Andrew Mortensen

6/18/18

Help Received: Notes, see reference page

Reflective Essay

            Upon the beginning of the class, I had imagined learning about strictly sex and various aspects of sex (porn, sex toys, etc.), however that was just a fraction of what we discussed throughout the summer session.  Because I am a biology major, I came into this course with knowledge on some of the material even if it wasn’t as in depth.  After taking developmental biology, I figured I would get the gist of everything concerning female anatomy and how it worked, but I soon realized I had just covered the basics.  Even as a male, the information regarding my own anatomy and the specific diseases and infections that can be contracted was all brand new.  Additionally, I was not expecting to learn about the cultural aspect of gender as much as we did which opened my eyes up to how women and men are perceived differently in society.  The way that different groups and countries perceive gender was a shock to me and was very intriguing to learn about, as I have never studied that sort of information before.  Regardless of the topic, the amount of various worksheets, assignments, and artifacts, I was able to broaden my knowledge concerning the biology of gender, and I feel as if I can apply the different material to how I go about my life. 

            Because I have a lot of friends that are girls and have experienced the backlash of their time of the month, I was extremely curious about the process of menstruation.  For starters, I vaguely knew how the process worked other than the uterine wall was shed and what a tampon was.  After reviewing different assignments and learning about it through class, I was able to get a better grasp on the subject.  I found out that menarche began around early pre teen years, but could begin as late as age 16, more or less and it ended with menopause, which happens around the late 40’s/early 50’s. (Artifact 6)  Furthermore, I learned about the makeup of period blood and that the blood itself arises from swollen vessels in the uterine wall.  To tag on to that, the cramps arise from cramping of the muscles surrounding the pelvic area. (Artifact 6)  On the other hand, I was able to understand the different methods of how to control the bleeding and pains of having a period in general.  Before this course, I knew what a tampon was and its use, but I was able to learn about pads and even cups that can be used to catch the blood as it empties the body.  (Artifact 6)  Birth control can also be used to control periods and not just for the ability to prevent pregnancy.  Due to the continuous release of female sex hormones, progesterone and estrogen, ovulation does not occur and the eggs do not shed, therefore, the period does not occur which can help women to relieve pain and stress of the menstrual cycle. (Artifact 6)  One major cultural norm that is associated with the period comes from the Jewish religion.  After watching a video in class, I learned that it was a tradition in that culture to not touch women during that week of the month, and the end of it called for a romantic/sexual night between two partners.  This was a bit odd for me to understand because in the United States, where Christianity is prominent, that sort of tradition is not practiced.  (Artifact 6)  Overall, learning about the menstrual cycle allowed me to understand not only the biological aspect of the occurrence, but also ways to help prevent some of the downsides to it, and also some cultural rituals associated with it. 

            One subject that I never really learned about as a biology major was the male internal organs and how some of the processes worked, which is shocking considering I am a male! Obviously I understood what sperm, but what I didn’t know was all the parts that go into making semen and hormones in general in men.  Before this course, I had no idea what the seminiferous tubules were and that they created sperm and that interstitial fluid created testosterone. (Artifact 5)  Furthermore, I didn’t know all the parts that assisted with the release of urine and the semen itself.  For example, I thought that the testicles were the only things inside the scrotum until the lesson when we learned that the epididymis was attached to the testicles.  (Artifact 5)  On the cultural side of things, circumcision seems to be a bigger deal around the world in some places rather than others.  For example, in the Xhosa tribe of South Africa take circumcision as the first step in becoming a man.  It is a long process where a boy must survive away from the tribe for a certain amount of time to prove his worthiness after his foreskin has been cut off.  If and when the boy completes this process, a ceremony is held upon his return and he is celebrated for entering manhood. (Artifact 5)  On the other hand, European countries typically do not circumcise their newborns and do not hold ceremonies if they decide to.  Besides the cultural views of this process, circumcision has many health benefits that I was oblivious to before the course.  The transmission of certain STD’s can be prevented, and cleanliness rises when the foreskin is not present, as bacteria and other things cannot get trapped between the head of the penis and the skin.  (Artifact 5)  I also did not realize that circumcision can occur later on in life, which is a painless and easy procedure where the blood is cut off and the skin ends up dying.  (Artifact 5)  Lastly, the process of a vasectomy was brand new to me.  I understood that it prevents the male from being able to produce fertile sperm, but I didn’t know that the vas deferens were cut which restricted the sperm to travel from the testes, to eventually the urethra.  (Artifact 5)  Regardless, as a male, I was able to learn a lot more about my body internally and externally. 

