Introduction
Pop culture represents a community in artifacts, symbols, and rituals of day-to-day life through the media. Pop culture helps view gender, race, sexuality, and social class from a broader perspective and understand the diversity in society. In most media, women in media are ideally understood through the male contemplation; the portrayal of gender, sexuality, race and social class in pop culture represents the society’s depiction of the four categories of identity. Great dialogue has been sparked on how the four categories of identity are viewed under pop culture, with great questions arising with concerns and criticism. The essays focus on understanding how pop culture reflects gender, race, sexuality, and social class.
Orange Is the New Black initial release was July 2013. The show was released on the streaming platform Netflix and followed Piper Chapman’s life as she gets comfortable with her new life in jail and the knowledge of other ladies whom Piper Chapman gets acquitted with and socializes with her behind bars. Netflix’s worldwide extension allows the show OITNB to gain international recognition from global viewers. This essay has further stipulated scrutiny of the four categories under OITNB.
Gender
The proof of identity of gender is a person’s inner intelligence of being manly or womanly or a distinctiveness externally or amongst the groups. In the series, gender documentation is depicted differently. Females are less popular due to gender labels, with consumers being key to males than females in the media business. Gender appearance is an exhibition of identity by the person through architects or a figure, such as what they wear, their attitude, jewels, and behaviours. Majority of the characters do not clarify about their inward sense of sex or how they theorize their gender identity in the series. Some of the characters in the series, like Piper Chapman, even though she does not directly identify her gender, portray behaviours that reveal her sex identity (Desbarats). She can spend time in the hair parlour for her hair to be fixed in the series, purchasing makeup and nail polish. Through these activities, it is clear that the gender expression of Piper Chapman is feminine (Schlösser, and Pereira). The series portrays how identifying oneself as a woman gains favour with the correctional workers. The portrayal of Piper Chapman’s character as one who needs helps and weak seeking security from the male gender portrays women as soft and in need of protection from men in the society. The series depicts others characters who are freely open to the idea of expressing themselves as feminine, despite having features of the male gender (Chavez). The revelation of transgender is revealed with one of the characters in the series. The character does not hide her identity because of being afraid of how society will view her; these portray how she receives a judgment from society for identifying herself as a transwoman. The series shows how the genitals of a person determine their placement in prison; this illustrates how society views the transgender communities.
Race
Although the community embraces egalitarian norms, being stereotyped about race and ethnicity remains a problem, where a black person is viewed by society as a threat, rude, and thief. In contrast, a white person is considered morally upright and not a threat. There have been reflections of condemnation of black people in the media against speaking out in public on matters affecting the black community. Race is communally built; the series presents race as a genetic development heavily dependent on a person’s skin color. The series identifies some of the characters as white while others as black (Chavez). The privilege extended to Piper Chapman is not highly appreciated by other symbols of a different race. The series portrays how different races in the society take care of their race; one of the inmates tells Piper Chapman, “We take care of our own,” after handing her a toothbrush. The series shows the separation between the black and white people that is greatly viewed in society. Racial discrimination is a determining factor in pop culture and society in real life (Schlösser, and Pereira). Despite the racial segregation in the series, not all characters agree with the line of racial discrimination; this contributes to groups in prison.
Furthermore, the series further points out the variances in the race. The race of different characters justifies there are in prison, the surface stays, the lavatories to use, and the place to take their meals; the series also spotlights both joy and cruelty within the race (Desbarats). The show portrays how female prisoners in each ethnic classwork eat and sleep in surroundings and situations that executives and wardens have approved of the prison. The wardens openly victimize the prisoners by their skin color, and it frequently seems that the convicts isolate based on race. The show’s convicts can randomly choose to settle for their meals, but they generally decide based on their races (Chavez). Discrimination in the series appears to be an unexpressed law that can generate battles between races.
