Audio File:
1. This clip discusses the Hillary Clinton campaign and whether or not she is ready for presidency. The host and Pat Schroeder in the clip mention that Clinton said that this is the “highest and hardest glass ceiling” she'll be breaking through. The youtube clip that they played illustrates the sexism that Clinton faces in this election. The men in the clip say that Clinton will remind men of their wives when she speaks and that she would not be strong enough in the presidency because she cried. Schroeder explains that if Clinton speaks about the sexism she is facing she would be seen as a whiny women, but if a racism comment was made about Obama then people would speak out and it would still be okay. There is a a lot of sexism in the nation and with Clinton running for president, it is exemplified. Clinton represents all the women in every workforce that are trying to “break the highest and hardest glass ceiling.” In this election race sex has overcome the race issue by far. Many people do not see Clinton being a good president because of her sex; she is a women and emotional and therefore not equipped to handle the pressures of the White House.
2. This clip discusses the race and gender issue Clinton and Obama face in their race. Host and guest, Gloria Steinem discuss that the two issues separate the two milestones that Clinton and Obama are making. Having a black male and a white female running for the vote is huge for women and African American activists and instead of working together to make one of the elected, the media has turned them against each other. As Steinem states it is not a “either or” situation. As long as one of the two gets the nomination then American has crossed a line that has never been crossed before. The “White Male Only sign” on the White House would be taken down and opens doors for future blacks and women to join the race for presidency. This is a fact, the American people play Clinton and Obama against each other, when instead if they supported each other fairly, at least something would change in history, which is what both of them are doing. Race and gender should not be a war. It should not matter what race or what gender our president is, but since America was founded the stereotypical president has been a white male, making people believe that there is no room for anything else. This year will make history and hopefully that stereotypical mold will be broken and America can open its eyes to new possibilities.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Blog #14
Textbook: Chapter 10
1. Women were upset and would not take the inequality anymore, therefore the revival of feminism came about. Women were upset that they were doing so much work involving political campaigning and such but never getting to those leadership positions. The “glass ceiling” was in their way, while the men shot right through it. Women were making and pouring coffee while the men wrote speeches and articles and did the work credit would be given to. Women were tired of not being appreciated in the ways they should have been. Since Martin Luther King passed away in the late 1960s, nonviolent protests ceased and African Americans had to find another way to voice their needs. Black and other minority women needed to take a stand for themselves and began their own feminists groups as well.
2. The protest at the Miss American pageant shows us that many women were, well, pissed off. I think their anger got to them a little too much and they went over-board. It showed that women were really upset about the stereotypes that were placed on women. Feminists wanted to be equal to men, but certain things in society, such as Playboy and the pageant, made that impossible. But what really is impossible is to change every single womens' opinions. These women who participated in this protest only created more publicity for the Miss America pageant instead of putting a stop to it. Personally, I think the Miss America pageant is a little silly and degrading, but if it makes some people happy, then what is so wrong with that? The women participating in these protests should be working on their education and their people skills.
3. The war of the sexes will most likely never end. Women and men will be competing for centuries to come. As more and more women gain better education, more of them will be fighting men with the same education for positions in the work force. I think a large disadvantage for women is their ability to bear children. That is just a personal opinion and assumption, thought. Many young women entering the work force will eventually take time off to have and raise children and I think employers know this from the start. Losing an employee later on and having to replace her might be more difficult than hiring a male who will not have to do the same thing. So the war between sexes will never end because men and women are just to different to coexist without conflict.
Source Interpretation
Textbook document
4. Mary Tyler Moore was able to accomplish more substantial things in her life than did the women of “Sex and the City”. Moore's TV show gave more hope and promises to her future. Moore had male friends and not just “ 'gay boyfriends' “ as Orenstein puts it, making her seem like she may be a more well rounded female. I feel that Orenstein is trying to say that Moore does not need a man in her life, whereas the ladies on “Sex and the City” need to constantly have a male present in their lives that gives them pleasure. Moore's story was not all about sex and love, but more feminism in that it was more about her career and her life. Orenstein values education and her career, not men and sex, and that is what shapes her judgment.
5. I would expect Rebecca Walker is disagree with Orenstein. Orenstein puts down the women in “Sex and the City” for always wanting and needing sexual partners. Walker embraces their feelings toward sex. Walker is telling women to be sexually active so to grow and learn. Women need those sexual encounters to know more about themselves and their bodies. Walker is a huge advocate for premarital sex so that women know how to love their partners, but most of all, how to love themselves, which is what she feels is the new wave of feminism.
6.I think that “Sex and the City” paints a realistic picture of the lives of many women within the United States. It is not a perfect picture for every woman though. Many women are just like the ladies on the show who have careers and friends and a healthy sex life. But with the health risks that come with engaging in that much free sex, I think many women hold back. As Walker said, women are called sluts and whore for having a lot of sex, so I believe that keeps them from being as sexually active as the TV show characters as well. I do believe though that sexual liberty has gained enough ground for all young women to be sexually active, but that comes a high price that we women have to pay, where men do not.
1. Women were upset and would not take the inequality anymore, therefore the revival of feminism came about. Women were upset that they were doing so much work involving political campaigning and such but never getting to those leadership positions. The “glass ceiling” was in their way, while the men shot right through it. Women were making and pouring coffee while the men wrote speeches and articles and did the work credit would be given to. Women were tired of not being appreciated in the ways they should have been. Since Martin Luther King passed away in the late 1960s, nonviolent protests ceased and African Americans had to find another way to voice their needs. Black and other minority women needed to take a stand for themselves and began their own feminists groups as well.
2. The protest at the Miss American pageant shows us that many women were, well, pissed off. I think their anger got to them a little too much and they went over-board. It showed that women were really upset about the stereotypes that were placed on women. Feminists wanted to be equal to men, but certain things in society, such as Playboy and the pageant, made that impossible. But what really is impossible is to change every single womens' opinions. These women who participated in this protest only created more publicity for the Miss America pageant instead of putting a stop to it. Personally, I think the Miss America pageant is a little silly and degrading, but if it makes some people happy, then what is so wrong with that? The women participating in these protests should be working on their education and their people skills.
3. The war of the sexes will most likely never end. Women and men will be competing for centuries to come. As more and more women gain better education, more of them will be fighting men with the same education for positions in the work force. I think a large disadvantage for women is their ability to bear children. That is just a personal opinion and assumption, thought. Many young women entering the work force will eventually take time off to have and raise children and I think employers know this from the start. Losing an employee later on and having to replace her might be more difficult than hiring a male who will not have to do the same thing. So the war between sexes will never end because men and women are just to different to coexist without conflict.
Source Interpretation
Textbook document
4. Mary Tyler Moore was able to accomplish more substantial things in her life than did the women of “Sex and the City”. Moore's TV show gave more hope and promises to her future. Moore had male friends and not just “ 'gay boyfriends' “ as Orenstein puts it, making her seem like she may be a more well rounded female. I feel that Orenstein is trying to say that Moore does not need a man in her life, whereas the ladies on “Sex and the City” need to constantly have a male present in their lives that gives them pleasure. Moore's story was not all about sex and love, but more feminism in that it was more about her career and her life. Orenstein values education and her career, not men and sex, and that is what shapes her judgment.
5. I would expect Rebecca Walker is disagree with Orenstein. Orenstein puts down the women in “Sex and the City” for always wanting and needing sexual partners. Walker embraces their feelings toward sex. Walker is telling women to be sexually active so to grow and learn. Women need those sexual encounters to know more about themselves and their bodies. Walker is a huge advocate for premarital sex so that women know how to love their partners, but most of all, how to love themselves, which is what she feels is the new wave of feminism.
6.I think that “Sex and the City” paints a realistic picture of the lives of many women within the United States. It is not a perfect picture for every woman though. Many women are just like the ladies on the show who have careers and friends and a healthy sex life. But with the health risks that come with engaging in that much free sex, I think many women hold back. As Walker said, women are called sluts and whore for having a lot of sex, so I believe that keeps them from being as sexually active as the TV show characters as well. I do believe though that sexual liberty has gained enough ground for all young women to be sexually active, but that comes a high price that we women have to pay, where men do not.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Blog #13
Textbook: Chapter 9
1. Once the Cold War began, changes in the American peoples lives also began. By this time it was not uncommon that many mothers, including women without children, to be working. Many of these hard working and respected women lost their jobs during the Cold War. These women returned to their domesticated lifestyles and raised their children at home. Many women in politically positions lost their jobs as well. During the Cold War the government was fearful of communists and accused many non-communists men and women in power of being so. Once they were accused they lost their careers and lost respect.
