When discussing this term in class it is seen as the invisible barrier that limits women's advancement in the workplace. I have a friend that works at a restaurant here in Lincoln, when she inquired about advancements in managerial positions she received an interesting reaction. The language that was used when addressing this type of position was "he" will have these qualities and "he" will have this experience. She asked the manager why they kept saying "he". She informed her manager about her possible aspirations of obtaining a higher position within the restaurant. The manager asked her if she planed on having a family and children some day, she replied yes. Then the manager laughed and told her that at this restaurant women never make it to higher management if they have a family.
I found this conversation interesting because she is the type of worker that wouldn't let family get in the way of career success. It is interesting how language can shape your perspective of a topic. All to often I have found myself using gendered terms regarding certain careers.
April 30, 2008
Gossip Girl Controversy
The CW show Gossip Girl has caused some concern for parents. Gossip Girl is considered the teenage version of Sex in the City. The show has a target audience of teenagers ages 12 to 17. Although the ratings are high and most are aware of the racy show, many people feel the new ad campaign for the show has gone too far. The Parents Television Council is outraged with the new risky ad campaign. The new campaign is centered on using sex to sell the tv program. It involves two people who appear to be having sex with the words OMFG posted across the picture. When the head campaign manager of the show was asked about the letters OMFG and what it stood for, he claims it is up for interpretation. OMG is commonly used for the statement “Oh My God,” so you can only imagine what the letters OMFG really mean. The Parents Television Council is pressuring advertisers to drop the ad campaign and make more parents aware of the content of the show. I think the worst part of the show is that it targets teenagers but yet the show is all about high school students who engage in sex, drinking underage, and drugs.
What are your thoughts on this show? Do you think that the target audience of this show is too young? What do you think about this new ad campaign and the use of the letters OMFG?
Here is the link to view the CNN coverage about this issue: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/showbiz/2008/04/28/anderson.showbiz.monday.cnn?iref=videosearchDanica Patrick
As you may know or not know, last week Danica Patrick won an Indy 500 series car race. It was the Japan 300, making her the first woman to win a major car race. Two years ago she won the pole at the Indy 500 and finished fourth, both firsts for women. After the race she became very emotional, understanably so, I think. In post race comments she apologizes for her emotions and said she got "a little girly". What bothers me is not her crying and becoming emotional, but the fact that she has to characterize her actions and put a label on them. Now I like Danica Ptrick and think she is a terrific driver, but why do women in male dominated sports feel a need to explain things like their emotions. We have seen Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan both cry when winning championships, both after the recent deaths of their fathers. I don't think they needed to apologized for their reactions. The recent winner of the Masters golf tournament, Trevor Immelamn of South Africa, also was emotional after winning this major golf tournament. NO aplogies by calling themselves "girly".
My question is do we still have to characterize emotions by women in situations such as this and put a gender beside their behavior. Could she have just said "I got emotional" or "my emotions got the best of me" and left it at that. How many of us look down on her, or any other person who has accomplished something like this and become emotional???
My question is do we still have to characterize emotions by women in situations such as this and put a gender beside their behavior. Could she have just said "I got emotional" or "my emotions got the best of me" and left it at that. How many of us look down on her, or any other person who has accomplished something like this and become emotional???
Mother's Day
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1219&u_sid=10322828
I was reading the newspaper online and came accross this article about Mother's Day. It kind of made me laugh because who is to say that my mom would want doughnuts for a gift. It made me realize how horrible the gendered stereotypes are that go along with Mother's Day and Father's Day and their traditions. Why is it that mom's receive flowers and dad's receive golf clubs? Why is it that on Mother's day is one of the busiest restaurant days of the year. In order to prevent mothers from cooking, as they normally do, the families take moms out to brunch or dinner. All of these ideas are flowing through my mind and I am wondering why in 2008 the mother is still the chef in the house. Why do men get to go on fishing trips and go golfing on Father's Day while mom's just get doughnuts and flowers. I think the stereotypes are endless when it comes to this subject. I think Mother's day and Fathers' Day should be a day where we appreciate our parents, in equal ways. Perhaps instead of just buying our mom flowers we should take her on a weekend trip, or perhaps our father would like homemade doughnuts too! I think our world has a lot of improvement to do. In the mean time I think I will try even harder this year to do something special for my mom that doesn't just look pretty and feminine or taste sweet (because of course that is all women want is sugar and flowers).
I was reading the newspaper online and came accross this article about Mother's Day. It kind of made me laugh because who is to say that my mom would want doughnuts for a gift. It made me realize how horrible the gendered stereotypes are that go along with Mother's Day and Father's Day and their traditions. Why is it that mom's receive flowers and dad's receive golf clubs? Why is it that on Mother's day is one of the busiest restaurant days of the year. In order to prevent mothers from cooking, as they normally do, the families take moms out to brunch or dinner. All of these ideas are flowing through my mind and I am wondering why in 2008 the mother is still the chef in the house. Why do men get to go on fishing trips and go golfing on Father's Day while mom's just get doughnuts and flowers. I think the stereotypes are endless when it comes to this subject. I think Mother's day and Fathers' Day should be a day where we appreciate our parents, in equal ways. Perhaps instead of just buying our mom flowers we should take her on a weekend trip, or perhaps our father would like homemade doughnuts too! I think our world has a lot of improvement to do. In the mean time I think I will try even harder this year to do something special for my mom that doesn't just look pretty and feminine or taste sweet (because of course that is all women want is sugar and flowers).
April 29, 2008
Austrain Daughter Imprisoned in Basement for 24 Years
I am going to say upfront that this story is not for the faint of heart. It is extremely horrific story of sexual abuse. It is in the Lincoln Journal Star page 3A at the bottom under the headline "How is it possible no one knew?"
In Amstetten, Austria, a retired electirican has confessed to imprisoning his daughter for 24 years and fathering seven children with her in a windowless cell sealed by an electronic keyless-entry system. The story continues… The suspect owned the gray stone apartment building, lived there with his family, and rented the other unites to relatives. His daughter was 18 when he imprisoned her and she is now 42. Police said one of the children died in infancy and was tossed into the furnace. The surviving children are three boys and three girls, the youngest is 5. The oldest is 19. Josef Fritzl age 73, managed to deceive everyone including his wife who was unaware of the existence of the children in the cellar. Officials said three of the secret children 19, 18, and 5 had never seen sunlight until they were freed a few days ago.
I also just found the link to the story on yahoo! news. If you would like, take a look. It is really awful.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080430/ap_on_re_eu/austria_captive_daughter;_ylt=Aiqf2627r4Vrn37HpUia9zJvaA8F
In Amstetten, Austria, a retired electirican has confessed to imprisoning his daughter for 24 years and fathering seven children with her in a windowless cell sealed by an electronic keyless-entry system. The story continues… The suspect owned the gray stone apartment building, lived there with his family, and rented the other unites to relatives. His daughter was 18 when he imprisoned her and she is now 42. Police said one of the children died in infancy and was tossed into the furnace. The surviving children are three boys and three girls, the youngest is 5. The oldest is 19. Josef Fritzl age 73, managed to deceive everyone including his wife who was unaware of the existence of the children in the cellar. Officials said three of the secret children 19, 18, and 5 had never seen sunlight until they were freed a few days ago.
I also just found the link to the story on yahoo! news. If you would like, take a look. It is really awful.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080430/ap_on_re_eu/austria_captive_daughter;_ylt=Aiqf2627r4Vrn37HpUia9zJvaA8F
Sexual Abuse
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/04/29/polygamist.retreat.ap/index.html
Here is more information about the polygamists in Texas. I have been keeping up with the information mostly because I am shocked and intrigued by their lifestyle. Originally the women denied that sexual abuse took place at their ranch and that all married women were older than 18. Apparently a young woman who is younger than 18 gave birth today. This girl along with others that had children claimed they were adults and with further investigation the authorties discovered that 31 were in fact still minors. CNN said that generally, anyone who is under 18 can not legally consent to sexual activity. So here we are stuck in a bind. This group of people truly believes in certain gender roles. They believe that the man is the head of the household and they depend on him for everything. The women take care of the children and the home. The women in this society do not think there is anything wrong with their polygamous relationships or the fact that these girls are being forced to marry at such a young age. I think this is gender violence. I only wonder if these girls are being forced to have sex so young because of the mens' own sick pleasures or because they feel they need to start families this young. This is also sexual abuse in my mind. What do you guys think? Is it appropriate for these young women to be giving birth to the children of men that are clearly twice their age?
Here is more information about the polygamists in Texas. I have been keeping up with the information mostly because I am shocked and intrigued by their lifestyle. Originally the women denied that sexual abuse took place at their ranch and that all married women were older than 18. Apparently a young woman who is younger than 18 gave birth today. This girl along with others that had children claimed they were adults and with further investigation the authorties discovered that 31 were in fact still minors. CNN said that generally, anyone who is under 18 can not legally consent to sexual activity. So here we are stuck in a bind. This group of people truly believes in certain gender roles. They believe that the man is the head of the household and they depend on him for everything. The women take care of the children and the home. The women in this society do not think there is anything wrong with their polygamous relationships or the fact that these girls are being forced to marry at such a young age. I think this is gender violence. I only wonder if these girls are being forced to have sex so young because of the mens' own sick pleasures or because they feel they need to start families this young. This is also sexual abuse in my mind. What do you guys think? Is it appropriate for these young women to be giving birth to the children of men that are clearly twice their age?
youtube divorce rant has experts talking
This article from the today show web site talks about the new trend for people to communicate via web casts, specifically by making a video of a complaint (most common), or even asking someone to marry you, and then posting it to the Internet. It reminded me of the woman who called her husband out for cheating on her; she did it on a billboard in the downtown area of a large city. The article talks about how this is becoming a popular thing to do, they say that it disconnects people from the very nature that is human communication.
What do you think? Is this perfectly normal, because of the direction our society is going, specifically in the technology department? Or is it bad, and truly making us loose our connection with people.
What do you think? Is this perfectly normal, because of the direction our society is going, specifically in the technology department? Or is it bad, and truly making us loose our connection with people.
A Diet Pill with Some Nasty Punishments!
Alli is the first over-the-counter weight loss drug to get an approval from the Food and Drug Administration, but it can cause some ghastly side effects if users cheat on their diets. This diet pill was approved by the FDA in 2007 despite the scary side effect: if you stray too far from your diet, you just might poop your pants! "The drug’s maker, GlaxoSmithKline, has been up front about the pill’s side effects, suggesting that first timers wear dark pants or bring a change of clothes to work until they get used to the diet pill’s potentially yucky consequences." Sounds crazy huh? Well this is actually a real side effect for going on this diet plan.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19587389/
- "The diet pill works by blocking 25 percent of fat from being digested. Alli users take one pill with every meal, and to avoid an “Alli oops,” they should eat less than 42 grams of fat a day, or about 15 grams per meal. But those fat grams can be sneaky. One grande Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino contains 15 grams of fat, and if an Alli user adds even a low-fat muffin to that meal, it could get icky."
- What are your thoughts on this first ever FDA approved diet pill?
- Do you think it is worth the embarrassing side effects?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19587389/
April 28, 2008
Gender and Postpartum Depression
In one of my other classes we are giving group presentations, and one of the groups had mentioned that the gender of your baby may be an indicator of the severity of a woman's postpartum depression. One of the studies (linked) was done in China. My point of view is that the study showed that society's view of a gender can have an affect on an individuals health.
