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?
Sunday, November 25, 2012
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?
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?
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?
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