Military Same-Sex Couples Struggle for Equality

http://www.sfgate.com/news/us/article/Same-sex-military-couples-struggle-for-recognition-4207929.php

Sgt. Karen Alexander has fought for our country, but when she came home, she feels like the U.S. if fighting against her for her rights. She is married to another female soldier with a son. Its hard to believe that Alexander is having such a hard time at home with this problem over her head. She is considered single under 'Uncle Sam'. Just because she isn't married to a man, this all has to act like its the end of the world. Because Alexander wants a little change in her life, she is denied the same housing allowance and other family-friendly benefits she would be entitled to if she was married to a man. "We fight for everyone else's right, but we're treated as second-class citizens," says Alexander. And she has a good point. Even though Alexander and her partner are legally married, Alexander is considered single under 'Uncle Sam'. Why is she and her partner, and even their son getting this treatment when they have both fought for our country. It doesn't make sense. And Alexander and her partner are not the only ones fighting this problem with the U.S. There are so many other couples who are facing the same problems.
Apparently, it states in the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act that the federal government is forbidden from recognizing any marriage other than that between a man and a woman. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on the constitutionality of DOMA in June, but advovacy groups say there are numerous steps the Pentagon could take now to treat struggling same-sex military couple more fairly. What surprises me is how much work  and time it takes for something like this so simple. Its just two people who want to be treated like everyone else. Why does it matter so much that its two men instead of a man and a woman? Well, it shouldn't. I'm proud that most people see that this is an issue, and marriage equality belongs between everyone. Its just so sad to see that out own government cannot accept the fact that change is happening. And this is good change. Our country wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for change. So, I'll be thinking about Sgt. Karen Alexander, her partner, and their son, and will be hoping that everything will work out for them soon.

The New Norm

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kc2NlmFwkS0
While reading Chapter 4 this week, the first thing/person who came to my head was the character Cynthia Rose from the newly released movie, Pitch Perfect. I don't know why, but butch comes to my mind. Rose is a very strong character, probably one of the strongest characters in the movie. She doesn't act like the typical girl, but not like the typical guy either. The way she dresses, bright colors, Nike's with straps, and plaid shirts and sweatshirts, makes you know that she is a strong woman who comes out as shy about her identity. She doesn't dress in baggy pants or shirts. and her hair is cut originally and died a pinky-red color. In the movie, there are parts where she 'accidentally' grabs another character on her butt or on her boob, and then she quickly pulls her hand away. Rose acts like there isn't anything wrong, but the rest of the cast knows that she is a lesbian. By the end of the movie, Rose tells the rest of the cast of her ex-girlfriend. Fat Amy, another strong character, calls out that she knew it! She knew that Rose was a lesbian, but didn't want to ask Rose about it before. Rose has more of a masculine sexual script than a feminine script, in my opinion. She acts and talks more manly than the obvious, "Oh, I broke my fingernail." Rose is a modern-day manly girl. She isn't totally a girly girl, but she doesn't dress or look like a man.

I don't know why I thought of Cynthia Rose when I read this chapter, but I did. Rose is a strong character, and I wish I could be as strong and self-confident as her. She doesn't show that she cares about what other people think about her. All that matters is that she is happy and can live a life that she wants to live.

Are These Really Attractive Traits of a "Real Man?"

http://www.askmen.com/money/mafioso_60/98b_mafia.html

I think I just ran across the most annoying article I will ever read in my entire life…and I’m not even a man. The author is Mr. Mafioso and it entails, “Top 10 Traits of a Real Man”. Firstly, I must add that I agree with a portion of Mr. Mafioso’s traits for men. What really got under my skin were his directions that correspond to the traits that aid in helping school his male readers in becoming a better man. For example, I was perfectly fine with the trait, “A Real Man Is Strong.” Sure I like my man to be tough and often people view males as such, but when he goes into detail, I couldn’t help but want to punch this guy. He goes so far as to say, “If spiders scare you, you'll never be a real man” and “A real man is firm. If life is a b*tch, a real man will slap it and move on.” I’m sorry but when did phobias of insects prove you were a man or not? Or, that when facing ones problems in life, it leads to a less manly man? 

