If no one brings attention to a problem, then it is more than likely to go unnoticed. However, when a group of people (or perhaps even one very dedicated individual) brings a situation to the public's eye, then they can begin to recruit people to assist them in their new found cause.
I think there comes a point in any movement where some are content enough with the change they have made to see their goals to completion. This may or may not have been a tactic used by the oppressors, but I think may will grow tired of seeing little or no progress for so long that they take a small victory as the final win.
Some of my beliefs on gender equality were expressed in my previous entries; however, if I were to write a manifesto outlining the steps to make it a reality I think the following would be required:
- a modernized society
- willingness from both sexes
A modernized society is a requirement since physical survival is not its primary concern, and as a result, no loner requires the caveman attitude of early man. Willingness from both sexes is also required since both males and females will be asked to participate in activities that their genetic features do not exclude them from.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Module 6
Suffrage has existed before my generations time, and (most likely) their parent's. This right has not been in jeopardy since the nineteenth amendment passed, and as a result, there has been no reason for it to be taken for anything other than granted.
Voting rights was a great place for the first-wave to begin. Had the demands, no matter how justified, been too forthcoming in the beginning, change may have taken much longer to occur. I believe this to be true because most of my life has taught me people in general are reluctant to conscious change -- even to things that have no relevance to them. And while not subtle, suffrage gave the moment the momentum it needed to further other items on its agenda.
Similar to the Civil Rights movement, tact was needed to express the importance of these changes. Radicals would not have been taken serious, and the cautious would not have gathered strength quickly to begin or galvanize others to their side.
Part of me does wonder, though, what some of the changes the leaders of the movement had planned next. Was there a point where they exhausted what they wanted to accomplish, and it would be up to those born with the freedoms they had gained to recognize new goals?
Voting rights was a great place for the first-wave to begin. Had the demands, no matter how justified, been too forthcoming in the beginning, change may have taken much longer to occur. I believe this to be true because most of my life has taught me people in general are reluctant to conscious change -- even to things that have no relevance to them. And while not subtle, suffrage gave the moment the momentum it needed to further other items on its agenda.
Similar to the Civil Rights movement, tact was needed to express the importance of these changes. Radicals would not have been taken serious, and the cautious would not have gathered strength quickly to begin or galvanize others to their side.
Part of me does wonder, though, what some of the changes the leaders of the movement had planned next. Was there a point where they exhausted what they wanted to accomplish, and it would be up to those born with the freedoms they had gained to recognize new goals?
Module 5
The Selective Service System requires all males between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five to register for the draft. At times I find it trifling to feel frustrated from women being excluded from registering, yet maintain (for the most part anyway) the same rights as I do. Although I understand the reasonings behind the decision, I feel their participation should be required based on what my idea of feminism is. Barring them for their own safety makes me wonder how secure in my beliefs I really am.
Maybe I am not ready to fully accept my idea of total equality. I think at the moment, the best I could settle for would be a compromise: women may voluntarily sign up for the draft, or compulsive service would not be required on the front lines. Sometimes I read reports of abuse between soldiers on our own sides, and since most of these reports are true, I don't even know if we would be ready for a change like that. Countries such as Israel, though, operate much differently. They are one of the few (I don't know of any others) that conscript women. Although they may not serve the same amount of time as men, many of them are placed in the lines of enemy fire.
I believe race issues will be solved quicker than gender ever issues will. As the human race grows and intermingles, people will begin to look more like each other (pigment-wise), and with the aid of globalization, some cultures will disappear or contribute aspects into larger social entities. Sex issues, however, will not fix themselves the same way -- that will require conscious efforts.
Maybe I am not ready to fully accept my idea of total equality. I think at the moment, the best I could settle for would be a compromise: women may voluntarily sign up for the draft, or compulsive service would not be required on the front lines. Sometimes I read reports of abuse between soldiers on our own sides, and since most of these reports are true, I don't even know if we would be ready for a change like that. Countries such as Israel, though, operate much differently. They are one of the few (I don't know of any others) that conscript women. Although they may not serve the same amount of time as men, many of them are placed in the lines of enemy fire.
I believe race issues will be solved quicker than gender ever issues will. As the human race grows and intermingles, people will begin to look more like each other (pigment-wise), and with the aid of globalization, some cultures will disappear or contribute aspects into larger social entities. Sex issues, however, will not fix themselves the same way -- that will require conscious efforts.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Module 4
The third-wave of feminism interested me the most because it sought (and still seeks) to let women define feminism for themselves. I was accidentally introduced to it from the "riot grrrl" movement of the early nineties, and though lyrics are the least effective way for me to understand an idea, I did some research on my own to learn about the newest wave of feminism.
Male bias colors most aspects of everyday life -- historical interpretations especially. Majority of ancient scholars have been male and most of our knowledge has been derived from their works. As a male, I can only imagine the frustrations females may or may not feel from improper representation throughout history. I agree to the idea of feminist versions if it creates ground for unbiased interpretations; however, I would not agree with anyone looking to promote the feminist version as the "correct" version.
