Blog 14
1. Two of the main sources of feminism’s revival in the 1960’s and 1970’s occurred because of very tragic events. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy were both assassinated, causing an upheaval in emotional distress and eventually pushed women to work even harder for equality. Martin Luther King Jr. had expressed his ideas of nonviolence and that idea unfortunately died with him. This left women of color in disarray and many felt the need to take care of themselves so they formed feminists groups. Kennedy’s assassination also led women to fight for more equality and the term “women’s liberation’ was formed. Another source that revived feminism was the resistance to women’s contribution during the civil rights movement. While men took roles in power and credit in leadership, women were left to make coffee, attend to men’s needs and felt unappreciated. This also led them to focus more on their own gender and what could be achieved with equality.
2. Women were tired of being treated just as a sexual figure and the protest to the Miss America pageant in 1968 shows the importance of ‘women’s liberation’ during the time. Women were liberating themselves from the physical and sexual ideal men had placed upon them. Women didn’t think it was right to be judged by their sex appeal, measurements or what man thought a woman should be. The pageant didn’t even really represent America, since no women of color were included in the pageant. Women showed their frustration and appall by protesting the pageant and by throwing away all things that had to do with men’s attraction to women; lipstick, sexy clothes, bras and wigs. Women had had enough.
3. I don’t think that the war of the sexes is over in the 21st century. Although women have gained a lot of equality in the workforce, education and public domain altogether, there is still a lot of criticism and stereotypes as well. Many men still feel that women should play a subordinate role or are in some way lesser than they are. In terms of education, I think both men and women suffer in terms of opportunity, especially for minorities. Even though many women work in male dominated fields, they are often paid less. There are jobs though where women earn more than men, and I am sure this causes issues as well. I think that the struggle continues, but its struggle for both men and women in the 21st century.
Source
4. As a liberated woman in the 1970’s, Mary Tyler Moore was able to be everything a woman during the time wanted to be. She was financially independent, worked as a journalist, had stable relationships with men even if just as friends and was also beautiful. Orenstein compares Moore’s liberation with the liberation of the characters in the show “Sex and the City”. The women in “Sex and the City” are also liberated but more so in a sexual way. Although both shows represent women in the high powered workforce and financially independent, “Sex and the City” takes on more of a fun, single women’s life who focuses more on the now rather than on the future. Moral values such as good character and the importance of career over men lead Orenstein to make her judgments about both shows and the women in them.
5. I would not expect Walker to agree with Orenstein. Orenstein feels that women should focus more on their career than on their sexual relationships with men and Walker feels that sexual relationships are just as important. Walker acknowledges women as sexual beings and therefore understands and expects women to take part in those types of relationships. Walker thinks that sex is an important way for a woman to connect with her own body, while it also allows for change and growth to come from it. With sexual relationships, Walker feels women would better learn how to find themselves in healthy relationships since they would learn not only more about themselves, but also about their partner and about love in general.
6. “Sex and the City” does paint a realistic portrait of the lives of a lot of women. Especially since the four main characters really have very different ideas and views about relationships and sex. One wants a baby, one wants to focus on her career, one is all about sexual relationships and the other is more focused on being in an emotional relationship. The show of course, has to be entertaining and I think that it is. But I also think that the reason it is so popular is because women can relate to it. I think sexual liberty has gained enough ground for women to be as sexually active as the women in the program, but whether or not they chose to be is a completely different story. There are still many stereotypes about women and the way they view their sexuality that I don’t think are always portrayed in the show. The women in the show are also in their 30’s and don’t represent all women.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
blog 13
Blog 13
1. After gaining so many strides in the workforce in WWII, women were expected to go back to domestic duties when the men returned, changing the balance of society once again. During the Cold War, the media and government used propaganda to reform the society, a society that placed women back in domestic duties at home and men in the workforce. Women who did continued to work were viewed negatively since it threatened the ego of man and his role as provider. Some women were able to continue to be in the public and political domain by working for organizations that helped find communists. The major impact on women resulting from the Cold War was one of going back to traditional gender norms where the women is expected to stay home, raise children, and stay out of the workforce, leaving many, I’m sure, dissatisfied.
