A Level Sociology OCR Practice Exam

What does Jackson (2006) suggest about femininity in relation to laddism?

1. Femininity is encouraged and celebrated

2. Femininity is viewed positively by society

3. Femininity is looked down upon as part of laddism

4. Femininity is becoming irrelevant

The correct answer is: Femininity is looked down upon as part of laddism

Jackson (2006) highlights that femininity is often viewed negatively within the context of laddism. This perspective on femininity is rooted in the broader cultural discourse surrounding laddism, which is characterized by a celebration of male behaviors that often reject traditional notions of femininity. Laddism promotes a masculine identity that both marginalizes and devalues femininity, implying that traits associated with traditional femininity, such as vulnerability or emotional expressiveness, are less desirable. Thus, within this framework, femininity is criticized and not embraced, making the understanding of how laddism interacts with societal views on gender crucial for comprehending the implications for women's roles and identity in contemporary culture. Other choices misinterpret Jackson's analysis. The idea that femininity is encouraged or celebrated runs counter to the critique of laddism, while suggesting that femininity is viewed positively overlooks the definitively negative lens through which it is analyzed in this context. The notion of femininity becoming irrelevant does not reflect the ongoing debates about gender roles that Jackson addresses, particularly how femininity is still very much a topic of discussion and contention within societal frameworks influenced by laddism.