After reading chapter 3 and 4 it really opened my eyes and interest to some of these gender movements. I wish people were more aware and participated in some of these movements. For instance you do not necessary have to go out and “march”, but at wok, or at home, where ever you are, you can demonstrated this movements. Take the example given in our text pg 97 Wood talks about one of her male friends talking to several colleagues about his firm and how the thought of women getting paid less then men for the same lever position is unfair. He used his voice and credibility to persuade others. In chapter 3 it illustrates the different movements women have, but for very movement there seems to be segregation towards others (lesbians, upper class, white, black etc.). Why segregate, when we, as women are fighting for the same cause? Why not come together and “stand”- represent as one for all those issues. Why should lesbians be separated by heterosexual woman, aren’t we fighting the same issues, why should their sexuality preference stop us from coming together? “Moderate feminist fear that accepting lesbians into the movement would stigmatize feminism” (Wood pg75).
Another point that grabbed my attention is that women have been fighting for equal rights/equal opportunity for many decades, yet when we have a chance to vote and make a woman president we all don’t agree. Wore we not ready for a woman to take stand and represent all women who have been fighting for this chance? Did some of us think a woman couldn’t handle it? Or did once again man “over power” us? Or did men think that because a woman was going to be head of the country they felt “threaten” by the idea that now women would really take away their “manhood” or “leader” positions? “Targeting feminism as responsible for the loss of masculinity, they claim that “men have been wimpified. They’ve been emasculated” (Gross, 1990, p130) (Wood pg104)
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3 comments:
Response to Rachel’s Blog 6/13:
Racheal.. good post. I definitely agree with you about women movement being a great opportunity for women to talk to other women who are going through the same emotions/situations. You mentioned that one of your friend was in a violent environment and when she spoke to a man about it, he’s first reaction was “what did you do to make him act in this way?” let me tell you, men are not the only ones making this assumption anymore. I was once in a verbal and physical abusive relationship and when I went to therapy to talk about my issues she would say “did you do something to make him say or do that to you?” I was shocked she made me feel like it was my fault that I was getting abused. Even some of my girl friends got tired of hearing my complaints and it got to the point where they to were asking me if I was the one provoking him. After that experience, I completely had a different approach about friends and therapist; it made me isolate myself from sharing my painful experience with anyone. I think these movements are great, but some women, like myself just become so “private” that we don’t feel comfortable talking about our issues in depth with anyone anymore.
Response to Anjum Blog 6/13:
Anjum, yes I’ve heard this tradition for Middle Eastern people, but I don’t think every family in the Middle East is “wealthy” enough to have some of these privileges you speak about. For those unfortunate women, when their husband comes home from a long day of work, does he expect her to still look “good” even though they couldn’t afford a nanny, or afford “servants” to do the work for her? If not, then what does a man expect? You mentioned that families are more relaxed because Men are considered “breadwinners” and go to work while their wife stay home and gets the royal treatment, why do you feel this makes a family more relaxed?
I think many people don't stand up for others because they are more concerned with their own well being and security first. Also, I think another reason is that many people don't recognize others; women, lesbians, gay, etc. so feel that they are deserving of opportunites...sad to think that this kind of thinking still exists.
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