Feminism today is very different than early 20th century feminism. Fighting for the right to vote is a much different task than fighting for reproductive rights or for paid maternity leave. The differences are not in the overall cause of the movement, but in how the movement is promoted, what is being fought for, and what feminism means to individuals. The overall cause of the movement is simple: equality of the sexes. The interpretation of what “equality of the sexes” means is left for the three waves of the movement to decide and the individual to decide.
First/Second wave
A woman’s right to vote is taken for granted every day. It makes sense that this generation of women have become largely apathetic towards their rights as women when they have grown up watching their mothers go to the voting poles. This generation does not understand what it means to not vote. Watching Iron Jawed Angles (while it is a dramatization) made the struggle more clear to me. Not only had women been robbed of their right to vote, but when they raised enough awareness over the issue they were abused. The force feeding depicted in Iron Jawed Angles that resulted from hunger strikes in the women’s prison made me see what it took to gain the right to vote. Being force fed raw eggs and milk for the right to vote is what defines the first wave of feminism.
The second wave of feminism introduced a whole new set of feminist issues, primarily reproductive rights, rejection of what society defined as femininity, and other legislation that would protect women. Videos in class, the F-Word, and a few other class materials alluded often to the “bra burning”, “hairy legged”, and “angry” feminist from the second wave. Making progress in this wave of feminism was closely linked to being a “good” feminist that burned their bras, grew their leg hair out, and was angry at society (whether or not those links were intentional they were and still are there). These characteristics are what made feminism well known in a sense other than voting rights. But these characteristics are also what have survived in our society the most out of the second wave and have been projected onto the so-called feminists today.
Third wave
The F-Word makes a great point at the beginning of the novel: no wonder feminism is regarded as such a dirty word today, it ends in –ism along with words like communism. Common conceptions of what a feminist is were best shown in one of the class videos. It was really easy to tell by a person’s short answer to what a feminist was if they had any experience learning about what feminism actually is. For those who had not, they either thought it was a dirty word, or referred to the second wave images. For those who had taken time to learn, an understanding that feminism has something to do with equal rights was shown.
Since there is a great deal of misunderstanding and ambiguity surrounding feminism, it makes sense that people don’t know if we need feminism anymore. Post-feminism is discussed is great detail in The F-Word. All evidence given in the discussion of post-feminism supports the need for feminism and that post-feminism is a great misconception. One of the most weighted arguments shines light on the fact that women have not been strong voters historically and are not equally represented in political and professional realms. The author argues that feminism is needed to motivate women to act together to become entirely equally represented before they can worry about the issues that divide them. Women will not have a strong enough political voice unless the move together. The entire body of The F-Word is devoted to motivating that there is still a very serious need for women and men to act with feminist ideals.
Once I read through The F-Word, I was able to identify many misconceptions that I had previously held. I was finally read to find my own definition for feminism. The best definition that I have thought of this semester was motivated in Feminism is for Everybody: “Imagine living in a world where there is no dominion, where females and males are not alike or even always equal, but where a vision of mutuality is the ethos shaping our interaction.” I feel that a large part of feminism now needs to have love and respect towards males, which involves admitting that the sexes are not entirely equal in all senses. How does one gain respect if they don’t respect?
The ability to define feminism is a more prevalent idea in the third wave. The Manifesta deals with this directly, instead of droning on about what feminism is, it discusses what feminist is not. It is sad that the movement has had to redefine itself in terms of what it is not, but it gives me hope. There is a greater chance that individuals will take interest in feminism if it can accommodate a large set of personal beliefs.
Women’s Studies
Women’s Studies form the cornerstone for young women to become involved in this movement. In fact, I can’t acknowledge an easier, more accessible way for a college student to learn about feminism. Women’s Studies intersect feminism is two ways. The first is that the institutionalization of feminist ideals is a huge victory for the movement. The academic environment understands the importance of this field of study and acknowledges it. This provides countless opportunity for the feminist movement in terms of ability to publish literature under a university name, have access to more resources, and reach out to students. The second is an expansion of the feminist movement’s ability to reach out to students. Having courses, clubs, and literature available to students is key in educating the public on the need for feminism.
Am I a feminist?
Yes. I believe in a “vision of mutuality” between the sexes and in the beauty of the difference in the sexes. I understand that many inequalities are still anchored in our society, and will not be knocked out unless I do something, which is the take-home message of The F-Word. I also understand that any movement is dead unless activists take motion in fighting for their cause. In terms of being a feminist, I believe in striving to succeed in realms where women are not equal in order to tactfully encourage others to do the same.
...Thanks for a great class!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Final: Question 1
I chose to discuss The F-Word, Feminism is for Everybody, Opt Out, The Eternal Feminine, and He’s a Stud, She’s a Slut. These pieces of literature were chosen primarily because they affected my views in some way. They actually affected my views in the order presented: The F-Word eradicated the notion in my head that women have won their battle so that I was read to listen to more that feminism had to offer. Feminism is for Everybody gave me my favorite definition of feminism to go off of. Opt Out made feminism more personal. The Eternal Feminine made me realize the need to be active and educate individuals who do not know about the forces that work against them. All of the previous pieces of literature made the classic double standards in He’s a Stud, She’s a Slut seem far more real and personal. The feminist agenda will be effective for different people in different ways, which is why taking care in the delivery of its message is so important. People need a chance to understand that there are problems, that the problems affect them, and that the problems will not go away unless they become active.
The F-Word
I chose to write about the F-Word for a number of reasons, the first being that it is my favorite reading from the semester. The F-Word has the single most important argument I have heard all semester. This argument is wrapped in part of the thesis as a group of questions: The F-Word asks three questions in its thesis. How is feminism changing? Is the new generation on young women taking their rights won by previous generations for granted? And by focusing on cultural politics, instead of electoral politics are young women giving their power away? These are the questions that helped me dramatically understand what much of the feminist movement is all about. These are questions that I hadn’t been able to articulate until I read the arguments that support the thesis. And most importantly to me, evidence in my experiences show that these are valid questions to ask.
The F-Word discussed countless issues to support its thesis, so I will highlight only some. The first part of the book is devoted to defining what the third wave of feminism is. It turns out that most of the women she interviewed had very unique ideas, which is the key point. There is one attitude, however, that is largely portrayed in the third wave discussions. Much of it is comprised of apathy towards certain subjects and a want to define feminism on a more individual basis. The F-Word directly addresses these attitudes by arguing that there is a danger of segmenting the political strength of women –especially on issues which most agree on like poverty, the wage gap, etc.
The F-Word also examines the current state of motherhood. There are two basic parts to the motherhood discussions. The first is that women want to have the choice to be stay at home mothers and the second is that statistics don’t really show that most women have a real choice. The author argues that young women seem to be turned off of the idea of motherhood because of how difficult the balancing act can be.
One of the most important parts of the book discusses women in the political realm. People interviewed in this section express the lack of representation in the political realm for women which is why women need to get to the polls. The chapter titled “Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport” clearly expresses what the author is trying to get at. If the evidence shows that women really have been more apathetic towards government and that they have also reaped many negative side effects from that, then they need to vote!
I talked about The F-Word a considerable amount because it has a considerable overlap with other readings. I also think that this book demonstrated the origins that the other readings expand on.
Feminism is for Everybody
Feminism is for Everybody is basically a hand guide to what Hooks believes is Feminism. This book motivates feminism with the statement: “Imagine living in a world where there is no dominion, where females and males are not alike or even always equal, but where a vision of mutuality is the ethos shaping our interaction.” This idea is the cornerstone for the author’s thesis: that is the goal of feminism. I chose to discuss this book because it gave the first simple definition of the feminist movement that I liked. I always disagreed with a movement that blamed an entire sex instead of historical mistakes. Mutuality between males and females will never be achieved unless women stop “hating” and “blaming” men so that men can understand women as being intrinsically equal.
