1A. “Gender identity—the sense of self—is stronger than the body, and will find a way to manifest itself” () Walking along a sidewalk during rush hour one is likely to come across various individuals whom from mere appearance may appear “normal” or heterosexuals even though some probably have different sexual preferences that one will only become aware of by getting to know that person. For example, while in high school I befriended a guy who behaved like a heterosexual person. He was very masculine and dated girls. As I got to know him better and the years passed I noticed that he liked being around girls mostly and do their hair and make-up. While I didn’t think much about it at that time, many times I found myself wondering if he was gay or straight only to find out years later that he was gay. He hasn’t come out of the closet yet but on day he said to me while talking about his family knowledge of his sexual preference, “I think is quite obvious through my actions that I’m gay, but is they don’t ask I won’t tell them and if they ask I’ll be honest.” Clearly, my friend’s sense of self was stronger than his actions because even though he attempted to act like a straight man throughout his adolescence, his true self always exposed his true sexual orientation.
1B. “In western culture men predominate in positions of power and authority. And as mention on the book these is reinforce trough culture, media, and religions” (Lorber). A perfect example is man’s predominance in the work place. For instance, while working at a middle school I was partnered with a middle aged man to help troubled students stay in school and even thought I had very little experience compare to him filling out paperwork and carrying on meetings with the students, I was able to learn fast and perform equally if not better than my partner. Threaten by my achievements and the students liking for me, he became bossy and arrogant and credited the success of the program to himself even though this was far from being the case. I was practically at the school every day, did most of the paperwork, and worked with most of the students. Yet, my labor went unnoticed by him because of my age, gender, and ethnicity. I was the youngest Latina female in that school that was running a program practically on my own. This did not set well with my partner to the extent that he approached my supervisor with lies in an attempt to get me fired. Not someone to walk with “my tail under my feet” I defended myself from my partner’s accusations and resigned. I was a young woman fighting against two men, my partner and boss, so my chances of convincing the later of my innocence was slim due to my low placed in the latter of power and authority.
1B. “Gender is a system of symbols and meaning-and the rules, privileges, and punishments pertaining to their use-for power and sexuality,” (Wilchins).A good example of this is Mexican culture where men and women are treated differently. Women roles are to be home and take care of the family’s needs. The male is the provider of the home he only brings the money. And gay man don’t exist they are harassed and beaten by other males because they represent a threat to society. Mexican culture is highly influence by Catholic Religion there is no room for undefined gender. You are either a man or a women and that’s it. -Unfinished
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Blog 4
1a. Violence Against Women Is a Man’s Issue, Katz Chapter I.
An interesting aspect about chapter 1 is its approach to rape. Every time we hear about rape, the first image that comes to mind is a victimized women; what kind of sick person can do this to a human being? Many studies show that most rapes are usually committed by men, why is this? In this chapter Katz wants not only to focus on the women, but also on the men and their motives for doing it. Whatever the answer may be, whether it’s psychological or not, the point being is that such action can strongly impact a woman’s life, not only her life, but everyone around her, especially male figures.
1b. Facing Facts, Katz Chapter 2
In this Chapter, Katz raises the question, why do men have such a hard time facing the truth? Many men justify what they do, even when knowing it’s morally wrong. I think a perfect example of this could be cheating, many men don’t see anything wrong with cheating, unless they are being confronted by their partner. Why would they when society accepts it? Many men would justify their cheating as a disorder; a good example of this is Tiger Woods. He justified the cheating by associating it with a sexual disorder in order to avoid responsibility for his actions. Apparently cheating is a sexual disorder now. Why do we as a society accept this terminology?
1b. Taking it Personally, Katz Chapter 3
In this chapter, we see different perspectives on violence. A perfect example is what is going on in San Diego right now with regard to the two young girls that were raped and murdered recently. It’s hard to imagine that this could have happened in our own backyard. This opened my eyes to the reality that exists here in San Diego about all the rapists and pedophiles that live in our neighborhoods. The truth of the matter is domestic violence and rape are still very prevalent in our society today, leaving women with very little room to trust men.