Mr. Mafioso had plenty to say that perturbed me. Such as, men aren’t supposed to show emotion. Forgive me, but I sure don’t sign up to date or befriend a male statue. I guess Mr. Mafioso is a father, he explained he prefers to hide all evidence of any sort of weakness to his children. Once again, I disagree; I don’t think any child wishes for their father to secretly be the terminator. The final straw for me was when he expressed, “A real man knows that, outside of his barber, all his personal hygiene needs must be taken care of by a woman.” Okay, enough said there I don’t even think I need to explain why that annoys me so. What saddens me is that men still believe this is what manly-hood is all about. I thought we were much more accepting now days. What scared me the most was that 53% of Mr. Mafioso’s readers, felt like a better man after reading his article. This man seems slightly sexist and a little on the high and mighty side for my taste. 

I ask that you please read the entire article, I think you will understand a little more of where I am coming from. Also, look at this video I found. Very silly. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ny8VXayKEY 

-Malissa Katich

Original post: January 27, 2013

Pressured to Plan

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/27/fashion/weddings/planning-a-wedding-while-still-looking-for-a-groom-field-notes.html?ref=women&_r=0

This article focuses on Katie Owens, a lady who is from New York who has been planning her wedding for more than a decade. She began planning her wedding about a decade ago with no boyfriend at the time. She said she felt the pressure of having a perfect wedding because at the time all of her friends were getting married and planning these extravagant weddings. I can see how Katie felt rushed when it came to planning her own, dream wedding. We are constantly bombarded with the idea that things should be a certain way. That we should be married at a young age, with kids on the way. “When you watch a lot of commercials on television, all of a sudden you want that product, and you don’t know why you want that product, but it’s because you’ve seen that commercial 10 times,” Ms. Whitney said. “It’s the same with weddings. It’s just the way our brain works. We’re just programmed to want what we see and what’s around us.” 

Pinterest, is a site where users can create virtual bulletin boards. Wedding themed boards are featured on the site that include wedding ideas, wedding/bridesmaids dresses, and cute ideas for wedding pictures. Being a female myself, I can see how the pressures of keeping up with societies certain image of a “perfect wedding” can be difficult. Women are expected to plan the majority of the wedding because so many details come along with such an extravagant event. But what if one couple just wants to sign a marriage license or elope? If I were to do one of these options I feel as if I would be looked down upon more than my husband. The idea that woman are planning the wedding before they find their spouse basically reinforces the notion that weddings are planned by women, for women and men are basically the bystanders. Marriage is in fact, a social union or legal contract between spouses. I find it interesting that women feel so pressured to plan something with no guarantee that they will find a spouse to share their special day with. 


Aja Olsen

Originally posted: January 27, 2013

The Paycheck Fairness Act

http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/05/opinion/chang-paycheck-fairness-act/index.html

Growing up, my family was a little different than most. I remember thinking it was “normal” until I started elementary school. Majority of my friends had stay-at-home moms and their dads worked to support the family financially. Not in my house. My mom is our financial power-house, we all split the household chores, and my dad worked but not nearly as much as my mom. My parents work for the same company but my mom is a vice president of sales and my dad is a technician. I remember them arguing over how much my mom worked because she had a demanding job and it did consume a lot of her time. My parents are divorced now and they are both financially stable but my mom lives more comfortably. 

This article describes exactly what I learned in school that made me realize my family was unique in that sense. The article describes a scenario in which women and minorities that do the exact same job as a white male get paid significantly less. This problem is reoccurring in the past and present workforce. It also talks about how people have gotten fired for talking about how much money they make in their place of employment. To put a stop to this unlawful problem, the government came up with the Paycheck Fairness Act. It says, “The Paycheck Fairness Act would prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who discuss their pay with co-workers. It would also close loopholes in the existing Equal Pay Act that deny victims of sex discrimination the same legal remedies as victims of discrimination based on race or ethnicity” (Chang). People think that gender inequalities don’t exist in our society anymore but there are still cases every day that deal with women facing discrimination in the workforce. 

