Wednesday, April 25, 2012

The Portrayal of Women in The Media

Not a day goes by where I do not notice the way women are portrayed in the media... whether or not that's a good thing depends on the day. Some days I feel completely inspired by the women I see on TV, magazines, billboards, for they may exist as a strong female figure such as Oprah, Michelle Obama, Jennifer Lopez. However, this is not my most common emotion associated with women's portrayal in the media today. More often than not, upon viewing ads, magazines, commercials, I begin to think twice about the way I look or the way I dress. It is as if these women exist as unattainable goals for young girls, teens, and adults. It does nothing but create a desire within to become this sexy, perfect BEING. The portrayal of women is becoming less and less human and more of an idealized, eye candy, object for the public's enjoyment (and by public I mean men). 


This above picture is of the Victoria Secret Angels. Victoria Secret is well known for their bra and panties sales line. To refer to their most famous models as Angels speaks for itself. This suggests that their, so-to-speak, beauty has gotten them to an unearthly realm, as if they exist as divine objects of heaven. The fact that these women are, in a sense, praised for their beauty implies that this body image is one to work toward achieving if one desires similar praise or approval of the male gender. This leads to a magnitude of problems. First off, is there any places on the angel's bodies where a bit of fat or excess skin may be pinched? Women of all ages go to extreme measures to become this idealized female figure, including measures that put ones health at risk: Anorexia, bulimia, and depression mention a few. Secondly, women portrayed in such a way creates the notion that they are objects for pleasure which is degrading for the female gender. More often than not, the positions in which the models pose are sensual, tempting, and inviting. This objectification (practice of treating people as objects) of women leads to a separate division of issues relating to pornography, abuse, prostitution, etc. Lastly, upon receiving spring and summer additions of their swim suit catalogues, buyers have an unrealistic perception of how the clothing will appear on their body. It is a situation that sets itself up for failure. To think that the swim suit one purchases will make one appear sexy and angelic just as the models do leads to disappointment. Although this may be a successful marketing technique, it eats away at the self esteem of women across the country. 


Gender Inequality

Women's Rights-Bit of History
There is an immense amount of history regarding women's rights that has lead our country to where we are today in terms of gender equality. The word equality serves as our goal, since we have yet to reach gender equality in all aspects of our society. This is why there is importance in understanding the positions in which women are placed daily in institutions along with other prolonging issues: Domestic violence, rape, reproductive rights, etc. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 aimed to end discrimination based on religion, race, color, and national origin. It was the Civil Rights Act that sparked the women's right movement soon after. Through the years of many woman's hard work and determination, there was a lot of progress. Issues that were focused on included reproductive rights, sexual harassment, Title IX, the "glass ceiling," and many more.


Women in the Work Force
The "glass ceiling" was a phrase referring to the invisible barrier through which women can see higher positions in the work force but cannot reach or achieve it. There is no written law or guideline that institutions set out to follow such as, "No people of the minority (in this case women) being accepted into elite positions," for this would violate the equal employment opportunity laws. Thus, the inclusion of the word 'glass' implies that it exists without firm foundation or reason and that's why it cannot be an eye witnessed phenomenon. It exists as some undercover force in which the people of the majority of the institution remain in control. Take a moment to put yourself into the shoes of a woman in the work force... not able to gain acceptance in the most elite positions at your institution simply because you were born with the biological features that make you female? It is not difficult to imagine this experience to be degrading. Common emotions such as worthlessness or lack of importance were most likely present. As stated be Hillary Clinton, "Although we weren't able to shatter this highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, its got about 18 million cracks in it, and the light is shining through like never before."
Institutional sexism, as Newman defines it, is subordination of women that is part of everyday workings of economics, law, politics, and other social institutions. Since this form of sexism is so common (happening daily) it puts sexism on a larger scale. This draws clearer lines of inequality amongst the males and females in the work force today. Institutional sexism can often result in masculinized institutions. In a masculinized institution, stereotypical masculine characteristics are favored, such as being strong, aggressive, competitive, etc.
Overall, although our country has developed greatly throughout the years in hopes of gender equality, there is always room for improvement.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

My Experiences with Racism


Race is defined as a category of people labeled and treated as similar because of allegedly common biological traits, such as skin color, shape of eyes, texture of hair, etc. The definition of race does not touch upon the notion of equality. Why should it? For one's biological traits are not to determine power, status, or rights. They are simply surface features in which the eye observes. Pull away the accessory outer appearance and reveal the uniform anatomy of the human body. I wish the rest of the world could take a second to do just that. It is our failure to do so that has created such a hurtful and prolonging issue in America: Racism. As explained by Newman, "Opportunities for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness have always been disturbed along racial and ethnic lines."