            Lastly, what struck me as most shocking throughout this course is how women and men get treated differently, and the extent at which this happens even today.  First off, gender and culture is still very different between men and women.  For example, throughout history men have always been seen as the head of the household and hold a higher status than women have.  Men have gained the stereotype of being the strong, hardworking, partner in the relationship while women have been identified as the one who stays home and cooks or cleans.  However, the Mosou of China has a very different culture.  The women are the ones with multiple marriages and are the heads of households, while she receives all the money and decides how many children to have.  (Artifact 2)  Despite this example, many of the matrilineal societies are diminishing, yet the idea of men being the alpha male has also declined.  Another big issue in today’s society is the gender gap.  The main reason why Iceland is ranked number one in the world regarding their low gender gap, is due to the opportunities available for females. (Artifact 3)  Women in this country have a higher percentage of economic participation, political empowerment, and even have paid maternity leave. (Artifact 3)  All of these factors tie in to how equal a government and society can make the two genders equal.  On the other hand, the United States ranks in the 40’s for these exact reasons.  Although the US ranks high on educational attainment for females, there are a lower percentage of them participating in the government and a lower percentage with higher paying jobs. (Artifact 3)  Reasons for this may include the fact that women don’t get paid for taking time off for pregnancy purposes and the bias and stereotype that has already been set in stone. Whichever the variable may be, women in the world today are not treated as equals compared to men, however, many countries are making advancements and the rise of equality is becoming more and more prevalent. 

            In essence, this course has broadened my knowledge on many different topics regarding gender.  Whether it is biological and has to do with anatomy, or natural events, or if it has to do with cultural differences that affect both men and women every day, the biology of gender has a very wide range of topics that can be attacked in many different ways.  It was very interesting to learn about some of the subcategories as well, such as the penis museum and the numerous societies that work in different ways. 

Works Cited

·         Artifact 2

Gender and culture

Mosuo video

·         Artifact 3

Global Gender Gap

Global Gender Gap Report 2017

·         Artifact 5

Male external and internal anatomy

Vasectomy videos

·         Artifact 6

Homeostasis and Endocrine system
Menstrual Cycle

Andrew Mortensen
6/12/18
HR: notes from class, videos

Artifact 7: Transgender Issues in Society

            Transgender people are those who have changed their identity from either male to female or female to male, whichever does not correspond with his or her biological sex.  Additionally, transgender people may undergo sex changing surgery in order to fully switch their sex.  Robert Eads, the main focus of the film Southern Comfort and a transgender person, serves as a major figure in the trans community for how he was treated in society, and how he approached being transgender.  The documentary revealed how Eads lived and dealt with being trans, as well as some of the harassment and unfair treatment he received due to it.  Eads would eventually die due to ovarian cancer, as many doctors turned him away because they did not want their reputation to be damaged for working with a transgender person.  Furthermore, the film shows that being transgender goes beyond physical appearance or behavior, but the way they receive feedback and acceptance from others. 

            The concept of family plays an important role in this movie.  Eads is united with a group of close friends, all of whom are transgender and to him that was family.  All of the characters throughout the film do not keep close contact with their biological family as being transgender is not widely accepted.  Eads once had a husband and two children, but does not speak with them much anymore.  Additionally, one of the other characters did not hear from his mother for five years after he decided to make the change, because she couldn’t understand what she did wrong and she did not accept who he was becoming.  Because of this, the group became very close and relied on each other and other members of the transgender community to stay together, hence the Southern Comfort Conference.  Furthermore, as stated above, the acceptance of society plays just as big of a role as family, especially in the case of Robert Eads.  Because he was rejected by so many doctors for being trans, his cancer spread too far causing death to be imminent.  If he was treated earlier, he may have had a better chance of beating his cancer. 

