Duck Dynasty

I was watching a TV show called Duck Dynasty the other night and couldn't help but think of this class. The cast of the show live in Louisiana and live for duck hunting. They own a million dollar duck call company but choose to live as "rednecks." I love the show and think that it is hilarious but...they are so traditional that it's too obvious to miss. For instance, Miss Kay is only ever seen in the kitchen!..where the men wouldn't be caught dead. They preach that the way to a man's heart is through good cooking and that men should choose women based on cooking ability! If I would have watched this show prior to taking this course I probably wouldn't have thought much of their traditional values. Now it is all I see! It's not that they treat the women poorly by any means but the gender roles are so strictly defined. Even the women don't dare question their roles. I don't think any of them actually work; they're more or less trophy wives. There was even an episode where they had a sewing contest! Obviously the women predominantly partook in this contest (although the uncle did chip in). I love "country living" if you will but I also plan to have a career. I consider myself a strong woman and would never want to be "domestic." I can't cook myself easy mac as sad as that sounds..it's true. I have no desire to learn to cook or clean or sew. I want a husband who is outdoorsy, hunts, fishes but also who respects me as an equal not a cook. That may be near impossible but I won't settle. Maybe being domestic works for some women but not me. I don't think any woman should compromise herself in any way for a man. Women have too much to offer society to be cooped in the the house cooking or cleaning. Hopefully women realize this and push themselves to be more than housewives; I know I will.

Guest Speaker

Today's speaker was really interesting. I would never have thought that making plays of real abusive events would help heal peoples' relationships. The video of Sonia and Louis was very heartfelt and moving. Usually men do not admit that they are wrong in abusing women let alone want to change! Although they are probably in the minority, it is encouraging to see that people really want to change their abusive ways. I can't imagine being taught that abuse is okay and being abused myself. It is obvious to us that abuse is wrong and needs to be stopped but to people who are raised with abuse and taught that it is okay, how are they to know that it is wrong? To me it is very admirable that Sonia and Louis have the will power to change and "break the cycle." I hate to be the pessimist but it almost seems too good to be true. It is hard to believe that someone can change so completely, especially so late in life. I would like to see whether he is still abusive today and whether their family is as loving as it should be. Also, is Sonia staying really helping to break the cycle? It seems counter intuitive. Wouldn't leaving him and proving  that she does not have to live that way help to break the cycle? Her staying makes the behavior seem forgivable but it isn't. Someone who is beaten repeatedly has no obligation to the abuser! She should take her children and advocate for abused women not stay with him! Well..I take back wanting to watch the prison video. I don't feel bad for people who have killed people. The laws haven't changed. Everyone knows the repercussions of murdering another person. What else is society to do with murderers? You can't honestly expect an audience to feel remorse for these people! I can't help but think of the victims. What if it were me? A friend? Could I feel anything for the perpetrator? No I don't think I could. I have become a bit more sympathetic over the years but this is an area that is just too black and white, cut and dry, right and wrong. I appreciate the speaker's perspective but I can't say that I quite understand it.  

Gender..

Today's presentation was interesting..to say the least. It's not to say that I haven't thought about gender identity and what constitutes gender but I didn't realize the extent to which people have trouble with this issue. I've always known who I am and have never questioned the fact that my sex and gender match. It's difficult to understand the struggle if you have not personally experienced it. Seeing the presentation today, I think that I understand a little bit more. I do not know anyone personally who has struggled with gender and so while watching the presentation I tried to envision one of my friends or family members. I know that it would be hard for my family to accept if someone I knew or was close to was struggling with their gender but I know that they would come around and be supportive no matter what. I was honestly shocked by the short video clips of Nikki's niece and mother. I can't imagine living in a home where you are not accepted. As much as I hate to pass blame, the mother should take responsibility for pushing her daughter to the brink. I'm sure that other factors were at work but lack of support is HUGE for struggling teens. I feel for Nikki and her family having to go through something like that. However, I feel that it could have been prevented..like most teen suicides. People really need to work on being open-minded and accepting especially with their own children! Hopefully, people will take stories like Nikki's and learn from them...I know I have.

Sports!

