So today I finished Eve Shapiro's book Gender Circuits: Bodies and Identities in a Technological Age. Shapiro states repeatedly that by looking at the effects of technology on gender using a sociological analysis the evidence shows that new technologies have multiple effects on gender, both positive and negative.
Looking back on the case studies throughout the text, I can see how Shapiro comes to this conclusion. Some technologies, such as the internet, push the boundaries of societal norms and give people, at least those privileged enough to have computers and internet, the opportunity to find information and to find others who have the same concerns. On the other hand, there are times when technology helps to re-entrench us in the gender scripts and the hegemonic society we have all come to know and expect. Case in point are all the ways people use technologies such as plastic surgeries and drugs to uphold the binaries we are most use too.
As Shapiro states, "the conclusions [she] can draw open as many new doors of inquiry as they close" (189), and in reality, I question whether or not any doors have been closed. I've no doubt that others, more well versed in this area of scholarship, would be more prone to argue with Shapiro than myself, but I enjoyed her text and, as anyone who has read this blog can tell, she opened my eyes to quite a few things about myself.
I think it is interesting that Shapiro ends with a case study that looks at the pregnancy of Thomas Beatie. Shapiro notes that this case pushes the boundaries of what we believe about gender scripts, gender norms, identity, and the binary of men and women. I couldn't agree more.
Looking back on the case studies throughout the text, I can see how Shapiro comes to this conclusion. Some technologies, such as the internet, push the boundaries of societal norms and give people, at least those privileged enough to have computers and internet, the opportunity to find information and to find others who have the same concerns. On the other hand, there are times when technology helps to re-entrench us in the gender scripts and the hegemonic society we have all come to know and expect. Case in point are all the ways people use technologies such as plastic surgeries and drugs to uphold the binaries we are most use too.
As Shapiro states, "the conclusions [she] can draw open as many new doors of inquiry as they close" (189), and in reality, I question whether or not any doors have been closed. I've no doubt that others, more well versed in this area of scholarship, would be more prone to argue with Shapiro than myself, but I enjoyed her text and, as anyone who has read this blog can tell, she opened my eyes to quite a few things about myself.
I think it is interesting that Shapiro ends with a case study that looks at the pregnancy of Thomas Beatie. Shapiro notes that this case pushes the boundaries of what we believe about gender scripts, gender norms, identity, and the binary of men and women. I couldn't agree more.
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