A strong woman who knows who she is and is comfortable with it could be defined as a feminist. Feminism is about embracing your womanliness and not trying to be a man. It isn’t about wanting to be the same as men. It’s about being a woman and recognizing the differences between the sexes but not letting those differences define you or be used against you. It’s about not being labeled and having to behave according to that particular label. And it is also not letting a gender be a barrier to what people can achieve. Women are extraordinary, intelligent, and skillful. Let’s support each other for equal benefits and stop the competition between the sexes. Let’s work together to change and accomplish gender equality.
Can society change equality? Is it possible for everyone to work together to bring about movements for everyone? I think it is possible if we all work together in our society. In our personal, social, and professional lives, we have the opportunity to bring about changes.
“After divorce, women are three times more likely to fall into poverty than men.”
“45% of women have experienced some form of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.” “Only 10% of high court judges are women.”
“Around the world, 40-70% of female murder victims are killed by their male partners.”
“Women earn on average 17% less than men.”
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Week 5 Restaurant Business
Close friends of mine, a husband and wife, own their own business. They own a breakfast/lunch restaurant. The restaurant is very small and they only have about 6 tables with chairs that are available to their customers. They also advertise on their front window “free internet service”.
One of their customers was an older woman that would come in every day in the morning and not leave until closing. She would order a muffin and a cup of tea. Then she would sit at one the tables with her computer and not leave until closing. She would sometimes take a nap at the table but always had her computer plugged in and running.
After about 2 months, she decided only to order a cup of hot water. She told them that she did not like their tea selection and would bring in her own tea bag. How could they charge her for a cup of hot water, they couldn’t. So a week went by with her still ordering a “free” cup of water. She continued to stay all day long with her computer plugged in and on the internet. Now she is costing them money. She is getting free internet service, free electric, a free place to sit, free hot water, and free cups.
The following week, she started again ordering her free cup of hot water. The owners had enough of this and decided that they needed to address the issue before it went any further. The husband said he would handle it politely and try not to cause a scene in front of their other customers. He explained to the woman that they cannot keep giving her hot water for free. He told her she would need to start purchasing food or beverages in order to use their internet service and occupy their table. He proceeded to explain to her that it was costing them money. For example, the cups are not free because they have to buy them. She stormed out of their restaurant and said “Nice knowing Ya!”.
This woman apparently was very angry at them and decided to trash their restaurant on the internet and throughout their community. She told everyone that she was discriminated against. There is no discrimination in this story? How was she justifying discrimination? She used their restaurant for a free place to stay during the day, free electric, free internet service, and free cups for her tea. There is no just cause for discrimination. The owners were just trying to let her know that their place of business is not a place to hang out for free usage; rather it’s a place for paying customers to enjoy their food and beverages at a table that has internet service available if they prefer to utilize it during their stay. They live in a very small community, so everyone knows each other’s business. It has not affected their connection with their community. However several explanations to their regular customers needed to be addressed. Their community needed to know the truth of what really happened because if not it could shut down their business. Community support is crucial to success in a small town.
One of their customers was an older woman that would come in every day in the morning and not leave until closing. She would order a muffin and a cup of tea. Then she would sit at one the tables with her computer and not leave until closing. She would sometimes take a nap at the table but always had her computer plugged in and running.
After about 2 months, she decided only to order a cup of hot water. She told them that she did not like their tea selection and would bring in her own tea bag. How could they charge her for a cup of hot water, they couldn’t. So a week went by with her still ordering a “free” cup of water. She continued to stay all day long with her computer plugged in and on the internet. Now she is costing them money. She is getting free internet service, free electric, a free place to sit, free hot water, and free cups.
The following week, she started again ordering her free cup of hot water. The owners had enough of this and decided that they needed to address the issue before it went any further. The husband said he would handle it politely and try not to cause a scene in front of their other customers. He explained to the woman that they cannot keep giving her hot water for free. He told her she would need to start purchasing food or beverages in order to use their internet service and occupy their table. He proceeded to explain to her that it was costing them money. For example, the cups are not free because they have to buy them. She stormed out of their restaurant and said “Nice knowing Ya!”.
