Bartky: On Shame and Gender

Bartky defines shame in many different ways throughout this chapter; however, she agrees with John Deigh's view of shame, the distressed apprehension of oneself as a lesser creature. Guilt; however, refers to the actions of the person and not her nature. Though difficult to distinguish between, Bartky again agrees with Deigh when he says, "shame is felt over shortcomings and guilt is felt over wrongdoings." Both however are regarded as "condemnation of the self". Bartky gives an example of a class she taught to 40-50 year old men and women teacher. Those in the class were similar in terms of age, professionalism, and seniority. However, she noticed that while teaching, the men answered each question confidently and turned in papers with a stride and without comment. The women, on the other hand, seemed to have lower self-esteem when answering questions and turning in assignments. Bartky explained that the women used what is called "women's language". She expressed that her students were not expressing shame, but "feelings of inadequacy", which is more than acknowledging one's own limits but also admitting to some suffering in the contemplation of the limits.

So why were men more confident than women, when they have very similar backgrounds an merits? For me, I would say it is due to alienation and discipline. The women unknowingly separate themselves from their own capable mind and stereotype themselves by becoming submissive... how women "should" be. Also, these women had obviously been disciplined in terms of gestures and movement. For example, Bartky explains how several women turned assignments in with bowed heads, hunched back, and sunken chest. Women are implicitly taught to believe that regardless of education, status, or qualifications; men are always superior, simply because of the gender difference. This all reverts back to acquiring the feminist consciousness, for the women involved are being victimized and victimizing themselves.