Male bias colors most aspects of everyday life -- historical interpretations especially. Majority of ancient scholars have been male and most of our knowledge has been derived from their works. As a male, I can only imagine the frustrations females may or may not feel from improper representation throughout history. I agree to the idea of feminist versions if it creates ground for unbiased interpretations; however, I would not agree with anyone looking to promote the feminist version as the "correct" version.
Module 3
Gender is a role bestowed by society and is wholly dependent on one's sex. Considering these two terms as interchangeable is incorrect. Sex is permanently hardcoded into the DNA, whereas gender may be reassigned at a moment's notice.
Roles become irreversible during the later years of childhood, with male roles tending to be "universal". Females are allowed to participate in male activities without facing the same reaction as a male participating in female activities. An example:
At some point in a boy's childhood, it no longer becomes cute for him to be seen playing with dolls or dressing up with his sisters. The sisters, on the other hand, may participate in his activities without reprimand (continued participation may result in the title of "tomboy", however). This is also apparent in adulthood as certain occasions may allow for women to dress in men's clothing; however, men may never dress in women's clothing without facing ridicule.
Certain characteristics of sex have contributed to the ideas of masculinity and femininity society posses today. These can be seen in ares such as clothing and in media portrayal of gender. Clothing tends to accentuate the reproductive prowess of an individual, as the articles highlight the attributes making him or her an ideal candidates for mating. The media propagates the notions of what men and women are to the masses, and the masses reinforce what they see in television, magazines, films, books, etc. While magazines are only able to present still-images and text, television and films are able to present scenarios depicting appropriate gender behavior. These scenarios are more often than not mimicked by children and teens to further conform to the standards of their gender.
Currently, individuals are not encouraged to play any other role than the one their sex designates. Those who stray too far from the expected are hastily put back in place.
Roles become irreversible during the later years of childhood, with male roles tending to be "universal". Females are allowed to participate in male activities without facing the same reaction as a male participating in female activities. An example:
At some point in a boy's childhood, it no longer becomes cute for him to be seen playing with dolls or dressing up with his sisters. The sisters, on the other hand, may participate in his activities without reprimand (continued participation may result in the title of "tomboy", however). This is also apparent in adulthood as certain occasions may allow for women to dress in men's clothing; however, men may never dress in women's clothing without facing ridicule.
Certain characteristics of sex have contributed to the ideas of masculinity and femininity society posses today. These can be seen in ares such as clothing and in media portrayal of gender. Clothing tends to accentuate the reproductive prowess of an individual, as the articles highlight the attributes making him or her an ideal candidates for mating. The media propagates the notions of what men and women are to the masses, and the masses reinforce what they see in television, magazines, films, books, etc. While magazines are only able to present still-images and text, television and films are able to present scenarios depicting appropriate gender behavior. These scenarios are more often than not mimicked by children and teens to further conform to the standards of their gender.
Currently, individuals are not encouraged to play any other role than the one their sex designates. Those who stray too far from the expected are hastily put back in place.
Module 2
I used to have a very negative connotation about feminism. In high school, my English teacher claimed to be a feminist, yet she damned anyone with a "Y" chromosome to hell. I never did understand her idea of feminism.
Society still clings to precedents set forth by the caveman of so many years ago. And as a male, I have throughly reaped the benefits of its bias, though, not as much as the heterosexual white male (he is indeed the most privileged). Human societies have continued to grow, and as they have grown, the laws of nature have taken a sidebench to the laws of man. Given the male's inherent physical abilities over the female's, it may have once been appropriate for them to be the hunters and their wives to stay back and tend to their children. However, modern societies require a different skill set for survival. This skill set is not bound by the dispositions of one's sex, and as a result, society no longer needs to hold on to outdated gender roles. Since that English class five years ago, I've come to accept a different form of feminism.
I reject any brand that does not strive for true equality through neutrality. Humanity does not grow without either sex, so support of one over the other does not bode well with me. Ideally, I would like to see gender roles become reversible. The ideas of "gentlemen" and "ladies" would be dissolved and new ones created with only minimum consideration given to characteristics of one's sex.
Society still clings to precedents set forth by the caveman of so many years ago. And as a male, I have throughly reaped the benefits of its bias, though, not as much as the heterosexual white male (he is indeed the most privileged). Human societies have continued to grow, and as they have grown, the laws of nature have taken a sidebench to the laws of man. Given the male's inherent physical abilities over the female's, it may have once been appropriate for them to be the hunters and their wives to stay back and tend to their children. However, modern societies require a different skill set for survival. This skill set is not bound by the dispositions of one's sex, and as a result, society no longer needs to hold on to outdated gender roles. Since that English class five years ago, I've come to accept a different form of feminism.
I reject any brand that does not strive for true equality through neutrality. Humanity does not grow without either sex, so support of one over the other does not bode well with me. Ideally, I would like to see gender roles become reversible. The ideas of "gentlemen" and "ladies" would be dissolved and new ones created with only minimum consideration given to characteristics of one's sex.
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