Name: IWIN (International Women in Need)
Date: December 3, 2007
Location: Women’s Center
This event was planned to discuss the 2007-2008 IWIN project. This year’s project is to raise money to purchase a power mill for a village in Kenya. This mill would eliminate much of the manual work that the women have to do to grind their corn. Corn is a very important staple in the lives of Kenyan families and having a mill to grind it would make things go much faster and more efficient. The hope of IWIN is to donate this mill to the women’s group in the village and then they can begin a small business of grinding the corn. They are going to do this through fundraising events.
This group and fundraising event is strongly connected the ideas that we discussed throughout this course. Their main objective is to help the women in the village eliminate some of the work that they are required to do. All the corn grinding is the women’s responsibility because of the roles that their society places on them. The IWIN organization is working to help create a more equal society for the women.
I found this informational meeting to be very interesting. I think that this is an organization that I will definitely volunteer for in the future. These ideas that they have planned and the things that they want to do to improve this village in Kenya aresomething that is obviously needed and will help make these women lives better.
Monday, December 3, 2007
A feminist is any person who strives for equality among males and females. They work to create equality by eliminating systems of inequality socially and economically. They do this through activism and educating people to know that this inequality still exists. Today feminist are not only interested in equality in their lives but other women’s lives globally. In today’s society there is also the profeminist man. They are joining the efforts towards the fight for equality among the sexes. They are supporting equality in the work force and changing the way they act and live to help shape the definition of masculinity and redefine the roles that women hold within relationships. Originally coming into this course I would not have labeled myself a feminist. I thought that the word had a negative connotation and really did not understand what they fought for. In general I just thought that a feminist was a man hater. Now however I see that they work towards something that benefits every woman in society. They are doing something that needs to be done and will make things better for women. Because I better understand what they work towards and what they work towards, I know do believe that I am a feminist.
This course has definitely changed the way that I look at things. Before this course I never really took notice of all the areas that women are discriminated in because of their gender. Now I realize that there are still so many areas of inequality left in our society and throughout the world. I see that the feminist movement is something that still needs to be present in our society. Equality is something that the United States needs to strive for as well as countries all around the world.
From this course I will take away that inequality still exist based on gender. I will have the awareness to know when I am being discriminated against based on my gender. Knowing that you are being discriminated against is the first step towards fixing the problem.
This course has definitely changed the way that I look at things. Before this course I never really took notice of all the areas that women are discriminated in because of their gender. Now I realize that there are still so many areas of inequality left in our society and throughout the world. I see that the feminist movement is something that still needs to be present in our society. Equality is something that the United States needs to strive for as well as countries all around the world.
From this course I will take away that inequality still exist based on gender. I will have the awareness to know when I am being discriminated against based on my gender. Knowing that you are being discriminated against is the first step towards fixing the problem.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Reading 1- Constitutional Argument- Susan B. Anthony
In this article Susan B. Anthony is arguing the fact that she did not commit a crime by voting. She states that every citizen is entitles to a right to vote and a voice in their government. The entire reason that she cannot vote is because the state has developed social policies promoting inequality within her government based on gender. This article was written in 1828, as we have learned in this class women have made great strides within the government since then including the right to vote.
Reading 2- The Postwar Moment- Cynthia Cockburn
Here article is in response to postwar talks at a convention in Dayton Ohio. Cockburn says that people were shocked by the absence of the presence of women at the convention for two reasons. First of all is that women and the struggles were highly rooted at the center of this war. They were the ones that would up-rooted from their homes, the center of the life, and forced to relocate. The second reason is at the time of the convention gender awareness was already an intergovernmental policy. She then goes on to say that after this was brought to attention three women came together to help implement better gender equality in government agencies and polices. As we learned earlier in this chapter government policies are often influenced by the state which has many male dominated practices and higher up officials are often male. This is possibly why there is so little gender awareness and equality within the government and all of its institutions and agencies.
Reading 3- Unequal- Jessica Newirth
Newirth points out the fact that despite the attempts of government to affirm the right of equality it still has not occurred in societies around the world. There are laws that promote equality and them there are ones that go against it. Many of the discriminatory laws that are present today are family laws which directly affect women and their lives. She also notes that point that this does not just occur in Muslim societies but also in the United States. She does acknowledge that change in policies is occurring but at a very slow pace. I found this article to be quite shocking. I didn’t know that some of these acts of discrimination occur. This article further illustrated that women have a very long way to go till equality is reached and one of the main oppressors of women is the government and the policies which it creates.
