Students share folk beliefs that make it difficult for them to understand inequality, especially the harmful consequences of social practices they routinely engage in, are attached to, and take for granted. Four of these beliefs include: (a) harm is direct, extreme, and the product of an individual's intentions; (2) harm is the product of the psyche; (3) for harm to occur, there must be an individual to blame; (4) beliefs and practices that students cherish or enjoy cannot be harmful. We offer sociological ideas that counter students' individualistic understanding of social harm.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BartkySandra Lee1990. Femininity and Domination: Studies in the Phenomenology of Oppression.New York: Routledge.
2.
BeckerHoward S.1970. “The Nature of a Profession.” Pp. 87–103 in Sociological Work: Method and Substance.Chicago, IL: Aldine.
3.
BoswellA. AyresSpadeJoan Z.1996. “Fraternities and Collegiate Rape Culture: Why Are Some Fraternities More Dangerous Places for Women?” Gender and Society10(2):133–47.
4.
CollinsPatricia Hill2004. Black Sexual Politics: African Americans, Gender, and the New Racism.New York: Routledge.
5.
CoppMarthaKleinmanSherryl2008. “Practicing What We Teach: Feminist Strategies for Teaching about Sexism.” Feminist Teacher18(2):101–24.
6.
CorrellShelly J.BenardStephenPaikI.2007. “Getting a Job: Is there a Motherhood Penalty?” American Journal of Sociology112(5):1297–338.
7.
FryeMarilyn1983. The Politics of Reality: Essays in Feminist Theory.Freedom, CA: The Crossing Press.
8.
FryeMarilyn1992. Willful Virgin: Essays in Feminism.Freedom, CA: The Crossing Press.
HaysSharon1996. The Cultural Contradictions of Motherhood.New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
11.
HooksBell1989. Talking Back: Thinking Feminist, Thinking Black.Boston, MA: South End Press.
12.
JohnsonAllan G.2005. The Gender Knot: Unraveling Our Patriarchal Legacy.Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press.
13.
KimmelMichael S.2009. “Masculinity as Homophobia: Fear, Shame, and Silence in the Construction of Gender Identity.” Pp. 58–70 in Sex, Gender, and Sexuality: The New Basics, edited by FerberAbby L.HolcombKimberlyWentlingTreNew York: Oxford University Press.
KleinmanSherrylEzzellMatthew B.FrostA. Corey2009. “Reclaiming Critical Analysis: The Social Harms of ‘Bitch.’” Sociological Analysis3(1):46–68.
18.
KuperbergArielleStonePamela2008. “The Media Depiction of Women Who Opt Out.” Dender & Society22(4):497–517.
19.
McIntoshPeggy2007. “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.” Pp. 177–82 in Race, Class, and Gender in the United States, 7th ed., edited by RothenbergPaula S.New York: Worth Publishers.
20.
PadavicIreneReskinBarbara2002. Women and Men at Work, 2nd ed.Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press.
21.
PascoeC.J.2007. Dude, You're a Fag: Masculinity and Sexuality in High School.Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
22.
PembertonSimon2007. “Social Harm Future(s): Exploring the Potential of the Social Harm Approach.” Crime, Law, and Social Change48(1/2):27–41.
23.
PharrSuzanne2007. “Homophobia as a Weapon of Sexism.” Pp. 168–77 in Race, Class, and Gender in the United States, 7th ed., edited by RothenbergPaula S.New York: Worth Publishers.
24.
ReskinBarbara F.2004. “Bringing the Men Back In: Sex Differentiation and the Devaluation of Women's Work.” Pp. 277–91 in The Gendered Society Reader, 2d ed., edited by KimmelMichaelAronsonAmyNew York: Oxford University Press.
25.
SchwalbeMichael2008a. Rigging the Game: How Inequality is Reproduced in Everyday Life.New York: Oxford University Press.
26.
SchwalbeMichael2008b. The Sociologically Examined Life: Pieces of the Conversation, 4th ed.Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill.
27.
SchwalbeMichael2005. “Identity Stakes, Manhood Acts, and the Dynamics of Accountability.” Studies in Symbolic Interaction: A Research Annual28:65–81.
28.
TurnerRalph1957. “The Normative Coherence of Folk Concepts.” Proceedings of the Pacific Sociological Society, published as Research Studies of the State College of Washington25(June):127–36.
29.
WilliamsChristine L.1992. “The Glass Escalator: Hidden Advantages for Men in the “Female” Professions.” Social Problems39(3):253–67.
30.
Williams, Joan C., Jessica Manvell and Stephanie Bronstein. 2006. “Opt Out or Pushed Out? How the Press Covers Work/Family Conflict.” The Center for WorkLife Law. Retrieved April 14, 2007 (http://www.uchastings.edu/site_files/WLL/OptOutPushedOut.pdf).
