WMST2510 - Student Exam Essay Question Study Guide - March 2011

WMST2510 Student Exam Essay Question Study Guide March 2011
Note: If I get any other contributions I will send them along. PK. _______________________________________ Question 1 Question 1: What are the major contributions of the first and second waves of the women's movement in North America? First wave: 1880-WW1 The first wave is the manifesto of liberal feminism (which is also seen in the second wave), where women started to challenge the patriarchal system hoping to achieve equality In the past, women were expected to be docile and confined to the private sphere where they would cook, clean, and care for the children o This was known as unpaid work, whereas men are the breadwinners of the family and earn actual money to support the family Women were not entitled to an education and civil rights (such as voting) Elite white women wanted the same privileges as elite white men o This is when the civil rights movement first began The suffrage movement involves o Women fighting for the rights to be able to vote They proved to men that they were more moral than men, and could serve to better politics In 1919, women were able to be elected into the House of Commons It took many years for all women to be able to have voting rights Canada In 1918, federally, women can vote if they are over 21 (there were restrictions for Asian Canadians and Inuit women, who were able to vote years later) o Fight for the right to work in the public sphere Women took over the roles of men in the workplace while they were off to war (although there was an unequal pay rate) Temperance movement o Women form unions and groups to try and ban alcohol o Alcohol is tied to violence against women and children *Lisa Rosenberg- November 1st, 2010 lecture* Second wave: Late 1960's-80's The second wave of feminism began because women were not satisfied with the results of first wave feminism o There is still unequal pay, job segregation, and overall inequality still existing in the private and public spheres o We still see these problems today (it is a long lasting fight) o Ex: the class activity where we listed the top occupations for women: Nurse and childcare worker are ranked the highest, and they receive the lowest pay out of anybody (especially childcare workers). We devalue women's work, and most childcare workers are women Lisa Rosenberg- December 6th Lecture
WMST2510 Student Exam Essay Question Study Guide, March 2011 Page 1
Due to the increase in urbanization and industrialization, women began to fulfil more occupations in the public sphere o However, women were not only expected to go to work, but they were expected to go home after their shift and tend to household duties This is known as the double day where the issue of paid vs unpaid work comes into effect once again *Lisa Rosenberg- September 20th Lecture* Additionally, the first wave of feminism was not able to overcome racism Black women are seen at the bottom of the spectrum in all aspects- educations, occupations, etc. Anyone who was not a white middle to upper classed woman was discriminated and devalued Identity Politics- Women of all different non-dominant groups, such as lesbians, women of colour, and Jewish women, started to form their own groups starting in the early 70s-80s We see this huge amount of publishing and organization (women came together because of their experiences) The charter of rights and freedom (1982): o No more BNA act o Every individual is equal before and under the law... without discrimination... based on race, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, etc... Lisa Rosenberg- November 1st Lecture* Question 2: Where has the second wave been most/least successful? Most Successful: In the area of Women's Suffrage, as depicted in Iron Jawed Angels: >> women's continued struggles in attempting to get the right to vote and any political representation. This was not only a mere practice of voting but an ideology which stated that women are considered persons and equal to men. >> The movie depicts the governmental struggles which subordinated women, and their continued dedication and teamwork to reach their goals. >> Women supported common goals and worked together to obtain them (National Women's Party is an example of this). >> These goals included 'inclusion' as stated before, like lobbying for rights to be included and participate in decision making. Also, they wanted their experiences to be heard, centered and valued. >> The Combahee River Collective: Black feminism as a movement recognizes the historical and contemporary interlocking of oppressions. The document said that you can't be a black woman- you can't take out black or women or else their experiences wouldn't be valued >> Because of Morgentaler, the Rights to an abortion emerged for the women who desired one. (Open Boundaries Reading)
Least Successful: >> There were many areas where women did not work together. They were segregated amongst themselves by incorporating race, class, status etc., into their classification. This distanced them and their solidarity. >> There was a lot of racism and classism, homophobia, and anti-Semitism >> "Identity Politics" came into play here too, where women of all different non-dominant groups, such as lesbians, women of colour, and Jewish women, started to form their own groups starting in the early 70s-80s >> The case of Antia Hill (Clarence Thomas put a pubic Hair on her Coke can) depicted the failure of the criminal justice system with dealing with forms of discrimination amongst the sexes. The situation was totally overlooked. (Sept 27th Lecture) >> The introduction of the mythical norm - In North America, the mythical norm is anybody who is white, thin, financially secure, male, heterosexual, Christian, young. Anyone else who does not portray these things they deviate from society and are portrayed as the other. If we are different in some way, then we see it as our oppression. Question 3: is young feminism different from the second wave? why is the idea of postfeminism so damaging? (third-wave feminism) - not really one, complete definition - do it yourself feminism - individual efforts based on communities - take points from all previous theories of feminism that seem pertinent and can be effective on a global scale, and combine them into one theory of them all - Young feminism is not only about sexism, but takes into account that different groups of women differ in ethnicity, class, religion, etc. which both shape and contribute to their oppression. (Plyler, OB) - Second wave feminists, in comparison, fought for the rights of the upper class white woman, and assumed that all women face the same oppression because of the standard fact that they are female. It fails to take into account that not all women may fit into - and identify with the same things that they do. (Chater, CWS) - third wave feminists argue that these should be of equal concern to women because all oppression and loss of humanity is wrong therefore you can't fight for one without including the other - "navigating feminisms contradictions - historical, cultural, psychological...[and] cultural production is one of the central methods of engagement" - for example, where second-wave feminists focused on the political changes and liberal forms of feminism, third wave feminism fuels public debate, and new ideas with the production of culture such as art, poetry, and zines to promote feminism (Bell, OB)
