Gender andSelf-Esteem

Week Eleven

Topics

• Challenges to Self-Esteem for Women versus Men

• Problems in the extreme

• Case Study

Challenges to Self-Esteemfor Women

• Objectification (Sex Object)• Cultural over-emphasis on

– appearance– weight– fashion– makeup– domestic role

(mother, home-maker)

Gender stereotypes that challenge Self-Esteem• Women value love, communication, beauty

and relationships.• A woman's sense of self is defined through

their feelings and the quality of their relationships. They spend much time supporting, nurturing and helping each other. They experience fulfillment through sharing and relating.

• Personal expression, in clothes and feelings, is very important. Communication is important. Talking, sharing and relating is how a woman feels good about herself.

Gender stereotypes that challenge Self-Esteem• For women, offering help is not a sign of

weakness but a sign of strength; it is a sign of caring to give support.

• Women are very concerned about issues relating to physical attractiveness; changes in this area can be as difficult for women as changes in a man's financial status.

• When men are preoccupied with work or money, women interpret it as rejection.

Gender stereotypes that challenge Self-Esteem• A man's sense of self is defined through his

ability to achieve results, through success and accomplishment.

• Achievement of goals leads to proof of competence and feeling good about himself.

• To feel good about himself, men must achieve goals by themselves

• For men, doing things by themselves is a symbol of efficiency, power and competence.

• In general, men are more interested in objects and things rather than people and feelings.

Gender stereotypes that challenge Self-Esteem• Men rarely talk about their problems unless

they are seeking “expert” advice; asking for help when you can do something yourself is a sign of weakness.

• Men are more aggressive than women; more combative and territorial.

• Men’s self esteem is more career-related.

• Men feel devastated by failure and financial setbacks; they tend to obsess about money much more than women

• Men hate to ask for information because it shows they are a failure.

Brain Chemistry

• Girls develop the right side of their brain faster than boys; the core functions of the right brain include:

– talking,

– vocabulary,

– pronunciation,

– reading earlier,

– better memory.

• Boys develop the left side of their brain faster than girls:

– visual-spatial-logical skills,

– perceptual skills,

– better at math,

– problem solving,

– building and figuring out puzzles.

• Girls seem more interested in toys with faces than boys are; play with stuffed animals and dolls more

• Boys drawn to blocks or anything that can be manipulated.

• Women use both hemispheres of brain; the corpus callosum is thicker in women, improving bi-lateral use of brain

Brain Chemistry• Why is it that some people, perhaps especially young

women—seize on the most self-critical thoughts they can come up with?

• There's an area of your brain that's assigned the task of negative thinking. – It's judgmental. – It's a barometer of every social interaction you have. – It goes on red alert when the feedback you're getting

from other people isn't going well.• This worrywart part of the brain is the anterior

cingulate cortex. – In women, it's actually larger and more influential– as is the brain circuitry for observing emotions in others. – Researchers suggest that females have been built to be

immediately responsive to the needs of a nonverbal infant

Problems in the Extreme for Women with Low SE

• Eating Disorders

• Depression, self-mutilation, suicide

• Victims of abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence

Good News

• Girls, Inc.– Inspiring all girls to be strong, smart,

and bold

• Dove Project

• Take Our Daughters to Work day

Case Study—Oprah Winfrey

• Challenges– Born to unwed teen parents (mom was

18)– Raised by grandmother– Raped by cousin at age 9– Molested by mom’s friend and by an

uncle– Frequently ran away from home– Pregnant at age 14, gave birth to

stillborn baby

Case Study—Oprah Winfrey

• Successes– Taught to read at early age, instilling a love for reading– Moved in with dad, who provided parenting structure

and discipline– Radio station reporter at age 19– Won several pageants, including Miss Black Nashville

and Miss Tennessee– Hosted a TV show in Baltimore at age 22, called

“People Are Talking”– At age 30, hosted own show called “A.M. Chicago”– Nominated for Academy Award for her role in The

Color Purple at age 31– Started the Oprah Winfrey Show in 1986 at age 32

Challenges to Self-Esteemfor Men

• Objectification (Success Object)

• Cultural over-emphasis on – athleticism– strength– size– financial success– hair

Problems in the extreme for Men with Low SE

• Body dysmorphia, steroid abuse

• Depression, rage, aggression

• Batterer