Abstract
This paper uses examples from advertisements, TV, newspapers, and/or electronic texts to demonstrate how cultural narratives are received by our society from the media and then become practices that are further supported by the media. The paper examines three different theories about cultural changes, theories that have resulted from society changes and cultural narratives, then relates them to today's society and looks at the influence of the media with regard to these theories.

From the Paper
"Culture is defined as "the results of practicing the art of refinement and civilization" (Chambers). It is the ever-changing culture of Australia that the study of Text and Contexts has recognized. With this change comes an added focus on theories that are common practices in today's society. Cultural narratives are the ways of civilization and its changes. Cultural narratives can be created and developed by many sources, one of which is the media. The media plays an ever-defining role in the construction of our culture, through these cultural narratives. Technological advancements are increasing playing a role in the media's effects on cultural development. Basically, the media defines our culture with or without our knowledge of this. We are constantly bombarded with influences each and every day. Gradually, media's role in society will be nothing more than seen as a tool in shaping who we are, and portray how life should be lived."

Tags:norms, western, civilization, shapes, society, marxism, queer, theory, feminism, post-modernism

Abstract
This paper explores how feminists in South Africa have been able to incorporate gender interests into the structure of democratic institutions by recognizing the close link between apartheid and gender inequalities regarding the concept of citizenship. Their efforts have contributed to the improvement of South African women's political, economic and social status, which will eventually lead to the higher quality of life. The South African case shows us how grassroots movements can make a positive impact on society by eagerly interacting with the state.

From the Paper
"The dramatic political and social upheavals and transformations that have occurred throughout the world during the 1990s have brought international attention on theories of citizenship and democracy. While western liberal democratic gender-neutral notions of citizenship have been widely promoted, South African feminists have argued tenaciously that gender issues had to be incorporated in theories of citizenship in order to deal more effectively with gender inequalities deeply embedded in the South African society. Over the past decade, feminists in South Africa have struggled against the patriarchal structure of their society and advocated for the need of the institutionalized and constitutional frameworks that allow a systemic improvement of South African women's political, economic and social status. This essay will argue that by recognizing the close link between aparthied and gender inequalities and gendering the concept of citizenship, feminists in South Africa have been able to build gender interests into the structure of democratic institutions, which has contributed to the bettered political, social and economic status of South African women."

Tags:activism, citizenship, democracy, feminism

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that the matter of births out of wedlock is a continuous issue that has its causation deeply linked to values, morals and beliefs. The writer points out that statistical information gathered by census bureaus and departments of health indicate that in nearly all industrialized nations, including the United States, the number of births out of wedlock has increased dramatically over the past thirty years. The writer maintains that the number of opposing explanations for the increase in the number of births out of wedlock over the past thirty years is equal to the variety of opinions concerning the act of having a child out of wedlock. This paper argues that the increase over the past thirty years in births out of wedlock is due to the concurrent increase in women's rights, with a specific emphasis on the increase in reproductive rights. The writer concludes that although it is possible that other explanations do exist for the increase in births out of wedlock, such as the epidemic of teenage pregnancies, for the most part the increase in births out of wedlock among adult women can be attributed primarily to the increase in women's rights, and not to a decrease in morality.

From the Paper
" The number of births out of wedlock has continued to increase, and these increases can constantly be tied to the increases in women's rights and reproductive freedoms. As reproductive technology became more advanced, and as women gained more equal ground in the career force, more and more women began to choose the option of intentionally becoming pregnant out of wedlock. This explanation for the increase in out of wedlock births has been all but ignored by the far moralistic right who point to promiscuity and lack of moral behavior as the cause for increased out of wedlock births. On the contrary, many women are far from promiscuous, but have decided to put their desire for having a child and raising a family above society's dogma that children are only appropriate after marriage. Reproductive technologies now allow women to use sperm donors, and also allow women to wait much later in life before having children. Thus, the stigma associated with having a child out of wedlock has decreased in direct proportion to the increase in women's rights, which is concurrently related, in a positive manner, to the increase in births out of wedlock."