Men and Woman of the Supreme Court
I was reading a follow up opinion column in today's Lincoln Journal Star by Clarence Page, about the wage discrimination law that was not passed by the Senate. Page mentioned someone and something that I had not thought of before , but I believe relates to this class. He discusses Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's dissenting opinion to the original decision to set the time clock at 18 months. She wanted Congress to go back and revisit the original civil rights act and it's intent, actually I think, who it is intended to help, in this case the employee, not the employer.
But what struck me, as I have read before, now that Sandra Day O'Connor is gone from the court, is that Ginsburg is an island by herself many times. As the only woman on the court do you see her as a token. She gets to speak her mind, but with the shift from left to right recently, is that all she is able to do. Is her opinion among the men's opinion enough to open any eyes to the plight and standing of women in today's world when it comes to legal decision that can affect a whole nation.
It takes so long for a case to reach the supreme court and then for them to decide to hear it, how does having only one woman on the court change from when there were two, or does it?? It just struck me that she asks Congress to address this issue, and her plea falls on deaf ears in our Senate.
But what struck me, as I have read before, now that Sandra Day O'Connor is gone from the court, is that Ginsburg is an island by herself many times. As the only woman on the court do you see her as a token. She gets to speak her mind, but with the shift from left to right recently, is that all she is able to do. Is her opinion among the men's opinion enough to open any eyes to the plight and standing of women in today's world when it comes to legal decision that can affect a whole nation.
It takes so long for a case to reach the supreme court and then for them to decide to hear it, how does having only one woman on the court change from when there were two, or does it?? It just struck me that she asks Congress to address this issue, and her plea falls on deaf ears in our Senate.
Miley Cyrus Controversy
So as I'm sure all of you have already seen, Miley Cyrus was all over today's headlines due to her bare back picture in the current Vanity Fair magazine. I'm anxious to hear everyone's opinion over the issue. As we've learned in the past week, women portrayed in the media have become even more sexual for younger audience based magazines. While Miley is 15 years old, posing with nothing more than a sheet covering her body, what does this send to 15 year old females who idolize Miley?
Even though Miley is now apologizing for her actions, how seriously do we as an audience take this apology? Does anyone think her fans will change their minds on looking upon her as an idol?
I also found it interesting that both of her parents were with her during the photo shoot. Her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, is even seen in a photo along with her. I want to ask where their heads were during the decision to pose the way that she did. I personally think it's terrible to see such a young, talented performer begin an image that is so sexual. Why does it appear that young females in Hollywood feel the need to grow up too fast?
April 27, 2008
Came across a random article...
So I was hanging out over at a friend's house last night, and while I was using his bathroom I went through his reading material (probably one of my favorite things to do when I use a guy's bathroom) when I was reading Paste magazie and came across this article entitled, "The Production Widow's Lament". In this article it's basically a run down of the day to day life of a woman married to someone in production. Here's an excerpt:
Monday: Halfway through a frozen pizza and a long overdue Netflix date, your husband's cell rings. The faint murmur in the earpiece bears good news: a film shoot. You rejoice, toasting Coke cans. After a year of spending your weekends helping him make call sheets, trimming pages, and highlighting scene late into the night for the zero-budget indies he's been assistant directing, you're always delighted when a paying job on a real studio production comes along. Go to sleep smiling.
Tuesday: Begin familiar Production Widow triage-cancel all tickets between now at wrap, rearrange dinner parties, take over paying the bills.
Wednesday: For a month, you'll see him occasionally, and when you're lucky he'll have weekends off, but usually he's crawling into bed at some indeterminate hour and whispering drowsily that he nearly mistook George Clooney for a Teamster at the studio.
Thursday: Go upstate for your Grandparents 50th anniversary celebration. "Where's your husband?" they ask. "Working," you say. "This late?"
Saturday: Weekend shoot. Spend the day on the couch watching six episodes of Six Feet Under, then four of Arrested Development to take the edge off.
Monday: Go for a run before breakfast and pass your husband on the street. He's just arriving home from a night shoo. Smile and give him a kiss. Three weeks to go.
Normally this kind of stuff doesn't really bother me, but for some reason after I read the article I came out and started going off on this rant to everyone about the incredible gender bias of this article (I got a very strange look when I asked if I could rip it out to share with my class). But seriously, all this article does is show how men are the breadwinners and that in order to be good wives women must sacrifice themselves in order to be able to properly care for their husbands.
What do you guys think? I am going too far here?
Monday: Halfway through a frozen pizza and a long overdue Netflix date, your husband's cell rings. The faint murmur in the earpiece bears good news: a film shoot. You rejoice, toasting Coke cans. After a year of spending your weekends helping him make call sheets, trimming pages, and highlighting scene late into the night for the zero-budget indies he's been assistant directing, you're always delighted when a paying job on a real studio production comes along. Go to sleep smiling.
Tuesday: Begin familiar Production Widow triage-cancel all tickets between now at wrap, rearrange dinner parties, take over paying the bills.
Wednesday: For a month, you'll see him occasionally, and when you're lucky he'll have weekends off, but usually he's crawling into bed at some indeterminate hour and whispering drowsily that he nearly mistook George Clooney for a Teamster at the studio.
Thursday: Go upstate for your Grandparents 50th anniversary celebration. "Where's your husband?" they ask. "Working," you say. "This late?"
Saturday: Weekend shoot. Spend the day on the couch watching six episodes of Six Feet Under, then four of Arrested Development to take the edge off.
Monday: Go for a run before breakfast and pass your husband on the street. He's just arriving home from a night shoo. Smile and give him a kiss. Three weeks to go.
Normally this kind of stuff doesn't really bother me, but for some reason after I read the article I came out and started going off on this rant to everyone about the incredible gender bias of this article (I got a very strange look when I asked if I could rip it out to share with my class). But seriously, all this article does is show how men are the breadwinners and that in order to be good wives women must sacrifice themselves in order to be able to properly care for their husbands.
What do you guys think? I am going too far here?
The Boys of Polygamy
While most of the attention on the recent raid of the sect in Texas of the polygamous compound has been on the children and the young girls who are pregnant, little has been said of the teenage boys. The above link takes you to a story that explains what happens to the boys that are born in the familes within many of the sects of the Mormon Church that practice polygamy. Often they are shunned by the larger group and put out of the sect. They are left on the streets of Salt Lake City and sometimes Las Vegas to fend for themselves. The reasoning for this is that the older men who have multiple wives don't want the competition from these boys as they grow older, so they are just removed.
In a world where having sons is at a premiun in many cultures I found this twist very odd, but given their thinking I understood what they are trying to do, but certainly not approving of it. Had anyone else thought about the lack of young men in the stories about this sect or in any other Mormon sects. What does society do with these young boys (often called "Lost Boys") who have no idea how the real world works and how to cope. Do you think that they are just as much victims as the many girls that are forced to marry the older men within the sect and have their children. How does a mother who proclaims to love and care for her children allow either of these things to happen??? Do you think that they view the removing of the boys differently because we look at men and women differently, in our society and also their little group of our society???
In a world where having sons is at a premiun in many cultures I found this twist very odd, but given their thinking I understood what they are trying to do, but certainly not approving of it. Had anyone else thought about the lack of young men in the stories about this sect or in any other Mormon sects. What does society do with these young boys (often called "Lost Boys") who have no idea how the real world works and how to cope. Do you think that they are just as much victims as the many girls that are forced to marry the older men within the sect and have their children. How does a mother who proclaims to love and care for her children allow either of these things to happen??? Do you think that they view the removing of the boys differently because we look at men and women differently, in our society and also their little group of our society???
April 26, 2008
Bicycles
At risk of this sounding like a toilet post, why are guys and gals bikes made differently? What social construction caused this? Clearly it has to be social as if were a biological reason, then the styles should be reversed in my opinion. I tried to find some history on this topic, but have had no luck in finding any reason for guy bikes to have a higher bar. Not to mention is there structural reason for this - I mean is one style more safer? If so, shouldn't all bikes be made similarly?
April 24, 2008
Equal Pay Day
Equal Pay Day was last Tuesday. April is the month that women finally catch up to men's pay from 2007. In other words a woman in general has to work all of 2007 and then through the month of April for their wages to equal what a man made in 2007. It is held on a Tuesday because this is the day of the week that women work plus the week before to equal what men made the week before by itself.
Equal Pay Day was started in 1996 to make people aware of the disparity in pay between genders. The gap is even wider for women of color.
So when Senators Clinton and Obama said that it was about gender(Clinton) and about race(Obama) in their speeches this week about the wage discrimination resolution that failed, they were both right.
I find it interesting that this day was observed the same week that the Senate voted down changing the law and length of time that a woman has to file a suit for wage discrimination, ironic and sad that they both happened the same week.
Why has this trend continued even after it has been brought to people's attention, why do so many think that women are not worthy of the same pay as a man?
What about our leaders do they not think it's important to protect women in the work force??
The link above will connect you to the pay-equity.org sight to show what they have done to draw attention to this issue in the past.
Equal Pay Day was started in 1996 to make people aware of the disparity in pay between genders. The gap is even wider for women of color.
So when Senators Clinton and Obama said that it was about gender(Clinton) and about race(Obama) in their speeches this week about the wage discrimination resolution that failed, they were both right.
I find it interesting that this day was observed the same week that the Senate voted down changing the law and length of time that a woman has to file a suit for wage discrimination, ironic and sad that they both happened the same week.
Why has this trend continued even after it has been brought to people's attention, why do so many think that women are not worthy of the same pay as a man?
What about our leaders do they not think it's important to protect women in the work force??
The link above will connect you to the pay-equity.org sight to show what they have done to draw attention to this issue in the past.
You Are What You Mother Eats
A new study was found that there may be a link between the diet of a pregnant female and the gender of her fetus.
This information was very interesting to me. To me it refutes basic biology in that sex is determined by either an x or a y chromosome from the sperm.
Take a look and leave comments if you would like! Thanks!!
http://www.exeter.ac.uk/news/newsmothersdiet.shtml?icid=L142-4843960-065D
This information was very interesting to me. To me it refutes basic biology in that sex is determined by either an x or a y chromosome from the sperm.
Take a look and leave comments if you would like! Thanks!!
http://www.exeter.ac.uk/news/newsmothersdiet.shtml?icid=L142-4843960-065D
April 23, 2008
Senate Republicans block unequal pay bill
Senate Republicans blocked a bill Wednesday that would make it easier for people to sue over pay discrimination, an effort to roll back a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that limited such cases. The bill would have reset the clock with every paycheck, with supporters arguing that each paycheck was a discriminatory act. The bill, dubbed the Fair Pay Restoration Act, is a response to a 2007 Supreme Court decision that ruled a person who claims pay discrimination must file a complaint within 180 days of that discrimination taking place. The case was brought by an Alabama woman, Lilly Ledbetter, who claimed that her employer, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., paid men doing similar work 15 to 40 percent more. Ledbetter said she discovered the discrepancy late in her career -- too late, the court ruled, to go to court. Sen. Johnny Isakson, a Republican, said the bill would allow retirees drawing pensions to sue their old companies over allegations of discrimination that happened decades ago. I can see where suing to just get more money out of an old employer can become an issue, however; you still have to have very good claims and documentation to back up your case. I think this would have been a good bill and it would have protected the many people like Lilly who were unaware of the discrimination until it is too late. I think that if someone is being discriminated against by there company and they can prove it, time shouldn't be a factor. Unfortunately the bill was only 4 votes short, in order to pass the bill it needed 60 votes and it only had 56 votes.