2. Historians believed that Betty Friedan over generalized her interpretation of the “feminine mystique”. In Betty's studies she shows only data and thoughts about the wealthy white women of America. She believed that women were put in their domestic roles by a generalized feeling toward women. What Betty Failed to do, as historian's believe, was mention the underclass women and colored women. Many women Betty did not mention worked very hard and still raised their children and same with colored women as well. All though not many, women did work successful jobs in politics and business.
3.Many of the activist women in the 1950s were working women. They wanted to fight for their rights and new labor laws that would protect them from losing their jobs and for safer conditions. Many of these working class females were African American as well as Latinos. Their race posed a problem to them. Since they were not white they were very often discriminated against or were paid lower wages than the whites. White women faced difficulties as well. In 1950 a requirement to work was an education, which up until recent centuries was almost illegal for women to have. So women that had little to no education were discriminated in the work force as well. Because of all this discrimination working women in the 1950s became activists.
4. The concept of a “bridge” leader helps underline the discrimination women endured during the civil rights movement. Women fought very hard for civil rights and as we know, even started their own women's clubs and groups to help the cause. But women still would not be able to climb higher in the ranks because of their gender. “Bridge” leaders were women who were very active in helping the civil rights movement along, but would never actually become a leader. They were the glue that kept it together, but their contributions were recognized as the mens'. If women were able to stand in a leadership role it was only temporary until a man was found to suit the spot. While women were lobbying for the civil rights of minorities, they as women were still kept down.
1. Once the Cold War began, changes in the American peoples lives also began. By this time it was not uncommon that many mothers, including women without children, to be working. Many of these hard working and respected women lost their jobs during the Cold War. These women returned to their domesticated lifestyles and raised their children at home. Many women in politically positions lost their jobs as well. During the Cold War the government was fearful of communists and accused many non-communists men and women in power of being so. Once they were accused they lost their careers and lost respect.
2. Historians believed that Betty Friedan over generalized her interpretation of the “feminine mystique”. In Betty's studies she shows only data and thoughts about the wealthy white women of America. She believed that women were put in their domestic roles by a generalized feeling toward women. What Betty Failed to do, as historian's believe, was mention the underclass women and colored women. Many women Betty did not mention worked very hard and still raised their children and same with colored women as well. All though not many, women did work successful jobs in politics and business.
3.Many of the activist women in the 1950s were working women. They wanted to fight for their rights and new labor laws that would protect them from losing their jobs and for safer conditions. Many of these working class females were African American as well as Latinos. Their race posed a problem to them. Since they were not white they were very often discriminated against or were paid lower wages than the whites. White women faced difficulties as well. In 1950 a requirement to work was an education, which up until recent centuries was almost illegal for women to have. So women that had little to no education were discriminated in the work force as well. Because of all this discrimination working women in the 1950s became activists.
4. The concept of a “bridge” leader helps underline the discrimination women endured during the civil rights movement. Women fought very hard for civil rights and as we know, even started their own women's clubs and groups to help the cause. But women still would not be able to climb higher in the ranks because of their gender. “Bridge” leaders were women who were very active in helping the civil rights movement along, but would never actually become a leader. They were the glue that kept it together, but their contributions were recognized as the mens'. If women were able to stand in a leadership role it was only temporary until a man was found to suit the spot. While women were lobbying for the civil rights of minorities, they as women were still kept down.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Textbook: Chapter 8
1. During World War II women took on new jobs to help with the labor force, but they were stereotyped even so. They took on these new roles in the workforce and proved themselves they were able to do work like men. Women began working in factories as welders and mechanics since the men that normally did these jobs were off in combat. Women were involved in military organizations and many were recruited to them. Women involved themselves in organizations such as the Women's Army Corps and Women's Airforce Service Pilots. Women, however, were not allowed to fight in actual combat, even though they were allowed to make the tools the men in combat were using. Women were stereotyped because, even though they were in the work place, most of their jobs were domestic. They worked as clerks and nurses, jobs that men were not often found in. Publicizing these jobs made women look less masculine in their war efforts.
2. Many things resulted in the wake of World War II. For instance, many young couples were marrying because no one knew if their loved one would be coming home or not. After the war, these couples began families and a rise in birth rates took place. A rise in deaths also took place for many men did not come home from the war. Since so many men were off fighting, women took their places in the work force and found themselves a new sense of independence. Many women continued working even after the war ended, continuing their independence. After the war women and their families began to expand and grow and women began a rein of new found independence.
Source Interpretation
1.Women's work opportunities were not limited because of their gender. Women were really needed during this time since so many men were away. They were needed so badly that the government enticed the women with propaganda. Women were able to make the same amount as men had been making, but women would need to work just as hard as the men did. That included around the clock shifts and graveyard shifts.
2. The intended audience is the men. Men in the factories and away at war were unsure about getting their jobs back when they returned. Women were not happy with the way they had to work and the conditions they had to work under. They hoped that the men would return soon and take their jobs back so that they could go back to housework. They admitted that the job was difficult and rather be at home.
3. Women were unhappy with their work. They thought their work was to difficult for them. They were happy to do the work, but were concerned with the conditions. They were tired from the graveyard shifts and found it difficult to sleep during the day in the hot city in their one bedroom apartment that they might share with three other girls. At the end of their shifts their bodies ached and their hands were sore from all the physical labor they were doing in order to receive the same wages as men
4. Women were able to keep their femininity in many ways, even though they worked men's jobs on the assembly lines. Women wore nail polish and probably make up to work as well. While at home they cooked meals and cleaned dishes. Women also kept up with conversation with each other. They most likely talked about the latest gossip and news.
5. Many women kept their jobs in the factories, but many women went in different paths. When the soldiers returned from the war, many of them married their girlfriends that had been holding down the labor fort. Those women returned to their domesticated lifestyles of children, cleaning and cooking in the home. They did not enjoy the work on the assembly lines and were happy to return to the home. But many women were not as luck as the ones whose loved ones come home. Many men did not return from the war and this devastated many women.
1. During World War II women took on new jobs to help with the labor force, but they were stereotyped even so. They took on these new roles in the workforce and proved themselves they were able to do work like men. Women began working in factories as welders and mechanics since the men that normally did these jobs were off in combat. Women were involved in military organizations and many were recruited to them. Women involved themselves in organizations such as the Women's Army Corps and Women's Airforce Service Pilots. Women, however, were not allowed to fight in actual combat, even though they were allowed to make the tools the men in combat were using. Women were stereotyped because, even though they were in the work place, most of their jobs were domestic. They worked as clerks and nurses, jobs that men were not often found in. Publicizing these jobs made women look less masculine in their war efforts.
2. Many things resulted in the wake of World War II. For instance, many young couples were marrying because no one knew if their loved one would be coming home or not. After the war, these couples began families and a rise in birth rates took place. A rise in deaths also took place for many men did not come home from the war. Since so many men were off fighting, women took their places in the work force and found themselves a new sense of independence. Many women continued working even after the war ended, continuing their independence. After the war women and their families began to expand and grow and women began a rein of new found independence.
Source Interpretation
1.Women's work opportunities were not limited because of their gender. Women were really needed during this time since so many men were away. They were needed so badly that the government enticed the women with propaganda. Women were able to make the same amount as men had been making, but women would need to work just as hard as the men did. That included around the clock shifts and graveyard shifts.
2. The intended audience is the men. Men in the factories and away at war were unsure about getting their jobs back when they returned. Women were not happy with the way they had to work and the conditions they had to work under. They hoped that the men would return soon and take their jobs back so that they could go back to housework. They admitted that the job was difficult and rather be at home.
3. Women were unhappy with their work. They thought their work was to difficult for them. They were happy to do the work, but were concerned with the conditions. They were tired from the graveyard shifts and found it difficult to sleep during the day in the hot city in their one bedroom apartment that they might share with three other girls. At the end of their shifts their bodies ached and their hands were sore from all the physical labor they were doing in order to receive the same wages as men
4. Women were able to keep their femininity in many ways, even though they worked men's jobs on the assembly lines. Women wore nail polish and probably make up to work as well. While at home they cooked meals and cleaned dishes. Women also kept up with conversation with each other. They most likely talked about the latest gossip and news.
