Maryland Representations of Sex Love and Romance Discussion Questions This is a discussion forum, so it doesn’t need to be academic writing style. It is mo

Maryland Representations of Sex Love and Romance Discussion Questions This is a discussion forum, so it doesn’t need to be academic writing style. It is more like a casual writing.

Reflect upon your work over the course and the work you are now doing on your final project:

1. What have you learned in the course about representations of sex, love, and romance that you didn’t know before?

2. How do we continue to work in this topic without creating epistemological harm? For example, how do we ensure that when we are writing, reading, and researching about marginal communities to which we do not belong, how do we facilitate a method of ethics? What must we be attentive to? (I advise a close look at Hartman’s chapter for help on what it means to do justice-affirmed scholarship that does not perpetuate violence or erasure.)

Please respond these two questions with at least 500 words in total.

The link of Hartman’s chapter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-RH04C8xMBF-4le09etvWZ7oJ4ey9eJR/view?usp=drivesdk Running head: REVERSED GENDER ROLES AND SAME SEX RELATIONSHIPS
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Effects of Reversed Gender Roles and Same Sex Relationships on Marriage
Marriage has been the oldest institution since the beginning of times; it is the most
solemn union that ever existed on the universe. People have different views on marriage, and this
has a significant impact on it (Jones, 2017). Marriage is described as the procedure through
which two individuals make their connection permanent, official, and public. It is the
consolidation and joining of two individuals in a tie that is meant to last until the end of times;
nevertheless, this bond is frequently broken by divorce or separation. Most of the marriages have
at least its challenge, and generally, there is nothing like the perfect marriage. The intervention of
addressing different challenges in marriage determines how fast that connection will last. The
traditional understanding of marriage has changed in recent years because of globalization and
the desire for more freedom among the couple. The changing socio-economic environment has
seen the reversal of gender roles in different societies. Men are now taking over the traditional
roles that were initially meant for women. Women are doing the same, and this issue has created
confusion that has affected marriages. These effects can either break or improve the institution of
marriage. The other issue that is facing marriage is same-sex relationships among married
couples. While the society expects marriage to be between heterosexual, the granting of rights
for same-sex couples has seen heterosexual couples establishing same-sex relationship behind
their partners. The issue might go undiscovered but greatly affects marriage if it is or not
discovered by couples. Reverse gender roles and same-sex relationships within marriages have
affected the institution of marriage by escalating conflicts, creating mistrust among couples, and
increasing divorce rates.
The reversal of gender roles in marriage has enhanced equality in society. The traditional
roles of couples in the relationship have been revolutionized, allowing the couple to contribute to
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providing and making marriage to work equally (Dryden, 2014). However, these changes have
not been embraced by couples which have led to conflicts. Many people getting married
nowadays have little understanding of the background in which their partners were brought. The
background of a person tends to impact their adult lives and their decisions. Marriages that
comprise couples who were brought up in families that embraced traditional gender roles and
modern roles that support equality often find themselves in conflicts (Dryden, 2014). The
conflict in marriage arises when there is a misunderstanding on riles while a man might want to
be the head of the house and provide for the family, the woman might find the issue to
undermine her contribution towards marriage. The misunderstanding can escalate to points
where either of the partners neglects their responsibility. Gender roles should be clear, and
couples should be willing to compromise for the sake of the kids and the longevity of marriage
(Rosenfeld, 2014). Reverse gender roles among couples who are not ready to embrace the new
changes in marriage might find themselves in difficulties. Besides, these roles could break up
families when both partners choose to pursue what they think is right. The victims of such
conflicts will be children who might not receive the required attention from their parents.
Marriage among couples who have not embraced reversed gender roles in marriage will be faced
with constant disagreements leading to unending conflicts that can break up the union of
marriage.
