Response to Chris P's Blog

Chris,

I completely agree with you !! Most people think that men can't or don't cook..and some don't and can't; but there are guys who have learned how to. I know a guy who I used to work with and am still friends with who can cook really good !! I think have the image of the woman cooking and the man watching TV stuck in their heads. While this was true along time ago, it isn't so now. Some men learn to cook because they may enjoy it or because they don't have someone to cook for them. It's because of this image that the people you work with were not only shocked that you made something, but found it shocking that you were able to BAKE! I can only hope that this image won't e around for much longer and that society can be a little less ignorant.

Ilia

Eureka Moment #6

I had my eureka moment this week while reading the epilogue of our text. I found it interesting how it reflects back on all that we've learned while reading the text but also looks forward and makes it a point that what we've learned can be used in the future. I have learned a lot in taking this course and I have a new outlook on the term gender and the different areas I can learn about in. Like the text says "What gender and culture will mean in the future is up to you." (pg. 317). We can all take what we have learned and grow from that and educate others or we can ignore what we have learned and let others dictate what norms are when it comes to genders and cultures. Our text has a section labeled Taking A Voice and I think it is relevant because if we can all find a way to set aside our differences then maybe we can change the future we are heading towards. I think we need to be more open minded and accepting of the genders and cultures that surround us even if we do not understand them or agree with their ways.

Comment to Neeru for Week #5

Neeru,

I was found your post interesting and true!! I don’t know why we feel the need to dress twins alike or put Baby Clothes on them with those types of words. I think that’s why kids grow up so fast these days; we don’t give them a chance to just be Kids. I think parenting plays a big role in the way kids behave, I’ve seen teenage girls with Juicy written on the back of sweatpants and I think to myself as to what type of message they are conveying to any person who sees that. I’m 25 and I don’t have kids but I’ve never worn anything like and I’ll make sure that when I have kids neither will they.

Ilia

Eureka #5

This week I had my Eureka moment while reading Chapter 4 of the text. I always knew there were many women's movements but I never heard of a men's movement. I surprised to learn that there are so many movements covering various aspects. Also, many of the websites were interesting and provided alot of information pertaing to what it is that they can help men with and how to go about contacting them should a male have an issue. Some of the websites even had options to where one could make a donation to help the organization expand. I had no idea men were so supported by other men and that they were even victims of some of the things listed in the text. The term profeminists was very interesting as I have never heard it prior to this class. It was interesting to learn that there are many men who are out there fighting to "support women's battles" (pg. 96).

Ilia

Week #4

I had my Eureka Moment this week at work in conversation with a friend. She was telling me about a conflict that occurred between her and her boyfriend due to another female. She found something on his phone and when she questioned him about it he said that it was nothing and that she was just a friend, someone he works with. My friend also knows who this other female is and she has known that her boyfriend has known this woman for a long time. When she told me what happened, I thought about our readings and how they dealt with female and male relationships. Not all relationships/friendships between a male and female have to be sexual, but of course it's the first thing that comes to mind in this type of situation.

Our text says that friendships between males and females are difficult, and they become even more difficult when someone has a significant other who has a friend of the opposite sex. I think that besides jealousy there are other contributing factors. My friend knew that her boyfriend has been friends with this female for a long time, but yet she allows the fact that she is female cloud her better judgment. I also think that self-esteem issues may play a great role under these circumstances.

Ilia

Eureka #3 (cont'd)

I believe the little girl was walking and the guy came up to her and told her he had a gun and took her to an isolated place where her proceeded to sexually assault her. When he saw her he knew that it would be a matter of Power, which he had over and used to his advantage since he was bigger than she was and older. Of the six types of gendered violence described in our text I think that this is an example of both Gender Intimidation (pg. 285) and Sexual Assault (pg. 286).

This story is an example of Gender Intimidation because when he approached her he made her feel frightened and unsafe. Prior to and when the sexual assault occurred she may have felt inferior to him because of the fact that she is just a little girl who didn't stand a chance at fighting back. Afterward, the little girl, as even older women do, will feel humiliated and sometimes place the blame on themselves.

I think it is also an example of Sexual Assault because it was a rape which is "one type of sexual assault". It included a "sexual activity that occurs without the informed consent of at least one of the people involved."

When I read Chapter 12, I couldn't believe that it said according to a legal definition, "a man or woman who is forced to have sex with another man has not been raped". To me that doesn't make any sense or is coming from someone who has never been sexually assaulted or has a family member that has been through this ordeal. I think anytime someone is forced to engage in or commit a sexual activity that they do not want to do or are not aware of, like when intoxicated, should be considered rape.

Ilia

Eureka #3

This week I had my eureka moment while watching the news. I heard the story about the little 11 yr. old girl who was sexually assualted in Philadelphia. i heard the story on the news adn thought about Chapter 11 in our text and how it referenced to Gender and Violence.

Eureka #2

Eureka #2

This morning while watching the news I had a Eureka moment. I saw the segment on the news about the woman from Pennsylvania who falsely claimed that both she and her daughter were abducted by two black men. Later the police saw her picture on cameras in the airport terminal and located her in Florida.The segment caught my attention because it said that she was stereotyping. Why is it that she had to say that two black men abducted her, why couldn't she just have said that she and her daughter were abducted by two men? She deemed it necessary to say that it was two black men; therefore, stereotyping.I thought about a section in our text that was titled "Language Organizes Perceptions of Gender" on pg. 122, which included stereotyping. The text provides a definition of stereotyping (pg. 123)and says that it is "a generalization about an entire class of phenomena based on some knowledge of some members of the class". I believe that she felt by saying what she said her story might seem more believeable or the police would heighten the search since she was with a child. It also shows how even in today's society people still feel the need to accuse certain people of certain races with false accusations.Ilia
May 29, 2009 6:13 PM

Something New !!

I gave my blog this name because blogging is "something new" to me. I've never done it before, let alone set up my own blog. I hope to enjoy the class and the experince as well. I know it's going to go by fast........

Ilia