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.