Reversed gender roles expose the underlying issues in the family who could affect
confidence and desire for marriage. History has demonstrated that people married for
companionship (Jones, 2017). However, the reversed gender roles are changing the trend where
people are marrying to support their partners. While many things can happen in marriage, such
as loss of a job, reduction and income, and health conditions, the roles of a couple have to
REVERSED GENDER ROLES AND SAME SEX RELATIONSHIPS
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change. These changes in roles might not go well with a couple. One of the partners can feel
intimidated once the other partner starts earning more money and taking over more
responsibilities. If the wife starts taking up roles that can be equated to be the head of the house,
the spouse will feel intimated, affecting their self-esteem. The interest in marriage can fade when
a partner fails to accept the reversal of gender roles (Jones, 2017). The lack of confidence
brought by reversed roles signifies that one is threatened that they could lose their spouses. The
society further expects members of the family to take up family responsibilities. The society still
looks up to men to be the heads of the family. The fear of what society can think when women
come to help their husbands when they are unable to provide for the families can be
misunderstood (Carr et al., 2014). These gender roles can cause a loss of interest and desire in
marriage. Individuals should be open-minded to prevent the negative impacts of reversed gender
roles. The modern society has evolved with the desire for equality in marriages. As such,
husbands and wives should agree and accept that either of them can take up family roles without
looking down on the other partner.
Reversed gender roles should be lauded for improving the institution of marriage. All
marriages face challenges and the solutions to some of the marriages’ biggest challenges is the
reversal of gender roles. The traditional gender roles sidelined men and women while creating
pressure to fit into societal expectations. The reversal of gender roles has reduced the pressure
for couples to match societal demands (Carr et al., 2014). While these roles have helped to
achieve gender equality, it has improved the relationship among partners. Couples who embrace
these roles in marriage tend to avoid conflicts and have a better understanding of the union of
marriage (Carr et al., 2014). One way in which the reversal of roles has helped marriages is
improving communication among partners. Communication is crucial in marriage, as it helps to
REVERSED GENDER ROLES AND SAME SEX RELATIONSHIPS
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prevent conflicts and disagreements. When couples are aware that they can take up any role in
marriage, they will be able to communicate in advance to notify the other partner of the changes.
The move will improve communication which will promote openness and prevent conflicts.
These roles have further created awareness of what should be done to prevent break-ups in
marriages. Reversed gender roles help people to develop tolerance towards one another (Carr et
al., 2014). The insensitive things in marriage can be addressed when both partners are willing to
take up responsibilities that will make things work in marriage. It also helps in nurturing a
culture among children to be good parents and couples in the future. The trickle-down effect of
these changes in marriage is the acceptance that marriage is changing and the society should
embrace these changes.
The other issue that is affecting marriages is infidelity among partners. Research has
shown that couples in marriage are engaging in extramarital affairs. The causes of this behavior
vary from one marriage to the other. The most common cause of this behavior is lack of
satisfaction in marriage, revenge to a cheating spouse, and marriage breakdown (Rosenfeld,
2014). While infidelity can be easy to find out, infidelity in a same-sex relationship might go
unnoticed for long. Partners are now engaging in extramarital affairs through same-sex
relationship. At first, the issue might not be serious since marriage is thought to of persons with
straight sexual orientation. However, couples are hiding through marriages by engaging in samesex affairs with other partners. Same-sex relationships among heterosexual partners are ruining
marriages (Rosenfeld, 2014). It is easier for such couples to lose any interest in marriage when
they are involved in such affairs. These kinds of behaviors can push couples out of marriage.
Same-sex relationships lead to divorce in marriage. When one partner finds out the spouse has an
extramarital affair with a person of the same sex, they easily get offended why the partner would
REVERSED GENDER ROLES AND SAME SEX RELATIONSHIPS
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choose to cheat with a same-sex partner. Homosexuality ruins the sanctity of marriage and
pushes marriage to a point where couples cannot reconcile their differences. The pain of betrayal
is unforgivable and will last for a long-time preventing couples from solving the issues that arise
from such relationships. Engaging in an extramarital affair involving same-sex partners has
caused divorce among many families globally. Besides, the behavior leaves long-term effects on
the betrayed partner, which, when not managed, could lead to depression.
The possibility of same-sex relationships in marriage is creating fear among people to get
married. The traditional understanding of marriage is slowly getting eroded with modernism
change of laws permitting same-sex marriages (Dinshaw et al., 2007). The freedom of
relationship means that people can get married to whoever they want irrespective of their gender.