2. Historians were forced to rethink Betty Friedan’s interpretation of the “feminine mystique” because Friedan focused only on upper white class women who stayed at home and were ‘slaves’ to their families. She did not address middle or lower class white women, or women of color. Friedan also didn’t discuss women who were active in the workforce and the community or those who actually enjoyed being at home. Having only focused on one group of women, her thoughts and ideas could not be applied to women in general making her book completely from one point of view only, leaving all others ignored.
3. The activists in the 1950’s were mostly white, middle class, women who were a part of the workforce. After losing jobs and enduring pay cuts, women rallied for equal pay and opportunities. All women faced many difficulties, but women of color faced not only gender discrimination, but racial discrimination as well. Many women of color also had the added limitation of a lesser education making it even more difficult to compete for jobs. White women who did have an education stepped up to fight for women of all color, with women of all color, becoming activists not only for the workforce, but also for racial equality as well.
4. Women’s role as “bridge” leader proves how important women’s participation was during the civil rights movement. As a “bridge” leader, women were able to actively serve the community in a political way, though always under the shadow of a man. Without formal recognition, women had to fight to be involved, focusing more on the community, which enabled them to gain influence and a role leadership. Women such as Ella Baker, worked with the community as an organizer for the SCLC, however only until a male could be found to replace her. This was often the position of the women during this time. However, some of the most influential civil rights activists of the era were women, proving that the role of “Bridge” leader was monumentally needed and successful.
1. After gaining so many strides in the workforce in WWII, women were expected to go back to domestic duties when the men returned, changing the balance of society once again. During the Cold War, the media and government used propaganda to reform the society, a society that placed women back in domestic duties at home and men in the workforce. Women who did continued to work were viewed negatively since it threatened the ego of man and his role as provider. Some women were able to continue to be in the public and political domain by working for organizations that helped find communists. The major impact on women resulting from the Cold War was one of going back to traditional gender norms where the women is expected to stay home, raise children, and stay out of the workforce, leaving many, I’m sure, dissatisfied.
2. Historians were forced to rethink Betty Friedan’s interpretation of the “feminine mystique” because Friedan focused only on upper white class women who stayed at home and were ‘slaves’ to their families. She did not address middle or lower class white women, or women of color. Friedan also didn’t discuss women who were active in the workforce and the community or those who actually enjoyed being at home. Having only focused on one group of women, her thoughts and ideas could not be applied to women in general making her book completely from one point of view only, leaving all others ignored.
3. The activists in the 1950’s were mostly white, middle class, women who were a part of the workforce. After losing jobs and enduring pay cuts, women rallied for equal pay and opportunities. All women faced many difficulties, but women of color faced not only gender discrimination, but racial discrimination as well. Many women of color also had the added limitation of a lesser education making it even more difficult to compete for jobs. White women who did have an education stepped up to fight for women of all color, with women of all color, becoming activists not only for the workforce, but also for racial equality as well.
4. Women’s role as “bridge” leader proves how important women’s participation was during the civil rights movement. As a “bridge” leader, women were able to actively serve the community in a political way, though always under the shadow of a man. Without formal recognition, women had to fight to be involved, focusing more on the community, which enabled them to gain influence and a role leadership. Women such as Ella Baker, worked with the community as an organizer for the SCLC, however only until a male could be found to replace her. This was often the position of the women during this time. However, some of the most influential civil rights activists of the era were women, proving that the role of “Bridge” leader was monumentally needed and successful.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Blog12
Blog#12
1. According to the article, the work opportunities for women during World War II are not limited because of gender. Women make up about 87% of the Martin workforce and the numbers of women in the workforce is expected to rise when the war continues. The women may be limited because of experience, but as soon as they master a task they are set on a new and more difficult job, so they are always learning. Just as these women working for Martin are expected to work a man’s job, with all of the long hours and hard work, they are also paid the same as men and have the opportunity for advancement and raises and their gender doesn’t hinder that.
2. The audience for this article is women. Since the article was written for Ladies Home Journal, I can assume it was written for young to middle-aged women who have typically stayed home in the past. While many of the women who had been housewives are now in the workforce to keep the war going, this article represents the women workers as well as it paint’s the picture of the newly changed lives for girls no longer at home. It also shows the women not in the workforce how women have taken strides to participate in the war and tells of the daily struggles these young women go through.