Sexuality
The portrayal of LGBT communities in the media has greatly been met with critics from different parts of the world. Some cultures criticize the LGBT portrayal in the media, with some individuals being mocked and hated by some people in society based on their sexual orientation. There have been critics of the press and feminist critics of portraying sexuality and sex as objects in the media (Mueller et al.). Sex has been well-defined founded on two groups, the attraction towards a person and the gender of the person demonstrating those affections. Sex can also be classified according to the characteristics of an individual towards other people. The series OITNB presents sex in the setting of inmates’ lives (Grossman). The three theories that explain sexuality in prisons are; the theory of inmates being deprived of heterosexual activities leading to convicts’ same-sex engagement and the deprivation theory (Schlösser, and Pereira). Convicts import communal norms from community to prisons, the importation model, and the collaborative constructionist approach (Desbarats). All the models are portrayed in the show at different levels; Piper Chapman states that “I have a fiancée,” confirming her to be heterosexual (Chavez). The import theory is demonstrated by the bisexual and lesbian ladies in the prison that come with that identity. The social constructionist is portrayed again with Piper Chapman due to her sexual orientation changing depending on time and place.
Social Class
The discrimination towards the minority groups is not as it used to be in the past but is still under the shadows greatly. The minority experience inequalities and discrimination, which causes great segregation between the rich and the poor. In the show, Orange Is the New Black, the social class ties greatly into the race (Chavez). The first case of social class is portrayed when Mr. Healy, an inmate counselor, tells Piper Chapman how some of the convicts will lean on her judging from her background with the thoughts of her being from a wealthy family. The show portrays the minority inmates in prison living in the ghetto and the whites living in the suburbs showing a difference in social class; the ghetto mostly consists of the black people. The other group of inmates, the Latinos, live in the ‘Spanish Harlem”. The show portrays the social classes as depicted in the series compared to real-life, where the minority and people of color experience inequalities in society (Schlösser, and Pereira). Additionally, there are specific bathrooms for all classes of inmates, sitting positions during mealtimes, and showers (Desbarats). The show demonstrates how the rich devote themselves to the life of crimes and take advantage of the people beneath them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the purpose of the thesis was to demonstrate how race, gender, social class, and sexuality represent Orange Is the New Black. Readers can learn a great deal from how the world’s portrayal of race, gender, sexuality, and social class in pop culture. The analysis’s main focus was on the four identity groups—representing the four categories in pop culture and their views. OITNB depicts gender, sex, social class, and race based on different characters in the show and reflects the society we live in today. The idea of race in the front is portrayed through the whites, where being white is a privilege, where women of color are preserved, and their stories are told through Piper Chapman, who is white. Sexuality in the show is complex and complicated. Gender in the performance is portrayed in feminism as the show focuses more on feminist characters, with the physical appearance of some characters giving them masculine representation. The social class portrayal exists of the higher and middle class of people, with the one in the high status being the white and the middle living the blacks and Latinos. Inequalities among the different classes can be viewed and witnessed in the show. OITNB reflects how the society, the disparity that exists among the minority group of people. The series reflects the rich in the world of crime and how they easily get away with crimes using the minority group of people to conduct their crime dens.
Works Cited
Chavez, Michael. Representing Us All? Race, Gender, and Sexuality in Orange Is the New Black. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2015.
Tainá Cordova Schlösser, and Patricia Barbosa Pereira. “Media representations of the body, gender, and sexuality – an analysis of the TV Show Orange Is The New Black.” ACTIO: Docência em Ciências, vol. 3, no. 3, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, 2018, pp. 271–91, https://doi.org/10.3895/actio.v3n3.7710.
Mueller, Jennifer C. et al. “Racism And Popular Culture: Representation, Resistance, And White Racial Fantasies.” Handbooks Of Sociology And Social Research, 2018, pp. 69-89. Springer International Publishing, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-76757-4_5. Accessed 30 Apr 2022.
Desbarats, Carole. “Orange Is the New Black.” Esprit, Novmbr, no. 11, 2016, p. 53., https://doi.org/10.3917/espri.1611.0053.
Grossman, Diane. “Sexuality And Popular Culture”. Companion To Sexuality Studies, 2020, pp. 279-298. Wiley, https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119315049.ch15. Accessed 30 Apr 2022.
2022, https://magazine.umbc.edu/the-impact-of-orange-is-the-new-black/. Accessed 30 Apr 2022.