- where second wave feminism was based on academia, theory, and analysis, third wave feminism does not have this expertise, and so second wave feminists see young feminism as illegitimate Post Feminism - the idea that women have reached the equality that they have fought for, so the activism, fighting, and complaining should not be continuing - second-wave feminists argue that young feminism is post feminism and is anti feminist because they do not seem to be grateful for everything second wave feminists have fought for and attained, and do not fully understand how those women lived, because times are different today, thanks to their activisms. - therefore this is damaging to feminism because the view that women have come as far as they need to, and an go, argues that feminism is no longer needed and so it threatens the existence, legitimacy, and support of issues of oppression against women _______________________________________ Question 2 The following are important points to answer: Why is women's health a feminist issue? How have women's bodies been medicalized and racialized? What was it like for a woman needing an abortion in North America in the 1950s? What led to the decriminalization of abortion in Canada? What issues remain? Use 3 sources Who gets access to abortion? Who doesn't? Why? Point 1-Womens health is an ever growing feminist issue because certain regulations and constraints placed upon a woman's body has added to the existing gender inequality. (CWS, 503) In the 1960's, 1970's, and 1980's there was a rebirth in the women's movement and more in particularly in womens health. -Mothering takes place in a patriarchal society; and many societies have claimed that women's natural duty to solely concieve and give birth; and this sort of ideology impacts womens lives and ability to achieve anything outside of the home. However, it has occurred where ''to concieve'' was not by choice due to rape, lack of birth control etc. and unfortunately, many countries have criminalized abortion and have offered little to no help for these women in complicated situations. (Lecture on Abortion notes) Point 2-Medicalization : The medicalization of women's body is the answer of modernity to the need for social control over the reproductive activity of the woman. Doctors from the beginning of time have medicalized women without any accurate studies. For example, menustration being a natural cycle for women has been diagnozed as Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) which is a collection of physical and emotional symptoms related to a woman's menstrual cycle. The false accusations or assumptions of womens bodies creates yet an oppressive agent upon women. Point 3--In North America for example in the 1950's it was extremely shunned upon the very thought of abortion. It is commonly known as the sexually repressed era. Similar to the film If These Walls Could Talk, folllowed the lives of three different women and their experience
with abortion, each story taking place in the same house but each occurring twenty two years apart : 1952, 1974, 1996. The story taking place in 1952 exemplified the difficulties of getting an abortion and the social criminallization it carried with it during this era. Character Clair Donnelly played by Demi Moore, was a widowed nurse who becomes pregnant by her brother-in-law and decides to undergo abortion in order not to hurt her late husbands family. However, during the 1950's abortion is strictly illegal but Claire eventually found a nurse provided her with someone who performed abortions. After the clandestine procedure she does abort but dies shortly after due to a hemoorhage. Claire's story is only one of the many that women in North America experienced in the 1950's. Illegal abortions did not only imply actions that had to be done in secret but it meant that women had to risk their lives with unsanitary tools that would lead to infection or life threatening situations as well as unsafe environments in which to have the abortion. Reprodictive rights for women was yet another oppresive agent for women in order to advance in society as equal individuals. Point 4--In January 1988 the Supreme Court of Canada made a historic decision (The Mortengaler Decision struck down Bill C-150 (passed in 1969) which had legalized abortion, but only upon the approval of a Therapeutic Abortion Committee. -''Until 1988, abortion was criminalized in Canada unless numerous conditions could be met, including determination by a hospital-based therapeutic abortion commitee that continuation of a pregnancy would endanger a woman's life or health''(OB 224) Point 5-Despite its decriminalization abortion is difficult or impossible to obtain in some provinces and many rural areas and the right to life movement has increased its surviellance of doctors performing abortions.(OB 224)Although it seems like women have achieved their reproductive rights under the constitution it is not the case because on average only 17.8% of hospitals provide abortion services.(OB224) -each year more and more Canadian women seek abortion services from an ever shrinking number of hospitals prepared to treat them , resulting in long waiting lists, the need to travel long distances and unnecessary costs. (OB 224) - class based inequities, -low income women who live in provinces and regions lacking hospital services and who are unable to pay private clinic and or travel costs face extreme barriers in accessing abortion. -Recent feminist scholarship has revealed the racist, ableist and classist assumptions past struggles for reproductive control. Sources : (CWS)-Madeline Boscoe, et al. : ''The Canadian Women's Health Movement : Looking Back and Looking Forward''p.503 (OB) Caral : ''A Special Report to Celebrate the 15th anniversary of the decriminalization of Abortion :Protecting Abortion Rights in Canada'' p.224 Film : If These Walls Could Talk _______________________________________ Question 2 Why is women's health a feminist issue? How have women's bodies been medicalized
And racialized? What was it like for a woman needing an abortion in North America in the 1950s? What led to the decriminalization of abortion in Canada? What issues remain? Use three sources. Possible Thesis: The rationalization, medicalization and judgment placed on women in regards to health decisions results in women's health being a feminist issue. Intro: Discuss how women have fought for years for more female presence in healthcare Not until second wave that women began fighting for their own rights in healthcare Male seen as the norm while females were considered the other They face a number of issues Medicalization: doctors use their supposed knowledge to increase their influence on non medical realms i.e dr.oz talks about women's isues from the realm of a doctor that has nothing to do with medicine, such as child care, sexuality: how to "cure" a lesbian Information about Abortion: In 1969- the government in Canada section 251 was placed into the criminal code of Canada, which stated a women could have an abortion only if a panel of doctors permitted it In this time period it was deemed that the more emotionally distraught this women was the more likely they would give an abortion: therapeutic abortion committees In 1973 Roe Vs. Wade- landmark case in the U.S: this case legalized abortion in the U.S, set out a trimester system, abortion would be legal on demand in the first trimester of a women's pregnancy, in the second trimester, only very limited circumstances and not at all in the third trimester This upset women in Canada: formed umbrella groups such as the Ontario coalition of Abortion Clinics OCAC, formed in 1982 Were very successful in raising awareness: had a reproductive rights focus and therefore they got support from all kinds of women's groups making it an umbrella organization Henry Morgentaler began to open abortion clinics in quebec against the law, from 1976 on. He kept getting charged, jury acquitted him, and this continuously happened, until there was a trial with just judge no jury and he did get some time in jail. Quebec government gave up to not prosecute him, he then went to Ontario, supreme court judge in morgentaler vs the queen, decided TAC were unconstitutional charter was used for success Bertha Wilson states 251 should be removed from criminal code because it violates section 7 of the charter, women's rights were being violated Bill C-43-1991, Mulroney is very unhappy with morgentaler vs. The queen and wants to go back to TAC, bill says that it would be criminalized abortion in Canada where in the opinion of a medical practitioner to decide whether or not a women should have an abortion.