Statistics show that the 77-cent pay gap between men and women adds up faster than people expect. This article relates to systems of oppression and the doing gender lessons from class. White men are the privileged and women or minorities are the targeted social groups. Women are still facing the oppression and society still sees men as the “money makers.” It’s good to see the government is taking steps to legally help the problems with laws preventing them. I was fortunate enough to grow up with a family that didn’t fall into this stereotypical situation because it taught me that men and women can be equal. My mom works hard for what she has and it’s a constant motivator to be financially independent myself no matter what my partner does. 

Katie Stonesifer

Originally published: January 27, 2013

Women Into the Frontlines

http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/23/military-to-open-combat-jobs-to-women/

When I read the other day that women are now allowed into frontlines combat (which, granted, had been occurring unofficially for several years due to a lacking of male soldiers on the front) I was both excited and a little bit worried. I’ll explain my excitement first—for some bizarre reason, women in current society are still treated like precious China Dolls, who may break at a moment’s notice. This perhaps stems from old Victorian myths of hysteria and the blindingly obvious use of the phrase “the weaker sex” to refer to women. The fact that women have proved their strength over the years in protests, intelligence, and socially despite all societal constraints is fantastic until one thinks, “Oh, but yes, you women are far to weak to fight on the frontlines in the Army.” Not anymore. It may sound as though I am conforming to the masculinity driven ideals of our Western society when I say that allowing women to fight on the frontlines seems to put an official seal on women being (or at least getting closer) to be treated with equality. And maybe I am, but I choose to look at the situation like this—what is more of an icon for the Western World (or any world) than that of a soldier? In media and even advertising propaganda, the Soldier has been seen as the Everyman, the boy next door, the father, the uncle, etc. This reinforces the concept that one should treat these roles with respect because if their family member is not out fighting, then they are safe at home and that is a gift in itself. Now, think about what happens when we add women to this equation—mothers, daughters, aunts—and the same respect must be afforded in turn. Why should you respect a woman? Because she may be going out to fight for her country and for your life, that’s why. This can also help to erase the “Men and Women are Different” stereotype which pervades our society as a product of our media. 

Now, to my worry. Identifying as female myself and seeing now that women are allowed to go out to the frontlines, I find myself selfishly worried about the possibility of a draft. Yes, yes, mock me all you like and show me facts of how laws are in place which will help to prevent such things, but the truth of the matter is also that with the aforementioned respect come all the pros and cons associated with achieving it. Is this strange for me to have been previously thankful that a gendered, oppressive rule would have kept me safe in such situations as the draft for Vietnam simply because I am a woman? Does this show my desire for nonviolence or my inner China Doll balking at the concept? How does this development affect those of us who have no interest in fighting on the front but still desire the equality which should accompany such achievement? 

 Originally Published: January 27, 2013-Cassie R.

Lifting the Ban on Women in Combat

I am choosing to write about the topic of women and the military. More specifically; the recent decision to lift the ban on women in combat. The lifting of the ban will now allow women to participate in front-line combat. This will be the first time in American history women will be allowed to occupy these positions. They will be allowed to stand next to men as equals, risking their lives to protect our freedoms.

I think this is a great step forward in equality. I think the military has long lagged behind the rest of society when it comes to equality. It was until just recently that don’t ask don’t tell was repealed as well. As great as it is that these rules have been repealed, I still find it sad that it took as long as it did. I ask why did to take so long for the military to recognize this huge inequality? Their where thousands of female military personnel volunteering for these positions and they were denied. Could it be that only men should have the ability to die an honorable death on the battle field protecting his country? If it is, let me tell you something about dying on the battle field. It is not glorious and it is not pretty like the books, movies, T.V. shows and video games make it out to be. A man skin is no more bullet proof than a women’s. That is a Fact! It’s about time the US military recognizes it.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/23/pentagon-overturn-ban-women-combat

-D. Pierson

Originally published: January 25, 2013 

Conversion Therapy: A Social Tragedy

Current Event Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/28/us/gay-conversion-therapy-faces-tests-in-courts.html?pagewanted=2&_r=0&ref=homosexuality. 