"I'm hoping this chamber will stand up for fundamental fairness for women in the workplace," said Clinton, of New York. "I'm hoping you will stand up and vote to make it clear that women who get up every single day and go to work deserve to be paid equally to their male counterparts." And Obama, of Illinois, added, "If you work hard and do a good job, you should be rewarded no matter what you look like, where you come from or what gender you are." I thought it was kind of ironic that Clinton referred to this case as a womens issue and Obama brought up that it was a minority issue. I think this shows that everyone has different perspectives and sometimes they are biased to their specific race or gender. I think it is like that because it is easier to see and relate to your own gender or race.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/04/23/senate.discrimination/index.html
"I'm hoping this chamber will stand up for fundamental fairness for women in the workplace," said Clinton, of New York. "I'm hoping you will stand up and vote to make it clear that women who get up every single day and go to work deserve to be paid equally to their male counterparts." And Obama, of Illinois, added, "If you work hard and do a good job, you should be rewarded no matter what you look like, where you come from or what gender you are." I thought it was kind of ironic that Clinton referred to this case as a womens issue and Obama brought up that it was a minority issue. I think this shows that everyone has different perspectives and sometimes they are biased to their specific race or gender. I think it is like that because it is easier to see and relate to your own gender or race.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/04/23/senate.discrimination/index.html
Easy Curves
In class on Tuesday Dr. Lucas mentioned this infomercial on the "breast enhancer" called easy curves. I thought I would post it because I think it is interesting how they try and pass this as a quality product. I mean they do a good job of getting women who have an already big bust size and they have them test the product. We are suppose to believe that because they used easy curves they got bigger breasts. It just goes to show you that some people will do anything or buy anything to try and fit the mold of our society. You can't tell me that someone who has a small chest can change everything by using easy curves. It is commercials like these that try and make you feel bad about your body so you buy their product. At least they aren't trying to sell drugs to enhance your breasts, I'll give them that.
What are your thoughts on this product?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8ur9piNe4fs&feature=related
What are your thoughts on this product?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8ur9piNe4fs&feature=related
Let's Shatter Gender Roles of Parents
In today's Daily Nebraskan there is an article titled, "Let's Shatter Gender Roles of Parents." In the article it mentions how every family has someone labeled the breadwinner, and the stay-at-home parent. The article talks about how it's becoming" more common to see the woman in the family labeled as the breadwinner and the man as the stay-at-home parent. In fact, as it says in the article, "in the last year 159,000 men in the U.S. are considered to be full-time care-givers to children (compared with 5.6 million women who stayed at home to raise their children in 2005). Nonetheless, with concerns that men are less nurturing, individuals raise their concerns over the issue. It shows a lack of masculinity some argue to see men want to stay at home and have a "nurturing side." So what do you all think? What do you see as advantages and disadvantages over the issue? I personally think it's great to see these gender roles switched, but I'd like to see what others believe.
Gender vs. business growth
The cover story in Wednesday's USAToday(April 23) discusses women as business founders. The article discusses how many women are founders of businesses, yet when it comes to becoming a really big company they are at a distinct disadvantage numbers wise. The article states that in the last 35 years only 43 women have become CEO's of Fortune 1000 companies, and in that same time only three companies were founded by women and then grew into Fortune 1000 companies, they also happened to be co-founded by men. Why? Why so few??
The basic reasoning in the article, and this is from women involved in businesses, is the same reason that we see for women not getting promoted in other companies, motherhood.
While we like to think that this is a reason that men give for not promoting women, here is a reason that the women themselves give for not staying in the leadership role of a company that they started, in a sense their baby also.
How does this trend affect women as a whole entering the workforce today? Do you see this as a plausable excuse or reason for the lack of women at the head of their own companies once they have reached the pinnacle of financial success. Do you think that maybe they are intimidated once their company becomes ultra-successful? What kinds of strategies, if any, are there for having more women stay with their companies when they are successful and large, could they cultivate another female for their role when they feel a need to step down?
I thought this article was very interesting as most of us are about to enter the workforce, it is another view into the atmosphere in which we will be imersed.
You can read the article by clicking the link above, or the papaer is also available in the racks on campus.
The basic reasoning in the article, and this is from women involved in businesses, is the same reason that we see for women not getting promoted in other companies, motherhood.
While we like to think that this is a reason that men give for not promoting women, here is a reason that the women themselves give for not staying in the leadership role of a company that they started, in a sense their baby also.
How does this trend affect women as a whole entering the workforce today? Do you see this as a plausable excuse or reason for the lack of women at the head of their own companies once they have reached the pinnacle of financial success. Do you think that maybe they are intimidated once their company becomes ultra-successful? What kinds of strategies, if any, are there for having more women stay with their companies when they are successful and large, could they cultivate another female for their role when they feel a need to step down?
I thought this article was very interesting as most of us are about to enter the workforce, it is another view into the atmosphere in which we will be imersed.
You can read the article by clicking the link above, or the papaer is also available in the racks on campus.
April 22, 2008
Article about attack on woman in car
I found this link on the LPD web site in the chief's blog. I just thought it was interesting and some people might feel safer knowing what the police say.
April 21, 2008
violent cheerleaders
I know this video is not new to some people, and was posted a few weeks ago, but I cannot seem to get over it! It hurts my heart to see how harsh these young girls are. While watching it, the 1st time & the 10th time, I couldn't help but wonder... What did this poor girl do to these girls to cause them to beat on her. Girls in high school are mean and jealousy can make them do awful things. This video makes me so sad, not only because someone is getting hurt but because it is so unsual to see girls act this way! I feel like there has been alot of attention to this video because they are women... men are violently aggressive all the time but dont get this much attention for it. It bothers me that, just because it is common for the male gender to act like this, that it is overlooked sometimes. I cant help but wonder... what made these girls think that this tape would give them any kind of positive attention? And what was it that made them think that it was okay, or that there wouldnt be any consequences. It especially kills me that two boys were outside the house waiting, knowing what was going on inside!! I was just curious to hear others' opinions... and how gender affects peoples' perception when violence like this occurs.
Wifebeaters
The other day while I was wearing a white tank top I was reminded of the slang term for these types of tanks. They are often referred to as 'wifebeaters'. This horrible name never really bothered me or registered as wrong until I started looking at gender and communication in a new way. According to Wikipedia.com "The nickname wifebeater originates from its association with aggressive, underclass males, usually living in poor conditions, such as a dilapidated trailer especially as frequently depicted in television shows and movies. One such depiction is in A Streetcar Named Desire in which Marlon Brando famously portrayed a character who wore one and hit his wife."
What I would like to know is how did this phrase gain popularity with such an awful name - and why hasn't anyone done anything about it? Are there other slang terms out there that also degrade women/minorities that anyone can think of?
What I would like to know is how did this phrase gain popularity with such an awful name - and why hasn't anyone done anything about it? Are there other slang terms out there that also degrade women/minorities that anyone can think of?
April 20, 2008
Dear Annie,
Here is an excerpt from the Dear Annie section in the Omaha World Hearld from today's paper:
Dear Annie: You've printed a few letters from women who object to being called "you guys" in restaurants and other places. I feel just the opposite.I am one of four female electricians among 200 males. I absolutely hate it when someone comes in and says, "You guys and lady" because they are emphasizing my gender more than my presence already does. There aren't that many women in this field, so we don't need to be pointed out every time the boss wants to address us. In this field, it's more respectful of my position to be one of the "guys." Saginaw, Mich.
Dear Saginaw: In recent years, "you guys" has become gender-neutral, and we're sure many women feel such monikers mean the men consider them equals and valued for what they contribute to the job.
This is so relevant to our class! First, they are discussiong spotlighting, by saying they are pointing out women electricians as "lady". The topic of using "you guys" is interesting because it is so prevalent in our modern society. It is now common slang that our generation is not even phased by. I also used to work in position where I was the only woman in my department. Sometimes my boss would come in and say "ok you guys, um and gal" which made me feel akward. I understand that slang terms evolve over time and the term "you guys" now refers to "you all". I can think of a million terms that are completely different now than they were fifty years ago.
Dear Annie: You've printed a few letters from women who object to being called "you guys" in restaurants and other places. I feel just the opposite.I am one of four female electricians among 200 males. I absolutely hate it when someone comes in and says, "You guys and lady" because they are emphasizing my gender more than my presence already does. There aren't that many women in this field, so we don't need to be pointed out every time the boss wants to address us. In this field, it's more respectful of my position to be one of the "guys." Saginaw, Mich.
Dear Saginaw: In recent years, "you guys" has become gender-neutral, and we're sure many women feel such monikers mean the men consider them equals and valued for what they contribute to the job.
This is so relevant to our class! First, they are discussiong spotlighting, by saying they are pointing out women electricians as "lady". The topic of using "you guys" is interesting because it is so prevalent in our modern society. It is now common slang that our generation is not even phased by. I also used to work in position where I was the only woman in my department. Sometimes my boss would come in and say "ok you guys, um and gal" which made me feel akward. I understand that slang terms evolve over time and the term "you guys" now refers to "you all". I can think of a million terms that are completely different now than they were fifty years ago.
skinny
http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&vid=0f93aff4-130c-4631-87f2-177adc8a5ff4&playlist=videoByTag:tag:green%20guide:ns:Gallery:mk:us:vs:1&from=MSNHP&tab=m1207609493831>1=42003
So I don't know why but this video was offensive to me. I guess I have never been one of those girls that uses bitch as a friendly pet name for my friends. If I am called that I am offended, it just sounds so harsh. I was amazed as I watched this video because it had a million gendered discussions intertwined in it. First, who says that only women need a diet plan. Why is it that when they make women's diet plans they emphasize their chocolate and fatty desserts. Why don't they do that for men? My boyfriend likes sweets more than I do, in fact I have caught him relentlessly splurging in the middle of the night. Why do people always assume that female hormones means we crave cake and pie and ice cream. I think we crave fatty foods because we are Americans. We live in a society that is filled with food that could clog our arteries in a heart beat (pun intended :) ). Why do people assume women have such horrible dieting problems?
Another issue I had with this was the title " skinny bitch". It seems so degrading. It is almost as if you are trying to be better than everyone else by developing this diet. I don't know. Everything seems so wrong about this.
The gender stereotypes have gone too far! However, it seems as though women are targeted more often than men in dieting cases. If they are so serious about this stereo type why don't they develop a male diet that emphasizes their ability to still drink beer??? Come on.
So I don't know why but this video was offensive to me. I guess I have never been one of those girls that uses bitch as a friendly pet name for my friends. If I am called that I am offended, it just sounds so harsh. I was amazed as I watched this video because it had a million gendered discussions intertwined in it. First, who says that only women need a diet plan. Why is it that when they make women's diet plans they emphasize their chocolate and fatty desserts. Why don't they do that for men? My boyfriend likes sweets more than I do, in fact I have caught him relentlessly splurging in the middle of the night. Why do people always assume that female hormones means we crave cake and pie and ice cream. I think we crave fatty foods because we are Americans. We live in a society that is filled with food that could clog our arteries in a heart beat (pun intended :) ). Why do people assume women have such horrible dieting problems?