This bill was passed by the house of commons, the re-illegalized abortion, and in the senate it was a tie vote
Sources which can be used: Gender, Youth and the HIV rRish by Nikki Kumar comparison of how women have harder time of protecting themselves, and are looked down upon in terms of the disease within the healthcare system Racism, Sexism and Colonialism: The Impact on the health of Aboriginal Women in Canada by Carrie Bourassa used for examples of how women are racionalized, It is suggested that their chronic health conditions are a result of the forced acculturation imposed on aboriginal peoples The Canadian Women's Health Movement: Looking Back and Looking Forward by Madeline Boscoe can be used as a full paragraph in the essay as it examines the womens health movement that was created in response to the issues, as well as the issues that they still deal with today in which the five main ones are: 1. Health Reform and Health Service restructuring: cuts to healthcare affect women the hardest as they make less women than men 2. The continuing medicalization of women's health: 3. Quality Health Information for Womenm 4. Public Policy- is it going to be healthy or not? 5. Changes in the women's health movement _______________________________________ Question 2 Why is women's health a feminist issue? Sexual health is an issue for everyone, but for women even more so. STDs are simply more dangerous for women, as they can lead to infertility, higher risks during pregnancy and childbirth, and cervical cancer. The AIDS/HIV crisis in Africa affects women in particular, as they often are the victims of rape and sexual assault. At the same time, decisions about contraception are often left to the women because they run the risk of getting pregnant. Today, the most common forms of birth control are hormonal contraceptives, specifically the pill Taken from an online article: "Why should health be a feminist issue?": As women, we often become aware of our difference in health care when our first visit to the gynecologist is scheduled. For most girls this is a very particular experience, ranging from dreadful to "not a big deal", but in any case it is an experience that separates us from the boys like a secret only we can share. Rarely do we question this special treatment; after all, we're the ones who menstruate and we get pregnant and give birth, enough reason to justify the special attention. But with that 'privilege' comes a huge burden as well: a focus on women's bodies that is not only positive, a stronger responsibility concerning contraception and STD
prevention, and, more generally, discrimination in the labor market, in the health care and insurance system etc. At this stage I should mention that women's health has different connotations for every woman, according to certain crucial factors such as race, class, sexuality, age and dis(ability). We should never forget that there is still a large percentage of women out there who have never been and may never be able to go to a gynecologist. In this article, I will try to focus on women's health issues that concern most women all over the world. In the history of women's health the most well-known 'disease' attributed to women in particular is hysteria. Towards the end of the 19th century its medical diagnosis became a huge trend, especially in Victorian England, and special cases, such as Freud's patient "Anna O.", became widely known and discussed. Hysteria was a particularly female phenomenon and men were only diagnosed with it if they were considered somewhat 'feminine'. Today, hysteria is not considered a valid medical disorder anymore and has been replaced by differently termed diagnoses that are applied to both men and women. However, similar diseases specific to women still exist, as we can see with the ongoing discussion about what PMS is or isn't, or other modern illnesses such as anorexia and bulimia, which are primarily affecting young women. Like hysteria, these disorders reflect women's issues with regaining control over their lives and bodies and negotiating stereotypes and their roles in society." How have women's bodies been medicalized and racialized? -->> Part of medicalization is the medical system's labeling of each woman who is diagnosed and the meaning of the illness initially imposed by cultural expectations regarding that specific health problem. _______________________________________ Question 4
Global Feminism: definition on example o really have to make sure, that it is focusing on these oppressive results of colonialist and nationalist policies. (and what said above) o Oppressive to many countries in the S because of the impacts of colonialism o Gender race class ethnicity, colonialism and imperialism -- not essentialising not universalizing. o ( not only is it in the philipines that the crops are exported but because people tend to be in a very bad position, high rates of poverty, especially Philippine women, in terms of poverty stricken nature. Many women must go to countries like canada, see them as nannies, and are exploited as workers.) o Global Feminism: How does it impact women?
o
KEY: Feminiziation of poverty: women are the poorest or poor, every single stage in their life, stats tell us women have highest rates of poverty whether they are young old or in-between, mediated by interesectionality, but are poorest of poorest of the world. Intersectionality - race class age ability
Highly important to tie it to other social systems such as the impacts of the south and colonialism and imperialism Power differentials, amongst women in canada, and women and men, and men + men, recognize this in Canada, but must look at where does our privilege lay on our order. What are the continuing impact of century old imperialism and colonialism. Why does one country have its sovereignty and be indebted to world bank and the other not.
_______________________________________ Question 5 Essay Question #5 for exam preparation: Colonialism and Aboriginal Women Undoubtedly, the Aboriginal people of Canada have experienced the most severe forms of systemic and racial discrimination in virtually every facet of life. Aboriginal people have been subjected to a long history of colonialism and assimilation that began with the arrival of European and French settlers. The goal of these settlers was to assimilate Aboriginal people into mainstream Western society, which meant stripping Aboriginal people of their culture, values, traditions, customs, and even their language. Essentially, the settlers aimed at "civilizing the savage." Although colonial practices do not overtly exist in our society anymore, the legacy of colonialism is still very prevalent in society today. For example, by introducing and implementing discriminatory policies that disadvantage Aboriginal people socially and economically the Canadian government is covertly oppressing the Aboriginal people of Canada. Therefore, it is evident that the impact of colonialism has deep ramifications today. For Aboriginal Women, the impact of colonialism has been doubly discriminatory. Unfortunately, the dual oppression of being both a woman and a woman of colour has been detrimental to many Aboriginal women in terms of their socioeconomic status and their health and safety. In this brief paper, I will argue that the impact of colonialism is still being felt today, in the phenomenon known as internal colonization. Furthermore, I will explain how internal colonization has disadvantaged Aboriginal women socioeconomically, which has put the health and safety of many of these women at risk. As many of us are now familiar with Canada has a deep, dark past when it comes to their treatment of Aboriginal people. However, many decades following the legacy of colonialism, the impact is still being felt today by many Aboriginal women. According to Lisa Rosenberg, this phenomenon is known as internal colonization. Internal colonization is carried out by the Canadian government when they covertly, or sometimes overtly, implement discriminatory laws and policies that oppress and marginalize Aboriginal women. Rosenberg argues that the Indian Act is known as the heart of colonization. Briefly, the Indian Act is a Canadian statute that concerns registered Indians, their bands, and the system of Indian reserves. Moreover, the act defines who is an "Indian" and contains certain legal rights and legal disabilities for registered Indians. Therefore, as Rosenberg points out, the Indian Act provides an avenue for the Canadian government to overtly regulate the Aboriginal people, and control their land and resources. With the codification of the Indian Act, the department of Indian affairs were the ones who determined (1) who could and could not live on reserve, (2) which type of jobs
Aboriginal people could hold, and (3) whether or not Aboriginal women were "suitable" mothers to take care of their children. The Indian Act incorporated many derogatory elements; however Aboriginal women were deeply affected by the Indian Act. Prior to 1985, the