This discussion of gender constructs compares them with racial constructs, and examines ways in which language tends to dichotomize or polarize them, and to reject ambiguity as unacceptable. Other curiosities about sexual categorization are noted, including the fact that femaleness is subsumed under the category of "man," which in turn…

Five myths regarding physical disability are examined. First, the myth that people with physical disabilities tend to be more maladjusted than the ordinary person is analyzed, and it is concluded that the common association between maladjustment and physical disability is grossly oversimplified. Second, the myth portraying people with disabilities…

This paper reviews a number of studies of the portrayal of blacks and other minorities on television. Statistics and conclusions drawn from these studies are used to illustrate the argument that: (1) minorities are either excluded, presented as tokens on otherwise all white shows, or concentrated in large numbers on a relatively few shows; and (2)…

Scientific inquiry too often focuses on "what's wrong" and not "what's right" with deaf children, including those with maternal rubella. Failure to succeed should not ignore factors other than etiology, including educational and communicative factors. (Author)

Designed to reveal the nature of widespread pejorative orientations faced by youth in an adult world, the diagnostic tool consists of a 9-item inventory which is to be self-administered in group situations and self-analyzed by the subject. The tool provides a means of measuring and investigating the patterns of coexistence among three different…

This paper relates the personal and professional experiences of a female minority ethnic researcher in her transition from international graduate student to assistant professor in the United States. It examines coping strategies for such situations, including: (1) assuming that most problems have an external sociohistorical nature; (2) realizing…

The concluding chapter of Tom Quirk's new book, "Coming to Grips with Huckleberry Finn," raises the question: "Is 'Huckleberry Finn' politically correct?" Quirk's book identifies acutely some of the fundamental issues regarding how racial attitudes and ideological agendas shape the way this great novel is read and taught.…

Two of the most stigmatized languages in the United States today are African American dialect and Appalachian English dialect. The attitudes many hold about Appalachia have come from the literature written about the place, the people, the cultural life of the mountain region, in general, and the spoken dialect. Arnow's "The Dollmaker,"…

Consists of three articles and two discussions that were first presented at the 1977 meeting of American Psychological Association, (Washington, D.C.), for the Symposium: Applications of Androgyny to the Theory and Practice of Psychotherapy. The papers deal with the definition of androgyny, its use in psychotherapy, and its effect on mental…

Ageism (unfair stereotyping of older adults), deeply embedded in the culture of 20th-century America, is reinforced by television and newspapers. The media depict old people as rigid, meddlesome, sexless, conservative, unhealthy, and forgetful. Most pernicious of all old age stereotypes is that of second childhood. Popular culture portrays…

Discusses and comments on the process of reviewing books for children and adolescents. Mergers within the publishing industry are discussed; the proliferation of books in series is described; problems with stereotyping are considered; various book lists are described; the production of paperback originals is discussed; and the role of reviewers is…

Historical studies reveal that mathematics has been claimed as a private domain by men, while studies of the popular press document that women and girls are considered incompetent in that field. The study of gender and mathematics as viewed through feminism can create a new reading which exposes hidden assumptions, unwarranted conclusions, and…

Professionalization has been a recurring theme among educators since the nineteenth century. This paper explores the historical origins and development of the concept and processes of professionalization, both in general and applied to the occupation of teaching. The author argues that professionalization, viewed in its historical and cultural…

Commodification is one of the media mechanisms that shape and proliferate images of femininity which result in the disempowerment of women and of female athletes. The method of homology is used to analyze commodification, one of the formal structures or mechanisms of patriarchy. After a description of this mechanism, the discussion focuses on how…

Americn society is experiencing a sex-role revolution. This revolution is transforming the roles and status of men and women in American society. These changes appear to be the result of the rapid social changes sweeping the country. While men and women may be freer to follow their desires and aspirations, this revolution has also produced new…