The beauty ideal has changed drastically during my life time. As a teenager the beauty ideal featured a very artificial white middle class woman. The beautiful woman was expected to have perfectly curled hair (leading many of us to get perms) and heavily done makeup to cover imperfections. Clothing choice was specific to the task being done but was always carefully matched with distinctly feminine traits (i.e. colors, jewels or sparkles). The beautiful woman was trim and fit and went to exercise classes. The beautiful woman was also expected to have a career which she was able to balance easily with her home life. The beautiful woman had an equally beautiful house, beautiful children and created elaborate meals for her family around her work schedule. The beautiful woman was always serene and never showed stress.
The beauty ideal has now shifted to a more natural woman. There is now a push to include a variety of colors and economic groups in the conception of beauty. The beautiful woman now has medium to long hair that is straight (prompting some of us to straighten our hair), wears makeup that is not noticeable and clothing is more androgynous. The beautiful woman is extremely thin and workouts at the gym daily. The beautiful woman is still expected to have a beautiful home but has more flexibility in maintaining that home. The beautiful woman is still expected to have beautiful children but she has more options for childcare; flexible work hours and partner sharing of tasks. The beautiful woman may have a career or choose to stay at home. An emphasis in meal preparation is now placed on quick, healthy, tasty and beautiful.
The beauty ideal has changed drastically during my lifetime (admittedly longer than most of my classmates). It will be interesting to see how the beauty ideal changes in the future with the push to include more women of varying sizes, colors and economic status in the conception of beautiful.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Women's Issues?
I am disturbed by the wide variety of issues that are labeled women’s issues. Issues in this category include reproduction, childcare, pay equality, domestic violence, welfare, child support and Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) issues. Why is there even a category of issues labeled woman’s issues? There is no category of issues labeled men’s issues. Why are any of these issues considered to be only a woman’s problem? Are children solely women’s responsibility? Are only women affected by domestic violence? Are only women affected by low pay? The answer to all of these questions is no. LGBT issues are technically in their own category but are considered a subgroup under women’s issues. This sub-status gives these issues even less consideration and respect than women’s issues. This categorization system is completely inappropriate. By categorizing these issues as women’s issues society is attempting to perpetuate gender stereotyping and control.
These issues should be re-categorized to better describe the demographic involved in the issue and ensure equality for every person. Another way to categorize these issues is as follows. Create a category for family issues to include reproduction, childcare, domestic violence and child support. This family issues category would highlight that women, men and children are directly affected by these issues. Next, create a category for human kind issues including pay equality, welfare and LGBT issues. This categorization would highlight the idea that humans of all varieties are affected by these issues. If these issues were re-categorized in this way it would help end gender stereotyping and promote the de-privatization of home life.
These issues should be re-categorized to better describe the demographic involved in the issue and ensure equality for every person. Another way to categorize these issues is as follows. Create a category for family issues to include reproduction, childcare, domestic violence and child support. This family issues category would highlight that women, men and children are directly affected by these issues. Next, create a category for human kind issues including pay equality, welfare and LGBT issues. This categorization would highlight the idea that humans of all varieties are affected by these issues. If these issues were re-categorized in this way it would help end gender stereotyping and promote the de-privatization of home life.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Third Wave Feminism
Third Wave Feminism has many characteristics that stand out. Some of these characteristics include being individualistic in nature and intersectionality or the idea that issues have many different areas of affect. The Third Wave’s primary focus points are sexuality, power, identity and body politics. The Third Wave embraces contradictions (for example girlie culture) and strives to reject the idea of victimhood and refocus on survivor-hood.