I am Caucasian and thus, exist within the majority race of America. I have not experienced much racism first hand, however, have been exposed to the serious and painful issue through my education and life at home. Growing up living in Minneapolis allowed me to familiarize myself with diversity. As goes for any race, those who vary in appearance from your immediate family can seem different, strange, or intriguing. It is those families that don't allow children to interact with the foreign seeming people where the issues begin. For parents, I find it key for them to break the 'barrier' promptly in order to let the child know that there is nothing that makes the two different other than appearance. The quicker one is able to interact with other races, the better the notion of equality may be spread and thus, happiness amongst us all. My parents had me at a Minneapolis public school grades K-5 with the exception of 3rd grade. Tuttle Elementary was a very diverse and artistically involved school that I loved dearly. In the class pictures from the years I attended, it would be difficult for one to state with confidence that I was part of any majority... for the division of races and ethnicities was so diverse. I was best friends with four girls: Carolene (French), Katarina (Caucasian), Jupreece (Mixed), and Nhung (Vietnamese). My very first crush was a boy named Jacub (Lebanese). My integration with this diverse group of kids opened my eyes at a young age to the heterogeneity of our country. Because my predetermined middle school and high school was in the city of St. Anthony, my parents decided to transfer me to the St. Anthony elementary school, Wilshire Park, for 3rd grade in hopes of increasing the likely hood of acceptance into the sister middle school. Wilshire worked in opposition to all that I had just gained from my experience at Tuttle. My new three best friends were Rachel, Jenny, and Erin... all of Caucasian descent. Wilshire, I am realizing now, displayed trends of racial transparency which is the tendency for the race of a society's majority to be so obvious, normative, and unremarkable that it becomes nearly invisible (Newman, 2012). No body within the tight-knit group of families seemed to have a problem with the lack of diversity at the elementary school, it is as if they had forgotten other races exist. The importance of a child's integration with those who are not always appearing so similar (with the exception of blonde or brunette hair), is one thing I had the advantage of. I didn't last but a year at Wilshire... The immense diversity at Tuttle was worth grasping an additional couple years of before a longer education at a unified race school.


Another aspect of my life in which I have experienced situations of racial inequality or diversification is through my relationship with my step father. My step father, Rob, is mixed (half Caucasian, half African American). Hearing his hardships growing up as a child is nothing short of disturbing and embarrassing for our country. Rob experienced the brutality of colorism: skin color prejudice within an ethnoracial group, often between light skinned and dark skinned blacks (Newman, 2012). It stuck with me when he explained once, "I was never white enough to be accepted by the whites, but never black enough to be accepted by the blacks." It is heart-wrenching to know that it is our own preconceptions and history of slavery that caused and still causes this pain amongst individuals today.


Growing up in a race-diverse school, and building relationships with those who have experienced the difficulty of racism first hand has opened my heart and ears to those who may be suffering. As the issue seems to weaken, it undeniably still exists.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Poverty Line Lifestyle

Scenario: Family of four (both working parents, 7 year old and a 3 year old), youngest child needs day care, living at minimum subsistence level (poverty line).

Monthly Expenses:
Food/Groceries-$350
Household goods-Dry goods such as toilet paper, napkins, toothpaste, pull-ups or diapers for the 3 year old: Averaging about $100.
Housing-Assume family is renting a 2 bedroom duplex = $1,000.
Health/Medical Care-$400
Transportation-Since this family is functions at a minimum subsistence level, they would choose public transportation via bus or light rail: $245
Entertainment-$30 for random treats, toys, or movie night.
Clothing-The family would be utilizing thrift stores to keep this expense low: $100
Daycare-$800
*This list does not include means of communication (i.e. cell phone, phone booth, etc.)