In this article Susan B. Anthony is arguing the fact that she did not commit a crime by voting. She states that every citizen is entitles to a right to vote and a voice in their government. The entire reason that she cannot vote is because the state has developed social policies promoting inequality within her government based on gender. This article was written in 1828, as we have learned in this class women have made great strides within the government since then including the right to vote.
Reading 2- The Postwar Moment- Cynthia Cockburn
Here article is in response to postwar talks at a convention in Dayton Ohio. Cockburn says that people were shocked by the absence of the presence of women at the convention for two reasons. First of all is that women and the struggles were highly rooted at the center of this war. They were the ones that would up-rooted from their homes, the center of the life, and forced to relocate. The second reason is at the time of the convention gender awareness was already an intergovernmental policy. She then goes on to say that after this was brought to attention three women came together to help implement better gender equality in government agencies and polices. As we learned earlier in this chapter government policies are often influenced by the state which has many male dominated practices and higher up officials are often male. This is possibly why there is so little gender awareness and equality within the government and all of its institutions and agencies.
Reading 3- Unequal- Jessica Newirth
Newirth points out the fact that despite the attempts of government to affirm the right of equality it still has not occurred in societies around the world. There are laws that promote equality and them there are ones that go against it. Many of the discriminatory laws that are present today are family laws which directly affect women and their lives. She also notes that point that this does not just occur in Muslim societies but also in the United States. She does acknowledge that change in policies is occurring but at a very slow pace. I found this article to be quite shocking. I didn’t know that some of these acts of discrimination occur. This article further illustrated that women have a very long way to go till equality is reached and one of the main oppressors of women is the government and the policies which it creates.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Some people argue that the wage gap is justified and it is simply the choice of the women that she wants to earn less. In reality what woman would want to make less money? The gender wage gap is not justified and it is just another form of discrimination not any different than a person earning less because of their race.
June O’Neill argues that the gender wage gap occurs because woman choose occupations that pay less and show less attachment to their jobs. She also argues that women earn less money annually because they are more likely to hold part time jobs. The one thing that she does not account for is why women often show these trends. The answer to this question is that women often times cannot show as much commitment to their jobs because they are responsible for the gender roles that have been set by society.
Women are the ones that are responsible for the home and raising children which often times leaves less time to focus on their career. The gender roles that society sets make it this way. Men are very rarely responsible for staying home when the child is sick they are less likely to play an active role in their children’s lives and this is because it is what women are expected to do, it is not always their choice. Once children are born men actually show an increase in work time, while on the other hand women’s work time is decreased. Hilary Lips points out that because of the home responsibility women are also often times less likely to earn extras like overtime and bonuses because of their household responsibilities. This in turn makes the gender wage gap even larger and these things are often times not counted in the research done, which makes the gender wage gap look smaller than what it actually is.
June O’Neill second justification for the gender wage gap is that women often time choose careers that on average make less money annually than the careers that men choose. Research shows that women are often times in career fields that are dominantly female. This again goes back to the fact that women have to choose careers that fit in with their other household responsibilities. This is not saying that women do not want more demanding jobs but they have to take into account their household responsibilities. Once again these household responsibilities are gender role standards that are set by society and most women accept them because it is how they have been raised and is what they know to be the “social norm.”
The gender wage gap issue goes back to the same issue that we have discussed time and time again in this course. Inequality between men and women is based simply on their gender. Women are always going to earn less money annually compared to men because of the social norms and gender roles that society accepts as normal. Until men and women equally share roles within the home that are traditionally female oriented women will still not have time to take more demanding jobs and work more hours which in turn will result in increase in income. Contrary to what June O’Neill says this is not always a choice that women make but more often it is simply a responsibility that society has put on her because of her gender, it has nothing to due with her drive and dedication to her career. The pay gap is simply another indicator of inequality based on gender and is another way that women are discriminated against. Until this inequality between men and women is resolved it is likely that they pay gap will not decrease and that women will continue to face another form of inequality.
