WGS 201 Class Evaluation

            When I first started this class I was not sure what to expect. Now that it is nearing the end of it I am glad I was able to take it. I will admit some of the topics where hard to discuss because it so diverse. However, it wouldn’t have been interesting if everyone agreed on everything.

            I really liked this class because after the assigned readings I would discuss it with my mother. The discussions sparked some very interesting things. One in particular was about Mary Wollstonecraft. When I told my mother that I probably would not have been as brave to stand up like Mary did. My mother had trouble with this and we debated it for days. I argued that I would have been a completely different woman that was taught that a woman is only what her husband wanted her to be.

            Another thing I liked about this class was the structure. I liked posting blogs based on what we read. I thought it was a very cleaver was to give assignments. I also liked how the reading was split up. Cramming a semester into six weeks I expected to be buried in the material. However, the class was set at a nice pace that was easy to keep up with.

            I will admit that some of the readings where boring. There is just so many times a person can be told that they are being oppressed before it gets tedious. I get the point that there are women issues that need to be resolved; however, I don’t need to be told a hundred times to know what the issues are. Overall I really liked this class and would recommend a friend to take it.

Immigration

            An estimated 10.8 million undocumented immigrants live in the United States (Injustice on Our Plates: Immigrant Women in the U.S Food Industry by The Southern Poverty Law Center pg. 460.) Women account for 4 million of illegal immigrants (pg. 460.) As I read Sara and Yazmin’s story I found they had many things in common. Both women had paid smugglers to take them to the United States. The trip across the border can be very dangerous and many illegal immigrants die during the trip.

            Sara and Yazmin worked in unsafe environments, long hours, and where paid poverty wages (pg. 460.) They were subjected to physical abuse, sexual abuse, and threats of immigration authorities. Yazmin stated that she lived in consent fear of the authorities and her employer (pg. 459.) Illegal immigrants have to meet next to impossible physical demands and the abusive and cruel treatment from the supervisors without complaint. They cannot complain because they would lose their job and fear of their employer will call the authorities.

            Immigration is a hot button topic that sparks many debates. A part of me sympathizes with what immigrants go through to support their families. Illegal immigrants are only trying to achieve what Americans receive just for being born on American soil. They suffer to come and then suffer once they are here (pg. 459.)  On the other hand, being a criminal justice major, I disagree with their decision to illegally cross into the United States. This subject will always have conflicted views and I do not see the conditions illegal immigrants suffer from to change.

The article below has a list of pros and cons for illegal immigration.

http://mario-garibaldi.wrytestuff.com/swa61485.htm

A Cry For Help: The Tracey Thurman Story

A Cry For Help: The Tracey Thurman Story is about a woman who was in an abusive marriage with Charles “Buck” Thurman. When she left Buck he started stalking her. Tracey turned to the police for help but they did little to help her. When Buck kidnapped their son the police encouraged her to “Clam him down.” The police lost the restraining order against Buck it allowed him to continue to stalk Tracey. When Tracey continued to report Buck’s stalking the police did not take her seriously. On June 10^th, 1983 when Tracey refused to go with Buck he attacked her with a knife. Below is a clip of the attack and what the police officer did and failed to do to protect Tracey. Tracey’s left side of her body was able to function, she has no feeling. The right side of her body is able to feel, but she had lost 80% of her motor skills.

This movie was very hard to watch. I know it is a movie but to think this actually happened to someone. I wanted to watch this movie because I think it illustrates the need for police to take domestic violence more seriously. The most dangerous time for a victim of domestic abuse is right before or after they leave their abuser (Understanding Intimate Partner Violence by Michele McKeon pg. 499.) A Cry For Help illustrates that when Buck stalks her, kidnaps their son, and almost ends her life with an attack.

            The police did not arrest Buck until he attacked Tracey. They lost the restraining order she had against him allowing him to violate it many times. Thankfully today if there is mandatory arrest laws in place to protect victims. Tracey was treated as a villain for wanting protection. Tracey sued the police department for not protecting her civil rights. She was awarded 1.9 million dollars after the court found the police department guilty. Tracey’s case started a nationwide reform of police policy and training programs. The Tracey Thurman law now requires Connecticut police to treat domestic violence as they would any other violent crime.

Gender, Sexuality, and Racism

Gender and Sexuality

            As a social institution, gender is one of the major ways that human beings organize their lives (Night to His Day: The Social Construction of Gender by Judith Lorber pg. 68.) The minute soon to be parents know the sex of their baby is when gender assignment occurs. They paint the nursery blue or pink, buy “color appropriate” clothing, and pick out names. The baby has already been exposed to gender assignment not even out of the womb yet.

            Gender is the routine ground of everyday activities (pg. 68.) If you are a boy you should play sports, video games, and hunting. If you are a girl you should like Barbie dolls, dressing up, and putting on make-up. We have made it clear to our children what the status quo (what is normal) is.

            The message we send to our children is that those who are different must be made to suffer loss (Homophobia and Sexism by Suzanne Phair pg. 420.)  We teach our children that anything but the norm is wrong and should be punished and ridiculed. Sexual orientation is included in the status quo.