Another issue I had with this was the title " skinny bitch". It seems so degrading. It is almost as if you are trying to be better than everyone else by developing this diet. I don't know. Everything seems so wrong about this.
The gender stereotypes have gone too far! However, it seems as though women are targeted more often than men in dieting cases. If they are so serious about this stereo type why don't they develop a male diet that emphasizes their ability to still drink beer??? Come on.
How Depressing: It's a Boy
I found this article when going to check my e-mail. It is about a study done that was published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing which examined the impact of infant gender on postpartum depression for women in France. Basically, the article is examing research that was done that demonstrated that women who gave birth to boys were more likely to expirience postpartum depression than women who gave birth the girls.
After reading the article, I do not feel fully convinced by the evidence presented. But, I do feel that there are some interesting points made about the gender differences between boys and girls even from birth that correlate with this class.
If you would like, take a look. The article is pretty short. Thanks!
http://health.msn.com/health-topics/depression/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100198969&page=1
After reading the article, I do not feel fully convinced by the evidence presented. But, I do feel that there are some interesting points made about the gender differences between boys and girls even from birth that correlate with this class.
If you would like, take a look. The article is pretty short. Thanks!
http://health.msn.com/health-topics/depression/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100198969&page=1
April 17, 2008
Yale Student's "Art" Project
Here's an article from the Yale Daily News about a Yale student's senior art project:
Art major Aliza Shvarts '08 wants to make a statement.
Beginning next Tuesday, Shvarts will be displaying her senior art project, a documentation of a nine-month process during which she artificially inseminated herself "as often as possible" while periodically taking abortifacient drugs to induce miscarriages. Her exhibition will feature video recordings of these forced miscarriages as well as preserved collections of the blood from the process.
The goal in creating the art exhibition, Shvarts said, was to spark conversation and debate on the relationship between art and the human body. But her project has already provoked more than just debate, inciting, for instance, outcry at a forum for fellow senior art majors held last week. And when told about Shvarts' project, students on both ends of the abortion debate have expressed shock . saying the project does everything from violate moral code to trivialize abortion.
But Shvarts insists her concept was not designed for "shock value."
"I hope it inspires some sort of discourse," Shvarts said. "Sure, some people will be upset with the message and will not agree with it, but it's not the intention of the piece to scandalize anyone."
The "fabricators," or donors, of the sperm were not paid for their services, but Shvarts required them to periodically take tests for sexually transmitted diseases. She said she was not concerned about any medical effects the forced miscarriages may have had on her body. The abortifacient drugs she took were legal and herbal, she said, and she did not feel the need to consult a doctor about her repeated miscarriages.
Shvarts declined to specify the number of sperm donors she used, as well as the number of times she inseminated herself.
Art major Juan Castillo '08 said that although he was intrigued by the creativity and beauty of her senior project, not everyone was as thrilled as he was by the concept and the means by which she attained the result.
"I really loved the idea of this project, but a lot other people didn't," Castillo said. "I think that most people were very resistant to thinking about what the project was really about. [The senior-art-project forum] stopped being a conversation on the work itself."
Although Shvarts said she does not remember the class being quite as hostile as Castillo described, she said she believes it is the nature of her piece to "provoke inquiry."
"I believe strongly that art should be a medium for politics and ideologies, not just a commodity," Shvarts said. "I think that I'm creating a project that lives up to the standard of what art is supposed to be."
The display of Schvarts' project will feature a large cube suspended from the ceiling of a room in the gallery of Green Hall. Schvarts will wrap hundreds of feet of plastic sheeting around this cube; lined between layers of the sheeting will be the blood from Schvarts' self-induced miscarriages mixed with Vaseline in order to prevent the blood from drying and to extend the blood throughout the plastic sheeting.
Schvarts will then project recorded videos onto the four sides of the cube. These videos, captured on a VHS camcorder, will show her experiencing miscarriages in her bathrooom tub, she said. Similar videos will be projected onto the walls of the room.
School of Art lecturer Pia Lindman, Schvarts' senior-project advisor, could not be reached for comment Wednesday night.
Few people outside of Yale's undergraduate art department have heard about Shvarts' exhibition. Members of two campus abortion-activist groups . Choose Life at Yale, a pro-life group, and the Reproductive Rights Action League of Yale, a pro-choice group . said they were not previously aware of Schvarts' project.
Alice Buttrick '10, an officer of RALY, said the group was in no way involved with the art exhibition and had no official opinion on the matter.
Sara Rahman '09 said, in her opinion, Shvarts is abusing her constitutional right to do what she chooses with her body.
"[Shvarts' exhibit] turns what is a serious decision for women into an absurdism," Rahman said. "It discounts the gravity of the situation that is abortion."
CLAY member Jonathan Serrato '09 said he does not think CLAY has an official response to Schvarts' exhibition. But personally, Serrato said he found the concept of the senior art project "surprising" and unethical.
"I feel that she's manipulating life for the benefit of her art, and I definitely don't support it," Serrato said. "I think it's morally wrong."
Shvarts emphasized that she is not ashamed of her exhibition, and she has become increasingly comfortable discussing her miscarriage experiences with her peers.
"It was a private and personal endeavor, but also a transparent one for the most part," Shvarts said. "This isn't something I've been hiding."
The official reception for the Undergraduate Senior Art Show will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on April 25. The exhibition will be on public display from April 22 to May 1. The art exhibition is set to premiere alongside the projects of other art seniors this Tuesday, April 22 at the gallery of Holcombe T. Green Jr. Hall on Chapel Street.
Any thoughts?
Art major Aliza Shvarts '08 wants to make a statement.
Beginning next Tuesday, Shvarts will be displaying her senior art project, a documentation of a nine-month process during which she artificially inseminated herself "as often as possible" while periodically taking abortifacient drugs to induce miscarriages. Her exhibition will feature video recordings of these forced miscarriages as well as preserved collections of the blood from the process.
The goal in creating the art exhibition, Shvarts said, was to spark conversation and debate on the relationship between art and the human body. But her project has already provoked more than just debate, inciting, for instance, outcry at a forum for fellow senior art majors held last week. And when told about Shvarts' project, students on both ends of the abortion debate have expressed shock . saying the project does everything from violate moral code to trivialize abortion.
But Shvarts insists her concept was not designed for "shock value."
"I hope it inspires some sort of discourse," Shvarts said. "Sure, some people will be upset with the message and will not agree with it, but it's not the intention of the piece to scandalize anyone."
The "fabricators," or donors, of the sperm were not paid for their services, but Shvarts required them to periodically take tests for sexually transmitted diseases. She said she was not concerned about any medical effects the forced miscarriages may have had on her body. The abortifacient drugs she took were legal and herbal, she said, and she did not feel the need to consult a doctor about her repeated miscarriages.
Shvarts declined to specify the number of sperm donors she used, as well as the number of times she inseminated herself.
Art major Juan Castillo '08 said that although he was intrigued by the creativity and beauty of her senior project, not everyone was as thrilled as he was by the concept and the means by which she attained the result.
"I really loved the idea of this project, but a lot other people didn't," Castillo said. "I think that most people were very resistant to thinking about what the project was really about. [The senior-art-project forum] stopped being a conversation on the work itself."
Although Shvarts said she does not remember the class being quite as hostile as Castillo described, she said she believes it is the nature of her piece to "provoke inquiry."
"I believe strongly that art should be a medium for politics and ideologies, not just a commodity," Shvarts said. "I think that I'm creating a project that lives up to the standard of what art is supposed to be."
The display of Schvarts' project will feature a large cube suspended from the ceiling of a room in the gallery of Green Hall. Schvarts will wrap hundreds of feet of plastic sheeting around this cube; lined between layers of the sheeting will be the blood from Schvarts' self-induced miscarriages mixed with Vaseline in order to prevent the blood from drying and to extend the blood throughout the plastic sheeting.
Schvarts will then project recorded videos onto the four sides of the cube. These videos, captured on a VHS camcorder, will show her experiencing miscarriages in her bathrooom tub, she said. Similar videos will be projected onto the walls of the room.
School of Art lecturer Pia Lindman, Schvarts' senior-project advisor, could not be reached for comment Wednesday night.
Few people outside of Yale's undergraduate art department have heard about Shvarts' exhibition. Members of two campus abortion-activist groups . Choose Life at Yale, a pro-life group, and the Reproductive Rights Action League of Yale, a pro-choice group . said they were not previously aware of Schvarts' project.
Alice Buttrick '10, an officer of RALY, said the group was in no way involved with the art exhibition and had no official opinion on the matter.
Sara Rahman '09 said, in her opinion, Shvarts is abusing her constitutional right to do what she chooses with her body.
"[Shvarts' exhibit] turns what is a serious decision for women into an absurdism," Rahman said. "It discounts the gravity of the situation that is abortion."
CLAY member Jonathan Serrato '09 said he does not think CLAY has an official response to Schvarts' exhibition. But personally, Serrato said he found the concept of the senior art project "surprising" and unethical.
"I feel that she's manipulating life for the benefit of her art, and I definitely don't support it," Serrato said. "I think it's morally wrong."
Shvarts emphasized that she is not ashamed of her exhibition, and she has become increasingly comfortable discussing her miscarriage experiences with her peers.
"It was a private and personal endeavor, but also a transparent one for the most part," Shvarts said. "This isn't something I've been hiding."
The official reception for the Undergraduate Senior Art Show will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on April 25. The exhibition will be on public display from April 22 to May 1. The art exhibition is set to premiere alongside the projects of other art seniors this Tuesday, April 22 at the gallery of Holcombe T. Green Jr. Hall on Chapel Street.
Any thoughts?
Anyone heard of Polyandry?
With all the news lately about the polygamy crack-down in Texas, I have been thinking about this religious practice a lot. I admit, I know little about polygamy, but from what I do know it is an institution within which men hold all the power. Some of the women of polygamy say that they run their households, and have freedom of choice, but after seeing these women in television interviews (I cannot believe they are submitting to this), it makes it seem even worse than what I have seen in documentaries. The part that makes me worry about this lifestyle is that they have some sort of ranking system within the marriages, (they go by first wife, second wife, etc).
Even though I am not a fan of polygamy, but I do believe adults should be allowed to do as they please, as long as they are competent in their mental capacity to do so. But the women I have seen speaking out from this media debacle, prove to me that they are not in fact competent in hardly any way, except to possibly bear children and raise them to be followers. I do watch the HBO show Big Love, (purely out of entertainment value), and I do not think it portrays the true colors of this institution. The women who are choosing to go on television in an attempt to make the rest of America feel sorry for them are showing us the true colors of this and I do not think it is going to make their case any stronger for their husband(s). The link I attached is from an interview with three of the wives from the compound in San Angelo, Texas.
So I wanted to know what everyone's thoughts are on this subject, and if anyone has ever heard of polyandry, (the opposite of polygamy).