3. I don’t think the women mind their work during World War II. They feel as if they are crucial to the war development, and war outcome, and they absolutely are. Even though they are living in less than desirable living conditions, they seem to be taken care of enough to enjoy themselves. While some girls paint their nails, others enjoy the afternoons after work though they should probably be sleeping. They work together by trying to be considerate of roommates and don’t complain too much about working. In fact, they only joke about some of the difficulties and leave it at that. Knowing that they are a part of the war effort, and that these jobs have to be done, keep the women going with a positive outlook.
4. Even though the article says that these women will do men’s work, work men’s hours, receive men’s pay and be treated as men, they still retain their femininity. They keep the social and comradely aspect of women’s inner circles by continuing to do normal things, like hang out in the apartment together, cook, and dance. Some of the girls keep their nails painted even tough they know they will get roughed up at work. There is also still a softness, or gentleness exuded by these women. They are optimistic and lighthearted as they joke about the job and what it does to their hands but they also have big dreams for the future and show their strength in terms of the reality of the war.
5. When the war is over, many women will go back home, and go back to being a housewife. Some will get married and become housewives and many will most likely continue to work in the workforce. The article doesn’t state what exactly will happen to the jobs, or the women who work them, but it implies that most women will leave the workforce to carry on duties that were previous to the war. Even the women themselves admit that when the war is over they’ll “probably go home again and wash dishes”. Some though, talk of their dreams to stay in the workforce and aircraft production.
1. According to the article, the work opportunities for women during World War II are not limited because of gender. Women make up about 87% of the Martin workforce and the numbers of women in the workforce is expected to rise when the war continues. The women may be limited because of experience, but as soon as they master a task they are set on a new and more difficult job, so they are always learning. Just as these women working for Martin are expected to work a man’s job, with all of the long hours and hard work, they are also paid the same as men and have the opportunity for advancement and raises and their gender doesn’t hinder that.
2. The audience for this article is women. Since the article was written for Ladies Home Journal, I can assume it was written for young to middle-aged women who have typically stayed home in the past. While many of the women who had been housewives are now in the workforce to keep the war going, this article represents the women workers as well as it paint’s the picture of the newly changed lives for girls no longer at home. It also shows the women not in the workforce how women have taken strides to participate in the war and tells of the daily struggles these young women go through.
3. I don’t think the women mind their work during World War II. They feel as if they are crucial to the war development, and war outcome, and they absolutely are. Even though they are living in less than desirable living conditions, they seem to be taken care of enough to enjoy themselves. While some girls paint their nails, others enjoy the afternoons after work though they should probably be sleeping. They work together by trying to be considerate of roommates and don’t complain too much about working. In fact, they only joke about some of the difficulties and leave it at that. Knowing that they are a part of the war effort, and that these jobs have to be done, keep the women going with a positive outlook.
4. Even though the article says that these women will do men’s work, work men’s hours, receive men’s pay and be treated as men, they still retain their femininity. They keep the social and comradely aspect of women’s inner circles by continuing to do normal things, like hang out in the apartment together, cook, and dance. Some of the girls keep their nails painted even tough they know they will get roughed up at work. There is also still a softness, or gentleness exuded by these women. They are optimistic and lighthearted as they joke about the job and what it does to their hands but they also have big dreams for the future and show their strength in terms of the reality of the war.
5. When the war is over, many women will go back home, and go back to being a housewife. Some will get married and become housewives and many will most likely continue to work in the workforce. The article doesn’t state what exactly will happen to the jobs, or the women who work them, but it implies that most women will leave the workforce to carry on duties that were previous to the war. Even the women themselves admit that when the war is over they’ll “probably go home again and wash dishes”. Some though, talk of their dreams to stay in the workforce and aircraft production.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Blog#11
Blog#11
Chapter 8
1. Yes, I think it is appropriate to speak of women in the 1920’s as “New Women”.
The women of the 1920’s reached farther into the political world than they had ever done before. With the right to vote, women continued to pursue activism in the political arena with organizations. Women also formed social organizations. The social aspect of the 1920’s created the most change for women, I believe. Styles were new, acceptable behavior for young women in terms of sexuality had changed. With the Flapper style, women took charge of their femininity and wore more revealing clothes and shorter hair. Their ideas of staying home changed and they spent more time in the public arena by engaging in more social activities.
