Class and Race Disparity

Article

Collected on: 5/5/09 (in the wee hours)

Can be found at: http://www.classmatters.org/identity/women.php
(the bottom one - by Attieno Davis)

This article talks about class differences and how they relate to the feminist movement. It talks about how white middle class women dominated the feminist movement so the issues of black working class women were mostly ignored. Thus it is related to race also because white women dominated and black women were mostly ignored and put on the back burner. The combined difference of class and race divided these two groups of women and the one group got mostly left out. This article relates to women's studies because it talks about those differences in the women's movement between class and race. The only way working class black women got what they wanted was in terms of child care, and rape protection because white middle class women wanted these same things. the working class black women didn't care about "taking off their bras or getting a job" they could already do both, and they had to work, according to the article. Their needs were getting a better education and fighting infant mortality and they were not addressed.

Related issues are class and race. Class and race both relate because the article talks about disparity and different experiences between women of different classes and races. The disparity was because the different classes and races had different needs and only the needs of one group was being addressed, hence the relation.

This article reflects a step back for women because it shows division among feminist movements. Division makes the movements weaker than they would be if they allied for the greater good of all.

Free the Slaves

International organization

Collected on: 5/5/09 (in the early am)

Can be found at: http://www.freetheslaves.net/Page.aspx?pid=287

This article is a description of "Free the Slaves" and their sister organization "Anti-Slavery International". These are two international organizations with a common goal, ending human trafficking and slavery worldwide. This relates to women's studies because a major part of slavery and human trafficking is sex trafficking and forced prostitution, female forced servitude, etc. These are all gender studies issues and this article relates because it talks about how to solve these issues and end sex trafficking and all forms of slavery.

Related topics include sex trafficking, globalization, and international feminist movements. This relates to international feminist movements because it is about two international movements for human rights. Any organization for the rights of all humans is inherently a feminist movement because you can't fight for the rights of all humans without fighting for the rights of women and feminist principals about how women should be treated. In turn, any feminist movement against slavery would have to be against all slavery not just that of women, or its morals would be flawed. Thus there are no strictly feminist movements against slavery only movements against slavery in general, but these qualify as feminist because they advance feminist goals. Sex trafficking is related because both movements are fighting sex trafficking as part of their mission. Globalization is related because these are global organizations fighting a global issue.

These organizations existence reflect a setback for women and men because as long as they exists that means slavery exists and sex trafficking exists. They reflect a step forward however, because they are fighting to end slavery and sex trafficking.

Active Elderly Women

Photographs with Interviews

Collected on: 5/4/09

Can be found at: http://www.msmagazine.com/mar03/chornesky.asp

This is a short article about a photographer who is trying to change the perception of elder women in our society. Elders are perceived as being parasitic to society, contributing little or nothing as they waste away. Jessica Chornesky is the photographer who aims to change this perception with photos and interviews of productive women over the age of 70. Some of her photos and interviews are included and they are very convincing. This relates to women's studies because it deals with age discrimination and perception of women based on their age. It accompanies women's studies by trying to combat this false perception and discrimination based on age.

A related topic is age. It is related to age because the topic is age. It focus on changing perception of women based on no factor other than age. The common factor between all the women interviewed is their age which is a reason it relates to age. It is showing that elderly women can and do make contributions to society, many do so more than young men and women.

This reflects a step forward for women because it is fighting discrimination and false preconceptions. It is a step forward because it is effectively discrediting any notion that elderly women are worth any less than anyone else. Its message is a good one and it can be summed up in one quote, "Elders are not a separate species" this is proven beyond doubt by looking at Jessica's work and that is why it is a step forward.

Worries of Working Women

Article

Can Be Found at: http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/3640/

Collected on: 5/4/09

This relates to women's studies because it talks about women in the work force and the challenges and speed bumps they face toward having a career and raising a family. With the system today they are forced to choose, it says, between raising their children and having a career. The closest thing to a compromise is expensive childcare which many can't afford and forces the women to take a back-burner role in the raising of their child. It talks about how bosses renege on offers once women have children, and gives examples. These are the reasons it relates to women in work and women's studies.

a relates reading is "Reality Check" in Listen Up because they both talk about the struggles of women in the world of work. "Reality Check" talks about the struggles of a college student with finding a job and this article talks about the struggles of a mother. However they both face a tough world that is not setup for them to succeed and this is why the readings relate. They face many of the same and similar challenges and both readings talk about those challenges.

