The Vitality of the Binary Gender Norm: The Entanglements of Wine Production, Biosociocultural Indicators, Reggaeton, Masculinities, Normality in Schools, and Water Management

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The essay deals with a fascinating and also topical subject. The topic gender binary norm is undoubtedly an under-researched topic of interest. However, the essay presents several critical issues in its current form.

In particular, there are some things that could be improved with the structure of the essay, both in the theoretical and methodological part and in the conclusion.

The literature review mentions previous studies but refers only to gender issue not referring to the discussion between gender and sex, sexual orientation, how stereotypes are originated form gender norms. Cultural and social context are also relevant in the topic but not relevant in the paper.

 It seems to be more deterministic than discussing the topic. It lacks of scientific procedure in the analysis.

Concerning the methodology presented by the A., it is unclear the case studies procedure. It seems there is no a clear definition and descriptions, no analyisi of the case studies (context, dimensions, etc.) and no information about the methodology applied (dosicouse analisys, content analysis?).

How is the theoretical approach  relevant in the case studies empirical research?

Consequently, discussion of results is limited to opinions and ideas not based on research and clear methodology

Presentation of the results needs to be clearer and more transparent to the reader and highlights the methodological criticalities outlined above.

Finally, the bibliographical references need to be updated in some cases and more extensive overall.

The essay presents a topic of particular relevance and interest to the reader; however, the many critical issues at the theoretical and methodological level that have been presented  for the author/s make the essay unpublishable in its current version and require a total revision and possibly a resubmission in a completely re-edited form.

Author Response

Please see attached file. 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

 

 This article presents the binary gender norm (BGN) as an active and lively concept, through six apparently unrelated case studies. This paper presents a theoretical and methodological discussion of how the binary gender norm shapes itself to continue framing lives. In the discussion, different statements are made with respect to the BGN characteristics that are not sufficiently justified, given that the cases studied are presented in a very brief and synthetic form. For example, in the case of hydrofeminism it is stated that “This case study explored how the present model of hydric management (re)produces gender stereotypes related to the concept of water, which are used to normalize other differences and support the operations of the free market”, but it does not explain how the model in question reproduces gender stereotypes.

However, we consider that some of the conclusions are relevant, although already known, so this work would increase in originality and relevance if the case studies were better explained.

Author Response

Please see attached file.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I find the article extremely interesting, and the link between the theory and critical analyses of cases very well established. Karen Barad’s "diffractive methodology" has been well used, and bravely extended. The case studies are well chosen, which brings forward some of the most important topics of our time, gender, popular culture and communication. The analyses are precise and in all cases go to the core of the problem. 

The theoretical part of the paper is carefully developed, with gradual introduction of supporting arguments and relevant literature, ending up with an important political more towards specific ethical consideration of the problem of research. Thus the paper shown in a very concrete way how feminist theory gets to be political also in a very concrete sense of the term, offering tools to speak about very concrete problems in real life. The paper moves with ease from very general theoretical questions to particular considerations of concrete matters, remaining convincing and highly informed at all levels. 

The paper is an important contribution to feminist theory and offers a model of reading various cases that can be used beyond gender oriented analysis.  

Author Response

Please see attached file.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Authors changed and improve the paper. It is publishable now