Research Paper Option: The Secret World of Sugar Babies & Sugar Daddies
60 Minutes : Secret World of Sugar Babies
Increasingly, many young women have either become, or are trying to be, “sugar babies” for various reasons. Their ambition is for a sweet life of pampered luxury or help for moving to their next stage in life (e.g. college tuition, career networking, saving to start a business)- all paid for by older men. But as reporter Sarah Abo finds out, it’s important to read between the lines. And that leads to a very important question: is this phenomenon about empowering women or exploiting them?
Research Papers must reference course materials and at least one external peer reviewed journal article per question set using APA style. Your Research Papers should be 9-12 pages (not including the required reference page or optional title page); this is typically what would be required to ensure your paper is comprehensive and has a depth of analysis outline in the grading criteria. Your paper should have a maximum of 1-inch margins, Times New Roman Font size 12, and in Microsoft word format. Review the ASSIGNMENTS INFORMATION- RESEARCH PAPER section of the course. Research Papers are to be submitted by 11pm of the posted due date.
Please note that there are a total of three sets of questions you must answer (see below); each set is on a specific topic we covered in the class and contains three questions. Answer the first two questions in each set of topic area questions listed below drawing from the course readings. Then answer the third question in each set using a peer reviewed article you find on your own; this means you will have to use a total of three different external peer reviewed articles. Review the ASSIGNMENTS INFORMATION- RESEARCH PAPER INFORMATION and RESEARCH PAPER EXAMPLES folder for more details.
Watch the following:
Required Research Paper Questions
1. Power & Privilege
Review the textbook research on the ambivalent sexism; discuss in detail how any two of these research findings are supported or refuted in this report. Consider the textbook research focused on what’s in a name- discuss how this research specifically relates to terms, names and labels used by individuals in this film, and discuss its implications. Comprehensively explain the external peer reviewed research findings examining the inequalities in intimate relationships; discuss how these results would explain what appears to occurs between Sugar Daddies and Sugar Babies.
2. Women’s Bodies
Review the textbook research on the Beauty Matters; discuss in detail how any two of these research findings are supported or refuted in this report. Pulling from the textbook research focused on Why Does Objectification Occur discuss how it is supported and refuted by assertions made in this report. Drawing upon external peer reviewed research that examines the benefits of beauty for economic gain or benefits (e.g. higher salary, quid pro quo), explain the short and long term implications of these findings for Sugar Babies.
3. Sexuality and Sexualization
Consider the textbook research examining Sexualization- Selling Women’s Bodies and Sex Work; discuss how any findings would explain the dynamics occurring in some of the Sugar Daddy/ Sugar Baby relationships presented in this report. Discuss in detail how the textbook research focused on the sexual agency are or are not applicable to the Sugar Babies’ experiences. Find an external peer reviewed research study that examines consensual sex work among legal adults; discuss how it may support or refute any two assertions presented in the video.
Instructions:
Structure of the paper. The paper should be double-spaced. It should be around a minimum 9 to maximum 12 pages, NOT including a required reference page. You are not penalized for writing less or more- this is just a guideline to help you understand how comprehensive your answers should be. Put your name, panther ID, Paper title and date (single- spaced) in the top left corner. Set up a separate reference page at the end. A title page and abstract is not required, and they will not count toward the page/ word total. The margins should be no more than 1 inch (do not use wider margins or tab after numbering the question; that just highlights that you are trying to take up space). The font should be Times New Roman and no larger than size 12. The paper must be submitted using Microsoft word; wpd, txt or other formats will not be accepted. Please see the provided examples of a guide on how to set up your research paper.
Answer what is being asked. To answer each question, just put the number and the response. DO NOT rewrite the question or put a lead in discussion, abstract or introduction. DO NOT use first person or a conversational style. DO NOT include personal opinion or content beyond the course or peer reviewed research. This is an academic paper and should be approached as such. This will be considered evidence of not following instructions.
Provide analysis. For every question (this means the three questions within question sets numbered 1, 2 and 3; total of 9 questions) you need to begin by clearly defining the concept/ term being asked about. This means not only do you cite the one or two sentence definition from the text, but go further and fully explain the concept using your own words. Fully illustrate what the concept/ term is and its broad application in society or various contexts.
Apply concepts to content. After you have provided a comprehensive definition, then illustrate its application to the video/ article assigned with this Research Paper. Discuss the evidence in this video/ clip that does or does not support the term/ concepts meaning as outlined in the textbook research. Be sure to fully explain how the content you selected from the video/ article supports or refutes the research outlined in the textbook or peer reviewed articles. Do not simply give the example without linking it to the research you have put forth.
Integrate external research. For the question that asks about the external/ peer reviewed research, you must include an article that comes from a peer reviewed journal outside of the course. For information about finding peer reviewed journals go to RESEARCH RESOURCES in the RESEARCH PAPER section of the course.
Once you have found an article that directly relates to the questions being asked, illustrate how the research findings in the article support or refute the question. This means that you must outline the research study focus and findings. What did the study do, who were the subjects and what did they find? This should be clearly spelled out and integrated into your answer. Just providing an overview of the abstract is not enough. Integrate the research study findings with the examples you are using. Clearly show the applicability of the study is in terms of further explaining what is happening in the video/article. Discuss these findings in the context of the question being asked; this means that you must link your answer to the broader question.
Review your paper. Be sure to check your paper for grammatical and spelling errors once you are finished. Also, be sure that you have used APA style correctly. APA style guides have been provided for you in the RESEARCH RESOURCES file located in the RESEARCH PAPER section of the course. Also, ensure your paper is reflective of your own work. If an assignment is more than 15% copied as shown by Turnitin.com- including if it is properly cited- students will automatically be given a zero on this assignment AND will have an additional 10 points deducted from their total grade (equivalent of the extra credit total).
Class textbook:
Psychology of Women and Gender (First Edition)
Miriam Liss; Kate Richmond; Mindy J. Erchull
make reference to the textbook.