This is definitely a setback for women because nothing about the working world is helpful or friendly to them. It is setup in such a way that it is very hard for women to succeed in it at least in the US.

Positive Masculinity

Forum Thread

Collected on: 5/4/09

Can Be Viewed at: http://community.feministing.com/2008/08/the-male-identity-in-a-feminiz.html

This is related to women's studies because it talks all about positive masculinity today. It is a forum thread where people are posting what they think it means to exhibit positive masculinity in today's world. It gives many different ideas of masculinity and aspects of positive masculine image. It talks about the good qualities of traditional masculinity and what should be dropped from masculinity and what should be added. For example it talks about how bullying shows weakness and aggressiveness should be dropped. It says being a good man shouldn't be any different from being a good person. Another part of being a good man is of course being a family man and a good father

The most related topic is masculinity. It is related because it is the subject of the forum. The forum talks all about and only about masculinity and how it should change to fit today's world. It relates because it gives different opinions and ideas about masculinity.

This represents a step up for men, because it talks all about positive masculinity and how men who exhibit positive masculinity act. It is a step up because it reflects that masculinity can be a positive thing and is becoming positive.

Feminist Campus

Website

Feminist Campus

Can Be Found At: http://www.feministcampus.org/default.asp

This website is related to women's studies because it is an information and organization center for college feminists. It is basically a one stop shop for a young feminist today, it has information on everything under the topic of women's studies. It has links to zines and articles about causes and how to get involved. It has a search guide to help you find a women's studies program anywhere in the world. It is a site dedicated to feminism and women's studies and that is how it relates to this class.

It relates to women's studies and the the third wave movement because it is helping bring young women today into the third wave movement. Young people get most of their information from the internet so the best way to connect with young women is a website. This is a good website to do so, it has all the information that young women need to realize that we do not live in a post feminist era and that feminism is still useful and necessary.

Related topics are age and class. Age and class are related to this website for the same reason. That reason is, this website targets college students which are an age group and a class. Their age is generally 18-24 and their class is generally middle class and above, because very few poor girls go to college. Most of the poor especially outside the US don't have access to the internet, since this is a website, the poor don't even have access to this information, that is how it relates to class. Age relates even more because there is nothing specifically for older feminists on this website, women who were a part of the second or third wave don't have any information specifically for them on here. This website could be helpful to them also, but its target is clearly college women, hence the name "feminist campus". That name itself relates it to class and age because of the word campus, as discussed above.

This website is definitely a step forward for women, because it is a great resource for them. It provides clear, easy to access information on all topics women's studies. It even has links to help find jobs. It has news reports about issues pertaining to women's studies, Ms. magazine has a very visible link on there. Basically it is a good enough resource that anyone who wanted to learn more about feminism could find about all the answers they seek on this site. That is why it is a step forward for women.

Army Strong Women

Advertisement

Collected on: (5/2/09)

Can be found at: http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/04/04/business/20080404_RECRUIT_Slideshow_10.html

This is a recruitment ad for the marines. It relates to women's studies because of the fact that it targets women, and the interesting strategies it uses to do so. It relates to women in the military and gender socialization, which relates it to women's studies. It depicts a very masculine woman, she is in command and in a powerful pose. She looks fierce and strong and exhibits very masculine traits. It gives an example of a woman who is masculine yet not manly. This relates it to gender socialization because it gives a very different message about how women should be. It gives women an example of how to be strong, seeing what a strong woman looks like will help women to be strong themselves. It also sends the message that it is ok and desirable to be a strong woman today. It gives an example of a strong woman that other women can look up to. It also relates to gender socialization because it shows a powerful aggressive woman in a positive light which is rare and deviant from the norm; it is refreshing.

The ad relates to women in the military because it is a tool to recruit women to the military. It also relates because it shows a woman in a combat and command position in the military. It shows a woman doing the exact same thing men do in the military which relates to women in the military because it is a common misconception that women in the military aren't allowed on the front lines or in active combat.

This ad reflects a step forward for women because they are being recognized as able to be strong and do a "man's job". It is a step forward because women have a strong woman to look at and they can use this as a role model, positive gender socialization. It is a step forward because it shows a woman leading men in the military which previously was thought of as outlandish. Finally, it is a step forward because it shows a woman in a combat position where as women in the military were traditionally nurses and other non combat jobs. All of these are reasons this ad relates to women's studies as well as steps forward.