Much like The F-Word, Feminism is for Everybody covers several topics. Within the web of airy sounding idealistic statements, the author does make her point, which is that feminism really is for everybody. She argues that feminism bleeds into the interests of so many groups, for instance minorities and individuals below the poverty line. The author also spends most of her time explaining what feminism has done for society, which is why feminism is so noteworthy. Achievements discussed include civil rights, a voice for sexual abuse, a network of women for a cause, the institutionalization of women’s studies, reproductive rights, challenging sexist thinking, fighting the “beauty myth”, raising awareness for feminism in social classes, raising awareness in the workplace, and the list goes on.
The important point to take home from this book is that feminism can be used to fight on all fronts. Feminism effects everyone in a society and it takes many people to make it work. Feminism is for Everybody was able to contrast the F-Word by giving an almost exact description of what feminism is. The important link between the two lies in the fact that The F-Word is trying to motivate this generation to choose an activist view of what feminism is, which is what Hooks does in her book. I think the author of The F-Word has her own very specific definition and views of feminism, despite the fact that you only read a motivation for people to at least care and be active. I think that The F-Word provides much more sound arguments than Feminism is for Everybody, but Feminism is for Everybody serves its own important role. That is, the book simply states what feminism is in the author’s view. This is important since most people don’t know what feminism is.
Opt Out.
Opt Out was one of the more controversial articles that we read this semester. The thesis of opt out is that women are now choosing to be stay to home mothers instead of being forced to. The article considers the testimonies of several graduates from Princeton, which the author recognizes is hardly a representative snap shot of women in
I think that this article if taken at face-value is entirely a contradiction to what The F-Word argues for. When people react to the stay at home mom argument, the article becomes another piece of clear evidence that feminism has not finished its fight. In the same light, Feminism is for Everybody discounts the discussion of privileged women and their choices, because feminism is for everybody.
The Eternal Feminine
The Eternal Feminine is a much different piece of literature than most read in class, mostly because it is a stage play. And it is not a stage play about feminism. Reading this play, however, does give the opportunity to analyze gender in Mexican literature. For my “reading gender” assignment I focused on one section of the play, which I wish to talk about now: the scene in her dream when she talks with her mother.
Castellanos places us in the perfect situation to learn the true context up Lupita’s fears. Lupita is dreaming of “what the future holds”. Instead of dreaming in fairytales, Lupita dreams in terms of what she doesn’t know, and how she has always learned what she now knows; Lupita doesn’t know how to be a good wife, what her husband will expect of her, what to think of sex in her mariage, how quickly she may get pregnant, and how she should take care of an unborn child... she answers these questions in her dream with the imagined angry reactions from her husband and the scorning reason of her mother. The way that Lupita resorts to answering the questions in her dream shows how innocent she really is. Her innocence is juxtaposed with what she figures real motherhood is at the send of this section: darkness. It isn’t very often that we see women seeking out what other possibilities there are, more correctly, it isn’t very often we encourage women to do so.
Lupita’s lack of control over her own pregnancy parallels the lack of control many women have over their pregnancies today. One parrallel is in education. As discused in the F-Word, sex education in the US is not properly provided everywhere. When Lupita’s mom tells her that she must wear loose clothes, and feed her cravings, it becomes apparent that neither of them know what really contributes to the health of a baby, so the one with more experience is the only one who should be bossing. Lupita is also completely bossed around by her husband and her mother. This may have represented her lack of understanding since she eventually listened to everything that she was told to do. There was also no talk of Lupita wanting to have a child, it just happened. The issue of a contraceptive didn’t enter the picture at all. It seems that the lack of knowledge about being a good wife was the very thing that was making her a good wife; she just had to listen to two people and she was fulfulling her duties. Many times in our society people are considered good when they don’t ask questions about a taboo subject like sex and pregnancy.
He’s a Stud, She’s a Slut
This book is a black and white motivation for feminism in that there really are obvious inequalities that place females at a disadvantage in our society. The book it written in a way that everyone can understand since it directly references the culture that we all live in. There are at least 49 double standards that every woman in the
Many of the double standards discussed in He’s a Stud, She’s a Slut are also discussed in The F-Word. This makes sense since double standards are a good motivation for women to stop being apathetic. The double standard that mixes the most with the F-Word is “He’s a politician, she’s a fashion plate”. This overlaps so well because the F-Word argues that women need to become more involved in politics. The “fashion plate” is a direct reference to women being useless in political matters, which wouldn’t be the case if women become more politically charged and motivated. “He’s gonna be a success, she’s gonna be a stay-at-home mom” is the double standard that meshes with the Belkin article over stay at home mothers. Regardless of the evidence that Belkin was showing, the actual majority of out culture believes this. All people have to do is consider maternity leave, paternity leave, tenure-tack jobs, and statistics that show there are less professional women working in the US than men. In the same fashion, this double standard is depicted in The Eternal Feminine.
The F-Word, Feminism is for Everybody, Opt Out, The Eternal Feminine, and He’s a Stud, She’s a Slut really did build on each other and motivate each other. The F-Word was able to explain to me that there are political issues that have to do with women’s issues that affect me and the
The F-Word has motivated more than anything else read in this class because I have always wanted to become a leader, specifically a leader in the science community. While there really are countless forces that keep women out of this field of study and keep women suppressed in the field, I find comfort in understanding these forces to fight them with a greater fire. The F-Word taught me to stop being pig headed. It taught me that there is opposition to my success in the sciences and that I need to get in there are fight. I now have two specific goals for my future career. The first is to establish a women’s physics group for undergraduates and graduates and be the head coordinator. Every physics department needs this in place for properly encouraging women in their major (the OU physics department only has a group for the PhD women students). The second goal is to be active in changing the way tenure is given so that it is not discriminating towards women.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Blog 10
Reading Gender Essay
I completely shuddered when reading the dialogue between Lupita and her mother. The dream of Lupita and her mother reminded me not necessarily of my experiences with my own mother, but of feelings that I have had towards her. These are feelings that all mother-daughter couples have. On the mother’s side, their daughter must be brought up to some standard (which is different for every mom). On the side of the daughter, feelings of alienation, being controlled, and worry of becoming their mother surface in the slightest conflicts.
Castellanos places us in the perfect situation to learn the true context up Lupita’s fears. Lupita is dreaming of “what the future holds”. Instead of dreaming in fairytales, Lupita dreams in terms of what she doesn’t know, and how she has always learned what she now knows; Lupita doesn’t know how to be a good wife, what her husband will expect of her, what to think of sex in her marriage, how quickly she may get pregnant, and how she should take care of an unborn child... she answers these questions in her dream with the imagined angry reactions from her husband and the scorning reason of her mother. The way that Lupita resorts to answering the questions in her dream shows how innocent she really is. Her innocence is juxtaposed with what she figures real motherhood is at the send of this section: darkness. The flow from innocent newly-wed to the all-knowing grandmother is very prominent in our culture. This is the path that is hard for women to stray from because it is what they are told to do. It isn’t very often that we see women seeking out what other possibilities there are, more correctly, it isn’t very often we encourage women to do so.
Castellanos takes care to define how powerful Mama is in Lupita’s life. Not only does Mama dictate how Lupita is feeling, what she should do, and how she should act, but she controls Lupita’s husband. Lupita experiences her pregnancy with no control over it. Mama is able to manipulate Lupita’s husband because he doesn’t know how to be a proper father. Both Mama and her husband control Lupita’s pregnancy because she has no clue. The most interesting gender relation from this is the womens' ability to blatantly manipulate Lupita’s husband. It is interesting that the only time that Lupita is able to manipulate her husband to such an extent is with the help of her mother.