June O’Neill argues that the gender wage gap occurs because woman choose occupations that pay less and show less attachment to their jobs. She also argues that women earn less money annually because they are more likely to hold part time jobs. The one thing that she does not account for is why women often show these trends. The answer to this question is that women often times cannot show as much commitment to their jobs because they are responsible for the gender roles that have been set by society.
Women are the ones that are responsible for the home and raising children which often times leaves less time to focus on their career. The gender roles that society sets make it this way. Men are very rarely responsible for staying home when the child is sick they are less likely to play an active role in their children’s lives and this is because it is what women are expected to do, it is not always their choice. Once children are born men actually show an increase in work time, while on the other hand women’s work time is decreased. Hilary Lips points out that because of the home responsibility women are also often times less likely to earn extras like overtime and bonuses because of their household responsibilities. This in turn makes the gender wage gap even larger and these things are often times not counted in the research done, which makes the gender wage gap look smaller than what it actually is.
June O’Neill second justification for the gender wage gap is that women often time choose careers that on average make less money annually than the careers that men choose. Research shows that women are often times in career fields that are dominantly female. This again goes back to the fact that women have to choose careers that fit in with their other household responsibilities. This is not saying that women do not want more demanding jobs but they have to take into account their household responsibilities. Once again these household responsibilities are gender role standards that are set by society and most women accept them because it is how they have been raised and is what they know to be the “social norm.”
The gender wage gap issue goes back to the same issue that we have discussed time and time again in this course. Inequality between men and women is based simply on their gender. Women are always going to earn less money annually compared to men because of the social norms and gender roles that society accepts as normal. Until men and women equally share roles within the home that are traditionally female oriented women will still not have time to take more demanding jobs and work more hours which in turn will result in increase in income. Contrary to what June O’Neill says this is not always a choice that women make but more often it is simply a responsibility that society has put on her because of her gender, it has nothing to due with her drive and dedication to her career. The pay gap is simply another indicator of inequality based on gender and is another way that women are discriminated against. Until this inequality between men and women is resolved it is likely that they pay gap will not decrease and that women will continue to face another form of inequality.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Midterm II
Heteronormativity is defined by the text as the way heterosexuality is constructed as the norm (172). This means that social, familial and legal rules force us to conform to these culturally dominant heterosexual standards for identity.
Heteronormativity in turn encourages ideals of feminine and masculine roles. These feminine and masculine roles then set social norms for how men and women are supposed to act. In society social norms are constantly changing. Currently in today’s American society masculinity is synonymous with such terms as power, dominance and control. Women are on the other end of this spectrum. Heteronormativity helps encourage this by the emphasis on men being dominate and setting it as a standard for their identity. Masculinity as defined as power also carries over into the workplace and the home. Men are encouraged to take the leadership and dominant provider role in both situations.
In the workplace men most often hold the higher office statuses. They are most likely the ones to take credit for achievements in collaborative efforts over women. At home in most marriages women are often considered the nurturers and men the providers. When women do work outside the home it is the societal norm for them to still have the majority of the household chores and care giving for the children. All of these are examples of sexual scripts, which reflect social norms, practices and workings of power (165).
One other area where heteronormativity is increasingly prevalent in our society is on the topic of reproductive health and policies. One of the most hotly debated topics today is gay marriage. Gay marriage, reproductive policies and heteronormativity are all directly linked. One of the major points in the argument against gay marriage is that one of the reasons for the institution of marriage is for reproductive purposes. Biologically speaking becoming a parent can only occur between a heterosexual, male and female couple. This once again is imposing the social norm on people. However people are still arguing that adoption should also be a primarily heterosexual practice. Critics of gay marriage are saying that for a child to have a proper up bringing that they need both a male and a female parent. There is no actual evidence that this is true, research actually shows that lesbian partners make perfectly fit parents. This is all just based on the rules and social norms that heteronormativity sets up.
Another important issue that we have discussed so far in this course is how the body is an important site for gender expression. In today’s society the body can be used in many different ways to express individual traits.
“Bodies, however, are not only reflections of social norms and practices but also sites of identity and self-expression.” (pg. 231) The body is one place that every individual has control of. It has become synonymous with personal freedom. Today people control their bodies by tattoos, piercing and dieting. Some people even go as far a plastic surgery. Young women often have very little control in many areas of their life so they see their bodies as one are that they can control.