Marriage is slowly losing meaning, and people will continue to shy away from marriage. The
negative behaviors that have been linked to marriage in the recent past have created unnecessary
scrutiny among couples already in marriage. There is mistrust in marriage at the moment, and
couples are likely to fall out if the trust is inexistent in marriage (Gates, 2015). The thought of
the possibility that a person can be married but still have a same-sex affair not only sends shivers
to married couples but also creates tension among partners. Marriage should guarantee freedom
by allowing people to feel at ease with their families (Dinshaw et al., 2007). However, the
growing influence of the media and popular culture on other types of relationship are pushing
people into infidelity. Some couples have admitted to cheating on their partners while trying to
discover what same-sex relationship looks like (Gates, 2015). The initial trials create an
addiction to cheating which will see the partner failing to fulfill marital responsibilities. The
failure to meet the responsibilities of marriage can push a partner out of marriage. The focus on
what people get married for should be the guiding principle of sustaining a long marriage.
REVERSED GENDER ROLES AND SAME SEX RELATIONSHIPS
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However, same-sex behaviors within marriage ruins trusts, makes partners feel betrayed, breaks
down marriage, and leaves a long-lasting impact in the life of the victim.
Marriage has an institution that has experienced rapid changes in the last two decades.
The struggle for gender inclusivity has seen the reversal of gender roles. The problems brought
by changing gender roles, and same-sex relationships should be addressed to ensure that
marriage retains its keep objective. The increasing cases of divorce, conflicts, and violence in
marriage is the result of the failure by married couples to solve their differences (Jones, 2017).
Creating awareness on the importance of changing roles among partners in a marriage can help
address this problem. The society should be made to understand the world is changing, and so
are dynamics of marriage (Van Bavel, Schwartz & Esteve, 2018). The awareness will help
couples embrace the reversal of gender roles to avert disagreements. Communication between
partners should be used to prevent conflicts. It is through communication that partners can agree
on issues which, when left on their own, will create differences. The issue of infidelity in
marriage can be changed through the development of values in society. While it is good to
respect individual freedom, couples should enter into marriage when they understand what they
want from the marriage. The changes that occur in marriage can be avoided by having partners
opening up and agreeing on sensitive issues (Van Bavel, Schwartz & Esteve, 2018). Going
behind a partner and engaging in a behavior that causes betrayal should be avoided at all costs.
The sanctity of marriage can be restored by promoting positive values that help society embrace
and acknowledge the benefits brought by marriage.
In conclusion, marriages will continue to be ruined by the attitudes of the partners
towards issues that could break up families. The society is evolving, and members of the society
are starting to recognize that reversal of gender roles is inevitable. The background of a person
REVERSED GENDER ROLES AND SAME SEX RELATIONSHIPS
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influences the attitudes towards the changes in roles. Partners need to understand the background
of their partners before getting married. Addressing this issue before marriage can help prevent
future crisis created by continuous conflicts brought by disagreements. Infidelity in marriage
should not be tolerated at all costs. There is a need to restore moral values in society to prevent
couples from betraying their partners.
REVERSED GENDER ROLES AND SAME SEX RELATIONSHIPS
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References
Carr, D., Freedman, V. A., Cornman, J. C., & Schwarz, N. (2014). Happy marriage, happy life?
Marital quality and subjective well?being in later life. Journal of Marriage and
Family, 76(5), 930-948.
Dryden, C. (2014). Being married, doing gender: A critical analysis of gender relationships in
marriage. Routledge.
Dinshaw, C., Edelman, L., Ferguson, R. A., Freccero, C., Freeman, E., Halberstam, J., … &
Nguyen, T. H. (2007). Theorizing queer temporalities: A roundtable discussion. GLQ: A
Journal of Lesbian and Gay Studies, 13(2), 177-195.
Gates, G. J. (2015). Marriage and family: LGBT individuals and same-sex couples. The Future
of Children, 67-87.
Jones, G. W. (2017). Changing marriage patterns in Asia. In Routledge Handbook of Asian
demography (pp. 351-369). Routledge.
Rosenfeld, M. J. (2014). Couple longevity in the era of same?sex marriage in the United
States. Journal of Marriage and Family, 76(5), 905-918.
