Saturday, December 1, 2012

This is Gross.

This is gross.  I broke up with this guy, he uses facebook as an outlet apparently.  I deleted him from my friends list, but I still find out what his post are.  Here is one in particular that stood out

Why do women have two sets of lips?  To piss and moan at the same time.

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWwwwwwwwwwEWWwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwEwwwww

That's really gross.  Have you seen people posting things related to gender issues in a negative way?  If you have what do you do/think?

If you search sexist jokes there are countless ones like this.  But, I think it is different looking at them for you personal humor then subjecting the rest of your friends list to it.

Ted the Teddybear

I was watching this movie with my boyfriend to pick out gender issues to talk about.  It was pretty easy to pick out some stereotypes, sexual harassment, and man box issues.  During the course of the movie the girlfriend was been "playfully" constantly harassed by her boss.  The film makers where making a joke about the issue, and in turn it seemed a serious issue was made into comedy. Did any one else who say this movie feel, the same or different?  It seemed to fit into what we were discussing in class about rape jokes.  

Any who, I was talking with my boyfriend about these topics in the movie and he said something interesting.  (I talk to him a lot about this class) 

He said maybe since you are a female you are socially constructed not to laugh at the fart jokes.  He explained that is seen as men's humor so that's why I felt uncomfortable laughing so hard.  

I though about what he said, and I think he was right.  I did feel a bit awkward bursting out laughing at fart/poop jokes.  As a female we are constructed to believe being a passive, polite lady is what to strive for. 

My boyfriend was being sarcastic, but I think he had a point.  



Yay For Norway

http://www.thelocal.no/page/view/norwegian-dads-to-get-14-weeks-of-parental-leave


This is a website to get more information about the norwegian dad policy.  I personally think this is a fantastic tool to get fathers more involved.

It makes sense when you give father's more time with children, they can develop more skills.  Skills to care for their child, support their child, and be a strong parental figure.  Mommy gatekeeping doesn't have to play such a factor in Norway.  The father's have spent enough time with the children, and already know what the child may need.

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/newborn/babycrying/

This site provides reasons why infants cry.  If a dad is not around the infant long enough, he won't be able to recognize these.  This is where gatekeeping comes in.  If the mother is always around she will know what the baby wants and when it wants it.  This doesn't really give dads a chance if the baby is always being pulled away when it cries.

The norwegian policy gives dad a chance to get to know their kids.  When the kid does a certain cry at a certain time they will be able to confidently help their infant.  Through the helping the fathers are bonding with their child and creating a good attachment.

Hey guys What do you think of this policy, and would you take advantage of it?

Hey ladies Do you have examples of gatekeeping?  And do you think this is a good idea?

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Babiesbabybabe

I have not given much thought to childbirth before this course.  When I did give it thought this is what I pictured.

Me laying in hospital bed, screaming.  Being in sever pain.  Trying to push out some ten pounder, laying down.

After we watch the giving birth video I had a total paradigm shift.  The picture in my head shifted to a birthing center, midwifes, pool, standing up.  All these new possibilities.

It really resinated with me when we talked about the medicalization of women's bodies.  I know so little about my body, and even less before this course.

When I think about giving birth it isn't as terrifying, and alien.  That's what changed for me after I viewed the video.  What shifted in your mind? Or did anything?

Let'sGoGuys

I say the masculine a lot!  And there aren't guys around, only girls.  It is the strangest thing.  I think I only notice it now because of this course.  I notice more and more things revolving around androcentrism.  

Remembering back I would get so excited about the mailman coming.  The funny thing is it was always the same woman.  Not a man.

The definition of this word is impactful, "neglect of the woman." That's deep.  The other side of the argument is "man" means mankind.  Which is supposed to encompass everyone...At least I think that's the argument.

But, what I learned from history is mankind meant white man for a long long time.  And people had to fight to expand that definition.

When I say "Guys" to a group of woman, I'm neglecting us all.  Now that I know about androcentrism I can identify what I'm doing.  That's the first step to change.

What do you think about using the masculine pronoun when it is not necessary?

And do you catch yourself doing this, now after having almost finished women's studies?

Gender

I do notice differences now in how the sexes are portrayed, because of this course.  Commercials in particular.  Gender policing, stereotypes, boxes, or whatever are featured in so many ads.

I was at a state champion football game, and watching the ads on the mega screen.  There were two back to back for the same product.  The first showed men fighting about the tenderness of a steak, then comparing it to being a referee.

The second ad featured all women in a clothing store.  The woman were being fashion police, and arguing about a bad outfit.  That's when the ad brought in the referee to help the fight.

This ad stuck out to me.  Have you had any ads revolving around gender stereotypes/policing/boxes stick out to you?


Sunday, October 28, 2012

"What disney movies taught me"

I think Jenna Marbles is an excellent example of many things covered in Women's studies.  The concept of what disney movies teach young girls is not really talked about.  This is a good video to view to get a perspective on how the videos can give girls a social construct in proper young woman behavior.

There are many other Jenna Marble videos that reenforce gender norms and in my opinion are not feminist in nature.  Not that Jenna Marbles is trying to be a feminist or is one.

Try to watch three videos How to get boys to like you, what movies taught me about love, things girls lie about, How sports bras work, how guys watch t.V or any other video that looks interesting for gender issues

1) Is there anything that stood out to you in relation to gender studies?
2) What positive or negative messages does Ms. Marbles send out?