Altering your body is a new trend in today’s society. It is something that is becoming more and more socially acceptable. Today women’s bodies are often thought of as sleek soft and hairless, all traits that are associated with powerlessness. Women also are expected to have thin toned bodies.
The text states “These images of perfect bodies are fabricated by a male-dominated culture and are reinforced by multi-billion-dollar industries that serve to maintain both corporate profits and patriarchal social relations (pg 229).” This quote emphasizes the role that the media plays in shaping body images of women today. You are seeing advertisements that sexualize women and enforce images of thin, large breasted individuals. In advertisements today the majority of the time they also put emphasis on the fact that white features are better, especially when it comes to hair. These images are putting certain ideas in the minds of women that are causing them to buy their products that make them look that way. A prime example of this is how over the last several years the diet industry has been at an all time high in sales.
Sexual violence can also be linked with gender expression. Beauty ideas often reflect various ideas of power. These ideas are often expressed through our bodies. Today white standards are often what are considered the norm. Double standards within society also create a feeling of superiority among men. This makes men feel the need to be dominate over women and often times to show this they led to violence.
Like many other issues within the society these things could be resolved and made better if there was an overall equality between men and women in society. This is something that the feminist movement is working towards and hopefully will come closer to in the future.
Heteronormativity in turn encourages ideals of feminine and masculine roles. These feminine and masculine roles then set social norms for how men and women are supposed to act. In society social norms are constantly changing. Currently in today’s American society masculinity is synonymous with such terms as power, dominance and control. Women are on the other end of this spectrum. Heteronormativity helps encourage this by the emphasis on men being dominate and setting it as a standard for their identity. Masculinity as defined as power also carries over into the workplace and the home. Men are encouraged to take the leadership and dominant provider role in both situations.
In the workplace men most often hold the higher office statuses. They are most likely the ones to take credit for achievements in collaborative efforts over women. At home in most marriages women are often considered the nurturers and men the providers. When women do work outside the home it is the societal norm for them to still have the majority of the household chores and care giving for the children. All of these are examples of sexual scripts, which reflect social norms, practices and workings of power (165).
One other area where heteronormativity is increasingly prevalent in our society is on the topic of reproductive health and policies. One of the most hotly debated topics today is gay marriage. Gay marriage, reproductive policies and heteronormativity are all directly linked. One of the major points in the argument against gay marriage is that one of the reasons for the institution of marriage is for reproductive purposes. Biologically speaking becoming a parent can only occur between a heterosexual, male and female couple. This once again is imposing the social norm on people. However people are still arguing that adoption should also be a primarily heterosexual practice. Critics of gay marriage are saying that for a child to have a proper up bringing that they need both a male and a female parent. There is no actual evidence that this is true, research actually shows that lesbian partners make perfectly fit parents. This is all just based on the rules and social norms that heteronormativity sets up.
Another important issue that we have discussed so far in this course is how the body is an important site for gender expression. In today’s society the body can be used in many different ways to express individual traits.
“Bodies, however, are not only reflections of social norms and practices but also sites of identity and self-expression.” (pg. 231) The body is one place that every individual has control of. It has become synonymous with personal freedom. Today people control their bodies by tattoos, piercing and dieting. Some people even go as far a plastic surgery. Young women often have very little control in many areas of their life so they see their bodies as one are that they can control.
Altering your body is a new trend in today’s society. It is something that is becoming more and more socially acceptable. Today women’s bodies are often thought of as sleek soft and hairless, all traits that are associated with powerlessness. Women also are expected to have thin toned bodies.
The text states “These images of perfect bodies are fabricated by a male-dominated culture and are reinforced by multi-billion-dollar industries that serve to maintain both corporate profits and patriarchal social relations (pg 229).” This quote emphasizes the role that the media plays in shaping body images of women today. You are seeing advertisements that sexualize women and enforce images of thin, large breasted individuals. In advertisements today the majority of the time they also put emphasis on the fact that white features are better, especially when it comes to hair. These images are putting certain ideas in the minds of women that are causing them to buy their products that make them look that way. A prime example of this is how over the last several years the diet industry has been at an all time high in sales.