discriminatory nature of the Indian Act was exemplified as section 12 stated that if an Aboriginal man married a non-Aboriginal woman, he would retain his Indian status, and his wife and children would gain Indian statues. Conversely, if an Aboriginal woman married a non-Aboriginal man; she would lose her Indian status, and most likely be forced out of the reserve. Thus, it is evident that the Indian act was discriminating against Aboriginal women. However, in 1973 an Aboriginal woman named Sandra Lovelace decided to challenge this section arguing that this provision was in violation of her human rights. Eventually, Lovelace ended up taking her case all the way to the United Nations Human Rights Commission, where it was determined that Canada had breached many international covenants that guaranteed human rights to Aboriginal people. Also in 1979, coinciding with the Lovelace case, there were many marches and protests by Aboriginal women advocating for the Canadian government to turn around section 12 of the Indian Act. Due to the immense activism, Section 12 was eventually taken out and replaced by section 6 (1) and 6 (2). Section 6 (1) stated that if an Aboriginal man married a non-Aboriginal woman, the man retained his status and both the woman and their children gained Indian status. On the other hand, section 6 (2) stated that if an Aboriginal woman had married a non-Aboriginal man she regained her status; however her husband and children do not gain Indian status. Thus, despite the step forward for Aboriginal women, there is still discrimination prevalent because it is not fair that the Aboriginal man's wife and children gain Indian status, when the Aboriginal woman's husband and children do not gain Indian status. Moreover when many Aboriginal women returned to the reserves they were banished from for marrying a non-Aboriginal man, they were not greeted well by elders and other members of society. Therefore, internal colonization has had an adverse affect on Aboriginal women. Perhaps the prime concern of Aboriginal women in Canada today is their socioeconomic status within society. Numerous studies, surveys, and statistics illustrate that Aboriginal women are the poorest of the poor. It is a fact that Aboriginal women are paid the lowest wages of any racial group in Canada. The wage gap is not a small one either; there is a significant difference in wages between Aboriginal women and white women, even if they carry the same qualifications. Many Aboriginal women cannot gain access to education because they cannot afford it, which consequently puts them at a disadvantage when competing against their non-Aboriginal counterparts for employment. If this is not enough many employers stigmatize and stereotype Aboriginal women saying that their lazy, incompetent, and highly sexualized. This perceived notion of Aboriginal women often adversely affects their chances at attainting a job. As a result of bias and discriminatory behaviour on behalf of employers, many Aboriginal women are left with no choice but to resort to "illegal" methods of earning an income in order to provide for themselves and their families. An excellent illustration of this can be found in the film "Finding Dawn." In this film, many Aboriginal women live in poverty because the system has denied them access to education and employment. Therefore, the Aboriginal women depicted in this have to depend on prostitution along Vancouver's lower East side in order to earn an income.
Unfortunately, this only feeds into the stereotype the Aboriginal women are deviant and hyper sexualized. Also shown in the film were the victims of the infamous Robert Pickton killings which took place along BC's Highway 16, otherwise known as the "highway of tears." All of the victims had commonalities between them; they were all Aboriginal, women, poor, and involved in the sex trade business. Hence, there is a correlation between socioeconomic status and health and safety. Another major concern for Aboriginal women in Canada today would be their health and safety. Due to the impoverished circumstances of many Aboriginal women, many of them cannot afford access to the health care system and medication. This argument is supported by Carrie Bourassa et al.'s article entitled Racism, Sexism, and Colonialism: The Impact on the Health of Aboriginal Women in Canada, as Bourassa et al. Argues that Aborigonal women carry the burden of poor health. Moreover, Aborigonal women tend to have a lower life expectancy, elevated morbidity rates, and elevated suicide rates in comparison to nonAboriginal women. In addition Bourassa et al. Point out those epidemiologists suggests that many of the chronic health conditions that Aborigonal women are faced with are a result of forced acculturation that has been imposed on Aborigonal peoples. For example, the legacy that residential schools left behind was one of sexual, physical, psychological, and emotional abuse. The Aborigonal people who experienced residential schooling often left the schools with a warped sense of family, relationships, and boundaries. Many children who experienced abuse while in residential school ended up abusing their own spouse or children because growing up they were taught that abuse was "normal," thus many Aboriginal people had no idea that what they are doing was wrong. Specifically for Aborigonal women Bourassa et al. Claim that low income, low social status and exposure to violence also contribute to poor health. Aboriginal women experience high volumes of violence against women because many of them have to enter relationships in order to become economically sufficient. In other words, many Aboriginal women end up in abusive relationships because they cannot afford to leave their husband because they are dependent on him for income, food, and shelter. Therefore, created dependency can also be seen as another cause of poor health among Aboriginal women. Overall, the impact of colonialism has been damaging to Aborigonal women's socioeconomic situation and to their health and safety. In conclusion, the major concerns of Aborigonal women in Canada today are mainly social and economic. However, they also are concerned with health and safety issues. It is clear that socioeconomic status is linked to health and safety as those Aboriginal women who are impoverished cannot afford access to medication and the health care system. In addition, the impact of colonialism has had deep ramifications for Aboriginal women even to today, as discriminatory laws and policies such as the Indian Act has provided the Canadian government with an opportunity to control the Aboriginal population, and exploit Aboriginal land and resources. Unfortunately, the process of internal colonization has continued to persist for many decades, and I fear that it will continue to persist for many years to come. _______________________________________ Question 5
- some of the major issues of concern to Aboriginal women in Canada today are acknowledging their identity and culture during colonization, the government outlawed the practice of their cultural act and forbid them from using their own language plus children were forced into residential schooling, and were forced to learn english and math, about the bible, and on how to be proper husband and wife hence they were force to assimilate and to become more Westernize (from tutorial on Aboriginal Women) - a majority of Aboriginal women are still trying to regain their Indian status, and even those who have already regain their status, the tribes are lacking resources to include or share with them when section 12.1b was strike down, Aboriginal women marrying a non-Aboriginal man can retain their status (6.2 status), however their status can not be pass down (from the lecture on Aboriginal Women ) [legacies of colonialism that are still apparent today] - a numerous number of Aboriginal women today are murder, and many have experienced rape, sexual abuse, and violence through out their life in the movie Finding Dawn, many of the Aboriginal women living in the big cities have resulted to sex work due to their low education level and poor financial stability during the colonization, some of their lands were taken away and some of their main source of finance such as fishing were striped away, and many Aboriginal family had to moved to the cities working for low wages _______________________________________ Question 6 Using 3 Sources, demonstrate the limitations of the nuclear family. How do women, differently experience the family based on race, class and sexuality? Limitations-Part 1 1. Division of Labour: Within most nuclear families the division of labour between men and women is uneven. Men are considered to be "the breadwinners", while women work around the house doing domestic labour. If the woman does work outside the home she is subjected to "the double day of work" whereby she works outside the home in her chosen field and in the home as mother, wife and homemaker. In contrast, same-sex families have a more equal division of work within the home. 2. Societal Construction: Nuclear families are the idealistic type of family in society and therefore are subject to the pressures of society to be perfect and as the lifestyle that others should strive for. Same-sex families tend to be more accepting of individual differences. Children raised in same-sex families are also more accepting of such differences. Different families-Part 2 Society typically favours people who are white, heterosexual, and of average middle class. Women who fit into these categories are given privileges over those that do not (heterosexual privilege). Women who are not heterosexual often are thought of in society as bad mothers who cannot raise their children in the "proper way". They may even not be recognized as being mothers in a family at all. People who are lower class often have issues raising children due to lack of money or lack of a partner and for this they have to become "welfare moms"
