convince me to stop in and get one of those massive burgers.

^IBeigelman, . The California Aggie, "Column: Why sex sells." Last modified February 09, 2012. Accessed February 26, 2014.

^IIBenjamin, . My Big Campus, "Sex Will Always Sell!." Accessed February 26, 2014.

^IIISorrow, . University of Georgia, "Magazine trends study finds increase in advertisements using sex." Last modified June 05, 2012. Accessed February 26, 2014.

What does it mean to say "I do"?

What does it mean to say “I Do”?

By Abriana Cantaffa

What exactly does “I do” mean? I am talking about the two words that will tie you to a person until “death do you part” or otherwise.

In colonial America arranged marriages were not uncommon, but what did marriage mean for the woman? The law of coverture basically says that once a women is married her legal rights are subsumed by her husbands. The women could also not own her own property, own wages, sign a contract, testify in court, or own a business[1]. Only some couples married for love, they were mainly lower and middle class couples. The others had to consider financial alliance and property, they did not have the privilege of “love”. Who knows, maybe some came to love their husband or wife.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3GMy8rtwsvpw2CIfmdN1xOKCazf77xnRMz7ycX0elwn47CB8rOu6FHAiDs6JF6uMNmbURscq0e-fVAQKfvdsvlSGEFjz7kJi7sR8x0OgYdo5_YY30QX1vpuNo0VKqgJcd_erQW_j52g/s1600/pamela_marriage_lg.jpg

As time went on things changed, courting went from public to private. So what changed in marriage as time went on? Nothing good! Sex within a marriage was not just considered a duty anymore, it was forced even if the women was ill, pregnant or even worse having a difficult pregnancy[2].

Marriage in the 20^th century is so much different than before. Dating became the new thing instead of courting. Dating consisted of going out away from the family, like to a restaurant. Fast forward a few years and marriage is everything, it is something that had basically become mandatory. As time passes and women become more independent and many, many things change socially marriage is not something that is expected as much. Today, marriage is the, for lack of a better word, ultimate way to express your love for another person. Today people are fighting to get married to the person that they love and want to spend their life with, such as gay and lesbian couples.[3]

http://mattdelarosby.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Husband1.jpg

With all of that being said, are women still treated the same way in marriage? Are they giving up their rights? We know that it is not the same. The roles of women in society have changed. Women can own their own property, make their own money, and sign whatever they want to sign, testify and have their own businesses. This brings up another topic. Do men treat women the same way that they were treated tons of years earlier? Are women still viewed as property?

---

[1] Moore, Crystal. “Sex in Colonial America”. Lecture. February 14, 2014

[2] Moore, Crystal. “Sexuality within the Victorian Family”. Lecture February 25, 2014

[3] Staff, PT. "Marriage, a History." Psychology Today, May 1, 2005. http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200505/marriage-history (accessed February 25, 2014).

Abortion Trend in Victorian Era

Abortion Trend in Victorian Era

By: Courtney Brown

            In the Victorian Era because of the dire need to control family size and prevent reproduction women turned to contraception. Since some contraception choices didn’t work for all women they turned to abortions. Abortion is the act of removing a fetus from the uterus lining to get rid of it before it actually is considered a life form. There were all types of methods using during this time period to induce miscarriage or abort the fetus. These methods were taught to these women by oral tradition, healers or midwifes, and manuals. The most commonly used method either by doctor or women trying to self-abort were using probes or sticks to dislodge the fetus from the uterus lining. When women couldn’t afford a doctor to perform an abortion they did it themselves with anything they could find as long as it could reach.[1] The problem with women doing it themselves even with instructions were that they could possibly puncture the uterus or vaginal wall. Another important risk that women were taking by doing self-abortions was serious infections that could cause death. In my opinion, I don’t think that anyone who willingly lays down for their own pleasure and engages in activities without taking proper precautions or smart precautions should be allowed the choice in taking a child’s life. I am pro-life when it comes to this matter.