Lupita’s lack of control over her own pregnancy parallels the lack of control many women have over their pregnancies today. One parrallel is in education. As discussed in the F-Word, sex education in the US is not properly provided everywhere. When Lupita’s mom tells her that she must wear loose clothes, and feed her cravings, it becomes apparent that neither of them know what really contributes to the health of a baby, so the one with more experience is the only one who should be bossing. Lupita is also completely bossed around by her husband and her mother. This may have represented her lack of understanding since she eventually listened to everything that she was told to do. There was also no talk of Lupita wanting to have a child, it just happened. The issue of a contraceptive didn’t enter the picture at all. It seems that the lack of knowledge about being a good wife was the very thing that was making her a good wife; she just had to listen to two people and she was fulfilling her duties. Many times in our society people are considered good when they don’t ask questions about a taboo subject like sex and pregnancy.
I completely shuddered when reading the dialogue between Lupita and her mother. The dream of Lupita and her mother reminded me not necessarily of my experiences with my own mother, but of feelings that I have had towards her. These are feelings that all mother-daughter couples have. On the mother’s side, their daughter must be brought up to some standard (which is different for every mom). On the side of the daughter, feelings of alienation, being controlled, and worry of becoming their mother surface in the slightest conflicts.
Castellanos places us in the perfect situation to learn the true context up Lupita’s fears. Lupita is dreaming of “what the future holds”. Instead of dreaming in fairytales, Lupita dreams in terms of what she doesn’t know, and how she has always learned what she now knows; Lupita doesn’t know how to be a good wife, what her husband will expect of her, what to think of sex in her marriage, how quickly she may get pregnant, and how she should take care of an unborn child... she answers these questions in her dream with the imagined angry reactions from her husband and the scorning reason of her mother. The way that Lupita resorts to answering the questions in her dream shows how innocent she really is. Her innocence is juxtaposed with what she figures real motherhood is at the send of this section: darkness. The flow from innocent newly-wed to the all-knowing grandmother is very prominent in our culture. This is the path that is hard for women to stray from because it is what they are told to do. It isn’t very often that we see women seeking out what other possibilities there are, more correctly, it isn’t very often we encourage women to do so.
Castellanos takes care to define how powerful Mama is in Lupita’s life. Not only does Mama dictate how Lupita is feeling, what she should do, and how she should act, but she controls Lupita’s husband. Lupita experiences her pregnancy with no control over it. Mama is able to manipulate Lupita’s husband because he doesn’t know how to be a proper father. Both Mama and her husband control Lupita’s pregnancy because she has no clue. The most interesting gender relation from this is the womens' ability to blatantly manipulate Lupita’s husband. It is interesting that the only time that Lupita is able to manipulate her husband to such an extent is with the help of her mother.
Lupita’s lack of control over her own pregnancy parallels the lack of control many women have over their pregnancies today. One parrallel is in education. As discussed in the F-Word, sex education in the US is not properly provided everywhere. When Lupita’s mom tells her that she must wear loose clothes, and feed her cravings, it becomes apparent that neither of them know what really contributes to the health of a baby, so the one with more experience is the only one who should be bossing. Lupita is also completely bossed around by her husband and her mother. This may have represented her lack of understanding since she eventually listened to everything that she was told to do. There was also no talk of Lupita wanting to have a child, it just happened. The issue of a contraceptive didn’t enter the picture at all. It seems that the lack of knowledge about being a good wife was the very thing that was making her a good wife; she just had to listen to two people and she was fulfilling her duties. Many times in our society people are considered good when they don’t ask questions about a taboo subject like sex and pregnancy.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Blog 9
The Moondance International Film Festival, which sells itself as “The American Cannes”, is held annually in 
ional scale.
The welcome letter written by Elizabeth English, the founder and executive director of the Moondance International Film Festival, is full of forward thinking ideas. “Films and scripts can contribute to a healthier society and should encourage the active involvement of audiences to connect and act collectively to address social challenges... We honor those writers and filmmakers who, through their creative work, actively increase awareness, provide multiple viewpoints, address complex social issues, and strengthen ties between international audiences.”
The mission statement explains that the organization wants to promote international screenwriters and independent filmmakers, encourage non-violence in film, support education through film, and reach out toward women film-makers and women writers everywhere in the world, promote the equality of women. “Our mission is to present a vibrant and growing collection of films and writings, which is an ideal means for communication across perceived boundaries of race, culture, age and gender.” The mission statement also includes a large emphasis on women’s rights: “Our work on reaching out toward women film-makers and women writers everywhere in the world is primary and ongoing. Women writers and film-makers from all six continents, and from a wide diversity of ethnic and linguistic groups are an integral part of our mission and goals. We seek to inspire and invigorate this creative potential of women to perceive, conceptualize, and produce their works for the benefit of the world society. We are dedicated to preserving their accumulated accomplishments and visions as expressed through the art of film and writings.”
All articles that I have been able to find give very positive reviews of the film festival. Most articles mention that the focus on positive social changes makes the festival unique and a very worthy cause. I chose to cover an arts-oriented organization because the arts can serve very unique rolls in social issues. Specifically, a film festival such as this one represents a movement of change that is wanted now. Contemporary art have always served as an outlet for the oppressed and this festival is shining light on these issues by seeking out films from all cultures, sexes, races, religions, etc. Art is also something that can be understood without language, making it a more human and binding experience. It is also convenient that the festival takes place in
The article over globalization is obviously a very depressing one. I appreciate that the author was trying to display this world issue in light of women’s rights. Enloe realizes that sweatshops are filled with primarily women workers and that is what makes it easier for globalized companies to take advantage of the “opportunity” to put them to work. The author has a very substantial point that can be applied more generally to social issues all over the world. One of the failings of the 3rd wave may be that we still don’t think of social injustices as being relevant to gender. If we are to understand any social issue/problem/injustice then we really do need to understand the rolls of males and females in the societies affected. The tensions between these rolls can often fuel other problems, like in the case of factory workers.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Ethnographic Exercise: Gender and Work
My mother has often shared certain frustrations about her work environment. “Sherri just has to talk about penis envy”, “The women at the front are always gossiping about students”, and “The women think that the dean likes me so much because I have a pretty face” are examples of what I get to listen to when I fold my laundry at home every other weekend. My mom’s complaints can often be boiled down to a problem over what is and isn’t proper for the workplace. Should Sherri be talking about penis envy after taking off her uncomfortable shoes and walking around the office bare-foot (because stilettos are in fact the reincarnation of penises)? Should there be more control over student gossip? And should the women and men in the office be suggesting why they really think my mom got her job?
You may have noticed that it almost doesn’t matter where my mom works; these problems happen in all offices. I would like to tackle, just for a day, the dramas of the Undergraduate Advising Office in the OU College of Business. I would like to extend the idea of what is or is not proper for the work place to a discussion over gender: What links exist, if any, between gender rolls and the ability for an office to appear professional?
Observation:
Upon strolling into the Michael F. Price School of Business, one can’t help but to notice the carefully chosen décor, professional color schemes, and gold lettering on the walls paying homage to the kind individuals who made the college possible. This building looks like a business college. Students throughout the building proudly type on their lap tops as if they want all people passing by to know that they will make over $100k someday. The clicking and clacking of polished leather shoes echo in the hall. This is a place of prestige, and surely, the undergraduate advisement office is no exception.
My mom holds the unofficial title of “The Hostess with the Mostest” in this office. Basically, my mom is first in line when it comes to dealing with angry parents, failing students, and important visiting guests. My mom spends much of her day being busy with taking calls, greeting people, scheduling appointments, and informing the counselors about their next appointment. In the time between, conversation is always happening behind the front desk, whether it is between my mom, student workers, or counselors that wander out of their offices. My mom works amongst mostly younger females, about in their 30’s or 40’s. This is what makes my mother’s job interesting; her coworkers hold a melting pot of views very different than her own, and most importantly, know how to get a little rise out of her whenever they like.