5. Many women kept their jobs in the factories, but many women went in different paths. When the soldiers returned from the war, many of them married their girlfriends that had been holding down the labor fort. Those women returned to their domesticated lifestyles of children, cleaning and cooking in the home. They did not enjoy the work on the assembly lines and were happy to return to the home. But many women were not as luck as the ones whose loved ones come home. Many men did not return from the war and this devastated many women.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Blog # 11
Textbook: Chapter 8
1. It was appropriate to speak about a woman as a “New Woman” in the 1920s because of numerous reasons. The 1920s was a lot about the women's new found independence and political activity. The women of the 1920's were gaining political rights including voting and gaining congressional authority as well. The term “flapper” girl was coined once the women of the era began wearing shorter dresses and shorter haircuts and became independent of the men. She was a rebellious “New Women” strutting her stuff in the political and social world.
2. Women active in politics encountered difficulty because of their lack of authority. They were given limited duties and therefore argued amongst each other because of different views on how issues should be handled. Women were expected to handle the issues involving women. When fighting for higher positions in politics people become desperate for opportunities. Women in these positions fought for the influence, making it difficult for them accomplishing their agendas.
3. Women during the Great Depression went through difficult experiences such as we could all imagine. Job loss, famine, loss of property and wealth, and a lot of the time death were just a few of the things women and men alike experienced. The woman in the picture depicts the difficult times her and her peers went through. The inscription of the picture tells the reader she and her children lived off of frozen vegetables during the Great Depression. The picture also illustrates how the Great Depression affected children. Children, even though didn't hold many responsibilities, will forever be haunted by the Great Depression. People of all ages were struggling to survive during the Great Depression.
4. Men had worst times during the Great Depression than women did. This was because, even though women were entering the workforce, men were predominantly the money makers of the family. This caused difficulties within the household, especially the patriarchal households. Men felt that their manhood had been taken away since they were no longer working and providing for the family. Unemployment also strained marriages and lowered birth rates. The men felt inferior to their wives so many left their families, but divorce rates did not increase because of the expensive process. Men wandered the streets aimlessly while the women's place in the home stayed consistent.
1. It was appropriate to speak about a woman as a “New Woman” in the 1920s because of numerous reasons. The 1920s was a lot about the women's new found independence and political activity. The women of the 1920's were gaining political rights including voting and gaining congressional authority as well. The term “flapper” girl was coined once the women of the era began wearing shorter dresses and shorter haircuts and became independent of the men. She was a rebellious “New Women” strutting her stuff in the political and social world.
2. Women active in politics encountered difficulty because of their lack of authority. They were given limited duties and therefore argued amongst each other because of different views on how issues should be handled. Women were expected to handle the issues involving women. When fighting for higher positions in politics people become desperate for opportunities. Women in these positions fought for the influence, making it difficult for them accomplishing their agendas.
3. Women during the Great Depression went through difficult experiences such as we could all imagine. Job loss, famine, loss of property and wealth, and a lot of the time death were just a few of the things women and men alike experienced. The woman in the picture depicts the difficult times her and her peers went through. The inscription of the picture tells the reader she and her children lived off of frozen vegetables during the Great Depression. The picture also illustrates how the Great Depression affected children. Children, even though didn't hold many responsibilities, will forever be haunted by the Great Depression. People of all ages were struggling to survive during the Great Depression.
4. Men had worst times during the Great Depression than women did. This was because, even though women were entering the workforce, men were predominantly the money makers of the family. This caused difficulties within the household, especially the patriarchal households. Men felt that their manhood had been taken away since they were no longer working and providing for the family. Unemployment also strained marriages and lowered birth rates. The men felt inferior to their wives so many left their families, but divorce rates did not increase because of the expensive process. Men wandered the streets aimlessly while the women's place in the home stayed consistent.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Blog # 10
Textbook: Chapter 7
1. While the white women were fighting for reforms they set aside class in order to form better unions, but still did not accept African Americans. Many black women instead formed their own help groups and reformed for a change in their own communities. Jim Crow laws were in effect during this time period and these laws prohibited people of color from using certain public outlets, such as stores, hospitals, libraries, etc. To off set the discrimination of these laws the black communities started their own stores, hospitals, and libraries, in turn creating their own black communities where Jim Crow laws could not harm them. Black women opened and operated their own day care programs and schools for young children so that mothers could work. African Americans also began their own political groups where they could speak their mind without being discriminated.
2. The suffrage movement were primarily based on the equality of women's public and political life. This movement advocated for voting rights and equality. The feminist movement focused on a women's natural rights and privileges. It advocated for a womens rights in the home, sexual rights, and their independence. The feminist movement was based of the idea of feminism where a woman could be whomever she believed she wanted to be, regardless of a man. This idea was still very new and not all agreed with its principles. The suffrage movement was a universal goal and was received by the public.
Source Interpretation
Textbook document
3.The definitions given from the convention varied greatly. Many speakers, both men and women, spoke about feminism as being a right to do certain things. A right to have fun, to experiment, to think what she wants, and to be different. George Middletown said that feminism is a “spiritual attitude” and also called it an “educational idea”. He argued that “men and women are made up of the same soul stuff,” (461) a thought that was progressive of the eras before. Rose Young thought that feminism is a woman's need to develop her own self. Edwin Bjorkman put it nicely stating that feminism “meant that a 'woman should have the right to be a full-fledged personality and not merely a social unit.” (461)
4. What I gathered from the text is this: a women's place is now the workplace, not the home. Inez Milholland's essay says that to send a woman “back to the home” would mean to follow her to her place of work. Therefore, a women's economic independence is a base thought in feminist theory. Her economic independence makes her a feminist. In the article before many speakers stated that feminism was a women being independent. Working for her own money would cause her to be independent, therefore a feminist. Not to say that all working women are feminists, but in some sense one would believe there would be at least a hint of feminism in the female working class.
5. I believe that feminism is when a women depends on no one but herself. She thinks for herself, works for herself, believes in herself, and she does not need anyone, especially a man, to back her up on those. A women is a feminist when she fights for the rights and privileges of her own kind. My favorite definition that came from the feminism convention is Edwin Bjorkman's response, “a women should have the right to be a full-fledged personality and not merely a social unit.” (461) For the longest time women were perceived to be social homemakers, with no life outside the home or occasional book club meeting. Women were perceived to have certain capabilities and none other. If a woman had showed that she did, she was rejected by society. Women finally struck out of that mold when feminism was introduced, and it gained many rights for women then and in the future. Feminism is the action of breaking out of that mold.
1. While the white women were fighting for reforms they set aside class in order to form better unions, but still did not accept African Americans. Many black women instead formed their own help groups and reformed for a change in their own communities. Jim Crow laws were in effect during this time period and these laws prohibited people of color from using certain public outlets, such as stores, hospitals, libraries, etc. To off set the discrimination of these laws the black communities started their own stores, hospitals, and libraries, in turn creating their own black communities where Jim Crow laws could not harm them. Black women opened and operated their own day care programs and schools for young children so that mothers could work. African Americans also began their own political groups where they could speak their mind without being discriminated.
2. The suffrage movement were primarily based on the equality of women's public and political life. This movement advocated for voting rights and equality. The feminist movement focused on a women's natural rights and privileges. It advocated for a womens rights in the home, sexual rights, and their independence. The feminist movement was based of the idea of feminism where a woman could be whomever she believed she wanted to be, regardless of a man. This idea was still very new and not all agreed with its principles. The suffrage movement was a universal goal and was received by the public.
Source Interpretation
Textbook document
3.The definitions given from the convention varied greatly. Many speakers, both men and women, spoke about feminism as being a right to do certain things. A right to have fun, to experiment, to think what she wants, and to be different. George Middletown said that feminism is a “spiritual attitude” and also called it an “educational idea”. He argued that “men and women are made up of the same soul stuff,” (461) a thought that was progressive of the eras before. Rose Young thought that feminism is a woman's need to develop her own self. Edwin Bjorkman put it nicely stating that feminism “meant that a 'woman should have the right to be a full-fledged personality and not merely a social unit.” (461)
4. What I gathered from the text is this: a women's place is now the workplace, not the home. Inez Milholland's essay says that to send a woman “back to the home” would mean to follow her to her place of work. Therefore, a women's economic independence is a base thought in feminist theory. Her economic independence makes her a feminist. In the article before many speakers stated that feminism was a women being independent. Working for her own money would cause her to be independent, therefore a feminist. Not to say that all working women are feminists, but in some sense one would believe there would be at least a hint of feminism in the female working class.