It was really interesting to see the differences in representation and air time for men and women's sports. It is clear that men receive more attention in their athletic roles but I never realized how much more! Also, the comment about only the beautiful female athletes being recognized was an eye opener. When you watch women's athletic events, you don't even think about the people who do not look like them! I've never thought, hey where's the "butch" girl or the less attractive girl but really.. where are they? Because the media sexualizes female athletes, the less attractive ones have no appeal (no pun intended) and so are not mentioned. It is truly a shame that women can't be recognized apart from men. There are many female athletes that are just as good if not better than men at sports (but no one would EVER admit to that). Even little things..for instance, the boys at my high school being recognized for going to college and playing a sport while another girl and I were not even mentioned! Ironic that I am the only one who went to play a sport in college who is still playing!! HA. Oh and by the way, I also have a 3.75 GPA.. can't say the same for my male comrades. People seem to think that men are more physically AND mentally tough. FALSE. Clearly, none of the ultra athletic guys who went to play sports could handle both athletics and grades. So if I have to face a bit of discrimination along the way I can handle it..they'll recognize me when I'm educated and well off (and athletic). Muscle mass isn't everything. Maybe in high school they should have been learning how to be mentally tough not how to be physical brutes and mental tragedies. AH that felt good.

ABORTION

Today's conversation was interesting, as it should be. Abortion is a huge topic and everyone has an opinion about it. One thing that I was disappointed in was the lack of open discussion. I think that the conversation could have really taken off had there been more time! However, the presentation was informative and I think that it was an important aspect of the presentation. Abortion is something that is very very difficult to discuss thoroughly. The conversation always seems to go one way. I was really starting to think that no one was going to go against the grain and bring up the pro-life side of the argument. When it was finally mentioned, it was, for lack of a better term, shot down. That is no way to have a comprehensive discussion. Yea sure no one wants to be the bad guy but you know what just because you bring up the "offensive" side doesn't mean that you necessarily feel that way. A discussion is not a "this is what I believe" kind of conversation. I can honestly say that since coming to Juniata I have become a lot more open-minded than I used to be but even so it is hard to see the other side. This is why when we have these kinds of talks it is important to step back and allow others to talk and respect their opinions and views even if YOU personally don't agree. I have a pretty closed view on abortion, I'll admit, but I only question people on facts or definitions or maybe I'll bring up the alternative as a talking point. I would never say "you're wrong" or "I don't agree with that." That isn't the point of talking about it. Sorry if this blog sounds like I'm preaching but I think it's important to remain slightly impartial and objective throughout our future discussions!! If anything, to get the other side talking..

Women in Politics

I hope everyone enjoyed our presentation today. Unfortunately we did not get to cover everything that we wanted to cover but at least the conversation was good! One of the main points that we did not get to were the types of roles that first ladies play. Although we discussed stereotypes and how they are expected to act, how they actually behave was not discussed. There are three main roles of first ladies; namely, the ceremonial role, emerging spokeswoman, and independent advocate. Many first ladies, such as Grace Coolidge and Bess Truman were predominantly ceremonial first ladies. As the years progressed first ladies such as Jacqueline Kennedy and Lou Hoover began filling the emerging spokeswoman role. Further yet, women like Nancy Reagan, Lady Bird Johnson, and Hillary Clinton began filling the independent advocate role. Although first ladies have seemingly progressed through time, have they really? Is Lady Bird Johnson's Beautification project all that different from Michelle Obama's Let's Move project? Are these women making change or are they merely symbols of change? Furthermore, what are they promoting?? Motherly, "womanly" projects. They do not actually change policy, rather, they become the face of certain initiatives. While this may be true, we do believe that women in politics have made strides but they are no where near where they need to be.

Liberia

Today's presentation was definitely eye-opening. There are plenty of things that we hear about in the U.S. and think oh yeah that it so unfortunate but it is another thing entirely to hear first-hand accounts. It's analogous to soldiers dropping bombs miles out of view of the devastation; it is easy to dismiss something that you cannot see. It is also easy to avoid the feelings that accompany seeing these horrible things. No one wants to ruin their day or upset themselves by researching such topics so when people finally do, they are shocked by what they find. These issues cannot continue to be swept under the rug. On the other hand, how do we go about helping these people? These countries? As a people, we have not been very skilled at changing the ways of other communities (Native Americans, Missionaries who tried to convert). So before we go to these nations trying to "help" them, we need to evaluate what exactly needs changed. Obviously the treatment of women needs to be bettered but how can this happen? If the war issues are solved will this help women? The video made it seem like women were liberated after the fighting stopped (or at least slightly). So does that mean that this is a case of war-specific rape and sexual harassment? Or is it a problem regardless? If it is a problem regardless then something needs to be done to get at the core of sexual harassment; power! Hopefully, this question can be answered and Liberia and countries with similar issues can move forward to reconstruct the power balance and eliminate rape altogether.