Women in Football

TV Show/Sport

collected on: 4/19/09

Can be found at: watch any professional or college football game or,

NFL football: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi2gIWDhg00
NFL Cheerleaders: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdHw5HqTDTM

Football on television is a huge discriminator between women and men. It has very strict and very different roles for women and men. This relates to gender socialization because it basically says if you don't exemplify masculinity as a man or femininity as a woman, than there is no place for you. Only men play football, where they are strong and tough and scary (masculine traits). Only women cheer lead where they are literally on the sideline being supportive (a feminine trait) of the men doing the "real work" on the field. There are some male cheerleaders but they are dressed differently and they do the "masculine" tasks which require physical strength such as lifting the women. As cheerleaders women are expected to exemplify femininity, their most important trait is their appearance, they need to be thin and wear clothes that bear it all. They need to be walking models of beauty ideals. No wonder football is so popular, it reinforces gender socialization and exemplifies gender roles for both men and women in our society.

Relevant topics are masculinity and femininity, gender roles, gender socialization and education, beauty ideals, and women in popular culture, all for the above reasons. A relevant reading is "Short Skirts and Breast Juts" which focuses on cheer leading and its effect on women and society. It talks about every one of the above topics and how they are related to cheer leading and football. Another related reading is the body politic because it talks about anorexia and the trend in society today to desire women that "don't take up much space". Cheer leaders, like models support this trend because they are all thin and all looked up to.

Football as it is represents a step back overall for women and men but it also incorporates small scale steps forward for women and men. It is a step back because it reinforces many harmful ideas about men and women and masculinity and femininity. It shows little steps forward when it does things like allowing male cheerleaders, though that was only a step back to where we were because originally all cheerleaders were male. It wouldn't be a big deal at all if people didn't learn gender roles by watching things like football which portray men as women differently than they naturally and regularly are.

What "She Said" in the collegiate times about "deal breakers"

Newspaper Column

collected on: 4/19/09
article can be found at: http://www.collegiatetimes.com/stories/13578/p2

This article relates to women's studies because it is an example of a woman's perspective about what women wants and how women should be. It is not expressly about that but the author portrays herself as the "normal" college woman and talks about what she wants and makes generalizations about women such as "we are not afraid of passive-aggressiving our way into your schedule" which implies that women have no power and that they are conniving and proud to be. She supports that by saying: "We will pout and whimper in such a passive aggressive way you'd almost think we were in extreme need of Prozac or a cathartic ice cream fest with the girlfriends. We will guilt you into spending a lot of time with us" This is very effective gender socialization because it comes from a woman. It subordinates women and encourages them to be submissive and feminine and defend themselves, or get what they want by pouting and whimpering (Feminine qualities). It implies that women are worthless and furthers gender socialization by teaching women not to display any qualities assigned to men.

This article relates to femininity and the reading "your life as a girl". Your life as a girl talks about the things society says about how girls should be, what they should like, and what they should say and do. Basically it talks about gender socialization and femininity. This definition of femininity is exemplified by the author of the "she said" column, and she is passing it on to multitudes by presenting femininity as the only way to be in her article. It also relates to gender education because the author is a prime example of someone who has accepted unquestioningly her gender education. She has taken to heart everything society teaches women to do and talks highly about being the way she is.

Clearly this article is harmful and a setback for both women and men. It makes both think that women are and should be submissive whiners and that all are conniving. It makes women feel like they are supposed to whine to get their way instead of taking a stand. It will even go as far as to lessen the chances of women being given positions of power or getting equal pay for equal work; because of its portrayal of women as conniving whiners. This false notion is given more support by the fact that it is written by a woman. This is a perfect example of women being fooled by society into thinking less of themselves, the author has clearly been convinced that she deserves to be nothing more than a whiner and her opinion of herself is contagious.

Women as Sex Offenders

Online Information Pamphlet

Collected on: 4/18/09
Article can be found at: http://www.dadi.org/sexofndr.htm

This article demystifies and deglorifies female sex offenders. Our society seems to have a fantasy view of predatory women because it fails to see the harsh reality and the lasting effects of sexual assault by women against men. This is heavily related to sexuality because in contemporary times society views the man as always looking for sex so if he gets raped "it is his lucky day". Boys who are taken advantage of by their teachers are looked down upon if they complain that they didn't like it. They are expected to fantasize about being sexually assaulted and are viewed as sexual deviants if they don't comply. The root of this view of sexuality is also related to the article; masculinity and femininity. They are part of the reason for brushing off female sexual assaults as harmless. By this relation it also relates to "Your Life as a Girl" which talks about the limiting box society puts girls and women into that says they can only be and act a certain way and this box is the reason that many female sex crimes are dismissed as harmless. It also relates to Thelma and Louise because both shatter the idea of women as gentle, harmless, and incapable of violence. It also relates to power and intimacy by challenging traditional beliefs about female and male power and its role in intimate relationships. Because of this relationship to power and intimacy it relates to "Bloodlust" because Bloodlust is a paper which also discusses issues of power and intimacy.