deal with a whole bunch of stigmas such as being deemed "bad mothers" or "sluts" and they may even have their children taken away from them. There is a huge lack of support for families that deviate from the nuclear family. Sources 1. Beyond the Pale-Elena Dykewomon (for lesbian relationships and societal views on such relationships) 2. Losing the Feminist Voice: Debates on the Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Partnerships in Canada-Claire Young and Susan Boyd in OB pg 299 (for legal recognition of families that deviate from the norm) 3. Harriet's Daughter-Marlene Nourbese Philip ( for examples of nuclear families where men are more dominant than women) _______________________________________ Question 6 Limitiations of the nuclear family are demonstrated using many sources. Women of different race, class and sexuality are all discriminated against and inferior to men. Article: 1) "Assessing Gender Equality: Trends in the situation of Women and Men" Status of Women Canada Division of labour by gender Women make lower wages than men, which forces them to stay in abusive relationships in order to avoid living in poverty as a lone mother. Sexuality Articles: 1) "Heterosexuality and Feminist Theory" Christine Overall 2) "Moving Beyond "No means No": Understanding Heterosexual casual sex and consent" Melanie Beres 3) "Desire Interruption: Young Women + Sexuality Education in Ontario" Erin Connell 4) "Same-Sex Rights for Lesbian Mothers: Child Custody + Adoption" Jennifer L. Schulenberg Pressure towards heterosexuality, which primarily benefits men and not women: o Heterosexuality means men first. Body + services belong to men, if you don't accept that then you are "queer/lesbian" o Affords men easy sexual gratification + material possession of women Danger of sexuality: o Sexuality as violence: Heterosexuality associated with female violence Women: More assertive→objects of the male sexual drive discourse Many more women suffer violence at the hands of men, then vice versa Men: Read women's consent cues o Sexuality as victimization: Women are victims of male desires o Sexuality as individual morality: Decision-making; sex is a test of self-control/self-respect o Desire: Limits Homosexuality: Are they "Fit Parents"? "Fit parents are grounded in socially
accepted definitions of the "family" (nuclear family). Lesbian mother living with another women is NOT part of the definition of family. o Fear that the children will become homosexual o Fear of inappropriate gender socialization o Fear that children will suffer embarrassment Race Articles: 1) "Some Reflections on Violence Against Women" Radhika Coomaraswamy 2) "Racism, Sexism + Colonialism: The Impact of the Health of Aboriginal Women in Canada" Carrie Bourassa Movie: Finding Dawn In Pakistan, 99% of housewives and 77% of working women are beaten by their husbands Women are subject to violence because of: o Being female o Her relationship to a man o The social group to which she belongs (riots/ethnic) o Male alcoholism (one of the major reasons for violence in the family) 41% of Aboriginal women (age 55-64) have poor health, due to low income, social status and exposure to male violence (Inside and outside of the family) Indian act legislation o Indian women (and women only) who married a non-Indian man lost their Indian status + were banished from their own communities (section 12. (1), (b) o Indian women could not own property and after a divorce, could not return to reserves. They lost all property rights, including the right to pass it on to her children. o Eventually Bill C-31 allowed individuals who had lost status (+kids) to apply for reinstatement o None of these rules apply to males. Men could marry a non-Indian and can divorce and not lose any status and would always be "part of his community". _______________________________________ Essay Question 6 Using three sources, demonstrate the limitations of the nuclear family. How do women differently experience the family depending on race, class and sexuality? Intro The nuclear family is one that implies many constrains for the women involved. These different women are subject to many different experiences depending on their class, sexuality and race. The nuclear family is not just an ideal, but a conceptualization that defines a family Thesis Deviance from the nuclear family by means of existing in a family as a person of colour, in an alternate sexuality or by contradicting the classic means of class is not tolerated by society and is seen as social a social stigma.
Body Paragraph #1: The nuclear family consists of white people. Traditionally, the nuclear family is composed of a two white adults with children. This family is the traditional and "well-functioning" family CWS: Biting the Hand That Feeds Me (p. 146)Nancy Charter o They are the ones who are given many "privileges" o These "privileges" (such as food, shelter, education, health care, etc.) are in fact not privileges, but rather rights which everyone should be entitled to o Unfortunately, many couples of colour of families with parents who are not of the same race, are deprived of these rights and experience oppression. o These inalienable rights are usually readily available to the traditional nuclear family and this should not be sothese rights should be available to all members of society, regardless of race Body Paragraph #2: The nuclear family living within the upper-mid class range by means of a man's financial contributions. Men are considered by the nuclear family to be the primary breadwinners of the family This is absurd because women do a lot of labour, much of which goes unrecognized The following article summarizes all of the work that women are responsible for and the implications that a woman's work has on her family CWS: Provision: Thinking About All of Women's Work (p.244)Neysmith et al. o Women have jobs and work (paid employment)many policies pressure a woman to work and have punishments if she doesn't (for example better deals on childcare for the working woman) o Women are a large part of the underground economy (jobs which are conducted at a personal levelpay may be in the form of exchange of labour, or barters)an example of such a job would be a woman operating a home daycarethe underground economy is largely driven by women and accounts for 2-3% of the gross domestic product o Household/domestic workwomen are expected to maintain the household as well, this work is often undervalued o Caring workinvolves caring for children or the elderly o Volunteer and community workmany women are involved in their community and receive no monetary compensation (or recognition) for such work, even though that put much of their time, energy and resources into their communities o Women are perpetually working a "third shift"a term which tries to encompass the constant struggle and work that a woman is faced withthey may be working their paid job as well as doing domestic work, all the time thinking of their "third shift" which may be their volunteer work Body Paragraph #3: The nuclear family is in accordance with the social binary of gender: one male and one female. Deviance from the nuclear family's interpretation of a functioning parental unit of consisting of one man and one woman is frowned upon by society.
Many people have an issue with same-sex marriages and base their problems on the fact that they do not think it is acceptable for 2 people of the same sex to raise a child "properly"however, when examining statistics we see that 50% of first heterosexual marriages fail These failed marriages negatively impact the children involved This is evident when looking at some of the struggles that many lesbian mothers face CWS: Same-Sex Rights for Lesbian Mothers (p.337)Shulenberg o Two lesbian women aren't seen as parents when viewing the nuclear family through society's lens. o Lesbians feel that their sexuality is taken into consideration in legal matters concerning custody and adoption of children o This fact is indicative of the social stigma that surrounds deviating from the nuclear family.