            Moreover, the Southern Comfort is an ideal conference and gathering for transgender people to unite and discuss their lives and some issues they may have regarding the way they are.   Typically held in Atlanta, the Southern Comfort lasts for a few days and allows people to feel safe and accepted while feeling as if they are on a mini vacation.  During the film, some of the characters discussed health implications associated with changing genders, such as caved chests, and obviously Robert’s ovarian cancer.  In addition, they discussed their role in the workplace and what they can do to hold their position and be treated as equals.  One scene that stood out most to me was when Robert spoke to everyone about his terminal cancer and how he felt loved and safe within the community.  He spoke to everyone as if he knew them and they all had a good understanding of what he was going through. 

            In essence, Robert Eads serves as a strong public figure for the LGBT community even after his death.  Eads’s character and strength can have influence on others who may be scared or shy to be who they really want to be.  Although those people may not be accepted by everybody, there is a massive community that will stand by them and will go through the same things regardless of what people think.  I believe that as awareness and publicity becomes more apparent, society will start to become more accepting of transgender people, and this documentary was a milestone for that. 

Andrew Mortensen
6/10/18
HR: notes from class, videos

Artifact 6: Shark Week

            From around the age of 13 till the mid to late 40’s, every woman undergoes the most terrifying week of the month for men: the period.  Menstruation is a process that occurs when the lining of the uterine wall is shed, because the eggs were not used and cannot be replicated.  Blood vessels in the uterine wall swell and bleed, along with the release of the wall lining to create the substance that is released from the vagina.  Menstruation begins with menarche, or the first period which is prevalent in girls around the age of 13, but can vary from 6 to even 16 in some cases. The period will come about once a month (roughly) and lasts for 2-7 days but can also vary according to the specific female.  During the mid to late 40’s and even the early 50’s, women undergo menopause, which is when the period stops and the female is typically unable to give birth.  Contrary to belief, menopause cannot be controlled by exercise or good health, it is simply in sync with the biological clock and happens to every women, whether they want it or not.  Moreover, the period is a controversial event that is viewed differently around the world and has an impact on every woman. 

            In the United States, menstruation typically has a bad rep simply because males think it’s gross and causes women to act differently.  During the period, women get cramps from the tightening of their muscles in that area, which in turn causes stress and bloating.  As a result, women are stereotyped in a way that a lot of personality flaws are to be blamed on the period.  Additionally, it isn’t as accepted as much as it is in other countries, most people think it is gross and don’t regard the fact that it is natural and it is a way of life.  The only circumstance where a male and especially a female are excited for a period is when someone makes a mistake during sex.  That is because the period goes away during pregnancy.  An egg will become fertilized and implant itself into the uterine wall, making the shedding unnecessary, along with the continued release of progesterone and other hormones.                                    

            Because the period can affect a woman’s everyday life, there have been control methods that have been created.  One category is associated with absorption of the blood that is released.  Tampons are tiny bundles of cotton that are inserted into the vagina and can soak up the blood for a certain amount of hours until it is full.  Pads are similar in their material, but don’t enter the vagina.  Instead they cover it, almost like a diaper would, and cover the vagina and absorb the blood that comes out.  On the other hand, methods to stop or reduce the intensity or periods have been created, called birth control.  Birth control comes in many forms, ranging anywhere from pills, to inserts, to implants and can suppress the period by continuing the release of sex hormones and prevent ovulation.  The most popular form is the pill which is taken daily.  The implant, which is one of the most reliable forms, is inserted in the arm of the female and works the same as any other method.  Another contraceptive method is the vagina ring, which is less common, but is simply inserted into the vagina and is pressed up against the cervix and releases hormones.  Besides prevention of pregnancy, birth control is used to reduce period cramps and heavy periods in general. 

