How can theories of gender be used to understand the experience of men conforming to a masculine identity in the IT workplace?
How can theories of gender be used to understand women’s experience in the IT workplace?
What would you recommend to achieve greater equity in the IT workplace?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Understanding Men’s Experience in the IT Workplace through Gender Theories
Introduction
Gender is a complex social construct that influences our understanding of masculinity and femininity. In the IT workplace, men often face pressure to conform to traditional masculine identities. By applying theories of gender, we can gain insights into the experiences of men conforming to these expectations and explore strategies for achieving greater equity in the IT workplace.
Theories of Gender and Masculinity
Social Construction Theory: According to this theory, gender roles and identities are socially constructed and vary across different cultures and time periods. In the IT workplace, societal expectations of masculinity may include being confident, assertive, and competitive. Men conforming to these expectations may face challenges in expressing vulnerability or seeking help, which can impact their mental health and overall well-being.
Hegemonic Masculinity Theory: This theory posits that there is a dominant form of masculinity that is valued and rewarded in society. In the IT workplace, the dominant form of masculinity often includes technical expertise, leadership qualities, and a dedication to work above personal life. Men who do not conform to this ideal may face marginalization or be perceived as less competent.
Intersectionality Theory: This theory recognizes that gender intersects with other social categories such as race, class, and sexuality. In the IT workplace, men from marginalized backgrounds may face unique challenges when conforming to masculine identities. For example, men of color may experience stereotypes or biases that compound the pressure to conform.
Understanding Men’s Experience in the IT Workplace
Mental Health: The pressure to conform to traditional masculine identities can negatively impact men’s mental health in the IT workplace. Men may feel compelled to hide their emotions or suppress their vulnerabilities, leading to increased stress, anxiety, and even depression. Companies should prioritize creating supportive environments that encourage open communication and promote work-life balance.
Career Advancement: Conforming to masculine identities in the IT workplace can also affect men’s career advancement. Men who deviate from traditional masculine traits may be overlooked for promotions or leadership roles. To address this, organizations should implement inclusive policies that recognize diverse forms of masculinity and value a range of skills and qualities.
Workplace Culture: The IT industry often fosters a hyper-competitive and male-dominated culture, which can further reinforce traditional masculine identities. To create a more equitable workplace, companies should actively challenge and dismantle toxic norms. Encouraging collaboration, diversity training, and providing mentorship opportunities for men can help foster a more inclusive culture.
Achieving Greater Equity in the IT Workplace
To achieve greater equity in the IT workplace, it is crucial to implement comprehensive measures that address both men’s and women’s experiences:
Promote Diversity: Companies should prioritize diversity in recruitment and hiring practices, ensuring that underrepresented groups have equal opportunities for employment and advancement. This includes addressing unconscious bias in the recruitment process and implementing diversity training programs.
Flexible Work Policies: Offering flexible work arrangements such as remote work options or flexible schedules can benefit both men and women in balancing work and personal life responsibilities. These policies can help mitigate the pressure on men to conform to traditional masculine identities that prioritize work above all else.
Mentorship and Sponsorship Programs: Establishing mentorship and sponsorship programs can provide guidance and support for employees at all stages of their career. These programs should aim to create inclusive spaces where men can explore diverse expressions of masculinity and challenge societal expectations.
Promote Work-Life Balance: Companies should encourage a healthy work-life balance by promoting self-care, mental health resources, and wellness programs for all employees. This can help create a supportive environment that values the well-being of both men and women.
Training on Gender Sensitivity: Implementing training programs on gender sensitivity can raise awareness about the impact of gender norms in the workplace. These trainings should provide insights into the experiences of both men and women while fostering empathy, understanding, and allyship.
Conclusion
By applying theories of gender to understand men’s experience in the IT workplace, we can identify the challenges they face in conforming to traditional masculine identities. To achieve greater equity, it is essential to create an inclusive workplace culture that recognizes diverse forms of masculinity and promotes work-life balance for all employees. Implementing diversity initiatives, flexible work policies, mentorship programs, promoting work-life balance, and providing gender sensitivity training are crucial steps towards achieving a more equitable IT workplace for both men and women.