Tags:pregnancies, single, mothers, child, premarital, sex

Abstract
This paper examines the politics of knowledge in feminist theory. The paper shows how feminist theory has been concerned with unraveling a long history of discrimination through the re-appropriation of knowledge by and about women. It suggests that the nature of knowledge for feminist theory is problematic on many levels, from linguistic and psychological to social and historical and the paper discusses these issues.

From the Paper
"A central concern of feminist theory is the importance of locating and tearing down the systems of knowledge that support patriarchy. Recognizing that it is through the unnatural constructs of what is considered inherently "female" that women have been politically repressed, feminist theory is faced with the formidable political challenge of breaking free of this male-dominated discourse. This project has meant denaturalizing and deconstructing the "objective knowledge" that has justified patriarchal oppression and attempting to regain control of the meanings and representations associated with "female." The manner in which this occurs, however, is very much disputed."

Tags:challenge, patriarchal, society, control, power

Abstract
This essay argues that although woman have penetrated into a men's world, there is little doubt that it remains a man's world. The paper shows that health care is embedded in a system of social structures and practices in which men dominate, oppress and exploit women. The medical profession is based on an ideology of men?s superiority over women and enforces an essentialist gender division of work. The paper makes use of opinions from a group discussion.

From the Paper
"The authors did an admirable task exploring the exterior and interior barriers women faced in medicine. Division of labor within the home (child-rearing), essentialist notions of women's roles, sexism, informal networks, prejustice, lack of role models, support, "glass ceilings", kept women from reaching positions of power, privilege and status. The writers emphasized women's influence on professional work. Attitudes have changed and women's issues are acknowledged and dealt with. Although medicine still has traces of misogyny, especially in surgery, Health Care is beginning to recognize women as a legitimate norm."

Tags:feminist, gender, patriarchy

Abstract
The essay focuses on governmental representation of women in British Columbia. The central question is "What accounts for the dramatic increase of women in the legislature and, further, has that increase any short-term implications for the broader representation of women's interests?" The paper uses articles and texts by experts on the subject such as Linda Erickson (her article, "Parties, Ideology, and Feminist Action: Women and Political Representation in British Columbia Politics") and Jill Vickers' book, "Reinventing Political Science: a Feminist Approach".

From the Paper
"Erickson identifies a "rapidly developing society, a changing population base, and an economy driven by "industries and their exports" (108) as the driving forces behind the increased participation of women in the public sphere. BC's population increased and changed and due to migration, it became "ethnically and racially diverse" (Erikson 108). Erickson states that those changes have led to a less traditional BC community. She then specifies reasons leading to the raised presence of women in provincial politics; equal proportion of women to men, dominance of the service sector, urbanization, low birth rate, more women in higher education and higher incomes, (Erikson 108)."

Tags:Women's, Caucus, Ministry, of, Women's, Equality

Abstract
This paper examines the aspects that feminism has in common with other political ideologies, such as liberalism and social democracy. The author explains that since feminism also disagrees with other aspects of these ideologies, it would not be correct to say that it is derived from them, although it might be termed newer. The author gives examples of points where feminism concurs with liberalism, socialism, social democracy and conservatism, and where it diverges. The author explains why a chronological way of viewing ideologies does not work, since it can be argued, for example, that feminism has existed in some form as long as women have been considered to be inferior to men. The paper concludes that even with their inherent contradictions, feminism, conservatism, and social democracy all have common aspects, though none of them can lay claim to being the precursor of another.

From the Paper
"Feminists view the right to choose as very individualistic, and the philosophy behind it is that they think that women have the right to choose what to do with their bodies. Any government regulation that attempts to regulate what a person does with their body, in the view of feminists, oversteps what governments should be allowed to do. Pro-choice advocates are very similar to liberalists in that they feel as though their own reason and their ability to take rational actions should not be disrespected. This is the ultimate goal and most important aspect of liberalism: "Individuals are assumed to be capable of using reason and taking rational actions in pursuit of their interests" (Mintz et al, 2008)."

