Environments: Masculine and Feminie Perspectives

For class, Kristin and I presented a discussion on Gender Theory and Environments: Masculine and Feminine Perspectives. I have always understood the male dominated system we find ourselves living and operating in... I didn't realize that this system is ingrained in our living spaces as well. I would like to take a moment to present some of the imformation that I found particularly interesting and somewhat disturbing.

When it comes to men and women there tends to be two specific relationship structures, Collective and Individual.

Characteristics of Collectivists Structures are:

• Focus on the group
• Social System based on lineage
• High degree of separation between men and women
• Status achieved through group oriented consumption

Individualistic Structures are:

• Focused on the individual
• Open social groups
• Decline in the degree of separation between men and women
• Status achieved through individual consumption

Among Collective Structures there is a great deal of sexual segregation that translates into living/home life as well. Men are viewed as high status, pure, social nature and public. Whereas, women are viewed as low status, polluted, animal nature and private. Therefore, men are oriented towards public spaces where women are relegated to the private spaces of the house.

In Individualistic societies men move from the public realm into the house (which become less private and a display for others). Women become more public because her private realm is interrupted. This is particularly seen in the 20's with the "Flappers". "She caused as stir not only because she rejected the traditional female role but also because she seemed to appropriate a male one". This is a woman after my own heart.