PSYC 300 1st Edition Lecture 15Outline of Last Lecture I. Gender AwarenessII. Gender variant vs. Sexual OrientationIII. MenstruationIV. Menstruation PainV. Cultural Attitudes Toward MenstruationVI. Cultural MessagesOutline of Current Lecture- Continuation of Chapter 7Current Lecture- Gender Awarenesso Maroon weekly’s portrayal of women in spring breako A+ tutoring-getting cleavage with tutoringo 15 video games that pass the Bechdel test - Menstrual Distress vs. Joyo Menstrual joy: experience of menstrual period as self-affirming, creative, pleasurable, and signifying fertility o Completion of “menstrual joy questionnaire” before a menstrual distress questionnaire associated with reporting lower distress and more favorable attitudes toward menstruation (e.g., Chrisler et al., 1994)o Positive aspects of menstruation do not generate media publicity or further research- The Premenstrual Syndromeo Symptoms – over 300, defined differently by different researchers, practitionerso Psychological reactions –vary o Controversy Katrina Dalton (1953): reduced progesterone vs. Joan Chrisler – PMS is a myth; believes it encourages women to view themselves as having a cynical illness- Believes PMS is a culture-bound syndrome- PMDD Controversyo What is it? Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder 3 – 9% of women experience severe PMS; - Severity disrupts daily routine Listed in DSM-IV (1994) as “depressive disorder not otherwise specified”- For at least 6 of the last 12 menstrual cycles moderate to severe symptoms ofdepression and anxiety are present for most of the time during the last week of the premenstrual phase and remit within a few days of the onset of menstruation. o Does it exist? Some researchers determine it is a distinct clinical entity Some psychologists say there is no evidence it exists- The same symptoms in men would be normal but are viewed as a mental disorder in women- Stigmatizes women as mentally ill and covers up the real reason for women’s anguish- Undermines women’s self-concepts and feeds into the stereotypes about women- Preventing Pregnancy: Contraceptiono Most societies regulate women’s right to have or not have children through laws (abortion, birth control)o Reasons why a women want to control fertility Health—women could be in constant state of pregnancy/lactation for 20+ years- Dangers of childbirth Social responsibility—large #, socially irresponsible?? Expense Limits work opportunities—lowers financial autonomy- Staggering Statisticso 40-50% pregnancies world-wide are unplannedo 85% of women will get pregnant in one year if not on birth controlo In a survey of sexually active young adults in US, only 25 – 40% report using contraceptive when last had sexo About 25% of pregnancies in US are terminated by abortion- History of Contraceptiono History of birth control Margaret Sanger – “voluntary motherhood” Griswold vs. Connecticut (1965) – legalized birth control- Married – 1965- Single – 1972- Minors – 1977o Emergency
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