This article's topic is the fact that there is in increase in female sex offenders and exponential one. That sad fact is a setback for both men and women. The article itself however is a step forward for men and women because it discredits harmful misconceptions about what a man and a woman can be and how they have to act.

Mom spills the truth about motherhood

Magazine Article

can be found at:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/personal/04/17/o.truth.about.motherhood/index.html

collected on: 4/18/09

This article has to do with women's studies because it is about a woman's role as a mother and the unreal expectations for mothers set by society and themselves. It also discusses contributing factors and causes of these unreal expectations for mothers. It backs the argument that mothers need help with their task and the job of a mother as it is viewed today is impossible. It talks about how mothers are divided between working mothers and stay at home moms and that they need to unite and support each other. It asserts that women are made to feel bad about complaining about being a mother and this is a typical method of oppression imposed on women by paternalistic societal views. It makes the problem invisible because no one talks about it. This article is fully a women's study article which focuses on the women's study issue of the unreal expectations for a mother.

This article is related to family/parenting. Its very topic ensures their relation, it is an article about motherhood which is the foundation of family and parenting. The second shift also relates, more specifically the mother hood aspect of the second shift. In turn it is related to Hochschild's "The Second Shift" because Hochschild discusses the entire second shift and this article discusses the motherhood aspect of the second shift.

This article reflects an advance for women and men. Women because it publicizes the ideas about the second shift which can only result in a mother's load being lightened. Also, it suggests solutions to the second shift both big and small. It reflects an advance for men because they will be made aware of how hard their wives are working and expected to work and this awareness will help them be better husbands, and men being better husbands will make both men and women happier.

The Abominable Wrongs of Anti-Abortion

Political cartoon

collected on: 4/5/09
from: Google Images search- "Abortion Ad"

This is an ad which is related to women's studies because it is making an argument about reproductive rights. It is an anti-abortion ad which vilifies women. It is making women who have an abortion look like bad people. It being an advocate of the opinion that women should not be able to have an abortion which utterly and directly violates their reproductive rights. It is clearly related to the topic of reproductive rights and in turn to the movie "If These Walls Could Talk". Both it and the movie are related to reproductive issues. The ad relates because it advocates the opinion of pro-life. The movie relates because it defends the pro choice side. The movie says that if women don't control their reproductive rights they don't control themselves and that means they aren't free to live a happy healthy life. If they can't have an abortion they are subordinate to men who have total control of their reproductive rights and thus this ad is also related to the subordination of women to men in society. The ad is just an ignorant message made by ignorant people who have no compassion for women and have clearly never taken a women's studies course.

This Ad represents an ignorant perspective about abortion and in that sense it is a big obstacle in the fight for women's rights. But in another light, viewing the ad allows one to make an argument against it and prove the opinion the ad advocates utterly wrong so if the ad is publicly shot down then it could be part of a step forward for women's rights and i hope someone before me has publicly and thoroughly thrashed and refuted this ad.

Spousal Abuse

Magazine Article

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/04/02/o.why.men.abuse.women/index.html

collected on: 4/2/09

This article is related to women's studies because it talks about violence against women, and focuses on men who abuse their spouses. Oprah interviewed men who abused their partner's and tried to figure out what was going on in their heads and get to the root of the problem. This relates to the reading Reclaiming Our Mojo by Jane Fonda. She writes about rape and violence against women and children. Even violence against children is related to violence against women because both are violence against a subordinate group. Fonda and Oprah relate because they both address the causes and realities of violence against women and subordinate minorities. The article by Oprah relates to violence against women because talks about the effects of violence against women, possible reasons for violence against women and how it can be stopped. It interviews men who abuse their wives as well as women who have suffered abuse. It asks them key questions about possible solutions to the problem. Questions such as "Do you think if you would have left right away he would have gotten the message and never beat another woman?" and "why do you think you beat your wife Christi?".