5. I believe that feminism is when a women depends on no one but herself. She thinks for herself, works for herself, believes in herself, and she does not need anyone, especially a man, to back her up on those. A women is a feminist when she fights for the rights and privileges of her own kind. My favorite definition that came from the feminism convention is Edwin Bjorkman's response, “a women should have the right to be a full-fledged personality and not merely a social unit.” (461) For the longest time women were perceived to be social homemakers, with no life outside the home or occasional book club meeting. Women were perceived to have certain capabilities and none other. If a woman had showed that she did, she was rejected by society. Women finally struck out of that mold when feminism was introduced, and it gained many rights for women then and in the future. Feminism is the action of breaking out of that mold.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Blog # 9
Textbook: Chapter 6
1. The United States was regarding as new and rich world to those who did not live there. That is why immigrants migrated to the US. Women from all over Europe and Asia traveled to the US for better opportunities, higher wages, independence, and hopefully a chance at true love. Upon entering the Uniter States though, life was different than what the expected. Women worked in factories or as servants and still received low wages for their hard work, similar to men. Men as well traveled from all of the world to find better wages and opportunities only to be kept down under the hand of the whites. What men did not have to suffer from was the likelihood of being forced into prostitution were often forced into a life of prostitution just to make enough to survive. Men also usually came to the Uniter States to work temporarily and then return home. Wages were higher than in the countries they called home so they would make the trip to the US and work just for the money to take back home to their families. Men and women immigrants alike suffered from the low wages and difficult, harsh labor, but it was the women that suffered more from prostitution.
2. Women involved in these three movements all had one common goal but different reasons to join. They all wanted equality, but they joined the group that would help in the fight for what they most believed in. The industrial protest called for higher wages, better working conditions and a better equality in the factories. This protest included both men and women and was for the bettering of all factories nationwide. The populist movement consisted of farmers of the South that were in debt. This included white non-elite women and black women. Finally, the settlement house movement was the idea to help immigrants learn the values and culture of United States. This movement also helped immigrant women in their daily lives. All three were designed to better women and men in the whole nation and called for reforms of women's lives.
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Source Interpretation
Textbook document
3. Addams wrote about the two different spectrums which the saw: The rich and the poor. She viewed the rich as living in particular parts of town, such as the Hull House, because there were other rich people living there as well. She viewed the poor as lazy and that is why they were poor. The poor view the wealthy as the landlords and those who are charitable. They believe that the landlords unkindly ways are to just make money. The charitable wealthy people are looking down on the poor and handing out money because they feel sorry for they. Because the poor feel these ways towards the rich they are often disrespectful and cold toward them. In the act of trying to become more like the rich by wearing cheaper versions of the fancy clothes they wear, the poor lose their identities and their ethical standards. The rich are confused after they donate to the poor because the poor still view them rudely, and are not very thankful.
4. Addams realized that people were different from one another and always would be. The social structure made them different. As a settlement house volunteer she realized the ways of the social structure and that the poor was poor not because that they were lazy but because they had no choice. It was society's fault for why the rich were rich and the poor were poor. The wealthy had control of the money and they were the ones that employed the poor and kept their wages low. Addams understood better this system with help of their Hebrew religion
Monday, April 7, 2008
Blog # 8
Textbook: Chapter 5
1. The significance in women's wage labor was that women were starting to be allowed into labor unions. Many women such as Leonora Barry and Mary Kenney were even appointed by unions to form women branches. Women fought for eight hour work days so that they would be able to go home and take care of families. Hypocritically, men did not want women to work at all, yet factory owners and owners of other companies men worked for would not allow for their salaries to be enough to cover at home expenses. One man said that women workers were unnecessary and an economic disadvantage (290).Working men and women aided the economic growth after the Civil War, increasing the wealth of the the upper-class business and factory owners. In turn, this new wealth allowed for more leisures and expenses for the upper- and middle-class women.
Textbook: Chapter 6
2. As white American settlers moved into the West, Native Americans were pushed out. The book describes how awful the whites treated Native Americans, often murdering and masacaring whole tribes of women, children, infants and men. The Native American women had to experience the suppression of the white man first hand. The first thing you notice about the three girls in the pictures is that they are not smiling. But what do they have to smile about? They have been taken away from their parents and tribe and have been forced to learn the ways of the white Americans' values, morals, language, and education. The Native American girls have physically learned the new values and dress, but they are still attached to their old ways.
Source Interpretation
Textbook document
1. Bessie Van Vorst meets many different girls in the factory that are there for varias reasons. Some work for their own pleasure, some work because they need to support their families. Many women were working to try to gain independences in hopes of gaining more rights and freedoms. They worked for spending money because their parents were fine with their money and could support their family comfortably. Many women though were working to support their large families and unworkable parents. Three girls were working to support their mother and to pay for the thirteen dollar a month rent, groceries and coal to keep them warm. Women's responses varied because no woman's family history, economic status, and needs were the same.
2. Von Vorst concludes “ There will be no strikes among them so long as the question of wages is not equally vital to them all...” (315). This means that since all the women are working for different reasons they as a group do not want the same things. Some women work for the littlest pay just so they can have extra spending money. Then there are the women who work themselves to death for as much as pay as their employer will allow them. Collectively they are unwilling to fight for themselves because no two women in the factory want the same thing. This idea of Von Vorst's is definitely a major factor to why working women are passive.
1. The significance in women's wage labor was that women were starting to be allowed into labor unions. Many women such as Leonora Barry and Mary Kenney were even appointed by unions to form women branches. Women fought for eight hour work days so that they would be able to go home and take care of families. Hypocritically, men did not want women to work at all, yet factory owners and owners of other companies men worked for would not allow for their salaries to be enough to cover at home expenses. One man said that women workers were unnecessary and an economic disadvantage (290).Working men and women aided the economic growth after the Civil War, increasing the wealth of the the upper-class business and factory owners. In turn, this new wealth allowed for more leisures and expenses for the upper- and middle-class women.
Textbook: Chapter 6
2. As white American settlers moved into the West, Native Americans were pushed out. The book describes how awful the whites treated Native Americans, often murdering and masacaring whole tribes of women, children, infants and men. The Native American women had to experience the suppression of the white man first hand. The first thing you notice about the three girls in the pictures is that they are not smiling. But what do they have to smile about? They have been taken away from their parents and tribe and have been forced to learn the ways of the white Americans' values, morals, language, and education. The Native American girls have physically learned the new values and dress, but they are still attached to their old ways.
Source Interpretation
Textbook document
1. Bessie Van Vorst meets many different girls in the factory that are there for varias reasons. Some work for their own pleasure, some work because they need to support their families. Many women were working to try to gain independences in hopes of gaining more rights and freedoms. They worked for spending money because their parents were fine with their money and could support their family comfortably. Many women though were working to support their large families and unworkable parents. Three girls were working to support their mother and to pay for the thirteen dollar a month rent, groceries and coal to keep them warm. Women's responses varied because no woman's family history, economic status, and needs were the same.
2. Von Vorst concludes “ There will be no strikes among them so long as the question of wages is not equally vital to them all...” (315). This means that since all the women are working for different reasons they as a group do not want the same things. Some women work for the littlest pay just so they can have extra spending money. Then there are the women who work themselves to death for as much as pay as their employer will allow them. Collectively they are unwilling to fight for themselves because no two women in the factory want the same thing. This idea of Von Vorst's is definitely a major factor to why working women are passive.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Blog # 7
Textbook: Chapter 5
1. The women of the North wanted freedom for the black women and men of the South whereas white women in the South wanted to keep their slaves. This is what divided them most. Southern women were not seen the same way as Yankee women were. This made for lots of hostility between the two. Black women in the North were free while black women in the South, of course, were not. Just like the men, the women fought against themselves. Where the lived determined who they stood for during the war. Women were fighting against women during the Civil War because they were standing behind their men and doing what was right for each.
2. For blacks the “New South” was their beginning of a new life. They were now considered free, but where were they to go now? Many families stayed on the white plantations because they had no where else to go. When they didn't stay they had tough times ahead, establishing a residence and a family. Many men and women tried to search for family and loved ones that had been sold years earlier only to find out their children had no recollection of them and their loved ones had moved one. Blacks did have success in pursuing an education though. Northern white and black women teachers moved down to educated men and women alike. Colleges started to form as well. Since black men under the 14th and 15th Amendment were granted their rights to vote, they expressed these by electing blacks into local government positions. These angered white women who had been fighting for their right to vote for decades and saw it as an insult. Since their black slaves were freed white women now had to do most of their household work on their own. Especially the elite, women now were forced to either pay for black workers or learn to do it themselves. They had a hard to coping with their new work. Middle class women on the other hand were already use to doing everything for themselves and had little problems adjusting to the emancipation of blacks.