This woman apparently was very angry at them and decided to trash their restaurant on the internet and throughout their community. She told everyone that she was discriminated against. There is no discrimination in this story? How was she justifying discrimination? She used their restaurant for a free place to stay during the day, free electric, free internet service, and free cups for her tea. There is no just cause for discrimination. The owners were just trying to let her know that their place of business is not a place to hang out for free usage; rather it’s a place for paying customers to enjoy their food and beverages at a table that has internet service available if they prefer to utilize it during their stay. They live in a very small community, so everyone knows each other’s business. It has not affected their connection with their community. However several explanations to their regular customers needed to be addressed. Their community needed to know the truth of what really happened because if not it could shut down their business. Community support is crucial to success in a small town.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Week #4 Mr. Mom
“Mr. Mom”
My cousin has decided to quit his job and stay home with his new infant son.
There were many discussions between his wife and himself about where the baby would be when she went back to work. They looked at daycares and talk to people who watch children at their houses but they just couldn’t decide. They felt like their baby was too young to be put in a daycare. They got some references from others who knew people that watched children at home. But who could they trust with their small six week old baby? It is a very difficult decision to drop your baby off at daycare or in someone else’s care that’s not a relative. They felt if the baby was older it would be a different story. But many people have already told them that even with age it doesn’t get easier to leave your child all day long in someone else’s care. It doesn’t matter if the child is two or three or four; it still is difficult. They were also informed by others with children that their life would change because now their first priorities would be about their baby.
So my cousin decided to talk to his company about leaving for about a year to raise his infant at home rather than in someone else’s care. His company was very understanding. They told him when he is ready to come back to work to call them and they would try to find a position for him. That was great news for his sake. The thought of leaving a good job in this economy takes a lot of courage. My cousin gave his two weeks noticed and left his company to raise his child.
I think it’s a great decision. But the family is calling him “Mr. Mom”, which he hates. And who can blame him. I don’t like the name either. He’s caring for his own child at home on a daily basis and then the family starts referring to him as or calling him Mr. Mom. I think he just needs to tell the family he doesn’t like be referred to as Mr. Mom. I think they would listen but he just gets angry at them about it. It’s causing him anxiety over the situation rather than enjoying life with his infant son.
What do you think about the name Mr. Mom? Is it gender bias? When fathers decide to quit their jobs and stay home with their children, it’s changing the traditional family life. I think it’s great when fathers stay home because the norm in our society is for the women to leave their careers. But to reference these dads as Mr. Mom is just not a name that should be used. It is still making generalizations that it is a women’s job to take care of the children. It we are trying to change the way people view males and females in our society, then we need to stop using this type of communication in referencing to the dads that decide to stay home and raise their family.
My cousin has decided to quit his job and stay home with his new infant son.
There were many discussions between his wife and himself about where the baby would be when she went back to work. They looked at daycares and talk to people who watch children at their houses but they just couldn’t decide. They felt like their baby was too young to be put in a daycare. They got some references from others who knew people that watched children at home. But who could they trust with their small six week old baby? It is a very difficult decision to drop your baby off at daycare or in someone else’s care that’s not a relative. They felt if the baby was older it would be a different story. But many people have already told them that even with age it doesn’t get easier to leave your child all day long in someone else’s care. It doesn’t matter if the child is two or three or four; it still is difficult. They were also informed by others with children that their life would change because now their first priorities would be about their baby.
So my cousin decided to talk to his company about leaving for about a year to raise his infant at home rather than in someone else’s care. His company was very understanding. They told him when he is ready to come back to work to call them and they would try to find a position for him. That was great news for his sake. The thought of leaving a good job in this economy takes a lot of courage. My cousin gave his two weeks noticed and left his company to raise his child.
I think it’s a great decision. But the family is calling him “Mr. Mom”, which he hates. And who can blame him. I don’t like the name either. He’s caring for his own child at home on a daily basis and then the family starts referring to him as or calling him Mr. Mom. I think he just needs to tell the family he doesn’t like be referred to as Mr. Mom. I think they would listen but he just gets angry at them about it. It’s causing him anxiety over the situation rather than enjoying life with his infant son.