Tags:society slogan empiricism, free market, contradiction viewpoint motherhood domination

Abstract
The writer discusses whether or not the Criminal Justice System is gender blind, whether males or females are favored by any inherent gender bias, and what an appropriate level of gender bias is for the justice system. The paper cites particular cases and sources that illustrate both sides of the argument.

From the Paper
"The blindfold worn by the Lady Justice signifies the impartiality aspired to by the criminal justice system. Ideally, the courts should treat each person before it equally, in a manner blind to any distinguishing features. In reality, our criminal justice system takes into account many distinguishing features of defendants placed within its boundaries. A defendant's age determines whether they will be tried as an adult or juvenile, a determination that brings with it many differences in sentencing options. A defendant's socio-economic status can be seen as determining the quality of legal counsel available, and can also influence sentencing in cases where resources provide better treatment options. While many would like to argue that a person's race does not impact the criminal justice process, studies have confirmed otherwise, finding that the race of the offender and of the victim does play a role in sentencing (Kleck, 1981; Glaeser et al., 2000). Thus, when it is asked whether or not justice is 'gender-blind,' it is not surprising to find out that it is not. Research has consistently found a sex effect operating within the justice system (Daly, 1995). Theorists have offered different explanations for this sex effect, often citing the patriarchal paternalism prevalent in all aspects of modern Western societies (Bernat, 2001; Gilbert, 2001; Daly, 1999). Beyond determining what the sex effects are, and why they may exist, the important question is whether or not justice should be gender blind. The possibility exists that gender disparities in sentencing are simply reflective of actual gender differences within society and therefore, warranted. This paper will provide an overview of the support showing that justice is not gender-blind, the competing explanations for gender biases, and the debate over whether gender bias is warranted as a method of reflecting the actual differences between the genders."

Tags:action, affirmative, bias, discrimination, feminism

Abstract
Feminism is a consciousness of the oppression that women face because they are women. This paper examines how the experience of women during the late sixties and seventies, shows that important reforms took place throughout the 20th century resulting in the elimination of barriers in law and custom that had denied women the freedom to pursue their own dreams. It discusses how feminism brought a toppling of ancient barriers to women in the professions and support for a whole series of freedoms in personal behaviour that had not been permitted before.

From the Paper
"Consciousness-raising has brought about the changes that liberated women from their housewife role. Before this occurred women learned that truly feminine women do not want careers, higher education, political rights, the independence and the opportunities that the old-fashioned feminist fought for. As a result in the sixties, this attitude changed. Women were no longer gaining the fulfillment that they thought they would receive as a housewife. They looked towards other venues to establish their fulfillment and their desires."

Tags:equality, career, sex, domestic, violence

Abstract
Using symbolic theory and identity theory, this paper describes the internalization of symbols portrayed in the sexual consumerist culture and looks how these unattainable standards make self-verification near impossible. Self-verification--a matching of self perception and perceived identity standards--is a crucial part of one's self-esteem. The inability to feel we've attained the society standards creates a disturbance in our cognition and makes us feel incompetent and unworthy. This paper looks behind the production of fashion magazines and what implications these consumerism-driven values have on today's young women's self-esteem.

Outline:
Sexuality & Consumerism
Symbolic Interaction with Identity
Behind the Production of Fashion Magazines
Internalization of Identity Standards in Magazines
Implications of Low Self-Esteem
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Self-esteem plays an important role in both our cognition and behavior. As Cast & Burke (2002) suggest that self-esteem serves as a self-motive directing our behavior; to an extent where we could be creating opportunity structures or social contexts that allow self-verification. Young women are at their transition phase in entering womanhood. They are unattached to major life demands, still exploring in the field of romance and sex, finding their identity. This explorative stage leaves their self-esteem and identity particularly vulnerable especially when they are the targets of the consumerist market. Sexual consumerism projects certain values that symbolically interact with young women's identity; and in turn has an effect on their self esteem. There are two main values in the contemporary brand of "femininity": being sexually seductive and attainment of physical beauty."

Tags:femininity, beauty, image, media, fashion, magazines