Conversion therapy….this is something that was supposed to go out with the demolishing of most of the archaic mental institutions in the 1970s. This is apparently not so. In November of last year four gay men sued a counseling group for promises of conversion from gay to straight. Instead, they received treatment that was deplorable. This issue is very important to us as a group because it helps prove the fact that through all these years discrimination is not dead. While one would believe that homosexuals were made that way, others would have you believe that it was the environment that they were born in. This counseling group believes in the nurture argument. It was the parent who made the child the way they were. Mom was overbearing and Dad was weak. It must be their fault. 

As we have been discussing in class this week (and reading in class this week), there are these social constructions and politics that initially set up our standards. In this case the institution is very literal. Counseling groups are considered to be the equivalent of past mental institutions. Gibson Meems in his “Towards Liberation” discusses the institutions of the past. He calls these psychiatrists “The Gays are Sick Shrinks.” While it has been known for a long time that certain people believe that homosexuals are suffering from a mental disorder, this is further proof that people are not done being prejudice. With the Genderbread Person hand-out we were given this week, we are taught that gender is a little dash of this and a little dash of that. These people who believe that homosexuality is a weakness do not believe this. To them if you do not fit into the sexual norm and don’t perform your duties based on your sexual organ downstairs then you are sick. There is something wrong with you.

Again, it all goes back to the cycle of oppression. If we grow up seeing what is “normal” and what is “abnormal” then this could affect the way we see those that we have put in the second group. These institutions whom we are supposed to go to help (science, medicine, and psychiatry) are telling those that fit outside the box that they are not fit for society so there must be something wrong with them. Children grow up seeing this and eventually they understand when they fit in and they don’t. Unfortunately some of us take that and become these people who create conversion therapy. Not only are they making these people feel as if they are something bad, but they are also telling them to whip pictures of their mothers while they are naked. To me this just sounds like humiliation. This goes right back to others forcing others to fit their ideal of the person whom they believe must fit in society. 

Conversion therapy is wrong. Although fictionalized, I was watching a TV show called “American Horror Story” in which one of the lead characters is a strong woman who happens to be a lesbian. She is in a mental institution and is given conversion therapy. It was very sad to watch and gruesome. I looked it up and found that these were real things they did back in the 60s. It made me so sad. Then I found out that in a different form it was becoming available today only today they can get sued. Back then they would not have been able to sue anyone. They would have been considered aliens. This belief of homosexuals as mental patients needs to stop (especially through humiliation). There is nothing to convert. You might as well tell me that I need to grow a penis. Not going to happen. Neither is converting a homosexual to a heterosexual. Why can’t people just let other people lead their lives? We could learn a lot by not trying to change people but to accept them for who they are. No matter what social constructions are in front of us, there are different intimacies, sexualities, and families. This should never be forgotten.

-Rachael Belcher

Social media and the end of gender

I found an interesting video on TED about the influence of social media on old gender categories, and I would like to discuss about the topic.

The speaker Johanna Blakley believed that social media will enable to eliminate the biases and stereotypes about gender that we see in the modern media such as TV, games, magazines, etc. New social media such as facebook, attracts more and more people with its fascinating, convenient tools. Users can share what they like and connect with people around the world who have something in common; that is there are no certain category which men/ women are supposed to belong to. Therefore, throught social media it may be possible to research and observe people without old stereotype of gender.

The point is, according to Blakley, it is women that account for the larger area of social media. For example, the time women use soial media gets longer than men in every age category. This means women will have power on social media, and their tastes can be applied to various scenes in our society. As Blakley mentions in her talk, I don't believe women can totally "dominate the social media space", changing the taste of some movies from masculine to feminine. However, I believe this new stream occuring on the social media can change our to-some-extent-male-cantered society.

Gender is, as we learned in the class, formed in society, usually at an early age of life, unconsciously. This hidden viewpoint remains for a long time and more or less dominate our way of thinking about male/ female, and their role in society. If we change the society itself, our viewpoint can change.