The fact that violence against women is rampant enough to warrant an Oprah talk on it is a setback for men and women. However, this article is a step forward for men and women because asking these questions publicly on a forum like Oprah will bring the problem to center stage. Hopefully by raising awareness, it will get everyday people to question the problem and reduce it or solve it.

The Power of Heels

Magazine Article

Collected on: 3/25/09

Article can be found at : http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1846719,00.html

This article talks about the impact of high heeled shoes on women. It gives both obvious and underlying reasons that women wear "pumps" and talks about the recent trend where more powerful women in the work world are wearing high heels.

This article relates to women's studies because it relates women wearing heels to sexuality, femininity, women in the working world, and power imbalence. A related topic is work, because the article talks about how heels are a woman's greatest asset in the world of work. It references women in professions like: model, cfo, actor, and politician, saying that all successful women in those professions wear high heels. It relates to power imbalence because it says women wear heels to look more powerful and combat power imbalence. It relates to sexuality because it says that heels make legs look longer, and long legs communicate a healthy youth and good breeding potential (according to evolutionary psychologist Martin Tovee). It states all the ill effects of wearing high heels like a "pump bump" and high heels causing knee injuries on stairs. It says women wear heels despite this because world of work rewards women who are both powerful and feminine and that high heels exude power combined with femininity.


Related readings include: "the second shift" (because it discusses society's unfair and suppressive expectations of women) , and "your life as a girl" (because it addresses how society tells women to behave and do "their feminine gender") among many others.

This article reflects an advance for women because it was in time magazine so it publicizes the oppression of women. Oppression in the sense that society demands that women in "men's fields" be both powerful and feminine and they can't do that with out wearing heels which are extremely harmful to women's health. The fact that women have to wear harmful heels to succeed in the work world is a big setback for women.

Scantily Clad Skyy Vodka Ad

Magazine Ad

Collected on: 3/11/09

From: Google Images Search For: "alcohol ads" (4th ad in the search.)

This is an ad for Skyy vodka. It depicts a man standing over a woman in a power position. It relates to women's studies because it uses the power difference between men and women, the objectification of women, and the power of watching. The man shows power because he is fully dressed while she is in a bikini. He is standing over her. He is offering her something. The viewer has the power of watching over the woman and not the man because his top half is cut off. This is to insinuate that Skyy vodka gives the viewer power over women. The ad suggests that if you buy the vodka you will be more attractive to women and maybe even able to get them drunk and take advantage of them. This relates to objectification of women because the woman she is just an object to draw your attention, just a tool to sell the vodka. She is only there for the viewer's viewing pleasure. The ad implies she is an object, a trophy which you will obtain if you buy their product. She is almost naked and not looking at you, just an attention getter like bright colors, or a lour noise, instead of a person. This embodies the objectification of women and thus relates to it.

The ad also relates to women's studies because it relates to gender socialization. It is an example of gender socialization. It portrays a woman and man in an intimate situation and shows the woman as submissive. Women and men will look at the intimate situation to learn how to act when they are in a similar situation.

There isn't much in this class it doesn't illustrate or relate to, male privilege for example. It demonstrates male privilege because the man is not objectified in this ad only the woman, men are rarely if ever objectified in the media.

This ad is a setback for women because it objectifies them and furthers harmful gender socialization. It is a setback for men because it teaches them to objectify women. It is a setback for culture in general because it worked effectively to sell a product, ads objectifying women are everywhere, and they wouldn't be if they weren't effective.

Don't Hate Love

Website/Video

Watch Full Video at: http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/divorce

collected on: 3/11/09

The courage campaign is a group supporting same sex marriage and they have made a video called fidelity which is very powerful. The video is related to women's studies and politics because it is a political statement that same sex marriage is ok. Since the topic is same sex marriage it relates to sexuality because same sex marriage is a gay rights issue, and any gay rights issue is a sexuality issue. The video is not only related to politics, but it is an effective political tool. It made me, a former "homophobe" do a "180 degree turn" and join the cause for gay rights.

The video shows happily married same sex couples and their families and friends and takes away the stigma surrounding them. It shows that they are really just normal people who are truly in love and it stirs up feelings of perfect love and fairy tale "happily ever afters". The reason i say it does these things instead of saying it tries to is, I was a full fledged "gay-hater" before I saw this video. I hated it because it was "unnatural" and "against god" and "weird" and "fake" and "nasty". This video really showed me that I was dead wrong and that same sex couples are none of those things. Their love is easily as strong and beautiful as heterosexual couples, if not more so. The video is so powerful that I just want to keep watching it over and over and I am as I write this. It is very inspiring and has shown me what an "idiot" I used to be.