Like all good conversation, most subjects talked about behind the front desk end up leading towards inappropriate conversation if the wrong person were to hear. It could be anything, too much information about someone’s boyfriend, someone thinks a student is “cute”, someone thinks so and so is an evil witch, and the list goes on. Knowing my mom better than anyone in the office, I can sense a lot more out of her than any of her coworkers can. The feeling that I get from my mom, more than any other feeling, is a little discomfort and disapproval, both are covered up by a shy giggle every time. The most uncomfortable conversations are spurred when the counselors are involved. If Michael (one of the few men in the office) comes out to check his next appointment and goes back to him office, my mom always has to look over at me to ask in a quiet voice, “Leah, do you think he’s gay?” If Sherri walks into the front with no shoes on, she has to explain why her stilettos represent penises, to which of course my mom has nothing to say in response other than “Sherri, what are you talking about? You’re not thinking!” My mom spends a lot of conversation time acting surprised, and not saying too much unless wedding planning, flowers, or something positive is said.
From what I have gathered, there is a constant administrative effort in place to ensure the professional appearance of this office. In fact, it has been described to me as a constant fight. Do certain gender roles have anything to do with this struggle? And what should be considered professional when it comes to expressing certain thoughts at work?
Analysis:
Gender has everything to do with the subjects talked about. Since there were usually only women behind the front desk, there was a lot of “girl talk”. Not only did most of this conversation make my mom feel uncomfortable, but if a student, professor, or an administrator was to overhear the conversation, they would not be comfortable or happy with what they should hear. There was something about this type of conversation that was very unprofessional, but why?
This office is a place where the appropriateness of the business world meets the rest of the world. The workers are expected to act a certain way, but often do not. A stark contrast I saw in the office was the way my mom would handle certain conversation compared to the younger women. My mom represented some sort of “old school” way of thought and doing. There are certain attitudes inherent in my mom because of her upbringing. It turns out, I agree with my mom on some level. There are certain roles that men and women fulfill in a professional environment that make their actions more appropriate. For instance, Career Services advises that it is better for females to wear a dress skirt with hose in a professional atmosphere.
Interview:
I learned the most from just talking to my mom. “It doesn’t matter how stupid I am, the dean just wants a pretty face up at the front and I can learn the rest latter.” My mom can talk for hours about how her coworkers need to learn to act more “professional”. When I asked my mom what this meant, she characterized the word by proper dress and proper conversation. “When someone wears a black thong under white pants and bends over all day long, they are being very inappropriate. Women shouldn’t talk about their boyfriends or penis envy. No one needs to hear about those things. The counselors also need to learn not to gossip about students.” My mom also acknowledged that the way people act at work is a function of social class and/or upbringing, “I think that we have different ‘types’ of ladies at work. For example, I would never drink during lunch with my coworkers.” When I explained to my mom that I see male professors from the physics department enjoying a beer with their lunch, my mom responded with, “well, they are men in the physics department. In the business college, we are supposed to stand out.”
I think that my mom interprets appropriateness almost entirely through how females and males fulfill certain traditional roles. I certainly have a more difficult time doing so, but then again, I’m not a part of the Michael F. Price School of Business. Despite the fact that I barely agree with a lot that my mom says over acting professional, I still think that she acts the most appropriate in her office.
Here is an entire waste of an article:
http://www.latimes.com/features/lifestyle/la-ig-arms29-2009mar29,0,747463.story
http://www.latimes.com/features/lifestyle/la-ig-arms29-2009mar29,0,747463.story
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Blog 8
Belkin’s article seems to ring a few chords in me, and they don’t agree with her.
I hear the argument that women now have more of a “choice” to leave their career and be stay-at-home mothers (of course how much of a “choice” this is depends on race, social class, place of residence etc.) To me, it seemed that Belkin was arguing that women nowadays are lazy about their own careers, because who wants to work if they have to? You know what, I think they are lazy and that is has always been culturally acceptable for women not to work. But you know what else; men would do the same thing.
Culture values the man who provides for his family. Culture values women who are mother figures. Mix those together and trends make sense. Things also make sense if we consider America in the 1600’s to the 1800’s, a time where women really did have designated tasks oriented around housework which were far from what your standard stay-at-home mother would complete nowadays. But I don’t think very many of those women would be considered lazy by Belkin. Belkin is trying to tie in the fact that the feminist movement has made it possible for women to move towards other types of jobs, but they simply are not fulfilling those jobs and are instead using children as an “opt out”. So while many men would do the same thing if they had the option, I still have a hard time siding with the stay-at-home mothers. The article makes its most important point right near the end:
This, I would argue, is why the workplace needs women. Not just because they are 50 percent of the talent pool, but for the very fact that they are more willing to leave than men. That, in turn, makes employers work harder to keep them. It is why the accounting firm Deloitte & Touche has more than doubled the number of employees on flexible work schedules over the past decade and more than quintupled the number of female partners and directors (to 567, from 97) in the same period. It is why I.B.M. employees can request up to 156 weeks of ob-protected family time off. It is why Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pa., hired a husband and wife to fill one neonatology job, with a shared salary and shared health insurance, then let them decide who stays home and who comes to the hospital on any given day. It is why, everywhere you look, workers are doing their work in untraditional ways.
The other side of the argument that I hear most from Belkin has to do with “choice”. She argues that affluent, white women form Princeton had the ability to choose, while others may not have. I agree. That is why it seems such a disgrace when these women choose not to enter the work force in any way, when countless others would love to, but cannot. I’m sure that this would offend many individuals, but if someone does not express any desire to invest in themselves and realize they have an obligation to give back to society, then they are they people who hold us back from a more sensible society. I should clarify that I don’t define a job entirely by wage. There are countless organizations and causes people can assign themselves to that give some of the greatest contributions to our society.
A pretty funny response to this article can be found on the Salon News website, http://archive.salon.com/mwt/feature/2003/10/27/belkin/. The author, Walsh, attacks one of the weakest points in Belkin’s discussion: the matter of “choice”. Walsh discusses that Belkin really did refuse to discuss matters of discrimination, and she should have. She also discusses that Belkin’s work doesn’t say anything special because of the group of individuals she’s interviewing: “Because, honestly, if you take those disclaimers seriously, you'll think -- correctly -- that Belkin's piece is a real-time snapshot of a small cohort of privileged 30-something white women who are likely to think something entirely different in 10 years.” I agree with Walsh.
I hear the argument that women now have more of a “choice” to leave their career and be stay-at-home mothers (of course how much of a “choice” this is depends on race, social class, place of residence etc.) To me, it seemed that Belkin was arguing that women nowadays are lazy about their own careers, because who wants to work if they have to? You know what, I think they are lazy and that is has always been culturally acceptable for women not to work. But you know what else; men would do the same thing.
Culture values the man who provides for his family. Culture values women who are mother figures. Mix those together and trends make sense. Things also make sense if we consider America in the 1600’s to the 1800’s, a time where women really did have designated tasks oriented around housework which were far from what your standard stay-at-home mother would complete nowadays. But I don’t think very many of those women would be considered lazy by Belkin. Belkin is trying to tie in the fact that the feminist movement has made it possible for women to move towards other types of jobs, but they simply are not fulfilling those jobs and are instead using children as an “opt out”. So while many men would do the same thing if they had the option, I still have a hard time siding with the stay-at-home mothers. The article makes its most important point right near the end:
This, I would argue, is why the workplace needs women. Not just because they are 50 percent of the talent pool, but for the very fact that they are more willing to leave than men. That, in turn, makes employers work harder to keep them. It is why the accounting firm Deloitte & Touche has more than doubled the number of employees on flexible work schedules over the past decade and more than quintupled the number of female partners and directors (to 567, from 97) in the same period. It is why I.B.M. employees can request up to 156 weeks of ob-protected family time off. It is why Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pa., hired a husband and wife to fill one neonatology job, with a shared salary and shared health insurance, then let them decide who stays home and who comes to the hospital on any given day. It is why, everywhere you look, workers are doing their work in untraditional ways.
