Wood, Gendered Lives, Chapter 9, & "In Re-Mission" & "The Paradox of Martha Stewart"

Chapter 9

Exploring gendered relationships (close), a number of differences are highlighted. For example, the male deficit model says that 'men are less skilled in developing and sustaining personal relationships' than women are. Another example is the alternate paths model, saying that gendered socialization is the root of differences between feminine and masculine styles of relating. It also says that masculine people do express closeness, but in a different way from feminine people.
This closeness is explored as feminine closeness tends to relate to dialogue, while masculine closeness tends to form in the 'doing' of different things. The sharpest point comes when Wood examines 'gendered power dynamics.' Society has defined roles and limits for each gender in terms of relating to the opposite gender. Non-traditional roles such as stay-at-home dads and female breadwinners are brought into focus. Numerous additional examples are included to show growing trends against the traditional norms.

In Re-Mission

Amy Harter attacks the article by Lynn Peters that women should only participate one way when having sex. Peters calls the missionary position 'a quarter pounder with cheese,' trying to portray familiarity, which Harter calls is an excuse for boredom, which sex is not and should not be. Peter's also says the missionary position is best because the women looks better and is less concerned with her appearance. Harter makes the claim that sex is about feeling good in your own body, so who cares what you are trying to disguise.
Harter's main criticism of Peter's is that she plays on the insecurities of the females; her need to look right and provide optimum experience for the male.

The Paradox of Martha Stewart

This article is a portrayal of Martha Stewart, a very successful businesswoman, publisher, author and television personality. Two mediums of the mainstream media are used to explain why Stewart, such an accomplished person, needs to be married in order to do what she does and to paradoxically explain why she won't ever get married.
In a 60 Minutes piece, Morely Safer repeatedly refers to the less-desireable characteristics of her personality.  The way he portrays Stewart as a women garnering success from traditional masculine roles seems threatening. He also seems to say that if she doesn't have a man in her life, she just can't be happy.
The other media medium is the trash-magazine/tabloid the Globe. The magazine assumes that Stewart's success is hampering her on a personal level (like finding a husband!). Men also aren't attracted to Stewart because she displays characteristics that undermine the power males typically associate with.

Questions to ask...

"The Paradox of Martha Stewart" seems to support the idea that its the media who is upholding traditional roles of males and females. Do you think the media are the main upholders of traditional views?

How much consideration do you think peoples in relationship with each other give to power dynamics?

Links to articles, videos, etc...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,125936,00.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pknw1wh-2-U
-The trailer to the movie 'The Pacifier'.....power dynamics anyone?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSS5dEeMX64
-"I'll Make a Man Out of You" from Mulan