Feminism

For my last post I just wanted to say that before this class I was a little afraid of the "f" word.  Feminist, was something I would never describe myself as and now I still wouldn't say that I was, but I have warmed up to the word now.  It is a lot less scary to me and I am able to see the inequalities of today's society.  I have also been able to see how far women have come and I'm proud that so much has been accomplished.  I just want to challenge everyone to stand up for what you believe in whatever it may be and not conform to gender norms or think you can't do something because you are a female.  You can do it! 

True Life: I Can't Have Sex

     I am watching True Life: I Can't Have Sex as I am writing this blog and I just find the show interesting.  The girls don't feel like sexual beings or even feel like women.  This to me is a good thing because they are wanting help for themselves and want to feel like a sexual and empowered woman.  However, two of the girls have boyfriends and the other girl goes on dates.  They also talk about not being able to please their man and are worried about finding or keeping their guys because of it.  I don't think they should be worried about this because guys should like them for them and not worry about sex.  They need to seek help for them and not worry about the men in their lives because it isn't about them.

TV Marriage Proposals

     I had to blog about this article because I think it is simply ridiculous.  ABC is inviting viewers to submit their 100-word love story online for a chance to win a nationally televised marriage proposal.  Two "lucky" couples will be able to share their proposal during a commercial break of ABC's The Bachelor.  The event is part of a "Marry Me Monday" promotion that is brought to you by Jared the Galleria of Jewelry.  The deadline for the essay is December 27th and the episode will air January 31st or February 7th. 
    This article is silly and just makes me want to shake my head at our culture.  A proposal should be an intimate and special moment between the two people involved.  It isn't meant to be made into a big spectacle that is nationally televised.  I personally would be upset if some guy tried to propose on national television.  That is neither romantic nor intimate.   
http://omg.yahoo.com/news/abc-invites-viewers-to-propose-on-national-tv/51823

Dr.Oz Show

I was looking at news articles on yahoo news and stumbled across an article about the Dr.Oz Show.  I have never seen this show myself, but this article interests me.  He had a show about weight loss which featured six women in skanky outfits consisting of high heels, retro nurses hats and white dresses with red lingerie sticking out.  Nursing organizations spoke out against the show saying it was belittling and demeaning to nurses.  Nurses fight for a good image and fight against that type of an image.  The show apologized for its content a Dr.Oz spokeswoman states "Dr. Oz has worked alongside extraordinary nursing professionals throughout his medical career and holds nurses in the highest regard as they save lives and heal patients," the statement said. "Any attempt at humor should never call into question Dr. Oz's utmost respect for the nurses with whom he works and has lauded in other shows."  I find this article interesting because it is degrading to women and nurses.  I am studying to become a nurse currently and the nursing problem is tough.  Nurses are smart people and it takes a genuine good person to be in this profession.  I also have a rough time with the fact that he is a physician and presenting nurses in this kind of light when he is supposed to be giving medical information.

Work

Today at work we were talking about tools and how there are men's tools and then they sell those cute little tool sets for females.  Usually, the tool sets are purple or pink.  Its a good thing in the sense that they are trying to appeal to women by making tools those colors and this may help women break gender norms.  Men clearly are thought to use tools and not women according to traditional gender norms.  It's my hope that someday companies wouldn't feel the need to change things to make them more appealing.  Women should want to be independent and work with tools in the first place and not shy away from it because its a "masculine" thing to do.  However, I was proud to hear that their husbands have used their purple and pink tools.  I know many guys that work on things and would never think about touching a pink screwdriver or purple wrench.  I know that they would search for a different one even if the "feminine" colored tools were right next to them.  Why is there such a thing as "masculine" and "feminine" colors anyway?

Jewelry Commercials

     I'm doing a project for another women's studies class about representations of women in the media.  My project is on jewelry advertisements and how they pressure guys to buy jewelry for their significant other.  Basically, the main message is to buy her jewelry and you can win or keep her love.  I was thinking about how we talked about engagement rings in class and how they aren't necessary at all and used to be a dowry.  An engagement ring shows that the guy is ready to support the woman and begin a future together.  Except nowadays, men aren't just the "breadwinner," so why is this practice still done?  Tradition?  Even so, men aren't just buying engagement rings; they buy other jewelry for their significant other.  Other messages the ads and commercials send include: 1) "Buy her jewelry and she won't be mad at you."  2) "Buy her jewelry and you will get laid."  3) "Buy her jewelry to make her sexier." 4) "Buy her jewelry,  so that others can see how much you love her."  Personally, I think buying jewelry is a cop-out and it requires little to no thought on the man's part to come up with that gift.  Yes, it is still generous and I'm not saying I don't like jewelry, but I think the industry is ridiculous.  Not to mention the commercials are ridiculous, annoying and stereotypical.  The vast majority solely represent the white middle to upper class. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzLWn3xTGL4

2 yr old

      Police said a two-year-old girl was raped in the aisle of a dollar tree today.  The girl was at the store with her aunt and grandmother; they became separated for a moment and she was grabbed by the already convincted sex offender, Eugene Melendres Ramos.  After taking her, he pinned her down in the aisle and pulled down her pants.  He began to assault her when he was spotted and then he was chased out of the store.  The grandmother and aunt chased him as well as two other men that were outside the store.  The men eventually tackled him and held him until officers were able to arrive.  Ramos had previously been charged in 2003 for intent to commit rape, sodomy, or oral copulation of a seven-year-old.  He is currently being held for suspicion of kidnapping, rape, sexual acts with a child and false imprisonment.  The bail is set at $350,000.
     I think that this is horrible.  The child was still in diapers and it's a real problem in America concerning women and children.  I'm not saying men aren't raped, but it is more common with women and children being the rape victims.  I personally think that the laws should be more strict concerning rape or sexual assault.  He clearly had done this before and he clearly didn't learn his lesson.


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/12/02/BAAR1GL0VH.DTL&tsp=1

Friend

I have a friend that constantly bashes women.  I don't know if he is trying to be funny or actually serious because it happens often.  An example, is the other day he asked what class I was in and I said, "Intro To Women's Studies" and he replied that it doesn't exist.  He posts statuses on Facebook such as, "Females are stupid.. thats it ..." and calls women "simple bitches."  He says that men are superior to women and we are actually below dogs as far as being smart goes.  This is a video from his wall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUEhNnk7om0&feature=player_embedded#!  He's a good friend, but I got to say it bothers me to know he thinks so negatively about women.  I'm not singling him out at all because I know a lot of guys are like this. 
So heres my message to guys that think this way: 1) Women are just as smart as you are.  2) Women can do anything you can do.  3) No, I will not make you a sandwich! Your hands aren't broken, so make it yourself.  4) Maybe, you should get to know a girl and not base things off of looks only.