Source Interpretation
Textbook document
1. Thomas Moss and his two associates were lynched for their ability to make money. They angered the white store owner because now that they were not the white men's money makers, they were their own. The white store owner thought it was insulting that he had competition with a black man. What Wells discovered after that day the three entrepreneurs lost their lives was that white men lynched blacks because of their freedom and success and covered it up with rapes and assaults of white men. Because blacks were frequently becoming successful, therefor a threat, white men had to find reasons to limit them.
2. The lynching of blacks was due to the rapes of white women and children and assaults on white men. Wells determined that this was just a cover up reason to limit black people among the South. She found that many of the blacks that were lynched were becoming wealthier and more powerful than expected and white men wanted to “keep the ni—er down” (308). (I do not like using that degrading n word, sorry) She also thought that many of the rapes were not rapes at all, but that they were wanted relationships, not forced. Since women were not allowed to speak out against a white man they were unable to help save a black man from dieing. Wells thought that many white women and black men's relationships were romantic but to save the reputation of the women, white men were forced to lynch those responsible.
Wells states “ I also found that what the white men of the South practiced as all right for himself, he assumed to be unthinkable in white women.” (1308-9) What Wells means is that during the antebellum South white men found themselves in relationships with black women and either sold off their children as slaves or put them in the North to be freed. With that, men were able to have sexual relations with black women, but it was “unthinkable” for a white woman to have a sexual relationship with a black man. White men were not lynched for raping black women, but on the very assumption that a black man was raping a white women, he was lynched, no questions asked or trial set forth.
1. The women of the North wanted freedom for the black women and men of the South whereas white women in the South wanted to keep their slaves. This is what divided them most. Southern women were not seen the same way as Yankee women were. This made for lots of hostility between the two. Black women in the North were free while black women in the South, of course, were not. Just like the men, the women fought against themselves. Where the lived determined who they stood for during the war. Women were fighting against women during the Civil War because they were standing behind their men and doing what was right for each.
2. For blacks the “New South” was their beginning of a new life. They were now considered free, but where were they to go now? Many families stayed on the white plantations because they had no where else to go. When they didn't stay they had tough times ahead, establishing a residence and a family. Many men and women tried to search for family and loved ones that had been sold years earlier only to find out their children had no recollection of them and their loved ones had moved one. Blacks did have success in pursuing an education though. Northern white and black women teachers moved down to educated men and women alike. Colleges started to form as well. Since black men under the 14th and 15th Amendment were granted their rights to vote, they expressed these by electing blacks into local government positions. These angered white women who had been fighting for their right to vote for decades and saw it as an insult. Since their black slaves were freed white women now had to do most of their household work on their own. Especially the elite, women now were forced to either pay for black workers or learn to do it themselves. They had a hard to coping with their new work. Middle class women on the other hand were already use to doing everything for themselves and had little problems adjusting to the emancipation of blacks.
Source Interpretation
Textbook document
1. Thomas Moss and his two associates were lynched for their ability to make money. They angered the white store owner because now that they were not the white men's money makers, they were their own. The white store owner thought it was insulting that he had competition with a black man. What Wells discovered after that day the three entrepreneurs lost their lives was that white men lynched blacks because of their freedom and success and covered it up with rapes and assaults of white men. Because blacks were frequently becoming successful, therefor a threat, white men had to find reasons to limit them.
2. The lynching of blacks was due to the rapes of white women and children and assaults on white men. Wells determined that this was just a cover up reason to limit black people among the South. She found that many of the blacks that were lynched were becoming wealthier and more powerful than expected and white men wanted to “keep the ni—er down” (308). (I do not like using that degrading n word, sorry) She also thought that many of the rapes were not rapes at all, but that they were wanted relationships, not forced. Since women were not allowed to speak out against a white man they were unable to help save a black man from dieing. Wells thought that many white women and black men's relationships were romantic but to save the reputation of the women, white men were forced to lynch those responsible.
Wells states “ I also found that what the white men of the South practiced as all right for himself, he assumed to be unthinkable in white women.” (1308-9) What Wells means is that during the antebellum South white men found themselves in relationships with black women and either sold off their children as slaves or put them in the North to be freed. With that, men were able to have sexual relations with black women, but it was “unthinkable” for a white woman to have a sexual relationship with a black man. White men were not lynched for raping black women, but on the very assumption that a black man was raping a white women, he was lynched, no questions asked or trial set forth.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Blog # 6
Textbook: Chapter 4
1. During the expansion of the United States women of all ethnicities were burdened with new experiences. Most were not good. Native Americans feared the traveling white settlers for assignations among their fellow tribes were common. Women white and Indian were afraid of the opposite race during the nights. This is something that white women living on the east coast rarely had to fear. When native tribes were attacked many young women were seized to become slaves and prostitutes. Women in the traveling wagons experienced a life like never before. Diseases killed off many of the pack, they still had to perform all, if not more, of the domestic responsibilities and even gave child birth during the six month or longer journey. Once in California though, women set off to make a name for themselves. Many women even traveled alone to start a new life. Women ran boarding houses and food or laundry services, earning fairly good pay. Still, some women became prostitutes, but American women shared this occupation with French, Spanish, Native American and Chinese women as well. Chinese women were captured from China and sold in America as indentured servants and prostitutes. Few out lived their term and were able to marry. Because of the diseases that men carried, prostitute women were very unfertile and didn't live very long.
2. Since women were becoming more independent economically, they also became more independent religiously. Women started becoming more religiously involved which allowed them to speak their mind more freely. They spoke out about reform activities that would help benefit their communities presently and in the future. Many men drank themselves into oblivion so many women and children suffered. Women wanted reforms on alcohol laws preventing their husbands from abusing them. They also wanted more rights concerning their health, including contraception, voting, and laws allowing them more economic independence.
Source Interpretation
Textbook document “Maria Angustias De La Guerra Ord”
1. Maria was both curious and fearful of the strangers because she was unsure if they would be able to figure out her secret. She was curious about the way the solider will respond to her answers. She does not give the solider any answers on the whereabouts of the fugitive she is harboring and she was wondering whether or not he will be able to see if she is lieing or not. She is most fearful that she will be caught and punished. She is harboring a fugitive within feet of the solider and being caught could have been easy. She is able to conceal this fear and curiosity by simple asking a questions. If this man is caught he is sure to go to jail or worst and since she knows how awful that experience is because of her own two brothers then concealing her secret and emotions is no problem for her.
2. The absence of men is the strength that Maria draws on. Her husband is away from home so she was the authority of the dwelling. In the same way that white women became “deputy husband” when the men were not home, she becomes the main source of strength and authority. She draws strength from her husband being away. He is not there to say no, therefore she was no one to report her actions to. She draws courage from the fact that she is helping saving a mans life as well. Her two brothers are both in prison for no reason. She is upset about this and if being able to save one man's life from the suffering her brothers have to face then the chance of being caught is worth it.
1. During the expansion of the United States women of all ethnicities were burdened with new experiences. Most were not good. Native Americans feared the traveling white settlers for assignations among their fellow tribes were common. Women white and Indian were afraid of the opposite race during the nights. This is something that white women living on the east coast rarely had to fear. When native tribes were attacked many young women were seized to become slaves and prostitutes. Women in the traveling wagons experienced a life like never before. Diseases killed off many of the pack, they still had to perform all, if not more, of the domestic responsibilities and even gave child birth during the six month or longer journey. Once in California though, women set off to make a name for themselves. Many women even traveled alone to start a new life. Women ran boarding houses and food or laundry services, earning fairly good pay. Still, some women became prostitutes, but American women shared this occupation with French, Spanish, Native American and Chinese women as well. Chinese women were captured from China and sold in America as indentured servants and prostitutes. Few out lived their term and were able to marry. Because of the diseases that men carried, prostitute women were very unfertile and didn't live very long.
2. Since women were becoming more independent economically, they also became more independent religiously. Women started becoming more religiously involved which allowed them to speak their mind more freely. They spoke out about reform activities that would help benefit their communities presently and in the future. Many men drank themselves into oblivion so many women and children suffered. Women wanted reforms on alcohol laws preventing their husbands from abusing them. They also wanted more rights concerning their health, including contraception, voting, and laws allowing them more economic independence.