Even though I am not a fan of polygamy, but I do believe adults should be allowed to do as they please, as long as they are competent in their mental capacity to do so. But the women I have seen speaking out from this media debacle, prove to me that they are not in fact competent in hardly any way, except to possibly bear children and raise them to be followers. I do watch the HBO show Big Love, (purely out of entertainment value), and I do not think it portrays the true colors of this institution. The women who are choosing to go on television in an attempt to make the rest of America feel sorry for them are showing us the true colors of this and I do not think it is going to make their case any stronger for their husband(s). The link I attached is from an interview with three of the wives from the compound in San Angelo, Texas.
So I wanted to know what everyone's thoughts are on this subject, and if anyone has ever heard of polyandry, (the opposite of polygamy).
Lyrics Brad Paisly style
Brad wrote a song about the differences between guys and girls. It definitely brings to light a lot of the stereotypes we've talked about in this course. The song is called, I'm Still a Guy. I wrote some comments after each lyric stanza that points out a stereotype. What do you guys think about this one?
When you see a deer
You see Bambi * apparently women only view deer as cute Disney characters.
And I see antlers up on the wall * whereas men see them as objects for hunting
When you see a lake
You think picnics * girls like lakes so they can go socialize there
And I see a large mouth up under that log * guys like them to catch fish
You’re probably thinking that you’re gonna change me * presumes women think they need to change their men
In some ways well, maybe you might
Scrub me down dress me up * i guess ladies need to clean their man up
But no matter what
Remember I’m still a guy
When you see a priceless French painting *women see art
I see a drunk naked girl * men see porn
You think that riding a wild bull sounds crazy *women are timid
And I’d like to give it a whirl *men are wild
Love makes a man do some things he ain’t proud of * men don't like doing "girly" things for their lady
And in a weak moment I might walk your sissy dog
Hold your purse at the mall
But remember I’m still a guy
And I’ll pour out my heart
Hold your hand in the car
Write a love song that makes you cry *things guys supposedly assume women swoon over
Then turn right around
Knock some jerk to the ground
‘Cause he copped a feel as you walked by *protector role
I can hear you now talking to your friends
Saying yeah girls he’s come a long way
From dragging his knuckles and carrying a club
And building a fire in a cave * men are primal creatures?
But when you say a backrub means only a backrub
Then you swat my hand when I try * guys always go for the full nine in bed?
Well now what can I say at the end of the day
Honey, I’m still a guy
And I’ll pour out my heart
Hold your hand in the car
Write a love song that makes you cry
Then turn right around
Knock some jerk to the ground
‘Cause he copped a feel as you walked by
These days there’s dudes getting facials
Manicured waxed and botoxed
But with deep spray on tans and creamy lotioney hands * these are negative things? anti-man?
You can’t grip a tackle box *Ahh, cuz all men love to fish! riight.
With all of these men lining up to get neutered * Neutered!??!
It’s hip now to be feminized I don’t highlight my hair
I’ve still got a pair * guys with highlights dont have balls
Yeah, honey I’m still a guy
My eyebrows ain’t plucked
Theres a gun in my truck * ahh, another nice manly vision
Thank God I’m still a guy
What do you all think about this?
When you see a deer
You see Bambi * apparently women only view deer as cute Disney characters.
And I see antlers up on the wall * whereas men see them as objects for hunting
When you see a lake
You think picnics * girls like lakes so they can go socialize there
And I see a large mouth up under that log * guys like them to catch fish
You’re probably thinking that you’re gonna change me * presumes women think they need to change their men
In some ways well, maybe you might
Scrub me down dress me up * i guess ladies need to clean their man up
But no matter what
Remember I’m still a guy
When you see a priceless French painting *women see art
I see a drunk naked girl * men see porn
You think that riding a wild bull sounds crazy *women are timid
And I’d like to give it a whirl *men are wild
Love makes a man do some things he ain’t proud of * men don't like doing "girly" things for their lady
And in a weak moment I might walk your sissy dog
Hold your purse at the mall
But remember I’m still a guy
And I’ll pour out my heart
Hold your hand in the car
Write a love song that makes you cry *things guys supposedly assume women swoon over
Then turn right around
Knock some jerk to the ground
‘Cause he copped a feel as you walked by *protector role
I can hear you now talking to your friends
Saying yeah girls he’s come a long way
From dragging his knuckles and carrying a club
And building a fire in a cave * men are primal creatures?
But when you say a backrub means only a backrub
Then you swat my hand when I try * guys always go for the full nine in bed?
Well now what can I say at the end of the day
Honey, I’m still a guy
And I’ll pour out my heart
Hold your hand in the car
Write a love song that makes you cry
Then turn right around
Knock some jerk to the ground
‘Cause he copped a feel as you walked by
These days there’s dudes getting facials
Manicured waxed and botoxed
But with deep spray on tans and creamy lotioney hands * these are negative things? anti-man?
You can’t grip a tackle box *Ahh, cuz all men love to fish! riight.
With all of these men lining up to get neutered * Neutered!??!
It’s hip now to be feminized I don’t highlight my hair
I’ve still got a pair * guys with highlights dont have balls
Yeah, honey I’m still a guy
My eyebrows ain’t plucked
Theres a gun in my truck * ahh, another nice manly vision
Thank God I’m still a guy
What do you all think about this?
April 16, 2008
Video over Men and Masculinity
The video really made me think about the way in which not only masculinity is prescribed to men so subtly on a daily basis, but how much race is involved, especially in the world of the "angry black man." The rappers stereotyping themselves because white record company owners tell them that is the only way to market themselves in order to be successful. In order to create a successful public image of themselves, they must dumb themselves down based on age old racist concepts of minorities and even women to some degree. Yes, we are in a modern society, but the racism isn't slavery anymore, it is indirect racism perpetuated through media idols.
Most of the argument over whether these media outlets influence children usually pisses me off, because it takes the responsibility away from the CHILDREN. They are viewed as victims. But in viewing the video yesterday, I was shocked to remember exactly how many kids (or BOYS as I should be talking about them) shot up schools. there were almost 9 pictures on the screen, and those were only the MAJOR shootings. I'm not advocating the argument over whether kids (BOYS) are influenced to kill from music, videogames, etc. Simply, I am sayign I was trying to process how in 20 years or so, I will have to tell my kids about how when I grew up, it was the age of school shootings, the worst president to ever hold office, a huge recession, and a war that was, to many people, equal to Vietnam. Thats what my generation is remembered for, and to think about the society of violence that has been bred, i am sickened. i have attached a clip of all the pictures of the school shooters, to show the gravity in numbers.
Most of the argument over whether these media outlets influence children usually pisses me off, because it takes the responsibility away from the CHILDREN. They are viewed as victims. But in viewing the video yesterday, I was shocked to remember exactly how many kids (or BOYS as I should be talking about them) shot up schools. there were almost 9 pictures on the screen, and those were only the MAJOR shootings. I'm not advocating the argument over whether kids (BOYS) are influenced to kill from music, videogames, etc. Simply, I am sayign I was trying to process how in 20 years or so, I will have to tell my kids about how when I grew up, it was the age of school shootings, the worst president to ever hold office, a huge recession, and a war that was, to many people, equal to Vietnam. Thats what my generation is remembered for, and to think about the society of violence that has been bred, i am sickened. i have attached a clip of all the pictures of the school shooters, to show the gravity in numbers.
April 14, 2008
Teen Tape Beating of Florida Girl
This article goes along with the previous two that have been posted about assault. In Florida, a group of 6 female students beat up another female classmate and VIDEO TAPED it and put it on YouTube! Apparently they were upset about some comments the victim had made on her MySpace page and wanted to get her back for it!
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=829C46FEBE2A6E32FC67F29EE81F18A6?contentId=6250959&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1
This link is for the article only, and DOES NOT contain the horrific video evidence of the beating.
In class we learned that most violence against women is perpetrated by men. For me, I was shocked when I read this article. I think I am so shocked because it goes against the stereotype of the "expected" behaviors of women. I admit, that if I had read this article and the gender of all the parties involved (attackers and victim) had been male, I would still have been horrified by the story, but far less surprised than I was.
What are you thoughts on this story?
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=829C46FEBE2A6E32FC67F29EE81F18A6?contentId=6250959&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1
This link is for the article only, and DOES NOT contain the horrific video evidence of the beating.
In class we learned that most violence against women is perpetrated by men. For me, I was shocked when I read this article. I think I am so shocked because it goes against the stereotype of the "expected" behaviors of women. I admit, that if I had read this article and the gender of all the parties involved (attackers and victim) had been male, I would still have been horrified by the story, but far less surprised than I was.
What are you thoughts on this story?
Recent Assault in Lincoln
Last week, there was a scary story I heard about and it was also published in the Lincoln Journal Star. To sum it up, a woman was driving home from her friends house and the car in front of her slammed on their brakes. The woman hit the car in front of her and the car behind her slammed into her car from behind. The driver in the car behind her approached her car to apparently get her information. The woman had a bad feeling about the situation and realized she was trapped between the cars. She realized she was set up and had to get away. She somehow got out and was driving back to her friends house that she came from. The cars followed her recklessly and when she got to her friends house they ripped her out of her car and started to beat her. When her friends tried to help, they pointed guns at them. They continued to beat the woman on the side of the house.
Besides this being an awful, sad story, it was surprising to me. I guess I found myself being biased by gender. When I first heard this story, I guess I just assumed it was men. In the end, after I read the article, I found out that it was a group of woman that did this. There are scams going on now in Lincoln that involve this woman gang.
Did anyone else automatically assume these attackers were men? I guess I'm ashamed of myself because I assumed that. How do you guys feel about this as a whole?
Besides this being an awful, sad story, it was surprising to me. I guess I found myself being biased by gender. When I first heard this story, I guess I just assumed it was men. In the end, after I read the article, I found out that it was a group of woman that did this. There are scams going on now in Lincoln that involve this woman gang.
Did anyone else automatically assume these attackers were men? I guess I'm ashamed of myself because I assumed that. How do you guys feel about this as a whole?
April 13, 2008
Out into the Light
After our class lecture on sexual harassment and assault, there have been many valuable discussions continuing to bring the issue out from the shadows. Two weeks ago The Daily Nebraskan, in support of UNO's Take Back the Night Rally, ran an article where assault victims shared their stories of sexual assault. The stories, which were sickening and heart breaking, offered support for many of the concepts and thoughts from class on this subject. One of the stories was from a man who was sexually assaulted by another man, reminding us that gendered violence effects men as well. Another women's story gave an example of when the victim is blamed (p. 285). Her sexual assaults began when she was four by her 6-year-old neighbor:
"He pushed me to the ground and pulled his pants down and pulled my pants down and started humping me. My mom yelled at me and told me 'No, don't do that. That's wrong. You shouldn't do that."
This victim then associated reporting inappropriate sexual acts with getting in trouble. Her mother's reaction as well as her fear kept this particular victim silent for over 15 years.
Ultimately, the public sharing of these stories emphasized the difficult journey of sexual assault survivors in bringing their stories out into the light. The book attributes this to the highly stigmatized nature of sexual assault as well as the "normalization of violence by institutions" such as family, law enforcement, or the media (p. 300). Perhaps through continuing to remember those who have been effected by sexual assault the stigma will lessen and power return to the victimized.
While candlelight vigils are good, what else do you think can be done to both degender sexual assault as only an issue that happens to women as well as help other victims to come out into the light?
