Without some type of societal control, the world would consist of pure anarchy. It is crucial for society to set up boundaries and categories so that people can make sense of the world. Unfortunately, with these provisions also comes a denial of self-hood and individualism. For both women and men gender operates as a strict mode of social control beginning right from birth. Children are read books which define gender into two distinct categories, in children's movies or television programs it is evident that not all children are equal. Men are seen to be the strong, dominant and smart people and women are seen to be the passive, subordinate and emotional people and this constitutes what appears to be reality for children. Through the Logic of Domination, it is clear that society puts everything into dualisms, there is the 'A' side and the 'not A' side, and it is obvious that girls and women fit into the latter. Now, what is not obvious is the fact that only girls suffer through this social control, boys suffer greatly in this struggle for in

Obviously, Cheryl, the 'good-little-girl' was none too please with this. Cheryl was brought up to understand that boys acted one way, and girls acted another, and there was just no mixing the two "You can't be a doctor. Only boys can be doctors. Leroy's got to be the doctor." (Mae Brown 31). Cheryl has taken the social roles that society has given her and accepted them without question. Molly on the other hand does not agree, and fights for her beliefs: "You are full of shit, Spiegelglass, Leory's dumber than I am. I got to be the doctor because I'm the smart one and being a girl don't matter." (Mae Brown 31). Molly fights against the norm and against her parental wishes.

Carrie loved her and said she looked exactly like Shirley Temple and why didn't I look like that instead of roaming around the fields in torn pants and dirty teeshirts. (Mae Brown 30).

When girls first enter into this world, they are usually taken home in a pretty pink blanket, and fawned all over. Girls are treated as delicate, pretty and passive. The choices girls are given are quite limited, and these choices first begin with their parents. Girls either have to conform to their parent's ideals or fight against them and risk rejection. In Rubyfruit Jungle, Molly's mom are forever trying to mold her into the pretty and dainty girl just like Cheryl Spiegelglass:

Helene was born behind those shutters, daughter of a Creole whore who worked there. The grandmother took Helene away from the soft lights and flowered carpets of the Sundown House and raised her under the dolesome eyes of a multicolored Virgin Mary.. (Morrison 17).

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Approximate Word count = 1199
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)