            Heterosexism enforces an assumption that the world is and must be heterosexual (pg. 422.) In my opinion someone should not be condemned for being attracted to the same sex. However, we live in a homophobic world that threatens and imposes damaging loss on us for being who we are (pg. 424.)

             The video below sums up the hateful attitude toward the Gay Right's Movement. Be warned this video can offend everyone no matter your opinion on gay relationships.

Racism

            I believe that people may not think they are racist but have some prejudice against people. Prejudice is a preconceived judgment or opinion, usually based on limited information (Defining Racism: Can We Talk? by Beverly Daniel Tatum pg. 382.) Do I like to think I do not have a prejudice bone in my body? Yes I would. Do I believe I do not have prejudices? No I do not. I know I have prejudices and feel ashamed when I have these thoughts because I know it is wrong.

            I agree that stereotypes we were exposed to during childhood have become the foundation for the adult prejudices we have today (pg. 387.) However, I do not believe that it is an excuse for being racist. My grandfather was racist and his prejudices extended to my uncles and male cousins. We all grew up together around my grandfather. If we all grew up together and was taught the same prejudices how come we differ in opinions? For one I know it is wrong to judge a person based on their skin color and two I am not a privileged white male.

            Thinking of my male family members confirms the fact that white male privilege is passed down from generation to generation. They were taught that they were superior not only because they are men but because of the color of their skin. I agree that white people are taught that it is a disadvantage to have colored skin (pg. 395.) I also agree that white people are carefully taught not to recognize white privilege (pg. 395.) The people who are most privileged are the ones who believe the world does not need to improve.

              The article written by Elizabeth Landau below confirms that people like to think they are not prejudice however, they are.

http://articles.cnn.com/2009-01-07/health/racism.study_1_psychology-new-study-black-people?_s=PM:HEALTH

Welfare and Domestic Violence

Welfare:

The image above displays one stereotype that a welfare participant has to deal with. I am ashamed to admit that I believed in the stereotypes about welfare. After reading the article by Rita Jenson I had a change of heart. The image society has of welfare participants is an African-American mother who is unemployed, promiscuous, poorly motivated, and lazy (exploding the stereotypes by Rita Jenson pg. 232.)  

            First let’s tackle the fact that welfare is considered an African-American woman’s problem instead of a woman’s issue (pg. 230.) The largest percentage of welfare recipients are white women. I found this surprising because the media portrays welfare in a completely different way. Another problem is not taking in account that most welfare families consist of one parent and two children (pg. 231.) As a single mother who needs to support two children her income might not be enough to cover the cost of living.

            In the article Rita Jenson stated, “three-fourths of participants are or have been in an abusive relationship (pg. 232).” An abused woman is more likely have left her abuser with limited funds to support her children. Why should society treat an abused woman as a criminal? However, that is exactly what society does. Every penny they have is calculated and monitored. I found an article about New York using finger printing to identify food stamp recipients. It is not a criminal offense to receive food stamps but society makes it feel criminal by identifying recipients by using the same system as we do for criminals.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/18/opinion/food-stamps-are-not-a-crime.html?_r=1&ref=welfareus

Domestic Violence:

Domestic violence or intimate partner violence is a pattern or coercive tactics used to maintain power and control over an intimate partner (Understanding Intimate Partner Violence by Michele Melseon pg. 497.)  I am not surprised that before the 1970’s domestic violence was considered a private family matter that was not discussed (pg. 497.) Thankfully, the Woman’s Movement changed that idea.

            The article explains tactics that an abuser uses to maintain power and control over their victim. Isolation is frequently the most used tool and abuser uses (pg. 498.) Without friends, family, or a job the victim is left without emotionally finical support to leave their abuser. Emotional and physical abuse is also powerful tactics an abuser uses. I think the best way to explain what an abuser does to their victim is using the power and control wheel. After reading the power and control wheel please watch Susan’s story of domestic violence. In my opinion it is very hard to miss how the power and control wheel compares to what Susan went through.

Susan's Story

            I believe that domestic violence agency services and police have come a long way since the 1970’s. Shelters and mandatory arrests in domestic situations have improved for helping domestic violence victims. I just do not believe it is as helpful as we wish it to be. Police and agencies have limited resources. Shelters are often on an emergency bases and maximum of 30 days.  30 days is not enough time to gather money for a place to live. It takes an average of seven times for a victim to leave their abuser. When resources run out it is most likely that they return to their abuser. Yes, the help for domestic violence victims have improved but is still so limited.

Relationships, Family, Marriage and Reproductive Rights

Relationships, Family, and Marriage



            Women are expected to get married and have children.  Most people still adhere to the idea that this is a woman’s purpose in life. What makes it worst is the fact that women are pressured into getting married and starting a family. On top of that pressure is the pressure to have a thriving career. If a woman is a stay at home mom people wonder why aren’t they making something of themselves (The Price of Motherhood by Ann Crittenden pg. 188)?