Sexual violence can also be linked with gender expression. Beauty ideas often reflect various ideas of power. These ideas are often expressed through our bodies. Today white standards are often what are considered the norm. Double standards within society also create a feeling of superiority among men. This makes men feel the need to be dominate over women and often times to show this they led to violence.
Like many other issues within the society these things could be resolved and made better if there was an overall equality between men and women in society. This is something that the feminist movement is working towards and hopefully will come closer to in the future.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
EVENT 1
EVENT 1
Name: “Divorce Iranian Style”
Date: November 6, 2007
Location: Torg. 1060
This event was a documentary style video that followed four women in Iran while they were trying to divorce their husbands. The video had very little commentary and really just showed what it was like in a very real way. Almost the entire video took place in the court house where the fate of the women was decided.
In Iran women are only allowed to divorce their husbands under certain circumstances. The court decides if the reasons they state are legitimate enough to grant the divorce. Women really have no rights. In one case one of the women (or I should say girl, she was 16) had had her marriage arranged. She had no desire to marry her husband. In the course we have learned women have always had to fight for the equality that they have. Women in Iran are in the midst of their struggle. Men in the Iranian society are definitely viewed as superior. Women there are still viewed as a possession in which their man purpose in life is to have babies and make the man happy.
I was shocked when I saw this video. I had no clue that women have such little rights in the Iranian society. At the court house there were two separate entrances and women were told how much make up they should be wearing. But the most shocking event that occurred during the video was when one woman remarried she lost her children. I could not believe that the court would take away her daughter for marrying another man. This video showed me how far women in some societies still have to come. Strive for equality for women is definitely not over.
Name: “Divorce Iranian Style”
Date: November 6, 2007
Location: Torg. 1060
This event was a documentary style video that followed four women in Iran while they were trying to divorce their husbands. The video had very little commentary and really just showed what it was like in a very real way. Almost the entire video took place in the court house where the fate of the women was decided.
In Iran women are only allowed to divorce their husbands under certain circumstances. The court decides if the reasons they state are legitimate enough to grant the divorce. Women really have no rights. In one case one of the women (or I should say girl, she was 16) had had her marriage arranged. She had no desire to marry her husband. In the course we have learned women have always had to fight for the equality that they have. Women in Iran are in the midst of their struggle. Men in the Iranian society are definitely viewed as superior. Women there are still viewed as a possession in which their man purpose in life is to have babies and make the man happy.
I was shocked when I saw this video. I had no clue that women have such little rights in the Iranian society. At the court house there were two separate entrances and women were told how much make up they should be wearing. But the most shocking event that occurred during the video was when one woman remarried she lost her children. I could not believe that the court would take away her daughter for marrying another man. This video showed me how far women in some societies still have to come. Strive for equality for women is definitely not over.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Gay Marriage in the United States
Gay marriage in the United States is a heavily debated issue. There are two clear cut sides, it should be legal because all citizens in the United States are entitled to the same rights and it should be illegal because it breaks the definition of what marriage is stated as in the constitution.
Personally I think that it should be an individual decision. The government should have no say in what to people fall in love and how they define their love. Telling someone that they can not marry another person based on the gender is simply discrimination based on sexual preference. Homosexuality is not considered the “social norm” in the United States however those who chose to practice should be entitled to the same rights as those heterosexual couples in the United States.
Today in the United States gay marriage is a state issue. This means that each state is allowed to decide whether or not they condone gay marriage. This decision came on the basis of the Defense of Marriage Act in 1966 set up by the Bill Clinton administration. Essentially it states that no state is required to recognize a same sex union and defines marriage as being between a man and a woman only. 38 states approved this act.
Currently in the United States as of 2004 11 states ban same sex marriage. However many do not oppose granting domestic partner benefits. Vermont was the first state in the United States to allow civil unions which essentially give homosexual couples all the same rights as heterosexual couples.
In the article that we read Peter Sprigg is against the idea of homosexual marriage. He argues that there are two key reasons why this should not be allowed. First marriage is specifically defined as a union between a man and women. Two men or two women being married would hold no validity. Secondly he says that homosexual relationships are harmful. He also argues the point that homosexual couples already have the same rights as heterosexual couples so why marry.
