MUTED GROUP THEORY

CREATORS & RESEARCHERS

Originally researched by social anthropologists Edwin and Shirley Ardener.

ASSUMPTIONS
Women perceive the world differently than men because of women and men's different experiences and activities rooted in the division of labor.

ASSUMPTIONS
Because of their political dominance, men's system of perception is dominant, impeding the free expression of women's alternative models of the world.

ASSUMPTIONS
In order to participate in society, women must transform their own models in terms of the received male system of expression.

MUTED & DOMINANT GROUPS

The focus of MGT had been on women as a muted group and men as the dominant group in our culture. Other muted groups have been identified as: minorities, elderly,

homosexuals and lower class.

Dominant group- the group that has hold of the power in a given culture. The dominant group in todays society is usually Euro/American

male, heterosexual, able-bodied, youthful, upper class, and typically Christian.

WAYS OF SILENCING
Ridicule: Men have labeled women's talk as chattering, gossiping, nagging, and whining. Harassment Rituals: The typical wedding ceremony has been said to advocate that women are subordinate to men. Control: Women's opinions and decisions are often disregarded .

RESISTANCE
Name or point out the silencing strategies Celebrate womens disclosure Create new language for gender related experiences Avoid or negatively display

current gender language

CLIPS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTBSYSmUiBE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z6ks8Z0X20&list=PLE0C0 8F6092967A01 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CWMCt35oFY&list=PLE0 C08F6092967A01