sexual orientation gender identity racialization indigeneity ability format H u m a n i t i e s

Summary:

Using the knowledge you’ve gained over the course of the term from the readings, lectures, and discussion; the SPARK modules and previous assignments; and, the topic, format, and notes listed below create a thesis statement as if you were writing an essay. Note: your thesis statement should explicitly follow the format below.

Topic (note this topic will be used for several upcoming assignments)

Using one of the following contexts, explain how sexuality is socially constructed.

Sexual orientation

Gender identity

Racialization

• Indigeneity
• Ability
• Format and Notes
• The thesis is usually considered the most important sentence of your essay because it outlines the central purpose of your essay in one place. A good thesis statement will link the subject of an essay with a controlling idea/main argument, as well as outline what supporting arguments/evidence will be addressed in the paper. Consider, for example, the following thesis:
• This paper will argue that despite a history of divorce law reform in Canada most women during divorce aftermath continue to experience social and economic gender inequities in comparison to most men.  In particular, the paper argues that women are more likely than men to experience poverty and stigmatization based on single parent status.  In order to illustrate this argument, the paper will first discuss the evolution of divorce law in Canada through an analysis of the changing definitions of equality from formal equality to substantive equality.  Next, the paper uses Debbie Brock’s definition of power in Making Normal to outline the way in which the social norms regarding women’s gendered role in the nuclear family structure their increased likelihood of poverty and stigmatization upon divorce.  The paper concludes that inequalities between men and women regarding divorce persist because it is not enough to entrench substantive equality within law, rather both law and society need to work together in order to achieve substantive equality and change social norms.

Makes an argument and has the following characteristics:

Subject: gendered inequities of divorce and divorce law

Controlling Idea/Main Argument: women more likely to experience social and economic inequities.

Supporting Argument/Evidence #1: changing definition of equality in divorce law

Supporting Argument/Evidence #2: social norms based on nuclear family still result in women’s poverty and stigmatisation

Supporting Argument/Evidence #3: in order to challenge power of social norms, both law and society need to work together