Los Angeles Valley College Emily Martin the Egg and The Sperm Questions

Part 1: Emily Martin: The Egg and the Sperm

1. Using specific examples from the text, explain how these misrepresentations of the biological activities of the egg and sperm provide an ideological bass and rationale for gender stereotypes and inequality? Why do these myths persist, even though the science has been revised? Please properly cite your evidence in-text.

2. How do cultural biases permeate our culture so deeply that they can even skew a scientist’s interpretations of biological processes?

3. How do imaginations of character, personality, and intention of eggs and sperm contribute to the current social debates around women’s health choices, from amniocentesis to abortion to fetal surgeries?

4. What does Martin mean by “waking up sleeping metaphors in science”? Why do you think anthropologists might be uniquely positioned to take on that task?

Part 2: Don Kulick – No

1. Kulick incorporates linguistics in his work. Which word does he examine? What power does this word have? Use specific examples from the text to support your points, remember to properly cite your evidence.

2. What “masculine” characteristics does he examine? How are sexuality and gender identity deeply intertwined? Provide specific examples from the text.

3. Explore the mundane imponderabilia. Do Kulick’s arguments resonate with you? Draw upon your own knowledge and lived experiences to support your arguments.