1a. Male Bashing? Katz Chapter 5
In this chapter Katz uses the word “feminazi,” which is a term used to identify feminist women as angry and violent. This term was created by a right wing radio host that tried to convince conservative people that feminist women are trying to destroy American society. It’s sickening to see that even today women are bashed when standing up for their rights of freedom of choice and equality. After all the progress that women have made they still face many obstacles because men don’t support their progress. If men could only see that women are not trying to be men, but are seeking the same level of respect as men, there would perhaps be less controversy.
2a. Violence Against Women Is a Man’s Issue, Katz Chapter I.
I feel that this chapter applies to the reality that we are facing today in San Diego. The fact that two girls were raped and murdered so close to my home is frightening. Moreover, the suspect in the crime violated his parole and was later allowed to be free without any punishment is disheartening. It is unbelievable to me that this issue wasn’t address when it should have been. There needs to be something done to protect young women from these predators. I believe there should be stricter laws that govern sex offenders to make sure that they are complying with societal norms. We can’t just let people like this terrorize our friends, sisters, mother s, daughters, girlfriends, and wives. We need society to acknowledge that what is happening today is not only a women’s issue, but that it affects every one of us, including men.
An interesting aspect about chapter 1 is its approach to rape. Every time we hear about rape, the first image that comes to mind is a victimized women; what kind of sick person can do this to a human being? Many studies show that most rapes are usually committed by men, why is this? In this chapter Katz wants not only to focus on the women, but also on the men and their motives for doing it. Whatever the answer may be, whether it’s psychological or not, the point being is that such action can strongly impact a woman’s life, not only her life, but everyone around her, especially male figures.
1b. Facing Facts, Katz Chapter 2
In this Chapter, Katz raises the question, why do men have such a hard time facing the truth? Many men justify what they do, even when knowing it’s morally wrong. I think a perfect example of this could be cheating, many men don’t see anything wrong with cheating, unless they are being confronted by their partner. Why would they when society accepts it? Many men would justify their cheating as a disorder; a good example of this is Tiger Woods. He justified the cheating by associating it with a sexual disorder in order to avoid responsibility for his actions. Apparently cheating is a sexual disorder now. Why do we as a society accept this terminology?
1b. Taking it Personally, Katz Chapter 3
In this chapter, we see different perspectives on violence. A perfect example is what is going on in San Diego right now with regard to the two young girls that were raped and murdered recently. It’s hard to imagine that this could have happened in our own backyard. This opened my eyes to the reality that exists here in San Diego about all the rapists and pedophiles that live in our neighborhoods. The truth of the matter is domestic violence and rape are still very prevalent in our society today, leaving women with very little room to trust men.
1a. Male Bashing? Katz Chapter 5
In this chapter Katz uses the word “feminazi,” which is a term used to identify feminist women as angry and violent. This term was created by a right wing radio host that tried to convince conservative people that feminist women are trying to destroy American society. It’s sickening to see that even today women are bashed when standing up for their rights of freedom of choice and equality. After all the progress that women have made they still face many obstacles because men don’t support their progress. If men could only see that women are not trying to be men, but are seeking the same level of respect as men, there would perhaps be less controversy.
2a. Violence Against Women Is a Man’s Issue, Katz Chapter I.
I feel that this chapter applies to the reality that we are facing today in San Diego. The fact that two girls were raped and murdered so close to my home is frightening. Moreover, the suspect in the crime violated his parole and was later allowed to be free without any punishment is disheartening. It is unbelievable to me that this issue wasn’t address when it should have been. There needs to be something done to protect young women from these predators. I believe there should be stricter laws that govern sex offenders to make sure that they are complying with societal norms. We can’t just let people like this terrorize our friends, sisters, mother s, daughters, girlfriends, and wives. We need society to acknowledge that what is happening today is not only a women’s issue, but that it affects every one of us, including men.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Blog 3
1B. Chapter 3 (Hooks) In Being a Boy the author successfully communicates to the reader the importance of providing a gender bias free environment for children to grow into. Having lived with adults most of my life and without much interaction with children I find myself disoriented about this topic. However, I based on what I’ve observed through my husband’s niece and nephew who are still very young I have noticed that the boy always gets away with going out unsupervised to his friend’s home, being very loud and shouting at his parents but no t with crying without being called a woman. While as a baby my husban’s nephew was well cared for and nurtured, as he got elder his parents seem to have forgotten that he still needs that love, understanding, and once in a while punishments to prevent him from behaving like a reckless child. In other words, if this child is allowed to get away with being a menace while the girl is punished because she is not behaving like a proper lady then he is going to grow up thinking that for man any behavior different from a woman is socially acceptable. He is going to grow up thinking that woman is to behave lady like and to remain as compliant to his every demand. He is going to hide his emotions and most likely as an adult teach his children to be the same way he was taught to be all because his parents have not set boundaries for him to prevent him to acting like chauvinistic man and encouraged him to get in touch with his self being and emotions.