"He pushed me to the ground and pulled his pants down and pulled my pants down and started humping me. My mom yelled at me and told me 'No, don't do that. That's wrong. You shouldn't do that."
This victim then associated reporting inappropriate sexual acts with getting in trouble. Her mother's reaction as well as her fear kept this particular victim silent for over 15 years.
Ultimately, the public sharing of these stories emphasized the difficult journey of sexual assault survivors in bringing their stories out into the light. The book attributes this to the highly stigmatized nature of sexual assault as well as the "normalization of violence by institutions" such as family, law enforcement, or the media (p. 300). Perhaps through continuing to remember those who have been effected by sexual assault the stigma will lessen and power return to the victimized.
While candlelight vigils are good, what else do you think can be done to both degender sexual assault as only an issue that happens to women as well as help other victims to come out into the light?
Silda Spitzer: A silent standing wife
Infidelity and scandal seems to have become as common a platform for many of the nation's politicians as tax reform and healthcare. Most recently, New York governor Eliot Spitzer resigned from his federal position when evidence surfaced of his involvement with a prostitution ring. While Eliot Spitzer has received his due share of criticism, suprisingly Spitzer's wife, Silda, has come under the public's critical eye as well. The Associated Press, in the article "Women Ponder Why Spitzer's Wife Stood By," called Silda out for standing next to her husband while he announced his "personal failings" to the public. Few women seemed to understand why Silda was standing there and whether she should have. Several New York women expressed their disapproval:
"I watched her and I thought, 'Again, the wife is standing there.' And I had a visceral reaction. I just don't get it. Why does it always have to be that way in politics? What will she get out of standing there?"
"I've been thinking about this constantly. I cringed when I saw her next to him. I think he should have taken it like a man — without her."
Silda Spitzer is just one in the long line of women who have silently stood by their politician husbands in a time of incredibly painful personal crisis (e.g. Hilary Clinton, Dina Matos McGreevey, Suzanne Craig) often times with little personal support or benefit. One woman justified Silda Spitzer's behavior saying,
"She was in crisis mode. She was like a mother bear protecting her cubs. When crisis hits, you do what you think you need to for your family. Later, you can step back and think about protecting yourself."
I found the gender roles and expectations that emerged in the dialogue surrounding this issue particularly interesting. In response to the Spitzer situation, women in the public expressed a desire to see an empowered woman standing up for herself rather than simply her man. Women also seemed less satisfied with Silda in the traditional role of "wife," fulfilling her duties as a forgiving support. There are others, as the last quote suggests, who attribute Silda's support as an instinctual and natural outflow of who she is as a woman, wife, and mother. I am curious about others reaction to Silda Spitzer's "standing by her man" and what this says about gender roles and expectations.
***SIDE NOTE:
Radio talk show host and author, Dr. Laura Schlessinger made some interesting comments on the fault of the women in men's cheating (specifically talking about the Spitzer case). Below is an excerpt, which adds an interesting dimension to the appropriate response of a woman to a man's infidelity. Because, if a woman shares in the blame isn't it reasonable to ask her to stand and share the gaze of the public's disapproving eye?
INTERVIEWER: Do you think women play any role in this, Dr. Laura?
SCHLESSINGER: It's interesting. what you said about what men need -- men do need validation. When they come into the world they're born of a woman. Getting the validation from mommy is the beginning of needing it from a woman. When the wife does not focus in on the needs and the feelings sexually, personally, to make him feel like a man, to make him feel like a success, to make him feel like our hero, he's very susceptible to the charm of some other woman making him feel what he needs. These days, women don't spend a lot of time thinking about how they can give their men what they need.
INTERVIEWER: Are you saying women should feel guilty, like they somehow drove the man to cheat?
SCHLESSINGER: You know what, the cheating was his decision to repair what's damaged, and to feed himself where he's starving. But, yes, I hold women accountable for tossing out perfectly good men by not treating them with the love and kindness and respect and attention they need.
April 10, 2008
off topic but interesting argument
A friend of mine was asking me whether or not I think Aliens would be asexual. He told me he thinks that developed beings would have evolved out of their genders (which are the root of so much negativity and time-wasting differences/arguments) and that reproduction would be strictly asexual.
I laughed, told him to put the drink down and said i could see his point, only the Aliens would have to be gender-neutral and have some crazy science fiction monotone non-gender specific voice. Then as he left, I was thinking about all the change and effects that would come into society if we did indeed breed assexually and if mannerisms, voice tones, words and all and any gender related item in socialization and societies was gone suddenly.
Chances are, no one would be talking to anyone hahaha. Just a weird drunk conversation that lead to some very suprising and theoretica realizations.
I laughed, told him to put the drink down and said i could see his point, only the Aliens would have to be gender-neutral and have some crazy science fiction monotone non-gender specific voice. Then as he left, I was thinking about all the change and effects that would come into society if we did indeed breed assexually and if mannerisms, voice tones, words and all and any gender related item in socialization and societies was gone suddenly.
Chances are, no one would be talking to anyone hahaha. Just a weird drunk conversation that lead to some very suprising and theoretica realizations.
Hegemonic Masculinity Prominent in Many Movies
The other night, I was at home watching a movie, Talladega Nights, which stars Will Ferrell. It was an amusing movie, but the material of this class envitably crept into my mind, as it has done so many times. If you haven't seen it, it's essentially a typical Will Ferrell movie with him playing the role of a famous Nascar driver. There is a scene in the movie where Ferrell feels his masculinity is being threatened by the French driver his racing company has hired. At this point in the movie, Ferrell is suffering a broken arm, but demands that he be allowed to race against the French driver to try and beat him. Well, Ferrell crashes and loses to the French driver, and he ultimately suffers a psychological breakdown for a while.
I felt that this was an example of hegemonic masculinity because he was doing what he thought was proving he was "man enough" and putting himself at risk, and ultimately suffering because of it. Hegemonic masculinity does not just refer to physical risk, it can take on other forms as well such as economic, job performace, and emotional as well.
I can't count how many movies there are out there today, where one male feels he must prove that he is man enough by placing himself at risk. Most of the time, these situations are funny and entertaining, but what happens when the situation is in someone's real life and the resolve isn't some punchline writen by a paid Hollywood writer? I think that the media should be more responsible when putting these images out there, and show how this kind of hegemonic masculinity can and does ultimately harm the best interest of an individual.
What do you think? Any other good examples?
I felt that this was an example of hegemonic masculinity because he was doing what he thought was proving he was "man enough" and putting himself at risk, and ultimately suffering because of it. Hegemonic masculinity does not just refer to physical risk, it can take on other forms as well such as economic, job performace, and emotional as well.
I can't count how many movies there are out there today, where one male feels he must prove that he is man enough by placing himself at risk. Most of the time, these situations are funny and entertaining, but what happens when the situation is in someone's real life and the resolve isn't some punchline writen by a paid Hollywood writer? I think that the media should be more responsible when putting these images out there, and show how this kind of hegemonic masculinity can and does ultimately harm the best interest of an individual.
What do you think? Any other good examples?
Rap Videos
I have heard endlessly in class that women are treated unfairly or like pieces of meat. That it is namely 'male' record company owners who are oppressing these women. However, is it not the women themselves that 1.) knowingly apply and audition for these stereotyped roles in music videos? Don't the women train endlessly to have good bodies for the videos? Aren't their a large majority of women who rely on being paid for their JOB in the music video industry? Lastly, is it not indirectly helping the women in the video by paying them for a job, and providing them an avenue to work. These women ask to be int he video, know what they will wear and are paid handsomely for their work. So why does it seem like the video made women out to be victims when they are part of the music video shooting machine just as much as the men in the video? The women oppress themselves, and men are usually blamed.
Also, in terms of the argument over whether the women portrayed send a poor message to young men and women, the videos only affect total and complete idiots. People who have half a brain can tell this is a fantasy world and know on a basic level that they shouldn't pour champagne on a girl or that women in general don't behave or dress like these women. It's like the argument over video games like Grand Theft Auto influencing children to beat up strangers, do drugs and be sexually violent. REGULAR people can tell the difference between reality and fiction and if you can't, you are a block lower on the evolutionary ladder and your interpretation of fictional music videos, videogames and music shouldn't speak for the general masses who aren't idiots. Most people know the difference and a few each year give these media outlets bad names.
Also, in terms of the argument over whether the women portrayed send a poor message to young men and women, the videos only affect total and complete idiots. People who have half a brain can tell this is a fantasy world and know on a basic level that they shouldn't pour champagne on a girl or that women in general don't behave or dress like these women. It's like the argument over video games like Grand Theft Auto influencing children to beat up strangers, do drugs and be sexually violent. REGULAR people can tell the difference between reality and fiction and if you can't, you are a block lower on the evolutionary ladder and your interpretation of fictional music videos, videogames and music shouldn't speak for the general masses who aren't idiots. Most people know the difference and a few each year give these media outlets bad names.
Modern Equality
In a training session at work, the manager told us that in case we ever needed to lock the doors for someone threatening employees with a weapon, the rule in their handbook is that all women must take refuge and that males must stay outside the locked and safe room and attempt to de-escalate the situation. Even if the person has a deadly weapon.
What about equality? Even though it is chivalrous, it also seems extremely foolish. Why not have EVERYONE take refuge? Why is it up to the men to fix the life-treatening problem? This is just a problem I had that in a very small scoped and weird way, shows that gender inequality doesn't just affect women. Men here are asked to put themselves in life-threatening danger because they;re men and women get to be guarenteed safety.
it goes both ways in different contexts.
What about equality? Even though it is chivalrous, it also seems extremely foolish. Why not have EVERYONE take refuge? Why is it up to the men to fix the life-treatening problem? This is just a problem I had that in a very small scoped and weird way, shows that gender inequality doesn't just affect women. Men here are asked to put themselves in life-threatening danger because they;re men and women get to be guarenteed safety.
it goes both ways in different contexts.
April 09, 2008
Unfair
I was watching the pilot episode of Lipstick Jungle last night and was reminded of our class....once again. If anyone hasn't seen the show, I am still new to it but I will do my best to explain. It focuses on three very sucessful women who live in New York City and shows their work life, home life, and friendship. To me it is a Sex and the City except there are only three women and two of them are married. Anyways, one of the women, Nico works for a magazine and is a top executive in her company. She is the only woman in her company that has been that successful and is said to live be her instincts. Nico realized that she was missing out on key meetings with her male boss and male colleague, although they claimed it was just lunch. Nico then accused her boss of preparing her male colleague for a director position in the company that she felt would be rightfully hers. Her boss responds by saying its a tough situation and he thinks the man would be better for the job. When she asked why her boss responded with "Well you are going to want to start a family soon and you will not be as on top of your game as you are now" . She then responded with, "No I don't. I never said I wanted to start a family". Her boss responded with: " Yes you told my wife you wanted a child when you two were at that function a few weeks ago". Nico then said, "That was a baby shower. What was I supposed to say?".
This episode reminded me exactly of our current discussions in class! Not only is Nico facing a glass cieling because she is woman she is clearly experiencing the detrimental effects of patriarchy. The lunches she was being excluded from are just like the golf outings we talked about in class. Not only were the men eating lunch together, but they were also talking business strategies. I was slightly disappointed to see she just claimed she didn't want to have kids and backed down. Later in the show we learned that she really did want to have kids.