http://www.ted.com/talks/johanna_blakley_social_media_and_the_end_of_gender.html

Woman making their mark as Police Officers

Today's society prides its self on how much we have grown. Technology has improved year after year, but do you realize that we are still lacking in areas just as important as technology and growing corporations. We are still showing some of the same gender roles as what our parents and grandparents lived through. Rarely are woman expected to be in aggressive or physically oriented occupations. Reading an article of how low the numbers of woman that apply to the police academy each year is discouraging, which is only adding to the problem.One officer comments that he would like to see more females apply but as women if we don't see many female officers out there then it is less likely that we think of that as being a career option. Further in the article another officer says, Wilt said she believes it might be more difficult for her male co-workers to adjust to women in the department than vice versa. “They’re more protective and guarded — their sensitivities go up because everyone has a mother, and they try to be respectful,” she said.  I mean really, we are in the twenty first century and you are saying that men still feel uncomfortable and insecure having female co-workers. A woman shouldn't be the reason for a male co-worker to perform well or not. It should all be about protecting the rest of us as citizens and  not worrying about whether or not the female officers will be able to do their job. My hopes are that more and more young woman coming out of high school looking for their perfect role are able to include the idea of being in law enforcement. High school is where teenagers start to form real ideas about what they are passionate about and so high school is where young woman should experience opportunities so to be able to choose to be in law enforcement or any other male dominant occupation 

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/12/female_police_officers.html

Failed Arguments Against Women on the Front Line

Following the announcement that the U.S. military was going to begin the process of lifting bans against women for most front-line combat roles, Major Judith Webb of the British Army somewhat ironically warns that doing so might result in women "shooting themselves in the foot" in terms of social progress.  

The overall argument she makes is scattered and incoherent.  According to BBC's Steve Nolan and Rosie Taylor, Major Webb first claims that "women soldiers should not be allowed to fight on the front line because they are not fit enough."  This claim implies that physical screening requirements are going to be lowered or dropped alongside the ban lift.  She claims that this has already happened, although it is unclear whether she is referring to the U.S. military or the British Army, nor does she give any specific examples of this occurring.  Senator John McCain has already stated that physical requirements should not be lowered in an attempt to get more women past the physical exam.

"As this new rule is implemented, it is critical that we maintain the same high standards that have made the American military the most feared and admired fighting force in the world – particularly the rigorous physical standards for our elite special forces units."

If the requirements are lowered, however, then the argument shouldn't be against women serving in frontline positions.  The argument should simply be against lowering the requirements.  

Deviating from her first claim, she goes on to say that "the prospect of women dying in direct combat would be too shocking for the public to handle."  What she fails to take into account is that women die in plenty of other ways, be it assault, terrorism, suicide, accidents, and natural disasters.  Seeing as our society hasn't yet descended into utter chaos and madness, I think it's fair to say that adding "direct combat" to the list of ways women die isn't going to significantly upset the public feeling small amounts of remorse here and there and otherwise go about their day without giving a second thought to who's currently dying.  Major Webb does herself a disservice by thinking that women are valued so much more than men as to cause some sort of substantial public distress whenever one of them dies.  They will be honored and respected to the same extent that men are, which, unfortunately, for many people means only when they are explicitly reminded to do so.

In class, we learned about how sources of gendered oppression are not limited to just those of the opposite sex.  Oppression stems from mindsets instilled in both parties.  These mindsets continue to exist as barriers to equality when they are not recognized as components of systematic oppression, with Major Webb has failed to do.

Sources: 

• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2268021/Women-fit-fight-line-says-female-Army-Major-US-announces-historic-change-policy.html
• http://washingtonexaminer.com/john-mccain-military-needs-to-maintain-rigorous-physical-standards-as-women-enter-combat/article/2519559#.UQXzL6vEpnI

Doing P90 or "Doing" Gender

http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/p90x.do

      It's not losing weight, getting in shape or being just plain healthy. It is all about gaining the muscle. P90X is intensive series of work outs with the promising outcome of 90 days to reach the "ultimate you". In my case it is to my beloved cousin, "The Ultimate Me, My Prime."
I live in a house with few of my friends, my brother , and my cousin. Living with my family has been quite the catch, the curve is thrown to 2 to 1. Two boys and one, me. For the past few weeks my cousin and brother have tagged team to complete the 90 day challenge. Everyday I come home from school with my hand on my door knob hearing the distant sound of grunting. Disturbing as it is to hear two grown men grunt behind the door is to what they say, "The call of manhood". They grunt, compare muscles, flex in the mirror, and show off new improved strengths. "Doing 90", the challenge or mind as we'll call it "Doing" Gender, are these boys motive of Doing 90 days of gender to its fullest.  Doing gender to them is the muscular shaping in becoming a "REAL" man . These boys want to look better and feel superior than their fellow peers.  
      They are doing the right thing by being physically active then pasting themselves to the couch. However their outlook is in such haze, social dominancy is their core work out of P90X's ab-ripper. Perspectively there are no such thing in shaping gender within in 90 days. Gender is universal to all, only "doing" limits it true purpose, is acceptance. In my eyes my boys have always been real men. If they are willing to see what I see maybe they wouldn't be so muscularly blind. Quoting Tony, the creator of P90X, "They’re programed man, I’ve got them all programed"......... and Oh boy oh boy you do. You've got my family beyond programmed Tony. 

