Reading Analysis and Un-learning

Milan Tavares

University of Winnipeg
WGS-1232: Intro to Women and Gender Studies

Professor Allison Norris

November 28th, 2025
I based my selection of reading summaries based on the ideas and concepts that I felt I was most uneducated on. In attempt

to better my understanding of the social constructions of identity and gain a wider perspective on my own biases and

beliefs.
Milan Tavares, Student Number 3190278, November 5th, 2025
Fausto-Sterling, Anne. (2000). Excerpted from “Chapter 1: Dueling Dualisms.” In Sexing the Body: Gender Politics

and the Construction of Sexuality (pp. 1–8, 21–27). New York, NY: Basic Books.
Author: Renowned Biologist and Gender Studies scholar who has taught at Brown University.

Thesis: Sex and gender are complex, separate entities; this distinction is socially constructed.
Summary:
Male or Female?: Maria Patino removed from Olympics for condition called androgen insensitivity/ presence of a Y

chromosome, but female coded characteristics.

Sex or Gender?: “Labelling someone as female or male is a social decision” (pg. 222) / Gender norms created based on

false beliefs of sex differences between men and women/ what characteristics we define as male vs female is influenced by

knowledge acquisition in development.

Real or Constructed?: “Our political, social and moral struggles influence our physiological being. “(pg. 224) / as social

views fluctuate so does the science of the body/ sex and gender are not concrete and constantly evolving.
Beyond Dualisms: Developmental systems theorists deny that there are two processes that guide us; nature and nurture/

connectionist model argue that the brain is more complex; many neural connections acting all at once. Rather than specific

brain regions with concrete functions/ “Development is a process of emergence.” (pg. 236)
Reflection: Reading “Dueling Dualisms,” challenged prior beliefs I didn't even know I had. In psychology learning about

development, I often heard the words nature vs nurture. After this reading I've now realised topics such as sex and gender

cannot be simply placed in one of the two categories. As things such as development, culture, and intersectionality also play
a part in the development and applications of sex and gender. The part that stood out most to me in the reading was the

discussion on Olympian Maria Patino. As a previous division 1 athlete I was astonished as to how a single chromosome
could greatly impact an athlete's career. Knowing all the hard work and dedication that goes into being an athlete, I can't

imagine losing it all simply due to an organizations chosen definition of what makes a woman.
Milan Tavares Student Number 3190278 November 11th, 2025
Anderson, Kim. (2016). Excerpted from “The Construction of a Negative Identity.” In A Recognition of Being:

Reconstructing Native Womanhood, 2nd edition (pp. 79–92). Toronto, ON: Women’s Press.
Author: Professor at University of Guelph, has conducted research on the treatment of Indigenous women.
Thesis: Dehumanizing stereotypes of Native Woman, reinforced to aid colonization, create a cycle of abuse and

discrimination.
Summary:
Roots of a Negative Female Image: “Indian Princess,” stereotype used to justify taking control of the land/ Sexualization

of Indigenous woman to make them appear weak and conquerable/ Stereotype of “dirty squaw,” used to label native women
as violent and inferior to European women/ “Dirty squaw,” blamed for poverty and poor housekeeping/ Stereotypes of

Native women used as a tool to deflect blame away from white settlers and the government.
The Ghosts of the Squaw and the Princess: Stereotypical terms still used today/ Native Americans have had less success

challenging stereotypes as compared to other marginalized groups/ Stereotypes affect Native American women's self-
image/ “Indian princess,” stereotype views Native women as sexually available, leading to violence/ Failure to protect

Indigenous women in the criminal justice system/ Triangle of oppression reinforces the cycle of discrimination.
Reflection: This was a challenging yet eye-opening reading. As a white, sexual assault survivor, I found myself situating

myself in the shoes of a marginalized woman who experiences sexual assault. I'm able to recognize my privilege and

acknowledge that indigenous women face violence within a larger system of stereotypes that I never had to navigate.
Throughout my traumatic experience I never thought about the fact that my identity could increase the likelihood of being

believed, protected, and taken seriously when sharing my story. Im able to hold space for my pain but understand that
Indigenous women are disproportionately vulnerable because of systemic inequality. This reading was truly heartbreaking

and emphasizes the importance of justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
Milan Tavares, Student Number 3190278, November 25th
Rupp, Leila J. (2006). Excerpted from “Loving Women in the Modern World.” In Robert Aldrick (Ed.), Gay Life

and Culture: A World History (pp. 223–247). New York, NY: Universe.
Author: Professor of Feminist Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara

Thesis: Love between women has existed for centuries despite social pressures and is diverse across cultures and time.
Summary:
Marrying Women: Case of women marrying women in order to live like men/ Some women lived as men, to marry

women/ Stigma when they were “found out.”/ “Two spirited deemed a gender category in Native American communities/

Some cultures viewed same sex love as “romantic friendship”, in order to avoid scandals (pg.404)
Desiring Women: What acts are considered sexual not universal/ Confusion of friendship vs desire/ Many women left

record of their sexual acts with other women/ Women hid these sexual relations/ Society historically formed a connection

between same sex love and prostitution

Claiming an Identity: South African women engage in intimate acts with other women but avoid labelling their sexual

identities/ Canon women resisted marriage with men and engaged in same sex love/ Lesbianism as a defining identity

characteristic is not desired by all women/ To construct a lesbian identity economic independence was needed.
Loving Women: Women love other women in many ways
Reflection: Same sex love has always existed but the way society understood those relationships changed across time and

cultures. It was heartbreaking to me that some women lived as men in order to be with women, and others hid their

relationships, being intimate only in private. The reading described some women avoiding labels all together, which
reminded me of a close friend of mine who developed an intimate relationship with another women but did not identify as a

lesbian. She said the relationship just “felt right,” and didn't feel the need to label it. This shows that women's relationships

don't always fit neatly into the categories expected by society.

Reflection Paper
Throughout weeks 7-12 I often reflected on my own life and how topics of gender, sex and colonialism impact me. As a

straight, white, female coded person. I recognize that these intersections impact me less than others. Yet as a woman, the

patriarchy and societal expectations alter my life experiences in significant ways. The video “Sut Jhally's Codes of Gender:
Identity and Performance in Popular Culture,” from week 7 was impactful for me because it made me think about my

relationship and societies expectations of male coded characteristics. Jhally argues that the media and pop culture often

portray men through masculinity, dominance, and emotional restraint. (Jhally, 2009). My partner, a bisexual, cisgender
individual, does not follow these societal codes. He is emotionally expressive embraces femininity, and it shows in how he

dresses, communicates, and treats me. Because of this I often receive comments from others such as, “are you really okay

with your boyfriend being bisexual?” These reactions portray exactly what Jhally describes; gender as a rigid performance,
reinforced by pop culture's idea that “real men,” should be straight and masculine. To me, gender identity and love are

completely distinct and do not impact each other. Another concept that resonated with me was our class discussion on Eli

Clares “Freaks and Queers.” We discussed in week 12, Clares view on how certain bodies are labelled as “abnormal,” or
“freakish” (Group discussion, November 26th) As someone with severe OCD, this hit close to home. Before I was

diagnosed, my parents did not know what I was experiencing. When I tried to explain my intrusive thoughts, rituals, and

anxieties, things that seemed irrational to others, I was often met with confusion or negativity. Their misunderstanding
contributed to a deep sense of shame growing up. Clares view on “abnormal,” bodies allowed me to recognize that I am not

abnormal, society simply has labelled me as such. That is why it has been so healing for me to reclaim my identity and view

my OCD as a tool to empathize with others who feel shame in society. Finally, I will briefly touch on Dr. Kyla Shullers
view on white feminism in week 9. She explains in her video how feminism can emphasize the purity and importance of

white women which leads to explicit racism. (Shuller, 2024). Understanding white feminism allows me to situate myself

understanding how gender intersects with race, sexuality, and ability. Reflecting on my relationship and OCD shows how
important it is to challenge societal expectations and embrace differences. As well as recognizing how feminism often

excludes women of color in its practice. Knowing my privilege can allow me to be more inclusive and see feminism

through an intersectional lens.

Works Cited
Jhally, Sut, “The Codes of Gender: identity & performance in pop culture.” (2009). [Video/DVD] Media Education

Foundation. Retrieved from [Link]

Norris Allison (2025, November 26th). Women and Gender Studies [Zoom Discussion]
White Feminism, Dr Kyla Schuller @whitenessstudies Instagram, (April 21st, 2024) [Link]/p/C6BxlE7rXL4/.

Accessed 28 Nov. 2025.