Am I a Third Wave Feminist? In some ways, yes I am a Third Wave Feminist. I take a very individualized approach to defining what feminism is for me. I agree with some ideas from many different feminist theories and pull the bits and pieces together to make my personal feminist theory. This is a very Third Wave Feminist approach to feminist theory. I agree with the Third Wave Feminist idea of doing away with the concept of victimhood. By shifting our conceptualization of those who experience violence to one of survivorhood we strip the perpetrator of said violence of power. If we always view people who have experienced violence as victims we give the perpetrator an unending source of power. I do not have an issue with women who choose to be a so called “girly girl” (although I am not one myself). I believe that the integrity we have inside of ourselves is what matters not the wrapper it comes in. I take huge issue with the completely unrealistic standard woman are held to in terms of body image (although I feel men are also held to an impossible standard) and do my best not to fall prey to it. I find contradictions in people interesting and often find contradictions in my own personality and self image. Through this writing I have come to understand that I am in all ways a Third Wave Feminist.
Am I a Third Wave Feminist? In some ways, yes I am a Third Wave Feminist. I take a very individualized approach to defining what feminism is for me. I agree with some ideas from many different feminist theories and pull the bits and pieces together to make my personal feminist theory. This is a very Third Wave Feminist approach to feminist theory. I agree with the Third Wave Feminist idea of doing away with the concept of victimhood. By shifting our conceptualization of those who experience violence to one of survivorhood we strip the perpetrator of said violence of power. If we always view people who have experienced violence as victims we give the perpetrator an unending source of power. I do not have an issue with women who choose to be a so called “girly girl” (although I am not one myself). I believe that the integrity we have inside of ourselves is what matters not the wrapper it comes in. I take huge issue with the completely unrealistic standard woman are held to in terms of body image (although I feel men are also held to an impossible standard) and do my best not to fall prey to it. I find contradictions in people interesting and often find contradictions in my own personality and self image. Through this writing I have come to understand that I am in all ways a Third Wave Feminist.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
ERA
The idea that the United States has failed to pass the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is so shocking I cannot get it out of my thoughts. Our country is supposed to be the best model of equality in the modern world. How can we claim that label when we are unable to pass the ERA? We have helped Middle Eastern countries write constitutions based on ours and have included provisions for gender equality in those documents but have continually failed to secure gender rights for the citizens of our own country.
The main arguments against the ERA seem either manipulative or completely false. One of the main arguments against the ERA is that it will destroy the family. This is an outright falsehood. How can equal treatment of gender result in the breakdown of family? If anything this should strengthen families by creating a better living environment for everyone. Another main argument against the ERA is that it will subject women to the draft. NEWS FLASH! Women are already subject to the draft but have been traditionally exempted. This is an argument that tries to manipulate people into voting against the ERA based on fear. It also brings to light another issue. Why are women being exempted from the draft? This hardly seems right and is just another example of how women are treated as children in our society. Women are just as capable and duty bound to protect this country and should not be exempt from the draft.
Steps have been taken to allow the ERA to pass without the usual red tape involved in passing an amendment after the allowed time period has passed. We must educate our citizens and make our wishes known to our public office holders and get this amendment passed. Our country claims equality for all. We must take the initiative to get this amendment passed so that this claim can be an actuality.
The main arguments against the ERA seem either manipulative or completely false. One of the main arguments against the ERA is that it will destroy the family. This is an outright falsehood. How can equal treatment of gender result in the breakdown of family? If anything this should strengthen families by creating a better living environment for everyone. Another main argument against the ERA is that it will subject women to the draft. NEWS FLASH! Women are already subject to the draft but have been traditionally exempted. This is an argument that tries to manipulate people into voting against the ERA based on fear. It also brings to light another issue. Why are women being exempted from the draft? This hardly seems right and is just another example of how women are treated as children in our society. Women are just as capable and duty bound to protect this country and should not be exempt from the draft.
Steps have been taken to allow the ERA to pass without the usual red tape involved in passing an amendment after the allowed time period has passed. We must educate our citizens and make our wishes known to our public office holders and get this amendment passed. Our country claims equality for all. We must take the initiative to get this amendment passed so that this claim can be an actuality.
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