1B. Chapter 3 In Dude You’re a Fag the author is conveys to the reader the abundance of deceitful information that is available to the public about gays which is often used by children or adolescents to belittle or harass their peers for behaving “unmanly” or for play. Even though, in middle school nor high school do I recall having heard an acquaintance referred to another peer as “fag” or “queer” I once in a while find my brother using those terms towards his friends. The few times that I’ve heard him using those words I have asked him to refrain from using them but it seems that they have become part of his and his friends vocabulary. How so? Well, they used them pretty much anytime one of them behaves effeminize or say a sentimental word like “I love you” or “I miss you”. In other words, fag for him and his teen friends have become a substitute for the word gay. And although, I find the usage of this word offensive it seems that most people I know are okay with its usage as it has become somewhat of mainstream among teens.
1B. In becoming Mr. Cougar the author conveys to the reader that a man who differs from the socially acceptable notions about how a man should behave and look by acting weak and being effeminize will never be able to compete for the same privileges as a masculine man. In other words, if a man shows any signs of weaknesses whether it be physically or mentally he will never be accepted into a chauvinistic society that places emphasizes on a well built body and manly attitude towards woman and peers. For instance, when I used to attend high school I noticed during break or lunch that students would separate into groups rather than mingle together. Upon carefully studying these groups I also noticed that the nerds would often be by themselves sitting in inhabited places or at the back of classes or absent from school activities and dances. The jocks were cocky, loud, dating the prettiest or most popular, and present at every event. The nerds probably kept to themselves because they did not look the part expected by society like the two characters in the essay. They were either too skinny or too fat and most wore glasses and clothes so old fashioned that made them at target for everyone else to make fun of. The jocks on the other hand were physically fit and confident or full of themselves which attracted many pretty girls. And like the story in real life for the nerds to get what the jocks have is for them to adhered by the social norms imposed on man which restricts them from acting effeminate.
1B. In the readings by Pascoe(Ch.1), the socially accepted and establish notion that state men as the “breadwinners” and women as the “caretakers” has being the norm for decades dating back to the twentieth century. These sexist ideas that many seize to ignore are still predominant within society and have placed individuals in a very constricted box that one can either tried fit into or step out. While doing the guarantees acceptance, the later give one the freedom to express their disapproval of gender bias norms in which the woman will never be at the level of the man. For example in my case I am married and my marriage is far from being traditional or “normal”. I got married not willing to give up my education and so did my husband. This meant living apart from each other for months and thus we never completely fulfilled the traditional roles of a husband or a wife. Our families have had a hard time understanding our marriage and still don’t understand it. We chose a life style that suits us I took the role of the provider while he finishes school. Even thought I am in school myself I feel that I have broken the norms of marriage and the gender roles and it feels good really good.
2B. In “Dude, You are a Fag” the author brings up gender norms that refer to men as the “breadwinner”. In other words, society expects man to be the financial caretaker of the family. He is supposed to provide financial stability in the household and while the woman is expected to care for the children and keep the household clean and the food ready. However, this is not always the case especially during this tough economy in which both man and woman are working alongside each other to keep the household financially afloat. For example, in my household I’m the financial caretaker. I work part time and go to school while my husband studies abroad. Unlike many couples in which if the man financially cares for his family my position within my family as the main caretaker this would be an issue, I personally have no problem taking the role of the provider. However, I’m aware that by, exchanging roles my husband feels dimasculine. As expected this sentiment of let down is the result of being brought up in traditional households in which the father is the main or only provider. And although, this often represents a problem for our parents and relatives, over the years they have become less judgmental of our decision to live in this form because they know that we are serious about our marriage and that by not following norms does not make it any less of a marriage.