Contemporary blog post 1; Im still a guy by Brad Paisley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yQ9a-hJVy0

Im still a guy by Brad Paisley

While looking for an article to respond to the song Im still a guy by Brad Paisley came on. It reminded me of the class reading by Messerschmidt, "Perspectives on Men" and "Varieties of Real Men.”

It made me consider the stereo types that country or southern men are supposed to portray and in what ways could those influential stereotypes force men in to something they would rather not be, the same way many women are forced into stereotypical identities.

Just as women and young girls are bombarded with images and personalities they are “supposed” to embody by the media and society, men also come in contact with things that they are compelled to become. Whether they want to or not.  

In this song the artist Brad Paisly is stereotyping men and women through genderism, by suggesting that all women want to change their boyfriends or husbands into something there not. And stereotyping that man who get facials and do other things like that aren’t true ‘guys’.

In the song he says “Well love makes a man do some things he ain't proud of and in a weak moment I might walk your sissy dog” another sign of genderism, the only way a real man would hold a small dog is by regretting it latter or being weak, which is also seen as negative.

Songs and other aspects of pop culture feed the cycle of oppression through the use of stereotypes and genderisms, and make them socially acceptable. I believe songs like these impact many young me for example on youtube this song was played over 1,500,000 times. And because of all the publicity for a single stereotypical song it continues further justification for mistreatment.

Paycheck Fairness Act

http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/05/opinion/chang-paycheck-fairness-act/index.html

Growing up, my family was a little different than most. I remember thinking it was “normal” until I started elementary school. Majority of my friends had stay-at-home moms and their dads worked to support the family financially. Not in my house. My mom is our financial power-house, we all split the household chores, and my dad worked but not nearly as much as my mom. My parents work for the same company but my mom is a vice president of sales and my dad is a technician. I remember them arguing over how much my mom worked because she had a demanding job and it did consume a lot of her time. My parents are divorced now and they are both financially stable but my mom lives more comfortably.

            This article describes exactly what I learned in school that made me realize my family was unique in that sense. The article describes a scenario in which women and minorities that do the exact same job as a white male get paid significantly less. This problem is reoccurring in the past and present workforce. It also talks about how people have gotten fired for talking about how much money they make in their place of employment. To put a stop to this unlawful problem, the government came up with the Paycheck Fairness Act. It says, “The Paycheck Fairness Act would prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who discuss their pay with co-workers. It would also close loopholes in the existing Equal Pay Act that deny victims of sex discrimination the same legal remedies as victims of discrimination based on race or ethnicity” (Chang). People think that gender inequalities don’t exist in our society anymore but there are still cases every day that deal with women facing discrimination in the workforce.

            Statistics show that the 77-cent pay gap between men and women adds up faster than people expect. This article relates to systems of oppression and the doing gender lessons from class. White men are the privileged and women or minorities are the targeted social groups. Women are still facing the oppression and society still sees men as the “money makers.” It’s good to see the government is taking steps to legally help the problems with laws preventing them. I was fortunate enough to grow up with a family that didn’t fall into this stereotypical situation because it taught me that men and women can be equal. My mom works hard for what she has and it’s a constant motivator to be financially independent myself no matter what my partner does. 