Source Interpretation
Textbook document “Maria Angustias De La Guerra Ord”
1. Maria was both curious and fearful of the strangers because she was unsure if they would be able to figure out her secret. She was curious about the way the solider will respond to her answers. She does not give the solider any answers on the whereabouts of the fugitive she is harboring and she was wondering whether or not he will be able to see if she is lieing or not. She is most fearful that she will be caught and punished. She is harboring a fugitive within feet of the solider and being caught could have been easy. She is able to conceal this fear and curiosity by simple asking a questions. If this man is caught he is sure to go to jail or worst and since she knows how awful that experience is because of her own two brothers then concealing her secret and emotions is no problem for her.
2. The absence of men is the strength that Maria draws on. Her husband is away from home so she was the authority of the dwelling. In the same way that white women became “deputy husband” when the men were not home, she becomes the main source of strength and authority. She draws strength from her husband being away. He is not there to say no, therefore she was no one to report her actions to. She draws courage from the fact that she is helping saving a mans life as well. Her two brothers are both in prison for no reason. She is upset about this and if being able to save one man's life from the suffering her brothers have to face then the chance of being caught is worth it.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Blog #5
Textbook: Chapter 3
1. White women and black women in the south led completely different lives. Elite women in the south prided themselves in their lack of responsibilities and excessive time for leisure. They were seen as dainty women who need not to participate in labor in or outside the home. Even child rearing was their slaves' responsibilities. Non-elite white women worked along side their families in the plantations due to the lack of funds for slaves and did not have leisure time as did the elite women. They also raised their own children. Black women as slaves were not even considered women. There was no divider between men and women's work in the field. Some black women did housework and raised the white women's children Black women were more likely to raise a white women's child than their own. They were often separated from black men and even if they did have children it was very likely that they would be separated in selling. White men often sexually abused their females slaves and if the women and child survived the child took on its mother's status. The opposite case very rarely occurred.
2.Often white families and their slaves developed a personal relationship. In the case of Phyllis Wheatley her poems showed excellence and because of her close ties to her masters, she was able to publish her work and was also freed. Since this often happened, slaves came to look up to and rely on their masters for protection and stability. Harriet Jacobs is a case where none of the above was granted to her. Her master abused her to a breaking point at a very young age. Since she was seen as “the other woman” to her master's wife Harriet was regarded with disdain. The wife was jealous and angry over her husband's affair, but since she was the wife to a plantation farmer she had no ability to do anything about it. Harriet Jacobs story was not unique. Her words depict a dark picture of a women slave's experiences is this era.
Textbook document
1 .Some assumptions about black people may be that they are not very smart or have feelings. Both these stories proved that assumption wrong. In the first story, William and Ellen were very smart and were able to trick the system. Ellen dressed as a white man, spoke and interacted with white men and still outsmarted the men, as a woman. They used their master's adultery as their way out. Because their master had an affair with a slave, Ellen's skin was very pale and was easily mistaken as a white person. They used this mishap to their advantage. The other story showed us how a tear in a bond can change one's attitude. The slave in the second story was devastated when he found out he had been sold because he had been seeing a slave woman on another plantation and had a child with her. These two stories depict slaves with emotions and intelligence which, contrary to popular belief at the time, slaves had neither.
2. Memory and placement plays a great role in any story told. Since the Craft's story is their own the accounts illustrated in the story will be much more authentic. They have much more memory of what they themselves did and said. Polly Shine on the other hand is retelling a story about another slave. These facts may be distorted due to several reasons. She may have or may not have witnessed first hand what happened with the slave in her story, contrary to the Craft's experiences. Shine's interview took place seven decades after the fact, while Crafts' was only one. The amount of time passed and the placement in a story will affect the credibility of a retold story.
1. White women and black women in the south led completely different lives. Elite women in the south prided themselves in their lack of responsibilities and excessive time for leisure. They were seen as dainty women who need not to participate in labor in or outside the home. Even child rearing was their slaves' responsibilities. Non-elite white women worked along side their families in the plantations due to the lack of funds for slaves and did not have leisure time as did the elite women. They also raised their own children. Black women as slaves were not even considered women. There was no divider between men and women's work in the field. Some black women did housework and raised the white women's children Black women were more likely to raise a white women's child than their own. They were often separated from black men and even if they did have children it was very likely that they would be separated in selling. White men often sexually abused their females slaves and if the women and child survived the child took on its mother's status. The opposite case very rarely occurred.
2.Often white families and their slaves developed a personal relationship. In the case of Phyllis Wheatley her poems showed excellence and because of her close ties to her masters, she was able to publish her work and was also freed. Since this often happened, slaves came to look up to and rely on their masters for protection and stability. Harriet Jacobs is a case where none of the above was granted to her. Her master abused her to a breaking point at a very young age. Since she was seen as “the other woman” to her master's wife Harriet was regarded with disdain. The wife was jealous and angry over her husband's affair, but since she was the wife to a plantation farmer she had no ability to do anything about it. Harriet Jacobs story was not unique. Her words depict a dark picture of a women slave's experiences is this era.
Textbook document
1 .Some assumptions about black people may be that they are not very smart or have feelings. Both these stories proved that assumption wrong. In the first story, William and Ellen were very smart and were able to trick the system. Ellen dressed as a white man, spoke and interacted with white men and still outsmarted the men, as a woman. They used their master's adultery as their way out. Because their master had an affair with a slave, Ellen's skin was very pale and was easily mistaken as a white person. They used this mishap to their advantage. The other story showed us how a tear in a bond can change one's attitude. The slave in the second story was devastated when he found out he had been sold because he had been seeing a slave woman on another plantation and had a child with her. These two stories depict slaves with emotions and intelligence which, contrary to popular belief at the time, slaves had neither.
2. Memory and placement plays a great role in any story told. Since the Craft's story is their own the accounts illustrated in the story will be much more authentic. They have much more memory of what they themselves did and said. Polly Shine on the other hand is retelling a story about another slave. These facts may be distorted due to several reasons. She may have or may not have witnessed first hand what happened with the slave in her story, contrary to the Craft's experiences. Shine's interview took place seven decades after the fact, while Crafts' was only one. The amount of time passed and the placement in a story will affect the credibility of a retold story.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Blog 4
Blog # 4
Textbook: Chapter 3
1. “True womanhood” was the ideology that men and women were complete opposites. Women were unable to run businesses, politics and physical labor, but were capable of running the family inside the home. Men on the hand, ran businesses, were political and tended to the physical hard labor. Women were the teachers of the home. “True womanhood” was a Protestant idea and therefore middle class women had a great hand in spreading this idea. Since more middle class women were able to work more at the home they were also able to preach the value of “true womanhood” to lower class women. The absence of the true woman values was what middle class thought made the poor poor ( 143).
2. The Lowell mill girls were a start of a progressive movement for women. Women working for wages was unthinkable at the time. The rise of factories that specialized in women's work made it almost destined for women. This also enabled women to provide for their families, unmarried women to provide for themselves, (just like Murray would have wanted), and for women all around to contribute to the economy. Working also gave women independence. Many young girls were able to move out and start their own lives apart from the conformity they had to face on the farms. Eventually women demanded high wages, leading to a greater opinion in the economy and an actual presence in the colonial system.
Source Interpretation
Textbook document
1. Sanger did not believe that women lacked morals, but had no other ways of support. He saw them with values and morals but those were not enough to keep them from the good money prostitution pays for. Sanger insisted that the high numbers of prostitution “reflected not the inherent lack of virtue” of the women but “rather the relentless financial pressure on poor urban women” (169). These women were succumbed to a lackluster life before entering prostitution with no love, no support and no money. They may have had virtue and morality, but reality got the best of them.
2. Sanger's thought about how women became prostitutes were that there was some force that drove them into prostitution, that women rarely did it for choice. Many women, 513 to be exact, choose to by inclination. That is only one fourth of the women surveyed, though. Most women led lives of harsh realities. Many were alcoholics and needed an outlet for their abuse problem, some were seduced and abandoned by men and couldn't support themselves. Families were also a cause of prostitution. One women's story tells of her father who accused her of being a whore while she was innocent and wouldn't give her proper treatment, and her mother was a raging alcoholic (173). She in turn fled her unloving home to find a better life. Women were not given proper wages that could possibly support them alone; they were abused and abandoned by the ones they were suppose to love and trust. Consequently, these women, trying to support themselves and their families, were publicly ridiculed and degraded. People of the day , mostly middle- and upper-class, could not possibly understand why a woman would choose a life of prostitution. And instead of trying to understand these women and help them, other women mocked and looked down upon these unfortunate souls. If wages were higher for women's work many of the women wouldn't have to prostitute themselves.