The other side of the argument that I hear most from Belkin has to do with “choice”. She argues that affluent, white women form Princeton had the ability to choose, while others may not have. I agree. That is why it seems such a disgrace when these women choose not to enter the work force in any way, when countless others would love to, but cannot. I’m sure that this would offend many individuals, but if someone does not express any desire to invest in themselves and realize they have an obligation to give back to society, then they are they people who hold us back from a more sensible society. I should clarify that I don’t define a job entirely by wage. There are countless organizations and causes people can assign themselves to that give some of the greatest contributions to our society.
A pretty funny response to this article can be found on the Salon News website, http://archive.salon.com/mwt/feature/2003/10/27/belkin/. The author, Walsh, attacks one of the weakest points in Belkin’s discussion: the matter of “choice”. Walsh discusses that Belkin really did refuse to discuss matters of discrimination, and she should have. She also discusses that Belkin’s work doesn’t say anything special because of the group of individuals she’s interviewing: “Because, honestly, if you take those disclaimers seriously, you'll think -- correctly -- that Belkin's piece is a real-time snapshot of a small cohort of privileged 30-something white women who are likely to think something entirely different in 10 years.” I agree with Walsh.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Blog 7
Movie Review
The most recent movie I’ve seen lately is “The House of Yes”. A movie with great reviews, but little advertisement and box office attention, “The House of Yes” is a twisted dark comedy. The premise of the story surrounds an off-kilter family consisting of a mother and her three grown children, a son, and a set of twins, one male and one female. The twin son, Marquis, comes home for thanksgiving where his mother, brother and sister live together. Marquis surprises his family with a fiancée. By the point in the movie, you are well aware of his sister’s, Jackie-o, mental illness –she’s insane. (**Don’t read the following section if you want to see the movie –I highly recommend it**) As very confusing and twisted secrets about the family’s history surface during the evening’s events, the viewer slowly learns about the incestuous relationship that has taken place between Marquis and his twin sister, Jackie-o. Marquis’s fiancée learns about their relationship when she catches him having sex with his sister. The fiancée, Leslie, is then manipulated to have sex with the other brother, Anthony. ...believe it or not, the actors pull it off.
Gender is a very interesting part of the story to pick apart, starting with the main character, Jackie-o. Jackie’s insanity is blamed often on her relationship with Marquis. Her mental stability is entirely dependent on Marquis’s acceptance of her. Not only that, but her personality if formed from having everything that she’s ever wanted, she’s extremely spoiled. When the viewer learns more of historical events in Jackie’s life, they learn about her obsessive and manipulative qualities. For example, she shot Markus in the gut so that he wouldn’t be able to leave for school. The most dominant feature of her character is her obsession with Jackie Kennedy. I loved the mix of stereotypes played by this character. She represented the selfish, dependent, and manipulative women in our society.
Marquis is also an interesting character to examine. Every action that he took seemed to be controlled by one of the women, whether is be his fiancée, sister, or mother. He represents another very common stereotype in our society: the man that is only motivated by women.
My favorite character to consider when discussing gender is Anthony. Anthony is the dumb other brother who doesn’t seem sure of much. He plays dumb so well that he has an astounding ability to manipulate women. He lies to Marquis’s fiancée by telling her that he has a brain tumor and is a virgin... a lie that would only work on an easily persuaded woman if played in the perfect stupid way. Anthony allows his true personality to seep through once in the whole movie, and it is after he has fully realized that he has entirely rode out the train of taking advantage of Leslie, the fiancée. Because you only meet the real Anthony for a very short moment while he is a little bitter, the viewer can understand how conniving he really is. Anthony represents what all those “men-haters” out there hate on.
As a whole, gender rolls are the underlying manipulative force that drives all of the relationships in the film. Even obsessions and reasoning for each character are shaped in some way by a gender stereotype.
Chapter 7 in the “F-Word” reminded me of one of my greatest fears: marriage. Despite the fact that anyone living in Oklahoma would think the normal age to get married is 22 (or earlier), there are many people out there in the real world getting married at slightly less scary ages. One thing the author didn’t mention when talking about the trend of people getting married later is that the meaning of marriage is changing. She talked about many of the factors that have gone into changing the function of marriage, the necessity of marriage, and the changing social pressures to get married, but failed to talk about how this makes for a new type of marriage that can be defined more loosely. How do people know when they should get married if it is starting to become more a choice of whether or not they would like to, not that they should, or need to.
One definition of marriage that I currently really love is: why get married? I don’t think that people need to get married at all. In fact, I think that for certain couples, the comfort of a legal tie to one another fogs the importance of remaining a responsible partner that actively tries to “convince” the other person to still be with them. What is a healthy love if people forget why they are in the relationship other than by remembering warm feelings from distant memories? If people choose to stay together without marriage, it seems as though they may be motivated to invest more in the relationship. ...I’m a little anti-marriage right now.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Blog 6
Gap Advertisement for “RED”So I’ll give it to Gap, they are doing a great job raising money for AIDS awareness and treatment. Personally, I can’t see where AIDS plays a roll in the advertisement. I guess they do a good job at making the remains of a shirt on her look really lucky and really cool. Gap also does a great job at displaying our modern, beautiful, natural, woman model. She’s a healthy weight –barely. She has such healthy skin –with makeup and Photoshop all over it. Her face is so natural –made to look flawless like a doll. Her hair is messy –it’s perfectly out of place. Her breasts look, well, right at you. Her pants, well, are missing. The yoga pose is also very appropriate in a time where we all know that yoga isn’t westernized. What does this image say about gender? ...that a good pair looks at you with greater intent than a lifeless doll face ...that spaghetti arms are nice accessories to that good cause tank top ...that lifeless features will work well with that cranberry color ...that Photoshop body parts enhance the nice neckline of the top. I have learned that in order to pull of that top, all women had better not forget to fix themselves up to look like her.
Wolf:
“We are in the midst of a violent backlash against feminism that uses images of female beauty as a political weapon against women’s advancement: the beauty myth. The beauty myth took the place of domesticity.”
I disagree that the beauty myth is a political weapon against women’s advancement. Women still have the choice to disagree with the countless images placed in front of them constantly. I wish that the focus of what confines women to certain appearances and ways of acting was fighting against the lack of education of young people in North America. I believe that the real issue surrounding the beauty myth is what will make money. Sex really does sell –and there are thousands of reasons why. If everyone knows this, why is it so hard for parents and roll models to teach children that images portrayed in advertisements are lies?
It’s a parent’s job to make sure that they raise a child that understands what a real woman is rather than relying on society and television to instill those values for them. We live in a society were women who are properly educated have the chance to understand that images that tell them who they should be and what they should look like do not carry valuable truths. When women and men are not properly educated, it is the fault irresponsible parents, teachers, roll models, etc. It comes from mothers and fathers assuming certain “appropriate” roles in raising their children... roles that do not overlap and that are responsible for teaching only what young people should not do... never what to think over, never what to aspire to be, never that what children are given is the chance to rise above all of the negative confinement that is obvious in our society. There is a reason that men are taught to think certain body types are attractive. There is a reason that women are taught to learn from images like the ones the author claims forms the beauty myth. The people responsible for raising girls and boys, women and men, are not properly educated about these issues.
Scott:
I completely agree with the author’s thesis. I agree with the author because of certain experiences that I have had being a woman in this society.
First, I don’t completely reject my culture. This culture has its flaws, but I still choose to be a part of it... I enjoy being a woman in North America. Our society as a whole has a very, very loose definition of what it means to be a woman. Why? Regardless of stereotypes, no one seamlessly agrees on what a true woman or a true man is in our culture. We still have expectations in our society of what gender is that often are never questioned, for example, “women should shave their legs”. There are very few women who flaunt unshaven legs. So while I disagree with the majority of these unspoken expectations, I still like enjoy being a female in this culture. I enjoy the opportunity to have an education, to succeed in a field of study, to disagree openly about controversial subjects, and to have laws that protect me; all are fairly unique to our culture. I enjoy taking pride in the clothing I wear, I enjoy doing my hair, and I enjoy wearing makeup sometimes, and on top of all of that, I still believe in equal rights for women.