            In essence, menstruation is a fact of life and will continue to be seen in females regardless of shape, size, color, etc.  Although the period is regarded poorly, it is natural and can be a huge relief if mistakes are made.  Tampons and pads have been created in order to prevent a mess and to make the period a little easier to handle during that rough week.  Birth control methods also help a woman in more ways than pregnancy and are extremely common around the world.  Regardless of personal opinion and views, the period just shows how badass women can be to endure the pain and cramping every single month for half of their lives. 

Andrew Mortensen
6/8/18
HR: notes from class, videos

Artifact 5: Snip Snip

Circumcision is a very popular procedure done around the world that comes with many consequences, whether they are good or bad.  The term circumcision refers to the cutting of either the male or female external genitalia which is done for numerous reasons, to include: health, religious views, cultural views, and others.  Male circumcision is when the foreskin of the penis is cut off; exposing the tip of the penis, while female genitalia ranges anywhere from cutting the clitoral hood, to fully sewing the vagina shut.  Although the commonality and acceptance ranges between the two, circumcision is still very widespread.

            As defined earlier, male circumcision is performed by cutting off the foreskin of the penis, usually done at birth in a variety of different ways, but also can be performed at an older age for men who never had it done at birth.  In the United States and most of Africa, circumcision is extremely prevalent but in most of Europe and South America, it is less common and not seen as much.  Some reasons why include health benefits and cultural or religious views.  For example, the majority of Israel and Turkey perform this as a tradition and make it a huge deal, while the Qunu of Africa take it as a passage from becoming a man from a boy, and the process is more strenuous.  In America, health factors are what draw its popularity.  Circumcision lowers the chances of contracting different diseases and even HIV.  Regardless, the male society has a much less controversial system than compared to females.

            “Female circumcision is a very different method that involves 4 different types, each of which seems almost cruel to the women on the receiving end.  Even though FGC is practiced in mostly Islamic countries, it is not an Islamic practice – it is cross-cultural and cross-religious.”  Type 1, or sunna, is when a female has her prepuce removed, and all or just some of her clitoris which is practiced in many African cultures.  Type 2 is partial or entire removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, which is seen in countries where type 3 is outlawed.  Type 3 is called infibulation, where the labia majora are sewn together, leaving only a hole for peeing and for menstruation.  Lastly, type 4 is less common and it involved stretching of the labia.  Female circumcision is performed mainly to preserve the pureness of women and doesn’t serve a health purpose which is why it isn’t practiced as widely as it is for men.  Additionally, it is usually performed with unsanitary tools which leave the female worse off than before.  Regardless, female circumcision is a very different technique than it is for men and has fewer benefits, making it less common. 

            In essence, circumcision will always be a controversial subject and has different views from different groups of people.  Although the numbers have lowered, I believe that both male and female cutting will be prevalent across the world for a long time and people will continue to have their reasons and beliefs on why or why they don’t have it done. 

Andrew Mortensen
BI-218X
HR: notes, videos, readings from class

Artifact 3:  Equality is not Actually Equal

            In the United States and many other developed nations around the world today, women and men typically are granted similar, if not equal rights.  However, the laws on paper do not constitute the degree of validity in action, creating a global gender gap.  A gender gap is essentially the difference in equality and opportunities between a male and female, which is reliant upon many factors that simply cannot be fully quantified.  There are various examples that can be seen in everyday life that can prove this gap however.  For example, men will never have to worry about becoming pregnant.  Although it is a way of life, this restricts time and ability women have to work, go to school, etc.  Additionally, history has formed a stereotype for woman that leaves them to be judged and viewed as lesser than men, even if it is not the case at all.  Another example is that men who perform sexual activities with a number of partners are hailed, while women who do the same are seen as sluts.  To add on to that point, sexual harassment plays a large role in gender gap and affects a woman not only physically, but psychologically and emotionally.  The gender gap in today’s society will depend on how each country decides to handle these situations and how they truly value equality rather than just laws written on a sheet of paper. 