            The job of making a home for a child and developing their capabilities is often equated with doing nothing (pg. 188.) I think it is awful that society believes a woman has to drop everything to take are of a child and the house work then are put down for doing what everyone agrees is essential (pg. 189.) I cannot believe that some people still think that women choose to have children, and in doing so, choose to accept the trade-offs that come with it (pg. 191.)

            However, people do not take in account that it takes two to make a baby (Family and Women’s Lives by Susan Lehrer pg. 250.)  If both parents are present why is it expected of a woman to take care of the child and house work even though both made the child? Taking care of a child and doing house work should be divided equally. I do think that society is changing and it is not unheard of that a man is a stay at home dad while the woman is the main bread winner.

Reproductive Rights

            Reproductive rights have and probably always be a touchy subject. I believe a woman has the right to decide if and/or when she will have children.  Legal rights give a woman the decision to control her decision to have children. In the case of Roe v. Wade in 1973 the women’s right to an abortion was legalized (pg. 317.)

            I admit I most likely would never get an abortion. However, I am also aware that there are circumstances where a woman’s choice of an abortion is made. Health, sexual assault, money, or age issues are among those circumstances. Even without the circumstances it is still a woman’s choice to have an abortion and no one else has the right to decide for her.

            People who object to abortion believe women should stick to traditional views (pg. 318.) They still have their mind set that a woman’s most important role is motherhood (pg. 318.) They do not take in amount that there are circumstances that lead to an abortion. It makes me sick to think about the violence used against a women’s right to an abortion. They believe in pro-life but take a life of someone for allowing a woman to exercise her right to an abortion.  

            Ayn Rand said, “One method of destroying a concept is by diluting its meaning. Observe that by ascribing rights to the unborn, i.e., the nonliving, the anti-abortionists obliterate the rights of the living.” Anti-abortionists are choosing to ignore the legal right of a woman’s choice to an abortion. Below is a link of other pro-choice quotes.
http://civilliberty.about.com/od/abortion/tp/choice_quotes.htm

Gender in the Media and Women Health Care Issues

Gender in the Media

            Anastasia Higginbotham wrote this in her article about teen magazines “Be happy with yourself, but not if you’re fat, ugly, poor, gay, disabled, anti-social, or can’t pass as white (pg. 91).”  I thought this quote perfectly stated what messages teen magazines send to their young customers. The image of what ideal beauty is supposed to be is carved from what the mass media adversities. The media has set unrealistic standards for women to feel attractive (Gender in the Media by Marielena Zuniga pg. 95.)  The media sets the standards by using models that are seemingly perfect with beauty and body.

            Mass media produces these images of what society should look like. However, they fail to mention the bill they will receive for photo editing of the pictures they advertise. They also do not include that the models used only make up a small portion of the women with that body type. Even the models with the “perfect body” have to be changed to fit the media’s image of ideal beauty. Magazines assume girls need improving by telling them they should be prettier, cooler, and better (Anastasia Higginbotham pg. 89) while telling them they should love their body.

            With media sending confusing messages about their self-image I am not surprised that eating disorders, low self-esteem, and self-hatred are aided by the media. Not all media is harmful to people. There are some good media campaigns that support the idea that beauty does not have to be a stick skinny tanned model. I think the dove commercials have inspired women to accept themselves as they are. The media will always bombard society with impossible standards. Though it is hard to censor it I think the next best thing is to counteract them with positive images of beauty.

            A song called So Beautiful by Superchick is a good example of positive beauty. The song lyrics convey to the listener that they are beautiful as they are. If only we could all realize how beautiful we are then we could stand up against the mass media’s impossible standards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Bv7Wn4GcoQ
Ageism/Women’s Healthcare Issues

As I read the article written by the Older Women’s League, titled Older Women: The Realities, I couldn’t stop thinking about how it describes my grandmother.  The article had many points that I thought where true because I could relate them to my grandmother. Most women tend to outlive their spouse and struggle to make ends meet on a limited income (pg. 439) Women over the age of 65 account for 70% of the poverty in older adults (pg. 440.) Most of a woman’s income is a limited amount of money social security provides. Due to be being the primary care giver women are more likely not have worked much during her marriage. This leaves them without much income to support them.

            Most income they do have is used on Medicare and supplement insurance. Most women suffer from two or more chronic illnesses that Medicare does not support making supplement insurance a most to receive the health care they need. My grandmother is an example of a woman struggling after her husband’s death. She suffers from arthritis and osteoporosis. While she pays Medicare and supplement insurance it is not sufficient enough to pay all her medical bills. My grandmother struggles to make ends meet because she was the primary care giver to her children and spouse, she could not work much throughout her life.  

I found an article written by Noam N. Levey that suggests that the already expensive Medicare cost could possibly increase. This makes me worry that women, already living in poverty, will have to increase payment for health care that is hardly adequate for their needs. The article mentions what little Medicare does cover. Supplement insurance is common for elder people to add to cover their medical insurance. If cost of Medicare increases, older people such as my grandmother, will have to stretch even farther to make ends meet.

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/15/nation/la-na-medicare-costs-20110715