I would say that neither of these reasons carries enough weight to justify not allowing every individual to the same rights as others based on their sexual preference. Just because the constitution states that marriage is between a man and a woman only does not make it right. The constitution was written in 1787. Since then there have been several changes to it. For example women didn’t have the right to vote until 1920 when the Nineteenth Amendment granted them this right. The founders of the constitution made it so that we would be allowed to make changes when necessary. That is to say if we have never allowed changes then perhaps women would still have no rights and there would still be slavery. Today we look at those as normal everything is going to be radical when it first begins but that is not to say that one day it may be accepted.
Sprigg’s second argument that homosexual relationships are harmful is based completely on myths and rumors. He says that homosexual relationships are worse in several areas. One of the examples that he uses is that homosexual relationships will lead to adoption. In these homes there will not be both sexes of parents which will be harmful to the child’s development. There are no statistics that confirm this. You could also bring up the argument that there are heterosexual homes where one parent has left. This essentially is a home with only one sex parent. Does this mean that single mothers or fathers should not be allowed to have children?
Kurdek takes the other side on gay marriage and says that everyone should have the same rights to marry. He points out in contrast to Sprigg’s claim that gay relationships only differ in one area and that is social support. This could even be changed if it was made more acceptable.
Just because gay marriage does not meet the status quo in the United States does not mean that it should be wrong and not allowed. Every individual needs to have the same rights as the next. With out this idea of equality we are essentially taking a step back. Gay marriage is a new idea that is testing the limits of our society. But as history shows testing these limits and making changes is what end time leads to a better society for us all.
Personally I think that it should be an individual decision. The government should have no say in what to people fall in love and how they define their love. Telling someone that they can not marry another person based on the gender is simply discrimination based on sexual preference. Homosexuality is not considered the “social norm” in the United States however those who chose to practice should be entitled to the same rights as those heterosexual couples in the United States.
Today in the United States gay marriage is a state issue. This means that each state is allowed to decide whether or not they condone gay marriage. This decision came on the basis of the Defense of Marriage Act in 1966 set up by the Bill Clinton administration. Essentially it states that no state is required to recognize a same sex union and defines marriage as being between a man and a woman only. 38 states approved this act.
Currently in the United States as of 2004 11 states ban same sex marriage. However many do not oppose granting domestic partner benefits. Vermont was the first state in the United States to allow civil unions which essentially give homosexual couples all the same rights as heterosexual couples.
In the article that we read Peter Sprigg is against the idea of homosexual marriage. He argues that there are two key reasons why this should not be allowed. First marriage is specifically defined as a union between a man and women. Two men or two women being married would hold no validity. Secondly he says that homosexual relationships are harmful. He also argues the point that homosexual couples already have the same rights as heterosexual couples so why marry.
I would say that neither of these reasons carries enough weight to justify not allowing every individual to the same rights as others based on their sexual preference. Just because the constitution states that marriage is between a man and a woman only does not make it right. The constitution was written in 1787. Since then there have been several changes to it. For example women didn’t have the right to vote until 1920 when the Nineteenth Amendment granted them this right. The founders of the constitution made it so that we would be allowed to make changes when necessary. That is to say if we have never allowed changes then perhaps women would still have no rights and there would still be slavery. Today we look at those as normal everything is going to be radical when it first begins but that is not to say that one day it may be accepted.
Sprigg’s second argument that homosexual relationships are harmful is based completely on myths and rumors. He says that homosexual relationships are worse in several areas. One of the examples that he uses is that homosexual relationships will lead to adoption. In these homes there will not be both sexes of parents which will be harmful to the child’s development. There are no statistics that confirm this. You could also bring up the argument that there are heterosexual homes where one parent has left. This essentially is a home with only one sex parent. Does this mean that single mothers or fathers should not be allowed to have children?
Kurdek takes the other side on gay marriage and says that everyone should have the same rights to marry. He points out in contrast to Sprigg’s claim that gay relationships only differ in one area and that is social support. This could even be changed if it was made more acceptable.
Just because gay marriage does not meet the status quo in the United States does not mean that it should be wrong and not allowed. Every individual needs to have the same rights as the next. With out this idea of equality we are essentially taking a step back. Gay marriage is a new idea that is testing the limits of our society. But as history shows testing these limits and making changes is what end time leads to a better society for us all.
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