What do you think about the name Mr. Mom? Is it gender bias? When fathers decide to quit their jobs and stay home with their children, it’s changing the traditional family life. I think it’s great when fathers stay home because the norm in our society is for the women to leave their careers. But to reference these dads as Mr. Mom is just not a name that should be used. It is still making generalizations that it is a women’s job to take care of the children. It we are trying to change the way people view males and females in our society, then we need to stop using this type of communication in referencing to the dads that decide to stay home and raise their family.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Week #3 Eureka Moment
My “Eureka Moment” was when I went to the grocery store this past weekend. I was at the deli counter awaiting my turn. When I noticed the deli assistant trying to make conversation with this woman he was waiting on. At first, I thought well maybe she knew him but then I quickly could tell she was trying not to answer him and he just kept trying to make small talk with her. Then she turned to me when she was done and rolled her eyes as he called my number. All I kept thinking was great, I just want deli meat not a conversation with a deli assistant.
So, I proceeded to tell him my selection of deli meat. They were light turkey, salami, buffalo chicken and provolone cheese Oh yeah, I also mentioned that I wanted all of them sliced very thin. He then began asking me questions. His first comment was “These sound like they are for a man’s lunch not a woman’s lunch?”. I did not say anything. “Sliced thin, it’s for a man.” He kept it up with “These are lunchmeats are things that a man would eat”. “Are you buying these for a man?”All I kept thinking was just cut my deli meat so I can get out of here!
He made four different comments all relating to my personal situation. I finally agreed that they were for a man, so he would stop talking about it. I am not sure what his intentions were but there is no reason for questioning me about my deli selections and who they are for? There is no need for small talking especially when they are personal. Ok, maybe small talk about the weather outside but they should focus on getting their job done not asking personal questions to their customers. Maybe he was trying to see if I had a man in my life but it’s still no excuse for it. In my opinion, these questions or comments were rude and uncalled for. Should they be allowed to question their customers on a personal level while working? I think not. People are hired to do a job not personalize with their customers.
While serving the public, you should be polite and considerate to your customers not rude and annoying. You want to make people come back to your store not drive them away. I probably should have mentioned it to someone at the store but didn’t think it was worth it? Maybe I could be changing our society by reporting him but all I wanted to do was leave. “Communication occurs in particular situations or systems that influence what and how we interact and what meanings we attach to messages” (Wood, pg 32). Communication is influenced sometimes by how we are feeling or the time of day or how words and actions are interpreted. Was this an instance of sexual harassment? I think so… I do not like talking about my personal life to complete strangers. It was none of his business if my selections were for a man or a woman. “Communication is an ongoing dynamic process without clear beginnings and endings” (Wood, pg 32).
Who knew that your deli selections could be gender related? Certainly not me!!!!
So, I proceeded to tell him my selection of deli meat. They were light turkey, salami, buffalo chicken and provolone cheese Oh yeah, I also mentioned that I wanted all of them sliced very thin. He then began asking me questions. His first comment was “These sound like they are for a man’s lunch not a woman’s lunch?”. I did not say anything. “Sliced thin, it’s for a man.” He kept it up with “These are lunchmeats are things that a man would eat”. “Are you buying these for a man?”All I kept thinking was just cut my deli meat so I can get out of here!
He made four different comments all relating to my personal situation. I finally agreed that they were for a man, so he would stop talking about it. I am not sure what his intentions were but there is no reason for questioning me about my deli selections and who they are for? There is no need for small talking especially when they are personal. Ok, maybe small talk about the weather outside but they should focus on getting their job done not asking personal questions to their customers. Maybe he was trying to see if I had a man in my life but it’s still no excuse for it. In my opinion, these questions or comments were rude and uncalled for. Should they be allowed to question their customers on a personal level while working? I think not. People are hired to do a job not personalize with their customers.
While serving the public, you should be polite and considerate to your customers not rude and annoying. You want to make people come back to your store not drive them away. I probably should have mentioned it to someone at the store but didn’t think it was worth it? Maybe I could be changing our society by reporting him but all I wanted to do was leave. “Communication occurs in particular situations or systems that influence what and how we interact and what meanings we attach to messages” (Wood, pg 32). Communication is influenced sometimes by how we are feeling or the time of day or how words and actions are interpreted. Was this an instance of sexual harassment? I think so… I do not like talking about my personal life to complete strangers. It was none of his business if my selections were for a man or a woman. “Communication is an ongoing dynamic process without clear beginnings and endings” (Wood, pg 32).
