Access to Contraceptives

I think that our presentation went better than I anticipated it going. Our topic wasn't entirely based on abortion, although that seemed to the direction discussion went which was great, but I wish we could have covered more topics. My ultimate goal was to make sure the class knew how important and how powerful sexual education is to everyone. It would make sense to increase the access to education and contraceptives in order to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies thus resulting in a decrease in abortions. Decreases the number of abortions is ultimate goal of everyone to increase the common well-being of everyone.

There are so many options and acts and organizations that could be helpful.  With most of the class being 20+ years old changes are in the next 10 to 15 years we will all be having children of our own.  I just hope that everything we have learned and experienced will help us educate the future and they will do the same. The power of education goes a long way not only with reproduction but with so many of the topics we have covered over the course of this class.

Women and Politics

The group that presented on women and politics did an awesome job. I thought it was great how Dr. Plane was able to speak to the class. He really hit the main points the group ended up covering. I know a lot of the class was hoping that it was more directed towards the women in elected positions but I enjoyed learning about the First Ladies over the past decades; maybe it's because I've always enjoyed history.

The activities and internet searches we did during class were interesting to me. It amazes me how heavily criticized the First Ladies are through the public. It has a lot to do with political parties and how much "scandal" goes on during the presidency. There are definitely a certain set of standards that come along with being the First Lady, whether Republican or Democrat. Times are changing and so are the fashions and roles that the First Ladies play. For example Michelle Obama has taken control of the health eating in schools for children and being an advocate for change within schools. Unlike some First Ladies of the past she has really stepped-up and made this her own.

Women in Liberia

The presentation given on Liberia was very informative since I had no real knowledge on the war in Liberia before this presentation I definitely learned a lot. I had no idea how vital women were in bringing peace to Liberia. I was excited to learn about this topic and it will something I bring up around the dinner table when I finally get home. How the women were able to become such an impact and continue to be an impact in Liberia. The fact that the women are still involved in peace efforts really speaks in  volumes to me.

I think it was hard for a lot of us to join in on the discussion part since it is outside of the states. I feel some of us have blinders on to other countries since it does not effect us tremendously. I know that I am guilty of it! It is a shame how uneducated on such matters we can be, but this topic really sparked an interest in me.

Rape Culture

The rape culture group did a great job on Thursday facilitating discussion on a very sensitive subject. The subject of rape is not talked about often. It is such a sensitive subject to many because of how commonly it occurs. Most times women do not feel like law enforcers will believe their stories, since it is such a complex type of crime. Clearly rape victims come in all shapes, sizes, genders, and races but they should all be treated equally.  I do not agree with the argument brought up at the of class that seemed to be kind of controversial. Not all women are going to go directly to the police or hospital after being raped, and to say that they are in the wrong for not doing so I find to be absurd. First of all, not all women are educated enough to do so. Secondly, as a women, that is not how our brains work. We would want to wash away every trace of violation and disgustingness. And finally you can't say how you would or would not react if it happened to you. No one ever knows what they would do in this situation so, just keep that in mind.

Masculinity

For Tuesday's class the articles we were to read made me realize a lot about how masculinity has a lot of different components that I never truly thought about in depth. Masculinity and violence is a public health issue, a feminist problem, a media problem, etc. The way society has portrayed what it means to be masculine has a detrimental effect on how some men behave. This behavior has an impact on the health and safety of others in a community.  Some of the violence that men partake in to show just how manly they are harmful to other men, women, and ultimately themselves. It is sad/scary to think about the impact of how teasing or bullying or whatever you want to call it sticks with someone the rest of their life and how in-turn that person can choose a different type of coping mechanisms to deal with the pain they had been caused. For example a person who was physically abused throughout high school (or grade school) may become an intellectual bully and use their brains to make themselves feel superior and/or to put other people down. Just a type of compensation or coping method I feel.

Tuesday's class was very intense and it made me a tad uncomfortable, but at the same time it made realize that the stuff you never really think happens, really does. I am glad some people can be so open about their experiences. I for one would never be able to open up to a classroom of peers that I barely know and share my emotional and hurtful experiences. I always try to build a bridge and get over things, but somethings stick with you longer than others and it doesn't make it okay. I have learned that a lot of people put down other just to make up for their shortcomings and to make themselves feel better. 

Tough Guise

In today's class we watched the film Tough Guise. This film shed light on some aspects of the relationship between men and violence. Jackson Katz (I think!) is the man speaking throughout the film, and I believe he does a very good job and brings to light somethings I never realized we as a society unintentionally influence. There is a "front" that most guys put on to show just how masculine, strong, and dominant they are in society.  From an early boys are conditioned to "suck it up" and not be cry babies when they are in pain or are upset about something. I know that I am guilty of telling guys to suck it up when they are upset because that's what I have observed through media and real life experiences. I never realized how much that impacts the "tough guy" persona that males are expected to live up to.

Another interesting topic the movie covered was how much different action figures are now compared to the 1970s. The film used GI Joe dolls to show the difference twenty-years has made. The size of the biceps has greatly increased making the male attributes of a muscular body seen as the definition of tough. The film also mentioned on the opposite spectrum how "curvy" women were much more desired in the 1960s and 1970s now the ideal women is portrayed as being very thin without all the Marilyn Monroe curves. It is crazy to think how much has changed over the course of 30 years. I found the film rather informative and eye opening.

Care-Focused Feminism

Tong's, Care-Focused Feminism, argues that women are only seen as caregivers and that in doing so often times they neglect themselves. She states that women as a group have more interdependent traits, whereas men as a group have much more independent traits. I believe that this is different for each individual person, based on how they were raised and other factors that shine through on a day to day basis. I do believe however that some women do take on too much and often lose sight of who they are as a person. They become just a caregiver rather than a mother, that works a full-time job as a teacher, accountant, nurse, etc. then comes home and takes care of her family, and still makes time to try to have a life of her own. From a young age, I do believe that girls are conditioned to want to be an ultimate caregiver. We are given baby-dolls to play with and care for, I am not saying that is the only reason why girls are dominant caregivers in most situations, but it does have an influence. Some women do forget to take care of themselves as they are wrapped up in doing things for others, it is a very selfless task being a caregiver. Women that can do it all I applaud you, because quite honestly I don't think I could even imagine balancing everything some women do of the course of a day. More power to you.