2. Women in the 1920’s encountered so much difficulty accomplishing their political agenda’s because they had no real authority. Women also argued amongst themselves in terms of goals and the ways in which to go about achieving those goals. After the suffrage movement, and after the women won the right to vote, women began to unravel the threads that had tied them together and enabled them to get ahead under a common goal. Now, it was no longer about all women, but rather about personal and individual ideas that not all agreed upon. The fight to get ahead in terms of positions also created struggle and left women at odds with each other. With women divided, and common ideas seemingly defeated, women in the 1920’s had to fight just to keep afloat in the political arena.
3. Women during the Great Depression went back to traditional roles by caring for the home and family. You can see in this image that she is, at her best, the protector of her children, though she most likely does not provide material goods. Her children, being so close to her, allows us to see the forever important tie of mothers and children, and the bond that is created during times of great difficulty. They search her for some type of meaning though almost defeated. The struggle and pain the mother shows on her face tells us is she trying to hold on for them and is worried about the outcome of the depression.
4. The job loss during the Great Depression affected both genders but the men were more affected overall. Since men were still the main providers in terms of food, money and housing, the heavy burden of the losses fell on them. Emotionally, men felt a greater strain as their roles as great provider diminished. Men felt they had lost a part of their manhood and resented their feelings of inferiority to the women in their homes. This insecurity led some men to leave their wives because the mental and emotional strain had become too much. Men were failing and they didn’t know how to deal with that. Women on the other hand, were able to find work more easily than men when ‘women’s work’ became available again. This also stirred trouble since it didn’t seem fair that women could work and men could not. The tides had changes a little, but all suffered the results of the Great Depression.
Chapter 8
1. Yes, I think it is appropriate to speak of women in the 1920’s as “New Women”.
The women of the 1920’s reached farther into the political world than they had ever done before. With the right to vote, women continued to pursue activism in the political arena with organizations. Women also formed social organizations. The social aspect of the 1920’s created the most change for women, I believe. Styles were new, acceptable behavior for young women in terms of sexuality had changed. With the Flapper style, women took charge of their femininity and wore more revealing clothes and shorter hair. Their ideas of staying home changed and they spent more time in the public arena by engaging in more social activities.
2. Women in the 1920’s encountered so much difficulty accomplishing their political agenda’s because they had no real authority. Women also argued amongst themselves in terms of goals and the ways in which to go about achieving those goals. After the suffrage movement, and after the women won the right to vote, women began to unravel the threads that had tied them together and enabled them to get ahead under a common goal. Now, it was no longer about all women, but rather about personal and individual ideas that not all agreed upon. The fight to get ahead in terms of positions also created struggle and left women at odds with each other. With women divided, and common ideas seemingly defeated, women in the 1920’s had to fight just to keep afloat in the political arena.
3. Women during the Great Depression went back to traditional roles by caring for the home and family. You can see in this image that she is, at her best, the protector of her children, though she most likely does not provide material goods. Her children, being so close to her, allows us to see the forever important tie of mothers and children, and the bond that is created during times of great difficulty. They search her for some type of meaning though almost defeated. The struggle and pain the mother shows on her face tells us is she trying to hold on for them and is worried about the outcome of the depression.
4. The job loss during the Great Depression affected both genders but the men were more affected overall. Since men were still the main providers in terms of food, money and housing, the heavy burden of the losses fell on them. Emotionally, men felt a greater strain as their roles as great provider diminished. Men felt they had lost a part of their manhood and resented their feelings of inferiority to the women in their homes. This insecurity led some men to leave their wives because the mental and emotional strain had become too much. Men were failing and they didn’t know how to deal with that. Women on the other hand, were able to find work more easily than men when ‘women’s work’ became available again. This also stirred trouble since it didn’t seem fair that women could work and men could not. The tides had changes a little, but all suffered the results of the Great Depression.
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