            The United States suffers from more of a gender gap than one would think.  Being one of the most populated and modern countries in the world, we rank in the high 40’s when it comes to gender gap.  Many of these issues stem from what I mentioned earlier.  Although women all over the world give birth and have to take work off to care for the baby, the United States is one of the only countries that do not allow paid leave.  Again, as I mentioned earlier, the way we handle natural gender issues attest to our global ranking.  Additionally, we rank high on educational attainment, as women have the upper hand on graduating college, yet there are a lower percentage of women who hold political and higher positions in the work force.  The answer to this issue cannot be pinpointed to any specific inequality, but it can possibly be due to a combination of inequalities. 

            On the lower half of the list lies Iceland, who ranks number one overall in the world for having the lowest gender gap.  Unlike the United States, they pay females during leave to care for youth, and have more women that hold higher positional powers.  Additionally, there is a higher percentage of economic opportunity.  These are just some examples that demonstrate how Iceland has closed 10% of their gender gap, making it one of the fastest improving countries in the world. 

            As mentioned in my opening paragraph, the gap comes from how each country handles the differences between males and females, depending on the struggles that they come across, whether they are inevitable or not.  As for a country like the United States, we rank awfully in accordance to where we stand as a civilized society.  I believe that we have the tools to be a country within the lowest gender gap, and adopting practices of those countries would allow us to close it even more.  Although I believe this, I do not think it will happen any time soon.  With the role of social media in our society, gender gap has become an issue as stereotypes flood the minds of our future and create a line between males and females. 

Andrew Mortensen
BI-218X
HR: notes, videos, readings from class

Artifact 2:  Girl Power

            The majority of cultures around the world, past and even present, are based off of a patrilineal heritage in which the male is recognized as superior in a hierarchical system.  Although it is not as prominent in the culture of the United States as it is in Middle Eastern countries, there are still examples that have settled into society that have become the norm for citizens to live by.  One example is the idea that women usually take her husband’s last name when they wed.  Despite this common lineage of ranking throughout history, there are many instances where a culture has a matrilineal system, tracing descent through the female line, and even a bilateral system in which there is equality between both the male and female.  This artifact will explain the society throughout the history of the Tonga, as well as the Mousua of China; two very different, yet non-patrilineal cultures. 

            The Tonga of the South Pacific was based off of a stratified system, meaning that there were relations founded off of hierarchical rankings of people, whether it was male or female.  Essentially no two individuals were of equal rank.  In order to determine an individual’s status, there were three basic and abstract principles in which rank was decided: seniority, gender, and sisterhood.  This system would split the culture into two groups based off of the three principles: chiefs and non- chiefs.  According to the handout from class, these groups contrasted in their relationship to land and in their roles in subsistence.  The chiefs would normally obtain food and goods from the work of the non chiefs.  Furthermore, the economy was based off men’s products (ngaue) and a woman’s product (koloa).  Because koloa were products made by women, they were considered more valuable than ngaue.  Additionally, there were two buffer groups that separated the chiefs and non chiefs.  The Matapules functioned as artisans, warriors, and attendants to chiefs.  The Mu’as typically took care of the chief’s offspring and ensured that they were raised properly in order to hold the same morals as their parents.  Marriages were primarily monogamous although chiefly men were known to have several wives.  Respect was also prominent in these marriages and violence was rare, however, men were the only ones who could initiate a divorce.  After the arrival of Europeans into the South Pacific region, the influence they had on the existing cultures would alter and conform to that of the Europeans, transforming a stratified society into a patrilineal society. 

            On the other hand, the Mosuo contain a matrilineal society, serving as the last of its kind in China as it is very uncommon.  The Mosuo have walking marriages, in which the women are allowed multiple lovers who only spend the night, only to return home in the morning to care for their kids, while the woman works.  Because of this style, relationships are free of jealousy and possessiveness.  Additionally, women are the ones who decide how many children they are going to have and then it is up to the men to stay at home with them.  The mom serves as the honorary head of the household and receives all the money that is earned from the rest of the family members.  Unlike the rest of China, daughters are preferred over having sons, yet they will all usually take their mother’s surname instead of the father’s.  However, due to an increase of tourism in this society, the culture is beginning to conform to that of the rest of China where households are small and both the male and female work for a living to increase income.  Regardless, this society completely differs from that of cultures with a patrilineal style.