Van Bavel, J., Schwartz, C. R., & Esteve, A. (2018). The reversal of the gender gap in education
and its consequences for family life. Annual Review of Sociology, 44, 341-360.
1. Popular culture has a global following, and as such, the message in these trends resonates with
girls all over the world. With empowered women, girls all over the world are feeling more
comfortable with their sexuality, their appearance, and their choices; this eventually translates to
higher self-esteem and autonomy among young girls. Taking the example of Nicki Minaj and her
hit song Anaconda, it is possible to see how even though she may let men enjoy her physical
attributes; she is a willing participant and is in fact in control and is deriving both pleasure and
material benefits. Female rappers are, therefore, able to narrate the experiences of black girls in a
world where black girlhood is negated and destroyed (Halliday). Black girls are taught to be
ashamed of their bodies and their sexuality; however, empowered women, especially in the hip
hop arena, are able to show these girls that they do not have to defined by anyone and they can
form their own identity and make their own rules. That they are not doomed to end up in gangs,
pregnant or have low self-esteem. Through hip hop feminism, black women are therefore able to
fight against misogyny as well as express their race and ethnic identities. Furthermore, female
rap facilitates conversations about positive sexual experiences among back girls. They cover
themes such as black women’s sexual freedom, their voices, and their independence, which both
challenges and reaffirms patriarchal dominance in heterosexual relationships. Black women are,
therefore, able to challenge misogyny and control their own representation, which eventually
benefits many young black girls (Halliday). This is because they empower black girls to have
self-autonomy and self-esteem; these girls learn to love things about themselves they have been
taught by the larger society to hate such as their large posteriors, their kinky hair, and their
brown skin. Through female rap, therefore, the black girl identity is affirmed
Therefore, through platforms such as music which tell stories of girls and girlhood, girls all over
the world can be able to tell their own stories from their perspectives. As such, they can move
from being objects to being subjects; Female rappers have been able to show that female
sexuality does not only exist in the context of male desire. By having these narratives out in the
world, girls can become empowered and take charge of their own lives. These bold displays of
female sexuality and female experiences spark up a lot of conversation since they challenge the
patricidal definition of an “ideal woman.” Hip hop feminism in particular challenges the status
quo of black women’s’ sexuality and in the larger picture female sexuality in general. It shows
that women can be in control of their own bodies and derive pleasure from their own
sexuality(Halliday). Nicki Minaj was, for instance, able to bring about the acceptance of larger
portioned women by celebrating women who look like her in her music and her music videos.
By relaying that curvier women are beautiful, Nicki Minaj has been able to show black women
that their bodies are beautiful, and this has prompted mainstream society to be more accepting of
curvier women’s bodies. This is significant since black women often have to contend with
European beauty standards; standards which are the exact opposite of them. This is, therefore, an
example of how women can be able to change the narrative about their bodies, sexuality, and
their social standing by telling their experiences through popular culture and in their own voices.
Popular culture is a force that can be able to transform society. This has been exemplified by
women in hip hop whereby by embracing their voices, these women have been able to challenge
the prevailing system and fight for more inclusive and informed standards of beauty and
sexuality. Furthermore, these changes have extended to a global scale; there have been increased
pressure for other parts of the world to recognize gender equality. Even Saudi Arabia succumbed
to the pressure by allowing women to drive. Therefore, by bringing more attention to the
experiences of girls from all over the world through film, documentaries, and music, it is
possible to bring about social change at a global level
2. People undertake many social activities which seem desirable, satisfactory, and appropriate to
them. There is wide range of social activities stemming from politics, acting, and entertainment.
When these activities take place, they spark or stir mixed feelings among various people. In other
terms, everybody in the society prefers a given activity or function to the other (Webber &
Sullivan, 2018). As such, not all people will be happy with what happens in the society at a given
time or period. For example, production of pornographic content is one of the key activities in
the society that ignites several reactions and arguments whenever the topic is introduced for a
discussion.
Production of pornographic content is one of the activities that satisfy its core actors in many
ways. Needless to mention, individuals who participate in the production of pornographic
content get pleasure from the activity. Furthermore, the activity helps them to gain a given
income that helps them to run some of their daily activities and objectives
effectively (Rodríguez, 2015). If these activities are affected or disrupted in one way or the other,
then a ce…
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