3. Sanger's conclusions mirrored the opposite values of his day. He shed light to prostitution and makes the women to be the victims and not the perpetrators. People of his day were unaware of the hardships that prostitutes were succumbed to before hand. Many saw these women as valueless and had a lack of spiritual awareness. Middle- and upper-class women saw them as lacking the “true womanhood” values. In actuality many did, but had no means of support. Sanger saw past the prostitute label and saw what was really the problem and tried to educate others on the problem. He saw not that it was a free willed choice, but a forced and involuntary one.
Textbook: Chapter 3
1. “True womanhood” was the ideology that men and women were complete opposites. Women were unable to run businesses, politics and physical labor, but were capable of running the family inside the home. Men on the hand, ran businesses, were political and tended to the physical hard labor. Women were the teachers of the home. “True womanhood” was a Protestant idea and therefore middle class women had a great hand in spreading this idea. Since more middle class women were able to work more at the home they were also able to preach the value of “true womanhood” to lower class women. The absence of the true woman values was what middle class thought made the poor poor ( 143).
2. The Lowell mill girls were a start of a progressive movement for women. Women working for wages was unthinkable at the time. The rise of factories that specialized in women's work made it almost destined for women. This also enabled women to provide for their families, unmarried women to provide for themselves, (just like Murray would have wanted), and for women all around to contribute to the economy. Working also gave women independence. Many young girls were able to move out and start their own lives apart from the conformity they had to face on the farms. Eventually women demanded high wages, leading to a greater opinion in the economy and an actual presence in the colonial system.
Source Interpretation
Textbook document
1. Sanger did not believe that women lacked morals, but had no other ways of support. He saw them with values and morals but those were not enough to keep them from the good money prostitution pays for. Sanger insisted that the high numbers of prostitution “reflected not the inherent lack of virtue” of the women but “rather the relentless financial pressure on poor urban women” (169). These women were succumbed to a lackluster life before entering prostitution with no love, no support and no money. They may have had virtue and morality, but reality got the best of them.
2. Sanger's thought about how women became prostitutes were that there was some force that drove them into prostitution, that women rarely did it for choice. Many women, 513 to be exact, choose to by inclination. That is only one fourth of the women surveyed, though. Most women led lives of harsh realities. Many were alcoholics and needed an outlet for their abuse problem, some were seduced and abandoned by men and couldn't support themselves. Families were also a cause of prostitution. One women's story tells of her father who accused her of being a whore while she was innocent and wouldn't give her proper treatment, and her mother was a raging alcoholic (173). She in turn fled her unloving home to find a better life. Women were not given proper wages that could possibly support them alone; they were abused and abandoned by the ones they were suppose to love and trust. Consequently, these women, trying to support themselves and their families, were publicly ridiculed and degraded. People of the day , mostly middle- and upper-class, could not possibly understand why a woman would choose a life of prostitution. And instead of trying to understand these women and help them, other women mocked and looked down upon these unfortunate souls. If wages were higher for women's work many of the women wouldn't have to prostitute themselves.
3. Sanger's conclusions mirrored the opposite values of his day. He shed light to prostitution and makes the women to be the victims and not the perpetrators. People of his day were unaware of the hardships that prostitutes were succumbed to before hand. Many saw these women as valueless and had a lack of spiritual awareness. Middle- and upper-class women saw them as lacking the “true womanhood” values. In actuality many did, but had no means of support. Sanger saw past the prostitute label and saw what was really the problem and tried to educate others on the problem. He saw not that it was a free willed choice, but a forced and involuntary one.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Blog 3
Blog # 3
1. During the revolutionary era women were expected to help and revolutionize themselves as well. They were to take care of fallen soldiers, cook and clean after them, but their roles were limited by their gender. Many women that followed the troops were considered prostitutes and they were always a burden. Even George Washington, a man that is still considered an influential person, saw them as “a clog upon every movement” (81). Women were allowed to be nurses, but their tasks were to clean and make sure the injured men were combed and clean faced. And still, the women that helped in the fields looking after their husbands were considered un-lady like. So, while women were able to help with the war their challenges were still limited to their gender roles.
2. Many women gain rights concerning their husbands’ properties. If a women’s husband died during battle they were given the right to the property. Many women also took care of all financial and business responsibilities while their husbands were away. After the war, even though they were still unable to vote, many women were able to find loop holes in the law and did vote until 1807 when legislature tighten, excluding women all together. New Jersey on the other hand, officially allowed women to vote before. They also gained the right divorce. During the war many women formed groups to support the troops. They began raising money that would help add to the troop’s compensations and supplies. Many even sewed their own shirts and socks and sent them straight to the soldiers. Many African American women gained their independence.
3. Women did many great and challenging things during the revolution that went unnoticed and often unappreciated. Women fought during the war, were nurses, cooks, and even traveled with the men for moral support. All their efforts were still suppressed and considered unhelpful and un-lady like. Nothing was good enough for the men during the revolutionary era. Rarely do we see women being praised for cross dressing so that they can fight for the good of their country. No, those women were considered whores. Occasionally editors favorably mentioned women’s efforts in magazines and newspapers.
4. The benefits of female education was basically to better the family. Females were taught subjects that would be useful to aide their husbands knowledge. Women were also taught so that they in turn could teach their sons in particular, patriotism and citizenship. The proper education of females includes basic mathematics, language, grammar, history, geography and philosophy. The curriculum for women though was altered to
their perceived gender roles. Women were educated to aide their husbands knowledge. Men were allowed other subjects such as advanced mathematics, natural philosophy, Latin, and Greek.
5. Rush and Murray both allow for expanding education for women. They both believe in bettering a women’s education for the sake of her family, but Murray also believes that her education should be for independence and economical purposes as well. They believed women should be refined in many subjects that could better her household, make it more efficient, and aide her husband in financial and business responsibilities of the home.
1. During the revolutionary era women were expected to help and revolutionize themselves as well. They were to take care of fallen soldiers, cook and clean after them, but their roles were limited by their gender. Many women that followed the troops were considered prostitutes and they were always a burden. Even George Washington, a man that is still considered an influential person, saw them as “a clog upon every movement” (81). Women were allowed to be nurses, but their tasks were to clean and make sure the injured men were combed and clean faced. And still, the women that helped in the fields looking after their husbands were considered un-lady like. So, while women were able to help with the war their challenges were still limited to their gender roles.
2. Many women gain rights concerning their husbands’ properties. If a women’s husband died during battle they were given the right to the property. Many women also took care of all financial and business responsibilities while their husbands were away. After the war, even though they were still unable to vote, many women were able to find loop holes in the law and did vote until 1807 when legislature tighten, excluding women all together. New Jersey on the other hand, officially allowed women to vote before. They also gained the right divorce. During the war many women formed groups to support the troops. They began raising money that would help add to the troop’s compensations and supplies. Many even sewed their own shirts and socks and sent them straight to the soldiers. Many African American women gained their independence.
3. Women did many great and challenging things during the revolution that went unnoticed and often unappreciated. Women fought during the war, were nurses, cooks, and even traveled with the men for moral support. All their efforts were still suppressed and considered unhelpful and un-lady like. Nothing was good enough for the men during the revolutionary era. Rarely do we see women being praised for cross dressing so that they can fight for the good of their country. No, those women were considered whores. Occasionally editors favorably mentioned women’s efforts in magazines and newspapers.
4. The benefits of female education was basically to better the family. Females were taught subjects that would be useful to aide their husbands knowledge. Women were also taught so that they in turn could teach their sons in particular, patriotism and citizenship. The proper education of females includes basic mathematics, language, grammar, history, geography and philosophy. The curriculum for women though was altered to
their perceived gender roles. Women were educated to aide their husbands knowledge. Men were allowed other subjects such as advanced mathematics, natural philosophy, Latin, and Greek.
5. Rush and Murray both allow for expanding education for women. They both believe in bettering a women’s education for the sake of her family, but Murray also believes that her education should be for independence and economical purposes as well. They believed women should be refined in many subjects that could better her household, make it more efficient, and aide her husband in financial and business responsibilities of the home.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Blog # 2
Blog # 2
Section A
1. Patriarchy is the reason why women have suffered throughout history. It is the opposite of matriarchy, which we rarely see. Matriarchy means that a woman is in charge of her household. Most societies around the world practice patriarchy, where the man has all the power, control, and say over the women. (From essortment.com)
2. This document is, simply, about the differences between men and women. It also shares with us that men and women are not equal and should never be equal because of their differences in manners, temper, and responsibilities.