More Law Suits Over Coverage of Birth Control

A Flood of Suits Fights Coverage of Birth Control
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/27/health/religious-groups-and-employers-battle-contraception-mandate.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0&ref=us

    While reading The New York Times today I saw an article that caught my attention, the title read “A Flood of Suits Fights Coverage of Birth Control” and I decided to investigate a bit further. This particular article was about the debate on whether or not religiously affiliated organizations should be responsible for women’s contraceptives. In the article there was more insight into why these religiously affiliated organizations were refusing to pay for the women's health insurance cost rather then how this decision would affect women in the long run. Many of these businesses say that their First Amendment right (“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the exercise thereof” )is being broken by being forced to supply women with birth control such as the morning after pill. The groups who oppose President Obama’s Affordable Health Care Act include Roman Catholics, Evangelics, and Mennonites, they believe that the morning after pill is equivalent to an abortion which they see as morally wrong. On the other side of the argument is women who believe that it’s their right to choose whether or not they would like to use this form of contraception and some who need it cannot afford it. Some might  say this issue is oppressive towards women because it takes control and options away from them and their bodies. It puts the control into the hands of Congress and the Supreme Court, which is made up of mainly men. The article states that the decision most likely will come down to which side the Judge falls on either they are “sympathetic to women’s sexual autonomy” or “more concerned with religious liberty”. According to Judy Waxmen who is the vice president of the National Women’s Law Center “Ninety-nine percent of women use contraceptives at some point in their lives”. She is a supporter of the bill and believes that it “affects the health of women and babies”. To me it seems that since almost all women already use a form of contraceptives and it is beneficial to their health it is important that this bill supporting a women’s right to choose what she wants to do with her body is of high importance.

Ontario Gets First Openly Gay Premier

Current Issue: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Ontario+first+female+openly+premier+Wynne+crowned+Liberal/7878097/story.html Once upon a time, all political figures who were in a position of power presented the same three qualifications: Male, heterosexual, and old. Lately though, this has been changing. More and more individuals with different and more diverse identities are entering positions of power and bringing there amazing perspectives along with them. A recent example of this is the election of the first woman, Kathleen Wynne, as the Premier of Ontario. But here is the cherry on top: she is also the first openly gay Premier in Canada as well! This makes me so incredibly happy. We live in a day and age where prejudice and inequality are constant, rampant, and blatantly obvious but this is a little sliver of sunshine on that dark and gloomy precedent. This is a great example of people coming together and overcoming the system of oppression that is so established in the world. While I realize that its the one Jenga(tm) block that will make the whole tower of oppression and inequality tumble to the ground with a satisfying clatter, but it is a step closer to a more accepting and open world where the same type of people don't have all the power all the time. New ideas, beliefs and norms are being established and its just so exciting. It give me hope that each day will bring us one step closer to equality. It might not be a milestone for the country I belong to, but it is a milestone for all of us. Its a milestone for the world because we are moving forward and making changes with accepting and open minds. This is yet another dream that became a reality, when long ago it was an impossible and fleeting idea.

Transgender no longer a mental 'disorder'

Being transgender no longer a mental 'disorder' in diagnostic manual

By Moni Basu, CNN

http://inamerica.blogs.cnn.com/2012/12/27/being-transgender-no-longer-a-mental-disorder-in-diagnostic-manual/?iref=allsearch

 

The American Psychiatric Association changed its official guide referring to “gender dysphoria” and it is expected to lower the stigma and harm which a lot of transgender people has been struggled with.  In the old manual, those who feel the gender nonconformity were automatically considered mentally ill. Instead, the new manual refers only “those people who feel distressed by their gender identity” as “gender dysphoria.” It means being transgender is no more unsound but normal variant of human beings.

As we studied in the class, gender is constructed in the society and people learn and practice their gender throughout their lives in the interaction with other people and social systems. Though our gender is biologically assigned to men or women, the concept itself is one of the cultural products. Once we are assigned the ender, we start to learn the normal, appropriate, favorable way of living as our gender and form gender identity. The idea of transgender as illness has been constructed in these social processes. As long as people think there are only two categories of sex, those who cannot be applied to them can be regard as “the Others” and easily fall into the target of oppression.

Removing a prejudice term of transgender by the American Psychiatric Association was significant in that it disclosed the gender discrimination prevailed in the society to the public. However, it is necessary to think about the changing situation of transgender people. As the article mentions, the gender dysphoria diagnosis could provide the access to health care including hormone treatment. So by confining the definition of gender dysphoria, some people might lose their advantage which is already poor.