Another reason that I agree with the author’s thesis is that there are women of all types that need to be reached with the message of feminism. There are certain type of women that will not respond, or will simply reject a message from a woman that doesn’t look like a “normal” woman in our society. I think it’s very beneficial to the movement if women presented in all forms are able to get the message out.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Blog 5
FIFE:
I definitely like how the author is trying to shine light on the fact that the feminist movement had changed a lot. The author was trying to say a little too much at once, but what I got out of the chapter I agree with. That is, the feminist movement only affected women in high social classes to start out with. I think the movement today still has a hard time reaching out to all social classes. It brings back the question: how big of a fight is the feminist movement fighting? If we don’t include issues of class, race, etc. then how can the movement reach all women equally?
In chapter 16 I don’t think the author places enough emphasis on how important it is that individuals have the right to choose their sexual preferences. When there are officials in our current government who believe that many forms of sexual practices should be illegal (for example homosexuality), and when a large portions of our population vote down bills like Prop. 8 in California, the feminist community still has a lot of work to do in order to “sell” sexual freedom to the public. I don’t think that sexuality should define what the feminist movement is about explicitly, but the feminist movement must fight for these rights. What other movement is going to speak out for a woman’s sexual rights in terms of mutuality of the sexes and races?
The reading from the packet brings up a great point about body image at a young age in women. Let’s educate young girls and women about the culture that is shaping who they are. As an adolescent, I hadn’t the slightest idea what cultural roles I was being bread into, but definitely felt the push. I can remember the women in my science and math classes becoming less and less engaged. I can remember trying to figure out how to be “cute” for boys by looking at Britney Spears. I can remember a sudden dislike for the color pink when all of my girl friends liked it. I can remember the first high school physics class I had with all boys. And now, I am still trying to figure out why I think that I look better with makeup on. If our culture’s impact on young men and women were discussed more bluntly at a young age, I think that a lot of my friends –men and women both- would have benefitted.
As for the soundtrack that represents gender… I chose songs that represent my true beliefs on gender and gender relationships (how many love songs are there out there?), songs that shaped my view of gender at a young age, and songs that I enjoy listening to despite them being obviously misogynistic or sexist.
Leave it to Jeff Buckley to write a song like this. I love his view of his partner, and how explicit he is in talking about his experience. He sings about his fear in his relationship, which is by no means conventional for most male singers… but how many ladies out there wanted a piece of Mr. Buckley? I love this song because it really shows a man’s breaking point.
2. Ok so this song is a little bit of a guilty pleasure. Talk about manly in a new light.
3. Ok for real, this song is awesome. Sure it objectifies women a little (ha, or a lot), but at least they are promoting a healthy figure. This song reminds me that I’m supposed to have curves.
4. I like the part about shaving her legs… I haven’t shaved my legs for a long time now… despite my hairy genetics.
5. So this song talks about a kind of “one-night-stand” between a man and a woman. I like, however, that it’s the man asking if you think he’s sexy… not a women.
6. This song I hold dear to heart. Interactions between genders, and ages, can always seem a little promiscuous to others. I say to hell with that.
7. Classic idea… all men are creeps. I know a lot of obsessive women too!
8. Van Morrison seems so manly to me… I think it’s the way he mixes singing about his adolescent feeling and mature feelings together.
9. Van Morrison also does a great job at describing his love… I think he does a neat job at describing a woman… very feminine, but he’s also being a little feminine about it.
10. She’s out there.
11. This song is just hilarious. Religion always seems to play different roles for each gender, what role is it playing here?
12. This song is about someone getting stabbed… as a metaphor. This song really demonstrates the difference in the way our genders treat breakups.
13. Have definitely met a few boys like this in my lifetime… just a few.
14. I hate this song… looks only.
15. Need I say more?
16. Good evil woman song… don’t agree all the time.
17. Who screams “I hate men” more than Alanis? There is definitely more to her than that. Her lyrics are really intelligent, she knows what’s up and is a great example of a strong woman.
18. 8th grade for me.
19. Now there are a lot, a lot, of men like this.
20. Ok so this song is really inappropriate. Why do I still think it’s funny?
21. Tom Jones held the women’s movement back by 20 years.
22. …so did ZZ Top.
23. Can you believe I listened to this in 6th grade? So much for boy bands being innocent.
24. As catchy as they come… what a poetic way of telling a stranger that you are kind of into them.
25. Listen for the name “Virginia”
26. Stadium rock meets lesbianism? I think not. Cheep play on a classic fantasy.
27. I was really happy when this song came out. It shows that if you take the idea of Barbie a little too seriously, you get a number one hit! Let’s all play Barbie because math is too hard.
28. This song illustrates high school gender roles in a nutshell. I can’t believe this was what I was being taught in the 6ht grade.
I definitely like how the author is trying to shine light on the fact that the feminist movement had changed a lot. The author was trying to say a little too much at once, but what I got out of the chapter I agree with. That is, the feminist movement only affected women in high social classes to start out with. I think the movement today still has a hard time reaching out to all social classes. It brings back the question: how big of a fight is the feminist movement fighting? If we don’t include issues of class, race, etc. then how can the movement reach all women equally?
In chapter 16 I don’t think the author places enough emphasis on how important it is that individuals have the right to choose their sexual preferences. When there are officials in our current government who believe that many forms of sexual practices should be illegal (for example homosexuality), and when a large portions of our population vote down bills like Prop. 8 in California, the feminist community still has a lot of work to do in order to “sell” sexual freedom to the public. I don’t think that sexuality should define what the feminist movement is about explicitly, but the feminist movement must fight for these rights. What other movement is going to speak out for a woman’s sexual rights in terms of mutuality of the sexes and races?
The reading from the packet brings up a great point about body image at a young age in women. Let’s educate young girls and women about the culture that is shaping who they are. As an adolescent, I hadn’t the slightest idea what cultural roles I was being bread into, but definitely felt the push. I can remember the women in my science and math classes becoming less and less engaged. I can remember trying to figure out how to be “cute” for boys by looking at Britney Spears. I can remember a sudden dislike for the color pink when all of my girl friends liked it. I can remember the first high school physics class I had with all boys. And now, I am still trying to figure out why I think that I look better with makeup on. If our culture’s impact on young men and women were discussed more bluntly at a young age, I think that a lot of my friends –men and women both- would have benefitted.
As for the soundtrack that represents gender… I chose songs that represent my true beliefs on gender and gender relationships (how many love songs are there out there?), songs that shaped my view of gender at a young age, and songs that I enjoy listening to despite them being obviously misogynistic or sexist.
2. Ok so this song is a little bit of a guilty pleasure. Talk about manly in a new light.
3. Ok for real, this song is awesome. Sure it objectifies women a little (ha, or a lot), but at least they are promoting a healthy figure. This song reminds me that I’m supposed to have curves.
4. I like the part about shaving her legs… I haven’t shaved my legs for a long time now… despite my hairy genetics.
5. So this song talks about a kind of “one-night-stand” between a man and a woman. I like, however, that it’s the man asking if you think he’s sexy… not a women.
6. This song I hold dear to heart. Interactions between genders, and ages, can always seem a little promiscuous to others. I say to hell with that.
7. Classic idea… all men are creeps. I know a lot of obsessive women too!
8. Van Morrison seems so manly to me… I think it’s the way he mixes singing about his adolescent feeling and mature feelings together.
9. Van Morrison also does a great job at describing his love… I think he does a neat job at describing a woman… very feminine, but he’s also being a little feminine about it.