Who knew that your deli selections could be gender related? Certainly not me!!!!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Week #2 Eureka Moment
My “Eureka Moment” this past week was trying to purchase a new car. I love to go shopping but purchasing a new car is not fun at all. There are many reasons why shopping for a car is not my idea of happy shopping. You would think that purchasing a new car would be exciting but the idea of what people have to go through is not fun. First, the sales people are all over you when you get out of the car. Second, the price wars that people need to go through after you have decided on a car. Third, the amount of time you are at the dealership turns into several hours.
I knew exactly what I wanted and needed. So in my case there were no sales pitches that I was going to listen to. The salesman went right to my husband and begun automatically talking about the vehicles. I was ignoring them and looking at each one of the cars that they had available as they kept chatting away.
Eventually we had decided on one of them and the pricing war begun. The pricing war is really ridiculous and unnecessary. We knew the prices of the cars and we also knew what we wanted to buy it for. We had already done our shopping around town and on the internet. So, we had a bottom line number that they needed to get to and they eventually matched it.
We had spent about five and half hours at the dealership. It was way past closing time and towards the end of the deal we felt like we were being rushed to sign. My “Eureka Moment” is when the salesman automatically assumed that the car was to be put in my husband’s name. Why didn’t he ask “Whose name will the car be in?” Why do they just assume the car will be in the husband’s name and not the wife’s name?
I knew exactly what I wanted and needed. So in my case there were no sales pitches that I was going to listen to. The salesman went right to my husband and begun automatically talking about the vehicles. I was ignoring them and looking at each one of the cars that they had available as they kept chatting away.
Eventually we had decided on one of them and the pricing war begun. The pricing war is really ridiculous and unnecessary. We knew the prices of the cars and we also knew what we wanted to buy it for. We had already done our shopping around town and on the internet. So, we had a bottom line number that they needed to get to and they eventually matched it.
We had spent about five and half hours at the dealership. It was way past closing time and towards the end of the deal we felt like we were being rushed to sign. My “Eureka Moment” is when the salesman automatically assumed that the car was to be put in my husband’s name. Why didn’t he ask “Whose name will the car be in?” Why do they just assume the car will be in the husband’s name and not the wife’s name?
Friday, May 22, 2009
Blog Week 1
Toys have a big impact upon our growth from a gender perspective. Most of the toys that are in the marketplace can be gender specific. Toys are targeted towards a particular market; whether it’s for a girl or boy. There are very few universal or unisex toys available. Even if they are universal, there are usually different colors that are aimed towards each gender. For example, a yo-yo is a universal toy. But there are many different colors to choose from like red, blue, pink, green, etc. But this now raises the question that colors are also gender specific. Boy’s colors are usually blue, red, black, and green. Girl’s colors are usually pink, purple, and yellow.
Toys are marketed specifically to a gender. Advertisements and commercials usually have a specific gender that they will target. The goal of the marketing tactics is gain attention from that particular gender to capture the sale of the toy. For example, flyers for Toys R Us will have pictures of girls playing with dolls or pictures of boys playing with cars. These ads never have pictures of girls playing with cars or trucks nor do they have boys playing with dolls.
Toys are promoted to children and their parents based on gender specific. The media markets these advertisements for the toys revealing which gender it is specifically for. The media reinforces which gender the toys are for and society follows the guidelines.
-Nicole
Toys are marketed specifically to a gender. Advertisements and commercials usually have a specific gender that they will target. The goal of the marketing tactics is gain attention from that particular gender to capture the sale of the toy. For example, flyers for Toys R Us will have pictures of girls playing with dolls or pictures of boys playing with cars. These ads never have pictures of girls playing with cars or trucks nor do they have boys playing with dolls.
Toys are promoted to children and their parents based on gender specific. The media markets these advertisements for the toys revealing which gender it is specifically for. The media reinforces which gender the toys are for and society follows the guidelines.
-Nicole
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Introduction of Myself
Hello everyone! I am currently a CCS at Rider University. I am an accounting major and hopefully only have one year left. I work full time and go to school part time at night. I enrolled in Gender & Communication to fulfill my last liberal arts requirement. I enjoy taking online classes but have never had the opportunity to "Blog". I look forward to communicating with everyone via blackboard & blogging!
Nicole
Nicole
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