I feel as though she was put in an unfair predicament. Now if she ever does decide to have children her boss can throw her comment back in her face and fire her for not living up to his expectations. I really don't think this is fair. I know there really are no exact answers to my questions but why is it that men are not discriminated against for having children. Maybe the world I live in is more flexible but I know many men that have taken large amounts of time off of work for paternity leave or just for their children in general. What do you guys think about this???
This episode reminded me exactly of our current discussions in class! Not only is Nico facing a glass cieling because she is woman she is clearly experiencing the detrimental effects of patriarchy. The lunches she was being excluded from are just like the golf outings we talked about in class. Not only were the men eating lunch together, but they were also talking business strategies. I was slightly disappointed to see she just claimed she didn't want to have kids and backed down. Later in the show we learned that she really did want to have kids.
I feel as though she was put in an unfair predicament. Now if she ever does decide to have children her boss can throw her comment back in her face and fire her for not living up to his expectations. I really don't think this is fair. I know there really are no exact answers to my questions but why is it that men are not discriminated against for having children. Maybe the world I live in is more flexible but I know many men that have taken large amounts of time off of work for paternity leave or just for their children in general. What do you guys think about this???
April 08, 2008
More examples!
I was just watching Hell's Kitchen, a reality show about a group of chef's who try to win their chance at running Hell's Kitchen. Chef Ramsey, a really mean guy, is the host. They compete in challenges against one and other, and the teams are divided by gender. The guys are on the blue team and the ladies are on the red team. Both teams were preparing for their challenge and one of the men said,
"A room full of girls is useless, unless they are having a Tupperware party or something."
The next clip showed another guy saying,
"There is no way she's going to win without a man there to lead her around."
Now, this is a culinary competition. I realize that top chefs are generally men, seemingly because people trust them to boss around a kitchen. However, as far as culinary skills go, I would be led to believe that men and women are equally capable of cooking well. These guys seem to be set on the fact that they are far superior to the women. Part of this is the nature of the competition, but instead of talking about the women just as a team, the men are spouting out offensive gendered insults.
Do you think it's fair for the guys to treat the women this way? If instead of cooking the show was about baking, which is often dominated by women, do you expect the opposite would be true?
"A room full of girls is useless, unless they are having a Tupperware party or something."
The next clip showed another guy saying,
"There is no way she's going to win without a man there to lead her around."
Now, this is a culinary competition. I realize that top chefs are generally men, seemingly because people trust them to boss around a kitchen. However, as far as culinary skills go, I would be led to believe that men and women are equally capable of cooking well. These guys seem to be set on the fact that they are far superior to the women. Part of this is the nature of the competition, but instead of talking about the women just as a team, the men are spouting out offensive gendered insults.
Do you think it's fair for the guys to treat the women this way? If instead of cooking the show was about baking, which is often dominated by women, do you expect the opposite would be true?
Tokenism in the Workplace
I found a study that had been done on tokenism in the workplace that was published. The researchers found that tokens must perform their jobs under conditions very different from those facing their other workers. Consequently, token status has important social and psychological consequences.
The study said that the token doesn't have to work hard to be noticed, but she does have to work hard to have her achievements noticed. Many of the women studied told of situations in which their abilities were eclipsed by their physical appearance, creating additional performance pressures.
Token women also experienced the added pressure of trying not to make male co-workers look bad, of trying not to perform too well on group tasks. But because of their visibility, their actions can never be hidden. The irony is that, although they must work twice as hard just to be seen as competent, they also feel that their successes should be kept to themselves. There is a fine line between doing just well enough and doing too well.
The study also discovered that, in more formal settings like meetings and conferences, men would often preface their acts with apologies or questions about appropriateness directed toward the token woman—such as "I probably shouldn't say this in mixed company" or "Can we still use technical jargon?" The token then feels as though she is "interrupting" the usual course of events. Rarely does a token woman feel comfortable enough to prevent a large number of men from engaging in an activity they consider normal. But by saying these things, men make their dominant culture clear to the tokens and effectively state the terms under which tokens will be allowed to participate as outsiders.
Tokens can never be seen as who they really are. They must always fight stereotypes and tailor their actions to the desires and tastes of others. We can see the self-fulfilling prophecy at work here. Stereotypical assumptions about what tokens "must be like" force them into playing limited and caricatured roles. This situation serves the interests of those in the dominant group, who can fall back on preexisting expectations and traditional behaviors.
The study said that the token doesn't have to work hard to be noticed, but she does have to work hard to have her achievements noticed. Many of the women studied told of situations in which their abilities were eclipsed by their physical appearance, creating additional performance pressures.
Token women also experienced the added pressure of trying not to make male co-workers look bad, of trying not to perform too well on group tasks. But because of their visibility, their actions can never be hidden. The irony is that, although they must work twice as hard just to be seen as competent, they also feel that their successes should be kept to themselves. There is a fine line between doing just well enough and doing too well.
The study also discovered that, in more formal settings like meetings and conferences, men would often preface their acts with apologies or questions about appropriateness directed toward the token woman—such as "I probably shouldn't say this in mixed company" or "Can we still use technical jargon?" The token then feels as though she is "interrupting" the usual course of events. Rarely does a token woman feel comfortable enough to prevent a large number of men from engaging in an activity they consider normal. But by saying these things, men make their dominant culture clear to the tokens and effectively state the terms under which tokens will be allowed to participate as outsiders.
Tokens can never be seen as who they really are. They must always fight stereotypes and tailor their actions to the desires and tastes of others. We can see the self-fulfilling prophecy at work here. Stereotypical assumptions about what tokens "must be like" force them into playing limited and caricatured roles. This situation serves the interests of those in the dominant group, who can fall back on preexisting expectations and traditional behaviors.
April 07, 2008
Gendered language EVERYWHERE!!!
I'm in another course - the darkside of interpersonal communications - and we have a similar class discussion board where we all post things anonymously and later discuss them in class. I was just reading through a few of the posts and I found a couple gendered gems;
"This was not like her since she was a typical “woman” who never lets her phone leave her sight."
"I don’t like it when others hear or see me cry (must be the stereotypical man trait in me)."
Also, I was watching "Funny Stuff that Kids Say" or something to that effect the other night and they were asking little boys about girls and little girls about boys. The girls said they don't like the boys because they are loud and they smell funny. The boys said they don't like the girls because they cry too often and try too had to fit in. These kids were between 4 and 7. I think it's really interesting to see the parallel between the things we learn as young kids and the way we think as intelligent college students. It goes to show how all these gendered issues are socially constructed into us from the very beginning.
"This was not like her since she was a typical “woman” who never lets her phone leave her sight."
"I don’t like it when others hear or see me cry (must be the stereotypical man trait in me)."
Also, I was watching "Funny Stuff that Kids Say" or something to that effect the other night and they were asking little boys about girls and little girls about boys. The girls said they don't like the boys because they are loud and they smell funny. The boys said they don't like the girls because they cry too often and try too had to fit in. These kids were between 4 and 7. I think it's really interesting to see the parallel between the things we learn as young kids and the way we think as intelligent college students. It goes to show how all these gendered issues are socially constructed into us from the very beginning.
April 06, 2008
Violence against women
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/04/06/texas.ranch/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/04/06/texas.ranch/index.html#cnnSTCVideo
I find it absolutely amazing that this can happen in 2008. Why is it that these little girls are being tortured and forced to act as women. The article and video spoke about girls being forced into marriage as young as 13. As soon as these girls are able to produce babies that is what they are expected to be doing. There were 130 or so children taken off of this ranch and 50 women. I do not think that anyone has the right to live a lifestyle that degrades and abuses women. I don't think they should be allowed to be left by their selves just because it is their religion...which in some cases is how these societies continue to function. I am at a loss for words with this topic. What do you guys think about what happened in Texas? It has been on the news lately so I am sure some of you have heard about it.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/04/06/texas.ranch/index.html#cnnSTCVideo
I find it absolutely amazing that this can happen in 2008. Why is it that these little girls are being tortured and forced to act as women. The article and video spoke about girls being forced into marriage as young as 13. As soon as these girls are able to produce babies that is what they are expected to be doing. There were 130 or so children taken off of this ranch and 50 women. I do not think that anyone has the right to live a lifestyle that degrades and abuses women. I don't think they should be allowed to be left by their selves just because it is their religion...which in some cases is how these societies continue to function. I am at a loss for words with this topic. What do you guys think about what happened in Texas? It has been on the news lately so I am sure some of you have heard about it.
Woman President
I was watching TV this weekend and channel surfed into a discussion on MTV about the upcoming elections. I did not catch all of it but the discussion was about the Democratic candidates and who was going to vote for whom. A person was talking about how they were a devoted Democrat, yet if Hillary won the Democratic primary they would vote Republican despite their opposition towards the party. This person made a quick comment saying "It just wouldn't be right to put a woman...." and then the camera cut them off. The wording wasn't exact but it was quite obvious that this young person was going to comment that a woman should not be president. How do you all feel about this. We are at an age where we are able to make an informed and aware decision that can really make a difference in this situation. To me it seems quite outdated to think a woman should/could not be president, but evidently there are people in our age group that think this.
April 04, 2008
Teen Kills Newborn In School Toilet
In Baytown, Texas a 14-year old gave birth in a middle school bathroom stall on Wednesday morning. Other students overheard a baby crying in the bathroom stall and they rushed to get the school nurse and assistant principle. Unfortunately, they were too late, by the time the 14-year old was found, the newborn had allegedly drown in the toilet. Investigators believe that the 14-year old panicked and tried to flush her newborn, killing it in the process.
Apparently many people were interviewed regarding the student and none of them knew that she was pregnant. Investigators are currently treating the case as a homicide, but they have not completely ruled out that it may have been an accident. Many parents came to pick up their children early from school as the case hit the news. The middle school faculty reacted quickly and sent a letter home with the students explaining the incident. They are also offering counseling for the students at the middle school.
This is a shocking story and many are left wondering how should the 14-year old be handled. What are your thoughts on this story and what do you think should be the consequences for this 8th grader?
To view the article and clip from the news please visit: http://www.click2houston.com/news/15773665/detail.html#
Apparently many people were interviewed regarding the student and none of them knew that she was pregnant. Investigators are currently treating the case as a homicide, but they have not completely ruled out that it may have been an accident. Many parents came to pick up their children early from school as the case hit the news. The middle school faculty reacted quickly and sent a letter home with the students explaining the incident. They are also offering counseling for the students at the middle school.
This is a shocking story and many are left wondering how should the 14-year old be handled. What are your thoughts on this story and what do you think should be the consequences for this 8th grader?
To view the article and clip from the news please visit: http://www.click2houston.com/news/15773665/detail.html#
Men's brains link sex and money
I found a very interesting article on CNN.com entitled, "Men's brains link sex and money." After coming across this interesting title, I had to click to read more about it. According to a Standford University study on 15 heterosexual men, "When young men were shown erotic pictures, they were more likely to make a larger financial gamble than if they were shown a picture of something scary, such as a snake, or something neutral, such as a stapler." Interestingly enough after researching brain scans, researchers discovered that the arousing pictures lit up the same part of the brain that lights up when financial risks are taken. According to Kevin McCabe, professor of economics, law and neuroscience at George Mason University, "The link between sex and greed goes back hundreds of thousands of years, to men's evolutionary role as provider or resource gatherer to attract women." When the men were shown pictures of something scary, they bet lower and took less financial risks in the study.