Hopefully it can show many others what it has shown me, because its goal was to give support against Proposition 8 which is a proposition to ban same sex marriage and nullify all same sex marriages that have been made. That is another way it relates to politics, its goal is to fight a political regulation. We have talked about gender roles which also relate because this video's message goes against traditional gender roles, and if the video's message is right than gender roles are quite wrong. It also broadly relates to topics like oppression and legal rights of women, same sex marriage would be a legal right of women and without same sex marriage gay couples are being oppressed. A related reading is "The Five Genders Revisited" because both it and the video relate to gay rights.

Proposition 8 reflects a definite setback for men and women, it is restricting their freedom and depriving all gay people no matter their gender of the right to get married and in turn their right to the American canon "the pursuit of happiness". This video is the opposite, it is a step ahead for men and women and gay or straight, because it is very effective at making "gay-haters" have that "wow-moment" when they realize that gay people are ok and all marriage, gay or straight is beautiful.

I Wish I Didn't Know Now

Music Video/Song

Screenshot from: " I wish i didn't know now music video"

Collected on: 2/20/09

Music Video can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSpxR6mxIok

"Wish I Didn't Know Now" Lyrics: I've never asked you where you're goin' I've never asked you where you've been I've never called and checked your story When you stayed out with all your friends I've never tried to catch you lyin' I didn't want to know the truth I'd rather go on lovin' blind girl Than go on lovin' without you I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then I wish I could start this whole thing over again I'm not sayin' it's you could never be true I just don't wanna know how it ends You'd still have my heart in the palm of your hands I'd still look like a fool in front of your friends Yeah I wish somehow I didn't know now what I didn't know then I've always said what I don't know Couldn't hurt as bad as leavin' you Turns out I knew what I was thinkin' It ain't an easy thing to do Well I guess I should be goin' I sure found out too much to stay Please don't say your sorry I might wait another day I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then I wish I could start this whole thing over again I'm not sayin' it's you could never be true I just don't wanna know how it ends You'd still have my heart in the palm of your hands I'd still look like a fool in front of your friends Yeah I wish somehow I didn't know now what I didn't know then You'd still have my heart in the palm of your hand I'd still look like a fool in front of your friends Yeah I wish somehow I didn't know now what I didn't know then Yeah I wish somehow I didn't know now what I didn't know then



"I Wish I Didn't Know Now" is a country song by Toby Keith about a man who has a cheating spouse whom he loves dearly. He had his suspicions that she was cheating but didn't want to confirm them, and he just now, against his will, found out for sure.


This song relates to women's studies because it relates to masculinity and femininity. It relates because it describes a man who is being feminine and a woman who acts masculine. By doing this it is challenging gender roles and thus relates to women's studies which also challenge gender roles. In the song Toby describes the relationship and he exhibits many feminine characteristics while his partner is acting very masculine. If he were being masculine he would be angry and violent, but instead he is just whining about being heartbroken and comes across as submissive (feminine traits). She acts macho and is always sleeping around and not calling, being a player (a masculine trait) while he is home waiting for her, being supportive (a feminine trait). She jokes with her friends about how many men she has slept with while with him and makes him look like a fool, but he doesn't care, he is subordinate (feminine trait) to her and just wants to be with her and never actually know the truth because she makes him happy. He thinks he has found true love while she is being a player.

This song relates to Ch.3 in "Women's Voices", the section called "masculinity" and the section called "femininity" pages 131-137 which describe the masculine and feminine characteristics and traits. They are related because the song switches the character traits which these readings describe. The song also relates to "Becoming 100% straight" because that reading gives true stories from men who have felt "feminine feelings" and this song is written from the perspective of a man who feels "feminine feelings".


This song is related to gender because it talks about gender roles in society, and specifically describes a believable "normal" situation where they are switched. It is "normal" because there is no cross dressing and no difference in sexuality, it is "gender melding" instead of "gender transferring". The only switch is in their actions and attitudes which society has no problem accepting, if it did the song wouldn't have been such a hit.

The popularity of this song and the song itself represent a major leap for women and men. It shows that society is more accepting of people switching gender roles and that means that men and women both are more free to act the way they want and be themselves to without fearing persecution. If this was not the case the song would have ruined Toby Keith's career.