Essay On Gendered Self Writing Sample
The term gender means belonging to the two sexes. It is the state of being either male or female. It confirms that an inquiry into one’s gender is purely a question regarding the sex of the person in question. Gendered self, on the other hand, refers to the incremental understanding or the extra construct in knowledge about a specific gender. It is the additional knowledge and understanding of masculinity and femininity. The binding characteristics of being male or female constitute the complete understanding of the gendered self. The understanding ranges from men to women based on acceptance and the pride attributed to one’s gender. The societal description of specific gender roles is part of the definition of the gendered self.
Masculinity is associated with a high number of responsibilities. Society has different expectations of each gender (Gerbner, 1998). Being a gendered self as a man describes a good role as a pacesetter in society. It gives no chance of failure. With this, my daily life reflects what a little boy in society would desire to be. Actions and daily activities have to be in praise of masculinity. Being a male, in simple terms, concerning daily activities, is a full-time responsibility.
Impact on daily life
Society has certain expectations tied to each gender. The male gender has many expectations from society. Being a male pushes one to be outstanding in almost all his actions. The societal expectations, along with the stereotypes attached to masculinity, make every man in society to be exceptional. It is a critical role as a man to make ends meet regardless of the hardships involved. The assertion has restricted social life in that being serious has taken the better part. Being productive in all endeavors has taken the better part of life.
What it means to be a male
Being a male is not merely possessing the biological characteristics of a man. To be a man in society is associated with a high sense of leadership. It constitutes being responsible and accountable for everything. To be part of this gender is also an icon of security to self and the female gender. The female gender depends on and appreciates the masculine gender as a confinement of the responsibility attributed to the male gender. Society has high regard and expectation for the male gender (Gerbner, 1998). As an individual, the role of masculinity has to be imparted by societal influence. It is a clear understanding that society expects so much of men. Any achievement I do is a confirmation of what society expects. Significant achievements as a male are more of the fulfillment of societal expectations than appreciation for hard work. In summary, to be a man means to be outstanding and successful.
Confinement to societal expectation
Masculinity in the societal meaning of gender is a result of social actions. The expressions of the male gender have to fit certain notions in society. The behavior has to align with what society expects of the male gender. The hard work portrayed in personal endeavors as a man has met societal expectations. So far, education success has not attracted any societal victimization. Though not fully realized, previous actions and behavior have always been geared toward achieving personal dreams. In this way have met the societal expectation of being an achiever. Through achieving success, no societal criticism regarding gender expectations has befallen me.
Impact on life choices
Society has some constructs for each gender (Gerbner, 1998). These constructs have a significant role in the determination of life choices. One of the impacts is the choice of profession. Some professions are deemed to diminish masculinity. For instance, secretarial is associated with femininity and more of a masculinity disgrace. Such construct has impacted professional choice in that I have avoided the choice of professions attributed to disgraceful masculinity. The societal construct of gender has hence influenced the personal choice of the profession through avoidance of masculinity disgrace, which would otherwise be possible.
Impact of socializing agents on gender
There are four essential socializing agents: family, media, peer groups, and schools. The aim of these agents is mainly to reinforce different gender roles and maintain some gender-specific behaviors (Gerbner, 1998). The media has continuously strengthened individual pride in masculinity. The applicability of cultivation theory has dawned in trying to adopt what I consume from the media. It has accredited the importance and uniqueness of being male. The sports displayed in the media for males are more than for females. Peer groups and schools have mainly headed by males. The societal construct of being leaders as the socializing agents confirm males. Getting married assumes the male father is the head of the family. The socializing agents, therefore, reinstate their own thoughts on the importance of the male gender in society.
Influence of gender
Gender has a significant role to play in the events of decision-making. Due to their masculine nature, men tend to believe in themselves a great deal. Through this, men have low social sensitivity. The notion has landed me in several non-beneficial decisions. High self-belief and failure to seek public opinion have contributed to this. Personal interactions have been influenced by gender in befriending people. Those with similar dreams find a better chance than those aiming for mutual benefit. It would be possible to befriend a business partner than a supplier.