There are certain situations that should be taken into consideration such as sexual assault or things where the woman had no control. In the event where having this child could possibly ruin this young person’s life then it shouldn’t be looked upon as unacceptable if they had no choice in the matter. Although all women in the Victorian Era who decided to have abortions didn’t go to a doctor there were also some who didn’t do it themselves either. There were women who went to unofficial doctors who were female physicians that used pseudonyms who aborted these fetuses for a small fee and it was very much illegal. Abortion in the Victorian Era was committed by northern white working-class women and northern white middle class women both for different reasons. The working class women usually aborted because they were usually young and most likely seduced by the boss and the middle class women wanted to limit their family size. Abortion was not acceptable in the South because it wasn’t stigmatized when slaves had babies out of wedlock. The abortion rates during the Victorian Era were significantly high because of how well they were advertised and they weren’t very expensive because you either went to a doctor or did it yourself or went to someone who could do it for you reasonably. The act of abortion is a very touchy subject for many people and I lean on the opinions that it shouldn’t be legal in cases where the act of sex is committed willingly. Either you practice abstinence or you take the proper precautions and get contraception and use them correctly. If you can’t do these two things then you deserve to get pregnant. Recent studies in Kenya show that unsafe abortions are becoming a big problem. Abortion in Kenya is illegal unless the mothers life is in danger. This law is based on the British legal system during the Victorian Era.[2]

 

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/03/05/ohio-remains-on-the-front-lines-of-americas-intractable-abortion-debate/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_birth_control

[1]Moore, Crystal. "Sexuality Within The Victorian Family" Lecture. February 18,2014

[2] The New York Times. Lorch, Donatella. "Unsafe Abortions Become A Big Problem in Kenya". http://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/04/world/unsafe-abortions-become-a-big-problem-in-kenya.html?src=pm&pagewanted=1(Accessed February 26, 2014).

The Laws of Coverture

THE LAWS OF COVERTURE

By: Vincent Bohnert

            This legal doctrine, adopted by England in the late 18^th and 19^th centuries, stated that the wife’s legal rights were given to her husband upon marriage.  This also includes when the wife gets paid for her job (if she has one at all), the money goes legally to her husband without the wife ever seeing it (if the husband so chooses).  Another way to summarize what these laws meant back then is when a man and woman became married they became “one person” or “the entirety” meaning that they were the same person in the eyes of the common law [1].  Transitioning from this, women could not own property.  So if the husband died, the wife would not be able to keep the house no matter how long she has lived in it “as one person” with her husband.  In opposition, men were held liable for their wife’s actions; if the wife violated the law, the husband was held accountable under the laws of coverture [1].

http://wp.patheos.com.s3.amazonaws.com/blogs/lovejoyfeminism/files/2012/09/law-of-coverture.jpg

            Even at this time, both participants had legal rights (when divorced) to their marriage and what it contained/involved just like it does modernly [1].  If the husband and wife had a child when married and then they got divorced, both the husband and the wife were expected to support/raise their child together in a well thought out manner.  However, most of other such laws belonged to the ex-husband once the marriage was broken; these laws all could be found under the term “consortium” [1].  Applications under this term included: material services, felicity (happiness), and cooperation/sexual intercourse to name a few [1].  Many of these rights still exist today except these rights are given to both the sexes now, as opposed to just the males then. 

http://listverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/contemporary_wife_selling_print_georgian_scrapbook_1949.jpg

Some other interesting facts involving the laws of coverture is the topic of rape because of what the law advocates.  If the husband catches the person in the process (or what he thinks is the process) of raping his wife, he is legally eligible to kill that person in order to maintain the “chastity” of the marriage [1].

            Back in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, women had little to no rights when not married so you can imagine why women would want to get married because at least they had rights even though most of them, if not all of them were retained by their husbands [2].

[1] The Newgate Prison Death Row Education Society, "Women and the Law." Accessed February 16, 2014. http://www.umich.edu/~ece/student_projects/bonifield/rape2.html.

[2] Harvard Business School, "Women, Enterprise, and Society." Last modified 2010. Accessed February 16, 2014. http://www.library.hbs.edu/hc/wes/collections/women_law/.