_______________________________________ Question 7 Essay # 7 How do specific histories of women living in different communities illustrate women's ability and determination to claim power and act as agents on their own behalf? Use three sources. Thesis: Throughout history women have been determined to claim power and act as agents on their own behalf based on the social structure that exists within their communities. In the Canaan community, women are valued for their abilities and are considered powerful because of the matriarchal society that exists which bases their religion around women. In contrast to this, Iron Jawed Angels and Pope Joan prove that women are able to claim power in these later periods by recognizing repression, which leads to their motivation to claim power to make a change and refute the social structuring of the communities in which they live. "The Red Tent" By Anita Diamant The Red Tent takes place in ancient Canaan and illustrates that women were powerful due to the matriarchal society that existed. Women were powerful because of the connectedness between women and religion. Women in this community were seen as useful, powerful, and were valued by others in the community. The women had the important duty of gathering necessities and were valued because of their ability to reproduce and provide for their families. Evidence from the book: - In the Canaan community women were in high enough social power to have the ability to punish men for their wrong doings - Women in the community saw men as being useful to women, the women used men for things they needed such as having babies, they saw men as having a purpose in society to benefit women
In the book Jacob, a man, cries out to a goddess, a woman, in pain which confirms that the men in the community looked up to women and shows how women were central in the religion aspect There is a situation in the book when a man is trying to take advantage of a woman and the woman stands up for herself against the man and shows him she has control and power and he back down
The religion in this society is based around women and somewhat puts women on a pedestal. The women of this community are valued for their abilities and are seen as being powerful, they are given higher importance than the men of this community. In the Red Tent women show their determination to claim power and act as agents on their own behalf because of the power and importance they are given by matriarchal structure that exists within this community. Pope Joan By: Donna Woolfolk Cross Pope Joan takes place in the medieval period where the repression of women in religion exists. This repression that exists within this society motivates the women to be determined and act as agents on their own behalf in order to claim power in society that they do not have. Evidence from the book: - In the medieval time period women were forbidden to learn and were not valued within society. - Joan acts as an agent on her own behalf and claims power by rebelling against societal norms that exist within society. - When Joan takes on the identity of her brother, as a man, she places herself within the church which goes against societal norms and denies the repression of women that exists in the societal structures of the medieval time period. - Joan, rebelling against societal norms, proves she was determine to knock down the repression of women shows that women have the ability to learn and should have the same right to learn as men. - In the book, when Joan attempts to try and learn she is punished for doing so by her father. - Joan claims power and acts as an agent on her own behalf by taking on the identity of a man and being successful and proving that a woman can do the same things as men. Iron Jawed Angels- MovieEarly 20th Century In the early 20th century women were of lower status in society than men. The women in the movie Iron Jawed Angels were seen as powerful and brave women, taking on the challenge of making women seen as equals to men in society. These women were determined to claim power and act as agents on their own behalf in order to gain privileges in society. The young women were activists taking on the women's suffrage movement, putting their own lives at risk to help American women win the right to vote.
Evidence from the movie: - Alice (the main character) got together a group of women who were activists and they protested and gave speeches to fight for women's right to vote and run for office. They acted as agents on their own behalf because the women came together themselves and organized meetings themselves. They did everything they needed to themselves, obviously without the help of the government, in order to accomplish their goal. - The women's determination to claim power is evident because they sacrificed their lives, health, marriages, and limited amount of freedom they had in order to allow for women to have the right to vote. These women were imprisoned and force-fed after picketing and hunger striking against President Woodrow Wilson. - This women illustrates women's ability to claim power and act as agents on their own behalf because the women sacrificed so much from their own lives, going against societal norm, but in the end were successful and women were given the right to vote and run for office. Their determination and success shows that women have the ability to achieve goals they have set and be seen as equals in society to men. _______________________________________ Essay Question 7 How Women Claim Power in History. Thesis: Women in history seem to have claimed power through the social structure of the community which they live in. In Canaan, women are powerful due to the matriarchal based society and the focus of religion on the abilities of women. In Contrary, Iron Jawed Angels and Pope Joan proves that women in later eras claimed power and acted as agents by refuting the social standards and recognizing and rebelling against the social structures and repression of women within these structures. Argument One: Ancient Canaan Anita Diamant: The Red Tent The Red Tent by Anita Diamant is successful in illustrating that women's power in ancient Canaan is due to the matriarchal society of Canaanites caused by intertwining of religion and women. Women in this ancient community were valued for their fertility and mysticism, and in this nomadic society were responsible for the important duty of gathering necessities. - Women saw men in an objective way and for their use, evident in this quote "Zilpah had little use for men, whom she described as hairy, crude and half human, Women needed men to make babies and lift heavy objects but otherwise didn't understand their purpose..." Diamant, pg 13 - A deity of the afterlife, Red Tent alludes to sacrifices to the Queen of Heaven, Diamant pg 17 - Jacob cries out to a goddess Ishtar when suffering pain confirming the centralization of women in Canaanite religion. - "Laban had put his hands under her robes but when she told Adah, my grandmother had beaten Laban with a pestle until he bled, and she broke the horns off his favourite
household god and sworn to curse him with impotence and boils and he then promised never to touch his daughters again and made restitution." Diamant 20. o In Canaan women are high enough in social structure to punish men for wrong doings The source of women's power in Canaan is from the societal structures of this nomadic society. The religion of this society, being based around women, values them for their abilities and places them on higher importance than men. In this facet women claim power and act as agents on their own behalf through the power granted to them by the societal structuring in this matriarchy. Argument Two: Medieval Period in Europe Donna Woolfolk Cross: Pope Joan In the medieval period, Pope Joan is an exemplary source to understand the repression of women in religion, and how this repression of women may lead to a motivation for women to act as agents on their own behalf and claim a power they otherwise do not have. - Medieval women were not valued and forbidden to learn, in order to act as an agent on her own behalf, Joan claims power through the female repressing social structures by rebelling against them. This allows her to take her brothers cloak and place herself in the church. Therefore refuting and denying the repression against women that the social structures of this period contains. Women were forbidden to learn, and when Joan attempted to learn by not rebelling against social standards, her father punished her by making her scrape the words of the vellum of the literary piece she was reading. Woolfolk Cross, 53 Argument Three: Early 20th Century North America Iron Jawed Angels In the early twentieth century, it appears that women had to refute social standards in order to become agents and claim power, the power they then possessed comes from the recognition of the repression of women within society. The young women in the film Iron Jawed Angels provide examples of this, as they were activists for women's rights and initiated the first wave of feminism. - Alice initiates a group of female activists to refute the repression of women in this community. They acted as agents on their own behalf by forming an organized group to fight against the flaws in society. - Their claim to power is nestled within the fact they sacrificed their lives, health, marriages and their little freedom so that they may have more rights within this community. - The women refuted societal standards but were successful in the end proving that a method to claim power within society for women was refuting the social standards and rebelling against the social structures of gender embedded within society. _______________________________________ Question 8
Why is male violence against women a key feminist issue? What is the impact of male violence on different groups of women? Is Canadian law effective for stemming male violence? Why or why not?