3. Rousseau justifies the gender inequality with nature. He states, “This inequality is not a human institution—or, at least, it is the work not of prejudice but of reason. It is up to the sex that nature has changed with the bearing of children to be responsible for them to the other sex”. Rousseau points the finger at nature for making an unequal society between man and woman. Nature purposely made each gender, making specific parts for each so that later they can use those parts to just their labors and responsibilities.
4. Personally, I believe Rousseau’s arguments are perfectly valid. If this world was intended to be completely equal without inequality between men and women then the higher power that created us would have done so in a different way. But I also believe that a lot of prejudice comes from attitude. If one harbors the attitude of prejudice then that is what he/she will produce.
Section B
5. Yes, there are many. First and foremost Native American women all experienced a significant about of change physically, emotionally, and geographically. Their sexuality was exploited by European and Spaniard men. Their villages, friends, and families were often taken from them, or vice versa. They may have been taken back to Europe or Spain forcefully to be used as slaves. During the invasions of newcomers, though, Native American women at times did gain some independence. Many Native Americans married Englishmen to better their own villages. And some women married multiple husbands such as Mary Musgrove Matthews Bosonworth who married three white Georgians and was mixed blood. With her husbands, she worked for both sides, her original tribe and the White settlers for a better community (14).
6. Large numbers of women who came to America to seek opportunities not available in England found themselves signing a legal contract that bounded them as slaves. The Virginia Company used propaganda to attract women in their need for the opposite sex. Women were treated with disrespect and were often beaten and raped. If they became pregnant they were beaten more and fined. These practices were the starting point for what would later happen to African slaves in the late 1600’s. Planters found that African slaves were easy to acquire and use. Upper-class white women used slaves for household chores making their load easier and freeing up a lot of useful time. African women as well as men were forced to work in fields and tend to exhausting physical labor and the law deemed no difference between men and women. The beginning of indentured servitude for white females was no end for the slavery of Africans.
7. Besides regional differences, religious differences were the most significant and set the ways for laws and social conducts. The Puritan settlers consisted of families whereas the Chesapeake colonists were predominantly male. New Englanders “has high and rising rates of childbirth… and long marriages, both of which contrasted with the Chesapeake” (25). Puritans religious behaviors also shaped their legal foundations. They saw marriage not as a religious sacrament, but as a civil contract (25) and so were allowed to divorce and remarry. Other religions only permitted women to remarry upon the death of their spouse. Married women had few legal rights in the Chesapeake, Carolinas, and Massachusetts colonies and Massachusetts followed the principle of femme covert. Femme covert was the idea that “married women could not sue or be sued, hold public office, or vote; their husbands had legal control over their property, children, and even their bodies” (17). Most of the differences between European women colonist stem from their religious backgrounds, first and foremost.
Section A
1. Patriarchy is the reason why women have suffered throughout history. It is the opposite of matriarchy, which we rarely see. Matriarchy means that a woman is in charge of her household. Most societies around the world practice patriarchy, where the man has all the power, control, and say over the women. (From essortment.com)
2. This document is, simply, about the differences between men and women. It also shares with us that men and women are not equal and should never be equal because of their differences in manners, temper, and responsibilities.
3. Rousseau justifies the gender inequality with nature. He states, “This inequality is not a human institution—or, at least, it is the work not of prejudice but of reason. It is up to the sex that nature has changed with the bearing of children to be responsible for them to the other sex”. Rousseau points the finger at nature for making an unequal society between man and woman. Nature purposely made each gender, making specific parts for each so that later they can use those parts to just their labors and responsibilities.
4. Personally, I believe Rousseau’s arguments are perfectly valid. If this world was intended to be completely equal without inequality between men and women then the higher power that created us would have done so in a different way. But I also believe that a lot of prejudice comes from attitude. If one harbors the attitude of prejudice then that is what he/she will produce.
Section B
5. Yes, there are many. First and foremost Native American women all experienced a significant about of change physically, emotionally, and geographically. Their sexuality was exploited by European and Spaniard men. Their villages, friends, and families were often taken from them, or vice versa. They may have been taken back to Europe or Spain forcefully to be used as slaves. During the invasions of newcomers, though, Native American women at times did gain some independence. Many Native Americans married Englishmen to better their own villages. And some women married multiple husbands such as Mary Musgrove Matthews Bosonworth who married three white Georgians and was mixed blood. With her husbands, she worked for both sides, her original tribe and the White settlers for a better community (14).
6. Large numbers of women who came to America to seek opportunities not available in England found themselves signing a legal contract that bounded them as slaves. The Virginia Company used propaganda to attract women in their need for the opposite sex. Women were treated with disrespect and were often beaten and raped. If they became pregnant they were beaten more and fined. These practices were the starting point for what would later happen to African slaves in the late 1600’s. Planters found that African slaves were easy to acquire and use. Upper-class white women used slaves for household chores making their load easier and freeing up a lot of useful time. African women as well as men were forced to work in fields and tend to exhausting physical labor and the law deemed no difference between men and women. The beginning of indentured servitude for white females was no end for the slavery of Africans.
7. Besides regional differences, religious differences were the most significant and set the ways for laws and social conducts. The Puritan settlers consisted of families whereas the Chesapeake colonists were predominantly male. New Englanders “has high and rising rates of childbirth… and long marriages, both of which contrasted with the Chesapeake” (25). Puritans religious behaviors also shaped their legal foundations. They saw marriage not as a religious sacrament, but as a civil contract (25) and so were allowed to divorce and remarry. Other religions only permitted women to remarry upon the death of their spouse. Married women had few legal rights in the Chesapeake, Carolinas, and Massachusetts colonies and Massachusetts followed the principle of femme covert. Femme covert was the idea that “married women could not sue or be sued, hold public office, or vote; their husbands had legal control over their property, children, and even their bodies” (17). Most of the differences between European women colonist stem from their religious backgrounds, first and foremost.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Blog One
This first blog entry is all about me. Tyler Austin. Even though my name is Tyler, please do not assume I am male. I am a girl and I do love my name. I am a fun loving blonde who works as a teacher's aide in an amazing pre-school. I love working with the children, but do not want to pursue a career in child development. What I really want to do is work in PR and Marketing. I am currently in my second year at Glendale Community College and plan on finishing with my AA after then Fall 2008 semester. I want to transfer to CSU Northridge by the Spring of 2009. I started college three days before I actually graduated high school. Because I work at a pre-school I has forced to take six units of child development so I began those the summer of 2006. So I had no Summer break until the end of July. I did really well my first Summer at GCC and thought college would be a breeze, until I started my Fall semester. Working full time and going to school full time was really tough on me. But I managed to get through the past two years.
I would love to always work in groups and teams, but doing so is not as easy as it may seem sometimes. Some people are not as committed as you may be and that makes the work you have to do a lot harder. I always put forth my greatest effort when working in groups. I make time to meet with other team members and try to distribute the work evenly. But again, others see group projects as a chance to let other people do their work. What actually motivates me to do my best is my boyfriend. Silly as it may seem. He ends up with straight A's almost every semester and he makes it look easy. For me though, I have to work really hard and study a lot. So he motivates me to do the best I can to get the best grade possible. On the other hand though, I can be really unmotivated and lazy and procrastinate a lot.
To keep me on track and on schedule I use a day planner. Every assignment is written in, all my appointments, class times, babysitting dates, work schedules, birthdays etc. Usually I will also print out a monthly calendar and write in specific assignments, especially for online class, so not to confuse them with other deadlines. I normally set aside Sundays and Saturdays for school work that not does have to be turned in previously. I like to get my work done ahead of schedule.
I would love to always work in groups and teams, but doing so is not as easy as it may seem sometimes. Some people are not as committed as you may be and that makes the work you have to do a lot harder. I always put forth my greatest effort when working in groups. I make time to meet with other team members and try to distribute the work evenly. But again, others see group projects as a chance to let other people do their work. What actually motivates me to do my best is my boyfriend. Silly as it may seem. He ends up with straight A's almost every semester and he makes it look easy. For me though, I have to work really hard and study a lot. So he motivates me to do the best I can to get the best grade possible. On the other hand though, I can be really unmotivated and lazy and procrastinate a lot.
To keep me on track and on schedule I use a day planner. Every assignment is written in, all my appointments, class times, babysitting dates, work schedules, birthdays etc. Usually I will also print out a monthly calendar and write in specific assignments, especially for online class, so not to confuse them with other deadlines. I normally set aside Sundays and Saturdays for school work that not does have to be turned in previously. I like to get my work done ahead of schedule.
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