10. She’s out there.
11. This song is just hilarious. Religion always seems to play different roles for each gender, what role is it playing here?
12. This song is about someone getting stabbed… as a metaphor. This song really demonstrates the difference in the way our genders treat breakups.
13. Have definitely met a few boys like this in my lifetime… just a few.
14. I hate this song… looks only.
15. Need I say more?
16. Good evil woman song… don’t agree all the time.
17. Who screams “I hate men” more than Alanis? There is definitely more to her than that. Her lyrics are really intelligent, she knows what’s up and is a great example of a strong woman.
18. 8th grade for me.
19. Now there are a lot, a lot, of men like this.
20. Ok so this song is really inappropriate. Why do I still think it’s funny?
21. Tom Jones held the women’s movement back by 20 years.
22. …so did ZZ Top.
23. Can you believe I listened to this in 6th grade? So much for boy bands being innocent.
24. As catchy as they come… what a poetic way of telling a stranger that you are kind of into them.
25. Listen for the name “Virginia”
26. Stadium rock meets lesbianism? I think not. Cheep play on a classic fantasy.
27. I was really happy when this song came out. It shows that if you take the idea of Barbie a little too seriously, you get a number one hit! Let’s all play Barbie because math is too hard.
28. This song illustrates high school gender roles in a nutshell. I can’t believe this was what I was being taught in the 6ht grade.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Advertisement Project
1. Of course there are ads that bother me all over the place. One extremely sexist commercial that confounds me every time I watch it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck14LKBI9GM. As if it weren’t weird that animals were enjoying a popular European beverage, they are extraordinarily sexualized. Notice how much animation detail there is on subtle things like the way breasts bounce, the way “manly” animals make the ground shake... and my personal favorite: notice when the bear slides under all of the zebras... he hits their groins.
Now it is fairly simple that the message this commercial is trying to deliver is: “This is a fun, pleasurable, drink that feels sexy to enjoy.” How do they communicate this? Try giving the “manly” bear an erection when he drinks it and having the female deer wrap her legs around the bear, and shortly after loose her clothing. This commercial is a great example of how binary our categorizations of males and female works... they pulled of making sexy female and sexy male human-like animals using some of the most basic stereotypes. After forming these over sexualized animal characters, all the commercial makers had to do was show the fun to be had between the two sexes while drinking Orangina.
What are the consequences? Aside from the obvious risk that small children may run out to by an animal costume to act over sexualized in, there really are some subtle (an not so subtle) things to think about. I think one of the most dangerous side effects that a commercial like this could have is promoting that certain relations or activities should be more casually thought about. What is a more casual way to become overtly attracted to someone and dance in your underpants in front of people than with a glass of Orangina? Another problem I see with this commercial is how positively it paints all of the sexual relations and experiences that occur in the commercial. When you associate beautiful blooming flowers, mystical forests, and fun loving creatures to erections, almost naked women, and scandalous dress, a whole new innocent and fun light is being placed on themes that need to be handled in a far more careful manner.
On another note... don’t get me started on bluefly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi0SVoKRS4s.
2. As for a positive commercial, Dove had always been a second place in my mind. However, there is one ad that I have always loved, and that is the Dove “evolution commercial”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hibyAJOSW8U. One can’t help but react to what is shown in this ad. Whether or not this is a dramatization of what really happens in modeling and in the creation of ads, it forces the viewer to question how real the ads they see every day actually are. Even before the days of Photoshop, there were corsets and fuzzy lenses (think Doris Day to get rid of her freckles) to shape “pretty” people even more.
I love the line shown in this ad: “No wonder our perception of beauty is distorted.” In other Dove ads, the fight against certain stereotypes is more explicit. I personally like the “Pro Age” campaign where Dove ads feature older models in a far more realistic light. When people remove themselves from being distracted by fake-looking models, I think that many people can identity with the beauty shown in these ads. Creating ads in which the viewers are able to identify with the models is one of the best ways the Dove campaign is fighting.
The Dove ads do a great job at complementing more than one body type, and they do it quite explicitly. For instance, nude or partially nude photographs of normal body types are a main feature of many Dove ads. The mould of what body types should model in certain clothing is broken. The mould of what advertisements tell is beauty is broken. We are left with a wonderful expression from “unconventional” models that is a brilliant protest and celebration.
Now it is fairly simple that the message this commercial is trying to deliver is: “This is a fun, pleasurable, drink that feels sexy to enjoy.” How do they communicate this? Try giving the “manly” bear an erection when he drinks it and having the female deer wrap her legs around the bear, and shortly after loose her clothing. This commercial is a great example of how binary our categorizations of males and female works... they pulled of making sexy female and sexy male human-like animals using some of the most basic stereotypes. After forming these over sexualized animal characters, all the commercial makers had to do was show the fun to be had between the two sexes while drinking Orangina.
What are the consequences? Aside from the obvious risk that small children may run out to by an animal costume to act over sexualized in, there really are some subtle (an not so subtle) things to think about. I think one of the most dangerous side effects that a commercial like this could have is promoting that certain relations or activities should be more casually thought about. What is a more casual way to become overtly attracted to someone and dance in your underpants in front of people than with a glass of Orangina? Another problem I see with this commercial is how positively it paints all of the sexual relations and experiences that occur in the commercial. When you associate beautiful blooming flowers, mystical forests, and fun loving creatures to erections, almost naked women, and scandalous dress, a whole new innocent and fun light is being placed on themes that need to be handled in a far more careful manner.
On another note... don’t get me started on bluefly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi0SVoKRS4s.
2. As for a positive commercial, Dove had always been a second place in my mind. However, there is one ad that I have always loved, and that is the Dove “evolution commercial”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hibyAJOSW8U. One can’t help but react to what is shown in this ad. Whether or not this is a dramatization of what really happens in modeling and in the creation of ads, it forces the viewer to question how real the ads they see every day actually are. Even before the days of Photoshop, there were corsets and fuzzy lenses (think Doris Day to get rid of her freckles) to shape “pretty” people even more.I love the line shown in this ad: “No wonder our perception of beauty is distorted.” In other Dove ads, the fight against certain stereotypes is more explicit. I personally like the “Pro Age” campaign where Dove ads feature older models in a far more realistic light. When people remove themselves from being distracted by fake-looking models, I think that many people can identity with the beauty shown in these ads. Creating ads in which the viewers are able to identify with the models is one of the best ways the Dove campaign is fighting.
The Dove ads do a great job at complementing more than one body type, and they do it quite explicitly. For instance, nude or partially nude photographs of normal body types are a main feature of many Dove ads. The mould of what body types should model in certain clothing is broken. The mould of what advertisements tell is beauty is broken. We are left with a wonderful expression from “unconventional” models that is a brilliant protest and celebration.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Blog 4
FIFE
The Authors account of sexism in literature was very refreshing to think about. One subject that I am tied very closely to is the history of women in science. In fact, I have heard several accounts from professors I know that claim that sexism in scientific papers, conference presentations, and in work environments can still exist. I love the idea of the huge wave that hit in the 70’s that created the demand for cultural studies and women’s studies. I am hoping for a wave like this to hit the physics community.
The Authors account of sexism in literature was very refreshing to think about. One subject that I am tied very closely to is the history of women in science. In fact, I have heard several accounts from professors I know that claim that sexism in scientific papers, conference presentations, and in work environments can still exist. I love the idea of the huge wave that hit in the 70’s that created the demand for cultural studies and women’s studies. I am hoping for a wave like this to hit the physics community.
Blog 3
Iron Jawed Angels
This movie is great for getting across the fact that the fight for women’s rights was not easily fought. The movie does an excellent job of showing the struggle between black and white women and between the National American Women’s Suffrage Association (NAWSA) and the National Women’s Party (NWP). Both of these struggles show just how large and important this movement was. I seems as though it was hard to decide how big the movement was going to be. Fighting for the vote of black females would have been twice as hard, if not harder. It would have brought up both the question of whether or not a woman was a full citizen and whether or not blacks were full citizens. In some ways, the feminist movement still deals with the blending of human rights issues. One that I am interested in is women’s issues in the scope of low income households.