Gendered self-issues
The male gender is attributed to the success and more achievement, which is also a societal expectation. Like in superhero programs, masculinity holds to the desire to achieve (Goffman, 1979). The male gender has made social life minimal due to interaction with those who can add value to my individual personality. This has reduced daily interactions with people and friends in society. It is also a societal expectation that the male gender is characterized by hugeness to portray a sense of security. The expectation impacts a challenge to personal experience as a male. I have to visit the gym often to enhance my personal masculine appearance and fully meet society’s expectations.
The form in which various gender performances relate ranges from one race to another (Goffman, 1979). The notion of a real man or woman will range depending on the societal backing of each race. The idea of a real man in American society may not be the same for Native Americans. The class of the people involved also determines the extent to which a particular gender is appreciated. Gender performances will therefore vary depending on race, sexuality, and class. The reward I get from acting in line with societal expectations is a public appreciation of the lack of societal critics. Societal gender expectations show that men are not equals. In a publication by fox news, to be happy, we must admit women and men are not ‘equal’ | Fox News, accepting this notion is a way to be happy. The source explains that each gender should advocate and appreciate its role in smooth living.
References
Gerbner, G. (1998). Cultivation analysis: An overview. Mass communication and society, 1(3-4), pp. 175–194.
Goffman, E. (1979). Gender advertisements.
Essay On Genomic Sequencing Sample Paper
Genomic sequencing is a rapidly evolving technology quickly transitioning into clinical practice. Sequencing helps to determine an individual’s complete genetic makeup, providing important information about their health and disease risk. This information can be used to tailor treatment and prevention strategies to the individual. It may also help to identify individuals at risk for certain conditions who may benefit from closer monitoring or early intervention. While genomic sequencing holds great promise, there are also important ethical, legal, and social considerations that need to be addressed. These include issues such as informed consent, confidentiality, and how to best use genomic information to improve health outcomes. These issues must be carefully considered as genomic sequencing moves into clinical practice to ensure that the technology is used in a way that is ethically responsible and benefits patients.
One of the key ethical considerations with genomic sequencing is informed consent. This means that individuals need to be made aware of the risks and benefits of sequencing before they decide whether or not to undergo testing. It is important that individuals are given enough information to make an informed decision and that they understand the implications of the test results. Another key consideration is confidentiality. Genetic information is sensitive, and individuals need to be assured that their information will be kept confidential.
Equally important, implementing genomic medicine requires a significant change in how healthcare is delivered. At present, genomic sequencing is used primarily in research settings. However, over the next 5 years, it is expected that genomic data will be generated from over 60 million patients within healthcare (Stark et al., 2019). This increase in data volume will require a significant change in how healthcare is delivered. In that concern, there are several barriers to the widespread implementation of genomic medicine, including data integration and interpretation, workforce capacity and capability, public acceptability and government engagement, lack of evidence for clinical utility and cost-effectiveness, and ethical and legislative issues.
Data integration and interpretation is a barrier because there is currently no standard way to store and interpret genomic data. This makes it difficult to share data between healthcare providers and compare results between different studies. In addition, Workforce capacity and capability are a barrier because there is currently a lack of trained staff who can interpret and use genomic data. Public acceptability is a barrier because the public may be reluctant to accept genomic testing if they do not understand the benefits and risks. Government engagement is a barrier because government regulations may not be favorable to genomic testing. The lack of evidence for clinical utility and cost-effectiveness is a barrier because there is currently limited evidence to show that genomic testing is clinically useful or cost-effective.
Ethical and legislative issues are a barrier because there are ethical concerns about genomic testing, and current legislation may not be favorable to genomic testing. Despite the challenges, the rapid transition of genomic sequencing into clinical practice provides many benefits for patients. Genomic information is used to diagnose and treat various diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and inherited conditions. In the future, genomic medicine will likely become even more commonplace as more evidence of its clinical utility emerges, and the technology becomes more accessible.
Reference
Stark, Z., Dolman, L., Manolio, T. A., Ozenberger, B., Hill, S. L., Caulfied, M. J., … & North, K. N. (2019). Integrating genomics into healthcare: a global responsibility. The American Journal of Human Genetics, 104(1), 13-20.