1B. Chapter 3 In Dude You’re a Fag the author is conveys to the reader the abundance of deceitful information that is available to the public about gays which is often used by children or adolescents to belittle or harass their peers for behaving “unmanly” or for play. Even though, in middle school nor high school do I recall having heard an acquaintance referred to another peer as “fag” or “queer” I once in a while find my brother using those terms towards his friends. The few times that I’ve heard him using those words I have asked him to refrain from using them but it seems that they have become part of his and his friends vocabulary. How so? Well, they used them pretty much anytime one of them behaves effeminize or say a sentimental word like “I love you” or “I miss you”. In other words, fag for him and his teen friends have become a substitute for the word gay. And although, I find the usage of this word offensive it seems that most people I know are okay with its usage as it has become somewhat of mainstream among teens.
1B. In becoming Mr. Cougar the author conveys to the reader that a man who differs from the socially acceptable notions about how a man should behave and look by acting weak and being effeminize will never be able to compete for the same privileges as a masculine man. In other words, if a man shows any signs of weaknesses whether it be physically or mentally he will never be accepted into a chauvinistic society that places emphasizes on a well built body and manly attitude towards woman and peers. For instance, when I used to attend high school I noticed during break or lunch that students would separate into groups rather than mingle together. Upon carefully studying these groups I also noticed that the nerds would often be by themselves sitting in inhabited places or at the back of classes or absent from school activities and dances. The jocks were cocky, loud, dating the prettiest or most popular, and present at every event. The nerds probably kept to themselves because they did not look the part expected by society like the two characters in the essay. They were either too skinny or too fat and most wore glasses and clothes so old fashioned that made them at target for everyone else to make fun of. The jocks on the other hand were physically fit and confident or full of themselves which attracted many pretty girls. And like the story in real life for the nerds to get what the jocks have is for them to adhered by the social norms imposed on man which restricts them from acting effeminate.
1B. In the readings by Pascoe(Ch.1), the socially accepted and establish notion that state men as the “breadwinners” and women as the “caretakers” has being the norm for decades dating back to the twentieth century. These sexist ideas that many seize to ignore are still predominant within society and have placed individuals in a very constricted box that one can either tried fit into or step out. While doing the guarantees acceptance, the later give one the freedom to express their disapproval of gender bias norms in which the woman will never be at the level of the man. For example in my case I am married and my marriage is far from being traditional or “normal”. I got married not willing to give up my education and so did my husband. This meant living apart from each other for months and thus we never completely fulfilled the traditional roles of a husband or a wife. Our families have had a hard time understanding our marriage and still don’t understand it. We chose a life style that suits us I took the role of the provider while he finishes school. Even thought I am in school myself I feel that I have broken the norms of marriage and the gender roles and it feels good really good.
2B. In “Dude, You are a Fag” the author brings up gender norms that refer to men as the “breadwinner”. In other words, society expects man to be the financial caretaker of the family. He is supposed to provide financial stability in the household and while the woman is expected to care for the children and keep the household clean and the food ready. However, this is not always the case especially during this tough economy in which both man and woman are working alongside each other to keep the household financially afloat. For example, in my household I’m the financial caretaker. I work part time and go to school while my husband studies abroad. Unlike many couples in which if the man financially cares for his family my position within my family as the main caretaker this would be an issue, I personally have no problem taking the role of the provider. However, I’m aware that by, exchanging roles my husband feels dimasculine. As expected this sentiment of let down is the result of being brought up in traditional households in which the father is the main or only provider. And although, this often represents a problem for our parents and relatives, over the years they have become less judgmental of our decision to live in this form because they know that we are serious about our marriage and that by not following norms does not make it any less of a marriage.
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