My new knowledge is that we need to think carefully about the influence of change in social system to the target people. Superficial reformation could drive them more difficult condition. As well as the privilege people, the target people learn how they should or should not do through socialization in which they repeat accepting, rejecting and negotiating their gender.  They have been forced to live in the confined society and made the most of the limited resources they can access. They are always vulnerable to the dogmatic conduct of privileged group.

In order to make the society without inequality or injustice, we should seek the change which not deteriorate the life of the weak but assure the better, comfortable and dignified life for them.

Women Accepted into Front Lines Combat

When I read the other day that women are now allowed into front lines combat (which, granted, had been occurring unofficially for several years due to a lacking of male soldiers on the front) I was both excited and a little bit worried. I’ll explain my excitement first—for some bizarre reason, women in current society are still treated like precious China Dolls, who may break at a moment’s notice. This perhaps stems from old Victorian myths of hysteria and the blindingly obvious use of the phrase “the weaker sex” to refer to women. The fact that women have proved their strength over the years in protests, intelligence, and socially despite all societal constraints is fantastic until one thinks, “Oh, but yes, you women are far to weak to fight on the front lines in the Army.” Not anymore. It may sound as though I am conforming to the masculinity driven ideals of our Western society when I say that allowing women to fight on the front lines seems to put an official seal on women being (or at least getting closer) to be treated with equality. And maybe I am, but I choose to look at the situation like this—what is more of an icon for the Western World (or any world) than that of a soldier? In media and even advertising propaganda, the Soldier has been seen as the Everyman, the boy next door, the father, the uncle, etc. This reinforces the concept that one should treat these roles with respect because if their family member is not out fighting, then they are safe at home and that is a gift in itself. Now, think about what happens when we add women to this equation—mothers, daughters, aunts—and the same respect must be afforded in turn. Why should you respect a woman? Because she may be going out to fight for her country and for your life, that’s why. This can also help to erase the “Men and Women are Different” stereotype which pervades our society as a product of our media.

Now, to my worry. Identifying as female myself and seeing now that women are allowed to go out to the front lines  I find myself selfishly worried about the possibility of a draft. Yes, yes, mock me all you like and show me facts of how laws are in place which will help to prevent such things, but the truth of the matter is also that with the aforementioned respect come all the pros and cons associated with achieving it. Is this strange for me to have been previously thankful that a gendered, oppressive rule would have kept me safe in such situations as the draft for Vietnam simply because I am a woman? Does this show my desire for nonviolence or my inner China Doll balking at the concept? How does this development affect those of us who have no interest in fighting on the front but still desire the equality which should accompany such achievement? 

http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/23/military-to-open-combat-jobs-to-women/

The video game industry and sexism

Current issue:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeswomanfiles/2013/01/18/women-and-video-gamings-dirty-little-secrets/

When people imagine the video game industry, it is thought that sexism is relevant to the industry tightly. Women do not play games and the industry does not need women to work in games;and they are because of sexism. It is generally acknowledged as one of the views toward the industry. However, according to Gabrielle Toledano(2013), “there’s a big disconnected between perception and reality.” The issue she has is that the video game industry is being painted as more sexist than other male-dominated workforces. She says that the industry needs more women because they can develop products to meet the need for women. Moreover she states that women in the industry are necessary and equal, although sexism is a reality of our times and women have to strive to change the dynamic.

              I suppose that this issue is related to Marginalization, Powerlessness, or Cultural imperialism which is categories of oppression. The industry and the society created the stereotype about women which women do not work in gaming and also they are not needed. It has been thought that men are a dominant group and the society has a lack of respectability toward women in the video game industry. Therefore, it has not been easy for women to have an opportunity to participate actively in the industry. Now, however, it is changed and results in direction for change. It shows possible solution to the problem in cycle of socialization we learned in a class. People working in the industry realized significance of women. The most important thing is to understand reality and revise the wrong impression toward the industry. To solve the problem, institution and culture are needed to change, and at the same time, women as targeted social group also have to realize reality and strive to get opportunities to work in the industry.