Abstract
This paper explores the differences in verbal and nonverbal communication between men and women. It explains the roots of these differences and how to alleviate the gender communication crisis.

From the Paper
"Do you ever wonder if men and women inhabit different planets? Can men and women be categorized into separate semantic types? Almost everyone would acknowledge that men and women have differences in the way they communicate. The question is: how different are they? Are they so different that the two groups are necessarily polarized to extreme ends of the communication spectrum? This question continues to baffle psychologists, relationship experts and the general public. Some would say that the differences are so minute that the issue is not worth debating. On the other side of the fence, the belief is that these differences are too great that men and women can indeed be confined to opposite poles. John Gray, author of the best-selling book, Men are from Mars, Women are From Venus certainly believes in the latter. According to Gray, men and women are so different in the way they communicate that it is only logical to believe that they originate from entirely different planets (Gray 5)."

Tags:men, nonverbal, sex, talk, verbal, women

From the Paper
"Michel Foucault, in The History of Sexuality, can definitely be considered a feminist, if one sees feminism as a search for truth about human nature, relationships, and the role and function of power in defining one's identity (including one's sexuality). Foucault argues that since the eighteenth century Western civilization has increasingly become obsessed with talking and thinking about sex as a subject, rather than partaking of "bodies and pleasures" (157). Feminism certainly posits that a woman to be authentically alive must overcome alienation from her body, whether that alienation is imposed upon her by an individual male or by "power" as it is exercised by the entire structure of society. This generalized sense of power is what Foucault posits as the controlling force behind the history of sexuality and the accompanying increase in public discourse ..."

Abstract
There are differences between aggression in men and women, which may have a biological basis, but are also tempered by psychological parameters and socialization issues. The paper shows that in animals, aggression is usually studied in terms of behavior alone, but in humans aggression encompasses the intention to harm another person, some form of behavior carried out as a result of this intention, and an emotion which can be anything from mere irritation to outright rage. While there are no clear statistics available, males usually tend to be more aggressive than females in terms of physical and verbal aggression. The paper shows that a still unanswered question is how much of this difference is biological and how much is psychological. Differences are not only found between genders, but also with age and education (aggression decreasing with increasing age and education level), and between different ethnic groups.

From the Paper
"While biological theories propose that there is a chemical basis for the differences in aggressiveness between males and females, psychological theories propose that aggressiveness is a learned response rather than an innate one. Although genetic makeup may give someone a propensity for aggressive tendencies, these tendencies can be positively or negatively affected by socialization and environmental influences (Colt and Kuehn, 1998). It has been shown by many studies that females exhibit less physical aggression than males from infancy onward (Fishbein, 1992). They are less inclined to explore and engage in less rough and tumble play than boys do. Females are raised differently than males, and this is in part responsible for suppressing aggressive tendencies in females."

Tags:genes, norepinephrine, serotonin, testosterone

Abstract
This paper positively reviews this non-fictional account of a boy raised as a girl after his parents were advised to do so by a medical doctor. The paper summarizes the life story of the child as reported in the book and talks about the book's successful treatment of issues regarding scientific arrogance within the medical treatment, sexuality, and gender identity.

From the Paper
"We tend to think about sexuality as being about biology (as, of course, in some rather obvious ways it is) and not go beyond the physical mechanics of sex when we are thinking about what it means to be a sexual being. But sexuality is perhaps as much about cultural mores and habits as it is about genetics, as John Colapinto's As Nature Made Him : The Boy Who Was Raised As a Girl (HarperCollins, 2000) examines. The book is a well written, thoughtful analysis of how individuals come to see themselves as possessed of sexual identities, and the process through which each individual learns to negotiate his or her identity as an amalgam of personal and social desires. The book is at its heart an impassioned story of how sexuality and sexual identity are at the very core of who each person comes to be as an adult, and how sexuality must be understood to be a fundamental and pervasive aspect of our sense of ourselves, not just what it is we do in bed."

Tags:aberrant, practices, normal, threatening, tragedy, botched, circumcision, infant

Abstract
This paper is about the role of nature and nurture in gender development. The author examines aspects such as socialization and biological traits that impact on a child's gender development.

From the Paper
"Gender is defined as the differences in traits and behaviors that males and females are presumed to have. In childhood years, gender is a large part of life. At a young age, children begin to establish their gender identity, or perceptions of themselves as masculine or feminine. They begin to establish roles that coincide with their gender. A girl for example may learn to cook and clean. On the other hand, a boy may learn to fight or play sports. The gender development children go through during the young ages is a discerning factor in the rest of their life. Both nature and nurture contribute to this development."

Tags:psychology

Abstract
In this article, the writer defines how campaign slogans and the use of advertisements help shape the male image. The writer points out that the use of tag words, color design and male gender items have all contributed to the new 'masculinity' we see in today's society. The writer examines the issues around defining "masculinity" and the role that company slogans play on the male gender role. The writer presents an examination of Proctor and Gamble's "the best a man can get" campaign and the effects it has had on the male image in the United Kingdom.

Outline:
Introduction
Literary Review
Societal Shift
Media Influence

From the Paper
"It is difficult to measure and identify masculinity. Over the centuries sociologists and psychologists have tried to depict what defines a male. There are many factors to take into consideration when compiling a theory on the attributes and characteristics on masculinity. Some theorists argue that it is the common view of society that plays a key role in the ideal and self-identity of the man. While others stipulate that it is the familial structure that is the direct affect to creating masculinity. In either case, most theories are based on the idea that external situations and experiences are the immediate relationship to defining masculinity and our view of what is considered to be male or female. The gender roles have been particularly defined in the consumer market. Product innovation and advertising campaigns have played a strong role in dividing the sexual characteristics. Companies are quick to leverage products that are geared at either men or women in their announcements, design and packaging. Tactics used by corporations to ensure stable yearly profits, have contributed in the characterization of the masculine image. The globalization of organizations as well as advancements in communication technology have allowed companies to reach a larger scale of consumers, which has also created a more diversified vision of what is meant in terms of masculinity."