This can help explain why casinos and gambling are such a booming industry; they are surrounded with sex and money. One of the main professors involved in the study believes that this may also be the case for women, but it is harder to prove because it is more difficult to find an erotic image that would appeal to many different heterosexual women compared to heterosexual men.
To read more about this topic please refer to the article at http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/04/04/finance.sex.ap/index.html?iref=24hours
This can help explain why casinos and gambling are such a booming industry; they are surrounded with sex and money. One of the main professors involved in the study believes that this may also be the case for women, but it is harder to prove because it is more difficult to find an erotic image that would appeal to many different heterosexual women compared to heterosexual men.
To read more about this topic please refer to the article at http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/04/04/finance.sex.ap/index.html?iref=24hours
April 03, 2008
Oprah Interview with Transgendered Man Who is Pregnant
Here are the 1st three parts of the Oprah interview with Thomas Beatie the transgendered man who is six months pregnant. The interview covers a lot of different topics from class. Thomas Beatie talks about the differences between sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. In the second video he addresses how he felt that his gender identity identified him more with being a male than a female. I am not sure how much Thomas Beatie would be considered to have Gender Identity Disorder because he doesn't talk about having a strong and persistent discomfort with being a female while growing up. A little bit of Gender Identity Disorder kind of comes in to play when he starts talking about hitting puberty with feeling uncomfortable while playing sports. He also doesn't mention having a significant level of stress in social situations or other life situations which would classify him as having Gender Identity Disorder. But he did follow a few of the steps of "curing" Gender Identity Disorder by taking testosterone hormones and having his breasts removed. I'm really glad that we learned the communication etiquette in class, such as addressing the person by their preferred name and pronoun. When he talks about his father referring to him as "mommy" and "Tracy" you can tell that it really hurts him that his father does this.
Please watch and comment on these videos if you would like. The picture quality occasionally fizzes out, but the sound quality remains clear. Thanks!
Please watch and comment on these videos if you would like. The picture quality occasionally fizzes out, but the sound quality remains clear. Thanks!
April 02, 2008
Masculinity in Disney Films
I also found this interesting video on YouTube. The director of this short project looks at the portrayal of masculinity and themes of stereotypical masculinity in various Disney movies. Now, I am not here bashing Disney movies nor am I jumping up on top of a building shouting to the world that Disney is a conspiracy. I grew up, like probably most of us, singing right along with the songs in The Lion King or Aladdin. I loved probably ever single Disney movie that came out! But as an adult with critical thinking capabilities, sometimes when I stand back, I can evaluate things in a different light. And I do think that in this short project the director does make very valid points. In the context of this class, we often ask how are these stereotyped images of femininity and masculinity reinforced. Maybe they are being instilled in us from very unlikely sources, such as Disney movies. I also have to add, that I think the idea presented at the end of the film about introducing additional qualities of masculinity such as caring, could be a great way to bring about new ideals of what it is to be masculine.
Here is the video. Again, I am not trying to trample over your favorites childhood movies. I apologize if you feel that I am. It was never my intention.
Here is the video. Again, I am not trying to trample over your favorites childhood movies. I apologize if you feel that I am. It was never my intention.
What Does Title IX Mean to You
Just last year, "the NCAA began a year-long conversation on the personal impact of Title IX. These testimonies are designed to highlight the truths and misconceptions about the controversial law, which celebrated its 35 anniversary on June 23, 2007. Judy Sweet, an advocate for women in athletics and a former vice president of the NCAA, is the first to share how Title IX has impacted her life and career."
Here is the 4 minutes clip from YouTube if you would like to watch. I found it interesting to get a personal opinion from someone whose life and career was really impacted by Title IX.
Here is the 4 minutes clip from YouTube if you would like to watch. I found it interesting to get a personal opinion from someone whose life and career was really impacted by Title IX.
Kind of Outdated?
First of all there are a million topics from Miss Manners that I could have posted, but this struck me as interesting. At the beginning of the semester we talked about what was proper when addressing a woman when you don't know her marital status: Miss, Ms., or Mrs. I never really gave much thought to this but I have been applying for jobs and speaking with a lot of different women in human resources departments via email. These women sign their emails with their names only which leaves me confused as to how to address them. I feel that since I don't know them it is important to use a title when addressing them. It would be offensive to call a young woman Mrs. and offensive to call a happily married woman Miss. I have become very partial to using Ms. in any situation where I do not know the woman. I am a young woman and find it offensive when I am called mam, and would be offended if I was called Mrs since I am independent and single. On the other hand I feel as though being called Miss is demeaning because it involves the connotation of being a little girl and incompetent. What does everyone else think? Do you women feel offended by any of these terms? What do you men use when addressing women?
The Wage Gap
After learning about gender issues in the workplace, I wanted to learn more about the wage gap. I found a really interesting article talking about the wage gap. Essentially the wage gap is a statistical reference that shows the differences between the earnings of men and women. For example, in 2006 women earned 76.6% as much as men. So women on average earn $0.77 compared to every $1 men earn. The thought that women can do the same exact work as men with the same educational background and still earn less can be very frustrating. In 1963 people tried to close this wage gap between men and women by passing the Equal Pay Act. This act makes it illegal for employers to pay unequal wages to men and women who hold the same job and do the same work. The unfortunate truth is that this Act didn't solve the problem; however it did improve the problem. In 1963, every women earned $0.58 for every dollar earned by a man. Sadly enough though since this Act was passed wages for women have only improved less than half a cent a year! According to the article, "During a lifetime of full-time work (47 years) this gap amounts to an estimated loss in wages for women of $700,000 for high school graduates, $1.2 million for a college graduate, and $2 million for a professional school graduate."
After learning all of these new statistics, I decided that we still have a long way to go when it comes to equality in the workplace. There should be no reason to unequally pay 2 employees when the only difference between them is their gender. The thought of this just makes me angry because it is pretty much saying that men can do a better at their job so they should get paid more.
Have you ever experienced unequal pay by your employer just because of your gender or race? If so how did it make you feel?
What are your thoughts on the wage gap?
The article I am referring to is http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0763170.html
After learning all of these new statistics, I decided that we still have a long way to go when it comes to equality in the workplace. There should be no reason to unequally pay 2 employees when the only difference between them is their gender. The thought of this just makes me angry because it is pretty much saying that men can do a better at their job so they should get paid more.
Have you ever experienced unequal pay by your employer just because of your gender or race? If so how did it make you feel?
What are your thoughts on the wage gap?
The article I am referring to is http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0763170.html
Top 5 Myths About Girls, Math and Science
Here is a list of 5 myths associated with young girls and STEM courses. The realities of STEM education for girls are really interesting. I think that the article is correct in identifying mentoring as one of the most substantial factors in keeping young girls involved in STEM courses. Having a mentor who is a positive role model in a young person's life is so beneficial in so many ways.
If you would like, please take a look and feel free to leave comments. The article is not very long. Thanks!
http://www.livescience.com/health/070827_girls_math.html
If you would like, please take a look and feel free to leave comments. The article is not very long. Thanks!
http://www.livescience.com/health/070827_girls_math.html
Pregnant Man on Oprah Tomorrow
I saw this when I was logging into my e-mail today:
CHICAGO - A transgender man who kept his female reproductive organs is now five months' pregnant and will appear on Oprah Winfrey's TV show.
"I'm a person and I have the right to have my own biological child," Thomas Beatie, of Bend, Oregon, said in the interview, which airs tomorrow.
Winfrey interviewed Beatie, his wife and their obstetrician along with friends of the couple.
Beatie's wife was unable to conceive due to a hysterectomy.
I just wanted to let everyone know about this. I believe that Oprah is on at 3 pm on channel 11 and 4 pm on channel 3. I will also try to find the video tomorrow and post it.
Please feel free to leave any comments. Thanks.
CHICAGO - A transgender man who kept his female reproductive organs is now five months' pregnant and will appear on Oprah Winfrey's TV show.
"I'm a person and I have the right to have my own biological child," Thomas Beatie, of Bend, Oregon, said in the interview, which airs tomorrow.
Winfrey interviewed Beatie, his wife and their obstetrician along with friends of the couple.
Beatie's wife was unable to conceive due to a hysterectomy.
I just wanted to let everyone know about this. I believe that Oprah is on at 3 pm on channel 11 and 4 pm on channel 3. I will also try to find the video tomorrow and post it.
Please feel free to leave any comments. Thanks.
Questioning this class's importance
It seems like in all of my classes recently we have been discussing gender issues. I have to be honest here and tell you all that I’m a bit burnt out about talking about the subject, but that lead me to write this post. Is it truly necessary to put so much weight on gender issues? Research has shown that there actually are not many communicative differences between men and women, so why devote an entire class to talking about it? I know that certain issues obviously hold a lot of importance, such as gendered violence and men and women’s movements. But on the other hand, by talking about boys and girls relationships with their parents or their relationships with same sexed friends, are we enabling society to keep these gendered roles around? I understand the entire argument that as a communication studies major one of the most important abilities we develop are critical thinking skills, but is it enough to just address these issues and discuss them? For me I guess I’m just so sick of talking about these issues but not actually being able to do anything to change them. Does anyone else feel this way?
My question then is: By participating in this class are we only perpetuating gender stereotypes? Or are we really breaking down walls here by being more aware of these gender differences?
My question then is: By participating in this class are we only perpetuating gender stereotypes? Or are we really breaking down walls here by being more aware of these gender differences?
April 01, 2008
Dressing Room Chit Chat
So I was at Von Maur trying on dresses for a formal and there happened to be a lot of high schoolers and their moms in the dressing room as well trying to choose prom dresses. They were talking pretty loudly and with the dressing rooms wide open I was able to hear their conversations. The more I listened to them, the ridiculous I kept thinking they sounded. It was a constant talk about how "I hate the way my body looks in this dress", "my hips are way too big", "I wish that I had a smaller chest", etc. Being someone who has had numerous conversations including comments like this, as well as many others girls I am sure, I was just wondering if guys ever express the same dislike for their bodies. I know they probably don't do it in the same fashion as girls but I feel like I never hear about guys publically disliking their bodies. Please enlighten me guys...
Gendered Prizes
My direct supervisor is a female and excitedly announced to us several weeks ago that she had received the prize for being the highest scoring female bowler at the managers' outing.
At the time, I found it humorous and was happy for her, but later thought about and was a little irritated that they had to have a prize for the highest scoring "female" bowler. As if a female couldn't possible bowl the highest number of points or just simply take second place. The prize and ability had to be recognized on a gendered level.
Of course, it could be seen as a good thing that the females are being recognized, but I felt like it was rather demeaning. What do others think? Any other viewpoints to this?
At the time, I found it humorous and was happy for her, but later thought about and was a little irritated that they had to have a prize for the highest scoring "female" bowler. As if a female couldn't possible bowl the highest number of points or just simply take second place. The prize and ability had to be recognized on a gendered level.
Of course, it could be seen as a good thing that the females are being recognized, but I felt like it was rather demeaning. What do others think? Any other viewpoints to this?