Womanizer

Song/Music Video

Collected: February 15th

Music Video can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZSLIq6YiRY

Womanizer Lyrics:

Superstar
Where you from, how's it going?
I know you
Gotta clue, what you're doing?
You can play brand new to all the other chicks out here
But I know what you are, what you are, baby

Look at you
Gettin' more than just a re-up
Baby, you
Got all the puppets with their strings up
Fakin' like a good one, but I call 'em like I see 'em
I know what you are, what you are, baby

Womanizer, Woman-Womanizer
You're a womanizer,
Oh womanizer, Oh you're a womanizer, baby
You, you, you are
You, you, you are
Womanizer, womanizer, womanizer

Boy, don't try to front
I, I know just-just what you are, are, are (x2)

(You) You got me going
(You) You're oh so charming
(You) But I can't do it
(You) Womanizer

Boy, don't try to front
I, I know just-just what you are, are, are (x2)

(You) You say I'm crazy
(You) I got you crazy
(You) Your nothing but a
(You) Womanizer

Daddy-O
You got the swagger of a champion
Too bad for you
Just can't find the right companion
I guess when you have one too many, makes it hard
It could be easy, who you are, that's just who you are baby

Lollipop
Must mistake me as a sucker
To think that I
Would be a victim not another
Say it, play it how you wanna
But no way I'm ever gonna fall for you, never you, baby

Womanizer, Woman-Womanizer
You're a womanizer,
Oh womanizer, Oh you're a womanizer, baby
You, you, you are
You, you, you are
Womanizer, womanizer, womanizer

Boy, don't try to front
I, I know just-just what you are, are, are (x2)

(You) You got me going
(You) You're oh so charming
(You) But I can't do it
(You) Womanizer

Boy, don't try to front
I, I know just-just what you are, are, are (x2)

(You) You say I'm crazy
(You) I got you crazy
(You) Your nothing but a
(You) Womanizer

Maybe if we both lived in a different world
It would be all good, and maybe I could be ya girl
But I can't 'cause we don't

Womanizer, Woman-Womanizer
You're a womanizer,
Oh womanizer, Oh you're a womanizer, baby
You, you, you are
You, you, you are
Womanizer, womanizer, womanizer

Boy, don't try to front
I, I know just-just what you are, are, are (x2)

(You) You got me going
(You) You're oh so charming
(You) But I can't do it
(You) Womanizer

Boy, don't try to front
I, I know just-just what you are, are, are (x2)

(You) You say I'm crazy
(You) I got you crazy
(You) Your nothing but a
(You) Womanizer

Boy, don't try to front
I, I know just-just what you are, are, are (x2)
Womanizer, Woman-Womanizer
You're a womanizer,
Oh womanizer, Oh you're a womanizer, baby


This is the music video entitled: "Womanizer" by Britney Spears. It basically talks about a man, the "Womanizer" who is a prime example of a misogynist. The man is courting Britney and she is singing about how he seems nice and she wants to like him a lot but that is just a mask which she sees right through so she'll have nothing to do with him.

This is significant to women's studies because Spears is a celebrity whose reputation is a far cry from that of a feminist, but she is singing a song that any feminist would love. The message of the song is for women not to put up with misogynistic men and not respond to them. This relates to globalization because Britney is recognized and watched all over the world so when she sends a message it is a global message. The video mocks the typical perception of women in society today. In doing so it can help to fight misogyny and objectification of women in countries where women are really oppressed and men are used to seeing Britney and all women as objects. It includes objectifying images of a naked Spears and other ones of spears cooking breakfast for the "womanizer". However, the lyrics that follow shoot down any notion that objectification is ok. It sends the message, "Brittany refuses to be objectified or subordinate, so why shouldn't you?" The song and music video relate to international feminist movements in short, because the song and music video are greatly effective tools supporting the same causes and projecting the same message as the international feminist movement.

In this video one could actually imagine Britney Spears a true feminist and a very very attractive one. One that any man would desire. That supports the feminist cause -and is a great step forward for women- by showing women that you can be a feminist without being an outcast from society, you can still be desirable to men. This is pop culture standing up for women and that is great progress; a step forward for women. Instead of glorifying the subordination of women it is glorifying and glamorizing women who don't put up with being subordinated.

