Start Up

2. Start Up • No folders today! • Writing prompt: What is Messner’s basic critique of athletic masculinity as a defining form of masculinity in America? (What is it and why is it bad or good?)

3. While many people might reject some of Burton’s claims, the fundamental logic of her argument works. Burton begins her argument with the premise that femininity is about “winning male approval” by “appearing beautiful, vulnerable, and small” (440). Her second premise asserts that this ideal of femininity is “unhealthy” for women because it encourages them to obsess over their bodies and pander to male desire (440). Burton then argues that most women who want to win in our culture—in sports, politics, business, etc.—play a femininity game in order not to appear threatening to men and subjecting themselves to labels such as “bitch, manhater, lesbian” (440). Finally, she concludes that when women play this femininity game, they “collude” with or reinforce “myths of male superiority” (440). If we accept Burton’s definition of femininity as being about “winning male approval” then her argument that this behavior subordinates women makes sense. And if women who win in our culture do in fact play femininity games, then Burton’s conclusion that these games perpetuate male power seems likely and reasonable.

4. Evaluating Semiotic Evidence • Examples: Historical, Personal, Pop Culture • Expert / Scholarly Sources: • Statistics / Data