Total monthly cost of expenses: $3,025
Annual subsistence budget: $3,025 x 12 = $36,300
Government official poverty line: $22,113 
 *Difference of $14,187


Taking a step into the life of someone who may be experiencing such a life style of living at the poverty line really puts things into perspective for me. While going through each category of expenses, I did not feel that I was being over generous with any of the given monthly amounts; However I managed to be $14,187 over the government official poverty line. It must be very difficult, to say the least, to live a life with two kids in such a way. Now that I need to take a look back at where the money was spent, there is no obvious place that I can subtract hundreds of dollars here or there. Considering that the food monthly expenses are fairly high, if I were in the position similar to this family, I would look into food shelves or cutting down on varieties of food and stick to the basics such as bread, butter, milk, cheese, etc. and work on being creative with the slim variety in the cupboards. For the household goods, the family could utilize natural diapers (cloth and clothespin) since Pampers or other diaper brands may become expensive. Entertainment would need to be taken out completely and the family must use parks and zoos as forms of entertainment. Clothing expenses can be lowered and spent only every couple months instead of monthly. In terms of transportation, one or both parents may choose to jog or walk to work rather than bus or light rail. These choices are unpleasant.

Being in a financial situation such as this would be uncomfortable for both the parents and the kids. One must live with such awareness and little to no freedom in their expenses. This must cause a lot of stress and hardship. I'm sure it is not simple for a parent to have to explain to their children why they can't have this treat or that toy or go to a movie they want to see. There is immediate discomfort carried along with those thoughts, both for the children and the parents. It makes me realize all the things in my life that I take for granted: Food, housing, and medical care to be of the biggest. I live at home, virtually for free. I do not pay a monthly living fee, nor am I asked to contribute financially. My mom does the grocery shopping for 7 people living in my house. The expense is not little, however, affordable for her income and budget. I eat when I'm hungry but also when I'm bored or "snacky." After traveling to a poverty stricken country, Nicaragua, and putting myself in scenarios of living at the poverty line, it makes me realize all the days gifts I receive which may be as simple as a sandwich. We order pizzas often, go to movies when we are bored, take vacations every spring, shop at the mall on weekends, get pops and candy out of vending machines... all these things are often overlooked as blessings. Makes me need to take a second to release myself of my bound up tied with a bow life, and take one humble step backwards to think of those families who may never experience my comfortable living condition.

The last thing that a parent in this situation would want is for these harsh living conditions to carry into their children's lives as move out as individuals in the world. Although this is of course not the desires of the parents, the life style in which the children grow up may effect their availability to resources about education (college) or potential career paths/opportunities. I often forget about how lucky I am to have computers and laptops available at my leisure. Some families don't have the opportunity to surf the web and research in hopes of aiding their children's future education. Though I do think that families living at the poverty line can very well avoid such an issue by being active in their community, reading newspapers, staying involved with elementary teachers at the 7 year old's school, etc. The children may be emotionally and of physically effected by living at minimal subsistence level. I bet it is not easy for kids to hear stories from friends about Disney land, or seeing new dolls and action figures. Maybe they must go through a night hungry and wishing they could have a hot meal but the parents budget that month had run out. Nonetheless, after putting myself in the position of living at the poverty line, I get the impression that it is tiresome, sad, and unpleasant for all family members experiencing the hardship.






Sunday, April 8, 2012

"Measuring" Academic Ability

The social structure of our education system is, as the book describes it, "a reality that determines life chances and choices." This plays out to be completely true in my experience as a student as well as lives of my closest friends and classmates.

Ever since my days in middle school at St. Anthony, I was becoming familiar with what it meant to, "Start preparing for the ACT." This sentence seemed to repeat in my mind but I never quite understood why it needed to be so, say, engraved in me... until I reached high school. It was in high school that that phrase suddenly turned into anxiety provoking- An immediate stressor.

High school in general is a critical time in an individual's life. For me, there seemed to be a sudden shift in priority. This time was no longer about expanding my group of friends, placing 1st or 2nd at my varsity gymnastics meets, shopping for prom dresses, searching for dates, but rather looking ahead to what I want to be for the rest of my life. My future. In the midst of discovering and becoming who you are, you are pulled from what comes naturally and forced to fit into a desired academic standard. The idea of homework, projects, papers that were assigned became merely impossible to accomplish because you knew teachers are grading harder than ever with a standard in mind. The task itself became scary. Almost as if you want to turn away and not try at all... anything to avoid the sight of a not passing grade on an assignment. Why was this so dreadful? The grades in high school are what make up your GPA whose partner in crime is the ACT and this dreadful duo determines your acceptance into colleges in which your career then crashes or fails! Every piece to the puzzle needed to be completed at your highest academic ability. But how is it that education systems across the country can sufficiently demonstrate each students academic ability? The point is-They can't.