Gender-Neutral Bathrooms

Newspaper Article

Full News Report at: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,294633,00.html

Collected: 2/11/09

The University of Vermont is putting transgendered bathrooms on their campus. This shows that they are becoming more tolerant of people who are not male or female. These people are made to feel uncomfortable in strictly male or female bathrooms and making them use a male or female facility is a form of oppression. It is the oppression of people of a different gender so it applies to women's studies because women's studies is actually gender studies. It relates to gender bias because lack of a gender neutral bathroom is discrimination based on gender. A major women's studies topic is gender bias so the news article and women's studies relate in that way as well.

The fact that the Vermont government built trans-gendered bathrooms is a good start. However, it is contradicting itself by only having male and female on drivers licenses but having a 3rd gender of bathroom. They should both publicly recognize a more genders and accommodate them so they are consistent with their policy and don't appear incompetent. They need to take a stance and educate the public, the job of the government is to make the decisions the people want, and more than 2 types of bathrooms is not what the ignorant majority wants today. If Vermont wants to recognize more than two genders, they need to put it out in the open and convince the masses that it is right so their citizens lose their ignorance. This relates to Gould, "X: A Fabulous Child's Story." and Fausto-Sterling, "The Five Sexes Revisited", because after reading them I am convinced that people who are not totally male or female should have rights.

Recognizing other genders (in this case by having a bathroom for them) is the first step toward education so a related topic would be education. It also relates to education because the article talks about same sex bathrooms being put in schools and universities. The very presence of a gender neutral bathroom in these places of education will teach people that different genders are ok. By putting them in their place of learning they will learn a little about other genders, and hopefully when they learn a little they will be curious to learn more. Since this is education about gender it relates to gender socialization which is just that. It is socialization because it is not formal education, it is just a change in the world around people at the University of Vermont which will semi-subconsciously teach them about other genders and to accept other genders. In this way it is positive gender socialization and a step forward.

This article and the presence of gender neutral bathrooms will draw. attention to oppression based on gender and help fight it. Thus they are advances for women, men and every gender.

Whose Nailin' Palin?

Screenshot from the beginning of "Whose Nailin' Paylin" by Hustler.

Collected: 2/11/09







Porn/Movie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1NpyK_-Zk4

You need only watch the first 90 seconds of this video to get a feel for what was done to Sarah Palin. The link is to a clip from a porn made by Hustler. The porn (titled: "Whose Nailin' Paylin) features someone impersonating Sarah Palin. The impersonator has sex with two Russians whose tank broke down outside Palin's "house". One can clearly tell the person is not actually Palin, the whole piece is very corny.

This relates to politics because this would never be done to a male politician and if it was, most people would find it weird and gross. Since Sarah is a female, people will have a very different reaction. at least a portion of the American public will enjoy this mockery of Palin. Many may even find it tasteful. This goes to show how women in politics are treated differently than men.

If the porn Palin herself and not a fake, Palin would be deemed a "slut" and a woman with bad morals. If it were a male politician he would be given praise for being a "pimp", "stud" or "playa", a male that has promiscuous sex with many sex partners. Our society looks up to men like this and expects this kind of behavior out of men. This is just an example of a double standard for men and women. This double standard is a quite relevant topic to this video and is the reason the video relates to women's studies. It proves the theory in women's studies: that men and women are treated differently by society.

The video also illustrates the fact that the structure of our society is paternalistic and thus relates to women's studies. The very law allows this, it is sexual harassment but no sexual harassment charges can be filed because it is protected by free speech. This raises the question as to whether free speech should protect the sexual harassment of public figures. As it is now the law doesn't affect men because men are rarely the target of sexual harassment, so by allowing sexual harassment it is subordinating women. That is definitely paternalistic.

This porn relates to male privilege because it could be illustrating a deep dark secret of our society. The porn could be a subtle attempt to keep women out of power. It could be someone trying to keep women down by hurting Palin's good name. I don't think so, but then again according to feminist theory, men are taught to overlook their privileges in society, and I could be overlooking my privilege as a man to run for office and not have the opposite gender against me just because of my gender. You decide.

Either way the fact that people can sell something like this without causing an outrage doesn't harm or help men or women in our society. It just proves that there is a market for this kind of material in our country. That speaks poorly of the overall character of our country in my opinion. Furthermore, this is objectifying women and undermining their legitimacy in politics. Whether intentional or not, it definitely will change the way people look at Palin for the worse and is a setback for women in society.

( addition written on 5/1/09):

Now that I have had the class for a lot longer I have learned a lot. I realize now that this porn does illustrate a setback for women, because if any woman tries to run for office she has to face obstacles like porn made about her. It also shows that we appreciate things which objectify women like this porn.