1. Finding Dawn Film (http://www.nfb.ca/film/finding_dawn/) 2. January 10th Lecture 3. March 7th lecture
(January 10th lecture) Male violence against women is a key feminist issue because it is about men having power and control over women. In terms of patriarchy, it is still a massive reason why it is still so prevalent. It makes the males dominated society tick further oppressing women. The more women gain, the more they are brought down in size by men. Social control over women and the role of misogyny (hating women) feeds on ideas of male ownership and possession. This is what feminists are trying to abolish. They want women to be able to gain status quo and maintain gender norms as well as have men accept these ideas. (January 10th Lecture) Canadian Law is not effective for stemming male violence against women. Women still feel scared to leave abusive relationships, and are still scared to report crimes of rape. Whatever implemented Canadian law's there are, violence is still a threat to women. Clearly, laws in place may be of assistance in some way, but not in the ways necessary to abolish the violence women experience. What law is technically in place when reporting rates of violence against women is low because women do not want to be re-victimized when they do report (having to do a rape kit). In 1983 in Canada, there were remarkable changes to our laws. Such as the "rape shield law", Bill C 127 and following laws afterwards. Even with all these laws in place, males are still commits acts of violence against women. Until all women are safe in their own homes, walk on the street alone at night and do by her own free will that is when "laws" will become effective in helping women combat the violence against them. (Match 7th lecture and Finding Dawn Video) Women of the world are impacted by the violence inflicted up on them. Aboriginal women, such as Dawn from the video "Finding Dawn", are victims targeted for their gender and their Aboriginal identity. Social assistance, employment opportunities and education are very poor on the reserves forcing women to turn off of their reserves to make money leading to their increasing rates of death or going missing. Marrying a non-Aboriginal person resulted in Aboriginal women losing their status as "Indian," as well as their right to live on reserve and their ability to access other programs and services. Thousands of women were forced off reserves and suffered cultural isolation. _______________________________________ Question 8 Part Two: Essay Question Essay Question # 8:
Why is male violence against women a key feminist issue? What is the impact of male violence on different groups of women? Is Canadian law effective for stemming male violence? Why or why not? Use three sources. Male violence against women is a key feminist issue because it abuses women's bodies and is still continuing until today. Women choose not to leave because of their economic dependence which is their primary for their children; obligating to protect their family and hoping their lives will soon get better along the way. Also, in the way of women having to feel isolated that affects their social lives and having no options to turn away from abuse. This is an abuse that is continuous cycle; women are afraid to report the abuse to the police or to family and friends, feeling shameful, stigma, and therefore choose to stay because they do not have access to financial requirements and are dependent of their abusive spouse. A lack of economic independence in women is why women stay in abusive relationships especially when they have kids. The fear is that if they leave their current abusive relationship then they will face another hardship of finding money to take care of their children. The media is a major influence on male violence against women as it portrays women being degraded and being treated as worthless human beings in ads, movies, commercials, video games, etc. The impact of male violence on different groups of women are heavily focused on : sexuality, race, and class of women. These groups define the types of abuse women encounter as they are going through the cycle of abuse. Aboriginal women are more affected in comparison to white women who get abused because they are less vulnerable. Women of higher economic classes experience male violence as well, except that it is hidden in higher class social circles because it is frowned upon and looked at as an occurrence in low income homes. Women that are immigrants in Canada may be threatened by being sent back to their homeland by their husbands. For example, in Harriet's Daughter, Zulma's father abuses his wife because he knows that she will agree with everything he says and the decisions he makes because he is in control; he has power, and she will not go against what is to be done within the household and how to discipline their child Zulma. Also women of different sexualities face violence by men as well, even if they may be in lesbian relationships. Lesbian women face verbal and sexual violence just as much as heterosexual females in society. The Canadian law is semi-effective towards stemming male violence against women because not much is done when violence or rapes occur. For example, women trying to escape violence turn to women shelters and sometimes turned away because there is no more room for x amount of women plus their children; the government should take into consideration what abusive women have been going through and accept them throughout these situations. The law should enforce specific punishments that encounter what women had to deal with and living in fear of their own lives and the lives of their children because of traumatic events that have taken place. There is a lack of support services and most places that offer shelter and services to abused women are those that are funded by private donations made my people not by the government itself. Sources: Lecture January 10 and 17, Novel: Harriet's Daughter; the relationship between the mother and father of Zulma article by Radhika Coomaraswamy titled: Some Reflections on
Violence Against Women, article by Janice Ristock titled: Taking off the Gender-Lens in Women's Studies _______________________________________ Question 9 What is the beauty myth? The body is idealized to a high degree in North America. We live in a word where thinness is equated to health and attractiveness (CWS, p413) whiteness is also a factor (p415). Advertising is a multi-billion dollar industry in North America that helps spread our insecurities, especially amongst female consumers. The advertisements often feature women, where there is a disparity between actual body sizes and the cultural standard of bodies. (CWS p413) The body is idealized and objectified in attempts for perfection (OB p245) Emphasis is most often found in physical appearances and how we treat our bodies (OB p246) What is its impact of different groups of women? For non-whites, they are least likely to be seen gracing magazine covers. When they are in mainstream media they reinforce racist stereotypes. (CWS, p415) o Whiteness is often seen as being good and pure, blackness is viewed as being dirty or evil o Self-hatred amongst non-whites becomes a problem due to the need to conform to whiteness and western values of the perfection of beauty What are some of these women's practices when trying to approximate North American Social constructions of beauty and femininity? In pursuit of perfection many go under the knife to change some flaws. Disabled women are often looked at as being "damaged". (CWS p417) Technology offers solutions to change characteristics that pull away from the young, white-middle Fat bodies are under the most pressure to submit to reconstructing the "perfect" female body (OB p254) o Ads focusing on weight loss programs, diet pills, exercise machines _______________________________________ Question 9 Essay question number 9: The beauty myth is a teaching tool where we learn about gender norms with respect to appearance. We learn fashion and glamour is important to our self esteem. Different female groups are influence by being white, thin and having no flaws. North American women resort to plastic surgery and dieting to attain the ideal figure or look. These have become huge industries aimed at "helping" our personal image. Through these processes women's bodies