Standardized tests are a quick and easy way of gaging where schools and students are at academically. However, the time restraint and strict environment in which one must perform this test is not in the slightest natural or calming and thus, not a great representation of one's academic ability. From my personal experience, the amount of anxiety and stress that this test caused me in the preparation stage was insane. After 3:00 AM the night before I was scheduled to take the exam, I had to take one of my mom's sleeping pills to literally knock me out and ensure at least four hours of sleep that night. Needless to say, the stress and anxiety dragged along with the standardized testing directly effected my test taking ability the next morning, for I was exhausted and by no means mentally at reset. Once I arrived in the unfamiliar classroom with unfamiliar faces, desks, clocks, papers, voices, there was never a point reached where I felt calm or at ease. The intensity of these teachers watching over you like hawks and working against the clock sets nearly everyone up for a worse performance on such an exam.


There are so many variables that are not taken into account when one is given a standardized exam. First of all, what type of intelligence is one measuring? When would street smarts or common sense come into play within the substance of the exam? Because I definitely think those characteristics are important aspects of an intelligent human being as well as features that colleges would find important upon accepting students into their academy. However, those aspects are not in the slightest accounted for. They are shadowed and looked over. Ones ability to maintain composure under stressful conditions seems to be the most accurate measurement of standardized tests.

Furthermore, it is obvious that the structure of education in the contemporary US has shaped me into the student that I am. The ways in which aspects of an individual's intelligence is evaluated could use some improvement to say the least. I hope that the future holds a better solution, one which is less stressful and demanding, in assessing the academic success of students upon acceptance into colleges. It is sad to think that because of the requirements and standards of these tests, some of the brightest individuals may be overlooked.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Deviance & Labeling Theory: Homosexuality

Deviance, as our book defines it, is the behavior, ideas, or attributes of an individual or group that some people in society find offensive. Right off the bat, without knowing much about the technical details of the term deviance or its background, a red flag appears when I read, "some people in society find offensive." That section of the definition indicates to me that there must be a separation in the beliefs or desires within the society causing the conflict. This is exactly true. In further research, other definitions of deviance describe it as actions or behaviors that violate social norms. After assuring this, it only seems right that these deviant acts or behaviors are those that exist outside of the guidelines society has made for social norms. It may not be those who are deviant are bad people, they just happen to stray or take the road less traveled. Sure, that's fine if people say, "Deviance is a failure to conform to culturally reinforced norms," but may I follow up with what's so wrong about that? Is it really worth creating a label or name for people who obtain such features? We, as a society, view that as deviant because it apparently comes off as offensive when people chose not to follow the predetermined pathway of behaviors or attributes. This, to me, is intriguing. It seems that this society tries to take a great deal of pride in what we claim to be correct or acceptable. It makes me wonder if society, and the designated norms that exist within society, is the core force behind what drives one to act deviant? Perhaps one feels the loss of individuality when constantly trying to fit into the cookie cutter shape society lays out for us all. Because-really... who gives society or the majority the right to declare one as normal? Normal is not a universalized term. Since what is considered normal is not consistent across countries, and within countries is constantly under construction being changed and altered... What's deviant one day may be next year's normal. Which is why the picture of this guy says it all, "The New Normal."


All these thoughts about names, defining, and titling of people is well described as the Labeling Theory. As defined in our textbook, the Labeling Theory states that deviance is the consequence of the application of rules and sanctions to an offender; a deviant is an individual to whom the identity "deviant" has been successfully applied. It's clear now that all my initial thoughts were making up the key aspect of the Labeling Theory. Now that is laid out in plain terms, I tried to think of more specific social situations in which this theory applies. The first situation I contemplated was homosexuality. Although I cannot speak from the direct perspective, however, ever since I was exposed to the term "homosexual" in middle school, I was soon exposed and observant to the stereotypes, harsh remarks, and intentional labeling that was incorporated with an individual's particular sexuality. Along with the labels as gay, faggot, homo, or whatever it may be... comes many negative connotations as well.

I find it unfair to categorize people based on who they are sexually attracted to.  Since a heterosexual individual is commonly viewed as one who exists within the norm of society, this places all who differ in sexual behavior in separate territory where they shall accept the label as deviant. By no means should this be a standard of whether one is deviant or not. Think of it this way-Lesbian or straight women do not represent two distinct populations of women, WE have created this classification/distinction. On a more positive note, I feel the US states where gay marriage is legal is an excellent way for our society to move in the direction of complete integration and acceptance of all those who have are involved sexually with a partner, no matter the gender.