I think gender wars absolutely do exist in our society. Even just based upon the commercials and other video clips we have watched in class, and the existence of board games and video games based entirely around the concept. It's obvious that society sees males and females in different and opposing roles. And since people conceived of "gender wars," gender wars became a self fulfilling prophecy in a way. People expected to see gender differences, and so they saw what they wanted to see. The real problem is that gender wars are entirely a human construct. Because males and females are far more similar than they are different, there really shouldn't be any particular opposition, let alone "wars."
2.) How, if at all, have you experienced a war between the genders? You can reference your own personal experience of pop culture examples that you have been exposed to.
Personally, I can't say that I've experienced too much. Of course when I was in elementary school, my group of female friends hated my guy friend, based solely on the fact that he was a guy. But other than that, as well as all the pop culture, advertising references, I can't say that I've experienced gender wars too personally.
3.) Do you think the war metaphor is dangerous? Why or why not? Also what would be some alternative metaphors that could be used?
Of course it's dangerous. Any time that a metaphor implies violence it becomes dangerous. It creates tension between the "opposing" sides, even if the sides really aren't, or shouldn't be, in opposition in the first place. It would be much more healthy for society to see gender as a spectrum (not binary guys vs. girls), that cooperates. Perhaps it should be "gender guild" or something of that ilk.
Discussion Questions:
1) How should people go about erasing the concept of "gender wars?"
2) How does the concept of "gender wars" influence the socialization patterns of young children?
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