are objectified, and women's real bodies are no longer seen as being beautiful. Ex. Kim Cherin talks about how Marilyn Monroe icon of the 1960s would be overweight in today's standards. Feminism is supposed to provide women with a choice of how they wish to look. Lecture Dec 6th- "the beauty myth" -killing us softly _______________________________________ Question 9 Beauty Myth (Lecture Dec 6 & Feb 28) What is the beauty myth? What is its impact of different groups of women? What are some of these women's practices when trying to approximate North American social constructions of beauty and femininity? Use three sources. Feminist theories, images, alienation & damages nd What we know as socialist feminism in 2 wave came out of Marxism totally different to liberal feminism o Liberal feminism: equal opportunities/rights, adding women to system Socialist feminism, Marxism was critique of capitalist system o Marx & his followers concerned w/ capitalist as extremely exploitative to workers o Marx saw there was upper class (bourgeoisie) that controlled everything means of production, factory, machinery, land o Get work out of as little cost as possible If this system is so exploitative & why don't workers try to revolt? No class consciousness. o Workers divided, alienated from each other & didn't have means to revolt o Unhappy & needed their jobs However, Marx would ideal revolution that would overthrow capitalist system & put in place socialism o 1. Feminists attracted to Marxism saw women exploited as a class, it was women subservient in work, sexual harassment o 2. Saw not only unequal production but women's work in home devalued, women's caring & nurturing roles One way to ameliorate inequalities in labour force tried to go up against state & get laws in place to have pay equity o To protect women, equal work to a man's day of labour Men & women are in male/female dominated job classes Radical feminism different than either liberal feminism (putting women into system) or socialist feminism (capitalism, economy, gender) o Women are oppressed bc of patriarchy deep, entrenched & difficult to eradicate o Family psyche of oppression for women, not just state nd Radical feminism developed in 2 wave huge emphasis on sexuality & violence o Radical libertarian easy to determine what is forced & coerced vs. What is pleasurable
o Libertarians say there are double standard & ways female sexuality is played out control Radical cultural feminist Catherine Mckinnan: all hetero sex coerced & bc it is played out w/in relations in male dominance & control o Immense pressures to be heterosexual, coerced
Beauty Myth Lucy stone 1885, it is very little to me to have right to vote & own property if I can't keep my body & its uses to myself, useless o Woman's body Individual but political, women have massive preoccupation not only w/ money but time o Massive industries that geared towards women ordaining themselves o Not that women shouldn't wear makeup, bc feminism all about choice but larger industries preying on women's vulnerabilities o Women tend to be dissatisfied so many ways to try to optimize 'normalcy' Kim Chernin author talks about women & weight gaining, in 1960s, Marilyn Monroe was epitome of female beauty, voluptuous o Anorexia was widespread social disease amongst women o Bulimia was condition among women o In 1960s weight watchers business open o Diet workshop, overeaters anonymous & many gradations of that throughout 60s o Feminist movement began to assert women's rights, power, liberating, dignity o In 1950s, Miss America weighed on average 134 pounds by 80s, avg weight was 117 pounds o 1951, Miss Sweden was 151 pounds by 90s, 109 pounds o 1962, fashion models in North America weighed 8% less than real women, later on 25% less Shoe advertisement, "you & your world" your world is about getting shoes, how women are told to look inward o You'll be successful not if your savvy about the media but if you know about best shoes Naomi Wolf & her book "The Beauty Myth" the more legal material hindrances women have broken through the more strictly & cruelty images of beauty have come to weigh on us o The beauty myth is images of female beauty used as political weapon towards women's advancement o Women compete w/ each other in the beauty system backlash o Beauty backlash undermines women's liberation for many important reasons Relies on erasing women's diversity, real bodies as being beautiful Objectifies women's body Teaching tool bc we learn gender as children learn gender roles from media Riot Girrl Movement Groups that came together movement
Started talking about issues, began in Washington DC in 1991 Way for girls to resist all dominant norms in society Talked about beauty myth & ways to resist it Ways to have activism empowerment, to assert themselves Song called the Riot Girrls by Brenda Baker
Killing Us Softly 3 by Jean Kilbourne Started with "Ovulen 21 works the way a woman thinks, by weekdays not by cycle days" short lived & unfulfilling ad images of women We see 3000 ads everyday yet Americans say ads have no affect on them Mass media sells products & values, images, concepts of sexuality, normalcy Ads tell us who we are & who we should be tells women most important is looks (all virtual & touch ups) Influence how men feel about real women they are with, lower women's self-esteem Women are seen as objects, justifying violence against that person same process as racism, homophobia, violence inevitable 10 years ago advertisers realized but body sells breasts, women loses sensitivity after implants & becomes objects for others' pleasure Men don't live in world where their body is scrutinized everyday, there are negative images but less than women 1 in 5 has eating disorder, in order to be acceptable we have to be thin Ads saying we are asking for sex, battering, brutality, murdered women There are no consequences for men when they are objectified Masculinity related with brutality, ruthlessness, perpetrators of violence, communication = weakness in men Men devalue women Critical Analysis It is an awareness & acknowledgement of women's' struggle in past & hasn't improved much today Understanding way world is structured, socially & economically, historically served to keep girls as 2nd class Men have power, it's not shared bc patriarchal society Individual woman vs. Institutional inequalities like mass media portrayals Social construction of genders Since we what seems like beginning of time there has been gender construction and even through the evolution of society it is still evident Learn from day of birth that there are certain standards for guys & girls, as opposed to biologically based (which is also evident in advertisements) Important part is because learned it can be unlearned, changed and relearned Gender is what society constructs Masculinity (patriarchal culture more privileged-reflection of power and dominance ) vs. femininity ( women should focus on the physical appearance rather then being dominant in today's society Harriet's daughter, straightening hair so look like white girl
_______________________________________ Question 9 The Beauty Myth Sources: 1)December 6, 2010 lecture 2)Fighting the Rejected Body - Susan Wendell (OB) 3)From Airbrushing to Liposuction: The Technological Reconstruction of the Female Body - Fabienne Daring Wolf What is the Beauty Myth? (Lecture) This is an idea that all beautiful women have reached a certain standard of perfection. The ideal women is a certain height, complexion and have certain body features. This is portrayed in the media. The women are expected to have certain features on their body to be considered to reach the ideal beauty standard. What is the impact of different groups of women? (Carla Rice) Adolescents are impacted. 80% of girls worry about their appearance. 60% of girls feel fat and 50% of girls have dieted to reach the desired slimness. Women of color are impacted. They use skin lightening creams to be a lighter complexion to attain an ideal color according to the myth. This has an overall impact on the self esteem of most women since this ideal is portrayed in the media. What are some of these women's practices when trying to approximate North American social construction of beauty? (Fabienne Darling Wolf) Liposuction / Surgery Skin lightening Tanning Hair Straightening Dieting _____________________________________

WMST2510 - Student Exam Essay Question Study Guide - March 2011

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