Another way that it seemed as if it were difficult to decide how large the women’s suffrage movement was going to be was shown in the discrepancies between the NAWSA and the NWP. Several instances leading up to the imprisonment of many women from the NWP showed that much of the American public and many women part of the movement did not want a very radical protest about women’s suffrage.
Of coarse the most moving scene is during the first force-feeding of Alice Paul. This scene really reminded me that the vote that I have today should not be taken without regard for the people who won it for me. That scene made the freedom to vote far more personal and important than any speech could.
Readings
I love the introduction of this book. The author clearly communicates why she needed to write this short book explaining what feminism is. My favorite quote, “Imagine living in a world where there is no domination, where females and males are not alike or even always equal, but where a vision of mutuality it the ethos shaping our interaction.” plays on a very key idea –mutuality.
I don’t entirely agree with the author’s definition of feminism given in the first chapter. The definition is given only in terms of trying to end sexism. While this is by far the most important foundation of what I think feminism is, I feel as though it is missing something. I feel as though the definition does no promote the uniqueness of females.
I do, however, think that the author makes a very valid point in addressing women’s role in sexism. In today’s society, I think that it can actually be very difficult for a woman to take a very active role in trying to stop sexism in their own lives. In particular, lack of education in certain areas can make it almost impossible. The author’s point also calls for women to start acting more responsible about sexist issues. For example, if anyone wants to be treated professionally in the work place, they should dress accordingly. It is a fact that men are visually stimulated far more than women, so when a woman wears very revealing clothing, it shouldn’t be surprising that her male colleagues look at her differently.
I was able to relate to the author’s story of attending Stanford for the first time and her experience with male dominated classrooms. I think that she made an excellent observation in that “sisterhood” is still a powerful tool in all situations.
This movie is great for getting across the fact that the fight for women’s rights was not easily fought. The movie does an excellent job of showing the struggle between black and white women and between the National American Women’s Suffrage Association (NAWSA) and the National Women’s Party (NWP). Both of these struggles show just how large and important this movement was. I seems as though it was hard to decide how big the movement was going to be. Fighting for the vote of black females would have been twice as hard, if not harder. It would have brought up both the question of whether or not a woman was a full citizen and whether or not blacks were full citizens. In some ways, the feminist movement still deals with the blending of human rights issues. One that I am interested in is women’s issues in the scope of low income households.
Another way that it seemed as if it were difficult to decide how large the women’s suffrage movement was going to be was shown in the discrepancies between the NAWSA and the NWP. Several instances leading up to the imprisonment of many women from the NWP showed that much of the American public and many women part of the movement did not want a very radical protest about women’s suffrage.
Of coarse the most moving scene is during the first force-feeding of Alice Paul. This scene really reminded me that the vote that I have today should not be taken without regard for the people who won it for me. That scene made the freedom to vote far more personal and important than any speech could.
Readings
I love the introduction of this book. The author clearly communicates why she needed to write this short book explaining what feminism is. My favorite quote, “Imagine living in a world where there is no domination, where females and males are not alike or even always equal, but where a vision of mutuality it the ethos shaping our interaction.” plays on a very key idea –mutuality.
I don’t entirely agree with the author’s definition of feminism given in the first chapter. The definition is given only in terms of trying to end sexism. While this is by far the most important foundation of what I think feminism is, I feel as though it is missing something. I feel as though the definition does no promote the uniqueness of females.
I do, however, think that the author makes a very valid point in addressing women’s role in sexism. In today’s society, I think that it can actually be very difficult for a woman to take a very active role in trying to stop sexism in their own lives. In particular, lack of education in certain areas can make it almost impossible. The author’s point also calls for women to start acting more responsible about sexist issues. For example, if anyone wants to be treated professionally in the work place, they should dress accordingly. It is a fact that men are visually stimulated far more than women, so when a woman wears very revealing clothing, it shouldn’t be surprising that her male colleagues look at her differently.
I was able to relate to the author’s story of attending Stanford for the first time and her experience with male dominated classrooms. I think that she made an excellent observation in that “sisterhood” is still a powerful tool in all situations.
Blog 2
I chose to interview my mom to learn more about her stances on women’s issues. As a background, before this interview, the word “feminism” had never been mentioned between the two of us despite the fact that my mother raised me with what I consider to be very feminist ideals.
When responding to most questions, my mom had a hard time answering or even understanding the question at hand. While my mom always told me that I don’t have to get married, women can get any job a man can, and women shouldn’t be made to pop out children, it is was difficult for her to pinpoint a definition for feminism and gender. My mom’s experience of gender is surprisingly not too far from my own experience. She grew up on a farm where the boys did the field work, and the women cook and clean. She grew up with her father telling her that women are no good for doing farm work, but knowing women that could dig potatoes better than he could. My mom just enjoys cooking and cleaning and thinks that women are better at some jobs than men.
I think that my mom is aware of some very key gender inequality issues. For instance, my mom is very familiar with the pay gap, ways that both genders take advantage of the work place, and that woman need to hold each other up, not cut each other down. It is interesting to hear what she thinks women should be like –no brush haircuts, should wear a bra, and shouldn’t wear their clothing too tight. I was interesting to see my mom talk about such polarized stereotypes and disagreeing with them both.
My mom started out her definition of feminism with, “I don’t know, am I a feminist, Ross?” (Ross being my dad). My mom described one experience she’s had with the word has been with a “penis hater”. Another experience was at work, where her colleagues told her that she wasn’t a feminist if she was reading Amish novels. My mom definitely had a very stereotypical view of feminism.
After explaining a little more about the feminist movement, ideals, and different definitions, my mom could then define for certain what a feminist was, in fact, she had believed much of these things herself. "A feminist is someone who is educated, can holds their own, looks nice, takes care of their body, is put together, is not willing to take crap, and wants equal pay." Even with these views my mom expressed that she likes a man around to help with some things, and that men need to use more “common sense” with inequality issues.
As for the readings...
The study of feminism in a new cultural setting seems to parallel the study of psychology in the new technology age. What will taking certain things for granted do to us? Are we taking things for granted?
This chapter surprised me a little when talking about abstinence as an empowering choice. Almost all of my experiences with the “abstinence only” method have been from private Christian schooling. I completely disagree with the way this method of birth control was taught to me. Other methods were not talked about because it was inappropriate. Guilt and the idea of salvation were used to impose these opinions on my classmates. So while it was refreshing to think about individuals making the choice to be abstinent in a mature and informed manner, I can’t help but be outraged at certain statistics. For example, the fact that 35% of public school boards that have a policy regarding sex education require that abstinence be taught as the only option for unmarried people (while prohibiting or limiting the discussion of contraceptives). ...WHAT? If more than half of kids have sex by the time they are 18, is this they way to go? Not only that, but doesn’t everyone deserve the right to proper education over all methods of protecting yourself? I disagree that this is a chicken and egg problem... this is a horny teenager problem and we need to give them the option to be safe by educating them properly.
The chapter over the third wave was also interesting. I think that I identify quite well with this wave of feminism in our culture. I really believe that the sexes are NOT created equal, but are beautiful in their own rights, but I do want to be active in the same rights for BOTH sexes. I also believe that feminine women can be feminists. Both of these ideas belong to the third wave. I also really like the idea that feminist values need to start extending to social classes, races, all genders, etc. I think we have come to the point where many types of minority groups have been given enough political power and political acknowledgement to have to proper chance to really iron out injustices. ...Why not work together?
As for metrosexuality, I don’t completely agree with the author. I feel as if there have been other places in history where it is common for men to act more feminine: Chinese opera, castrato opera singers, Saturday Night Fever, etc.
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