Tags:masculinity, Gillette, male, slogans, advertizing

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that the concepts of gender, femininity and masculinity are all socially constructed, in that they cannot be concretely defined in absolute terms. The writer notes that there are numerous examples within the literature to explain how the genders differ, but there are very few to no differences that show conclusively that these differences are natural, or innate. The writer maintains that gender is a social construct, and as such, society has also constructed the differences between the genders. At the level of society at large, gender operates to govern over the relations among groups and the access to resources. At an interacting level between individuals, gender allows us to categorize individuals based on their gender and to derive differences based on these categories. The writer discusses that as such, gender is a self-fulfilling prophecy, along with any and all proposed differences that exist between the genders. The writer concludes that in reality, however, the majority of gender differences, if not all of them, are socially constructed and do not exist innately.

From the Paper
"Thus, instead of being mutually exclusive constructs, it is now accepted that an individual can be high in both femininity and masculinity. Thus, with the ability of humans to span the spectrums of masculinity and femininity within their own identity and behaviour, it becomes quite clear that there really are very few characteristics, which can be deemed inherently masculine or feminine. In fact, it's quite arguable that there are no such characteristics.
"The differences that exist between masculinity and femininity are all produced by societal definitions. Society defines femininity and masculinity to be nearly polar opposites, but societal definitions do not force any one individual to become either feminine or masculine based on their natural biological sex. Thus, to find any true differences between the genders it is necessary to go beyond socially constructed concepts and to look at actually physical differences, besides the obvious."

Tags:men, women, identity, behavior, social, environments

Abstract
In this article, the writer replicates J. K. Swim's investigation of people's perceptions of the sizes of gender differences compared with the results of meta-analysis studies. The writer notes that there are various reasons for failure to achieve at a level consistent with one's ability. The writer maintains that cultural and social barriers that limit career selection or progress need to be considered when observing females, in particular, who achieve less. Popular concepts can be based on observations of these realities in which people find themselves. The writer concludes that various forces over the last 20 years have resulted in a decline in gender differences in cognitive abilities but the writer's results show that in many ways there are still conceptions of differences. The writer maintains that hopefully the next 20 years will see conceptions continue to better line up with reality.

From the Paper
"Swim found that her college-student samples generally provided accurate estimations or underestimated gender differences. My findings are consistent overall with Swim's. I would say that my small sample can hardly be used as a basis for comparison scientifically, though it was very interesting. Specific comments I heard from individuals was that they were answering the questionnaire based only on the people within their circle of family and friends. They didn't consider the differences that would or would not be found in their country let alone world as a whole. They didn't take cultural differences into account. I would also not rule out people scoring backwards from what they intended or making other 'mistakes'. While a full half of the respondents rated IQ as equal between the genders, the other scores show that males think males are more intelligent, and females score females as more intelligent - nothing like favoring your own gender!"

Tags:stereotype, verbal, scores, tests

Abstract
This paper reviews Jeffrey Eugenides' novel, "Middlesex," the story of a hermaphrodite, Cal, and the struggles faced with gender issues and self-concept. The story is also about the challenges endured by a Greek-American family, including their persecution in Asia-Minor and immigration to America. A significant aspect of the novel is the incestuous relationship between Calliope's grandparents, who were brother and sister, and therefore responsible for the genetic mutation. The review highlights the situation that led to Lefty and Desdemona marrying in a sensitive light. The paper concludes by describing the book as an effective tool for social change and education because it deals with a subject that is widely avoided.

From the Paper
"Decision making is an important aspect of life and once the wrong decisions are made they cannot be changed or reversed, but can only be learned from. This is the story of Lefty and Desdemona Stephanides; they are brother and sister who are attracted to each other because of their environment and their way of living. Lefty and Desdemona know everything about each other and they always do everything together because they were alone, high on top of a mountain living in a very small village. After the death of their parents, Lefty and Desdemona start to live by distracting themselves from their emotions towards each other. Even though both individuals pursue towards distractions, they cannot help, but still be in love with each other."

Tags:middlesex, hermaphrodite, chromosomes, genetic mutation, intersex

Abstract
This paper explains that nearly all developmental theories view heterosexual orientations as the default option; whereas, homosexual or bisexual orientations, referred to as LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and queer), is considered to be the deviant behaviour. The author examines the differences and similarities in the development of LGBTQ youth as compared to heterosexual youth with respect to the development of sexual identities, the availability of positive adult role models and the development of interpersonal peer group and dating skills. The paper concludes that the major difference between LGBTQ adolescent development and heterosexual adolescent development is within society's views of homosexuality and bisexuality. Society should change these attitudes and should equalize same-sex legal rights.

From the Paper
"The development of a strong and stable identity, according to many theorists including Erikson, is the single most important developmental task that adolescents face. Failure to successfully develop an identity, or to struggle excessively through identity development, can have psychological and social ramifications that last for the duration of an individual's lifespan. Thus, the study of identity development is a widely popular topic within the social sciences. Recently, the identity development of LGBTQ youth has begun to be more closely scrutinized."

Tags:society, identity, discrimination, denial, relationships