Gohar Blog # 14
1. What were the main sources of feminism’s revival in the late 1960s and early 1970s?
The feminism movements experienced a revival and reinforcement during 1960s and 1970s. “Feminine Mystique” written by Betty Freidan marks the beginning of the second wave of feminism in the United States. The reinforcing events during the late 1960s and early 1970s were the civil right movements after assassinations of Martin Luther King and President Kennedy, anti-Vietnam War movements, and “Women’s Liberation” movement. Women who were involved in civil rights movements were gradually recognizing that many fundamental sources of inequality, such as gender role, were completely intact and needed immediate attention. Therefore soon many women rights organization turned their attention in social, political, and education issues involving gender roles and their effects in order to gain equality for women in all aspects of American life.
2. What insights does the protest at the Miss America pageant in 1968 give you about “women’s liberation?”
The 1968 Miss America pageant protest was organized by N.Y.R.W. (New York Radical Woman) organization, which was known because of its civil rights protests and anti-war protests. On one hand, the protest was a very successful step in “women’s liberation” movement because it drew the attention of the media on an unprecedented scale. The Miss America pageant was one of the most viewed programs on the television and protesting the pageant brought women’s liberation movement out of the shadows and presented it to the attention of the general public in a very effective way.
On the other hand protesting Miss America pageant presented conflicting views of the women’s civil right movement associations. The organizations were fighting to gain freedom for women and protesting some of the given rights by condemning the pageant and its activities. Such hypocritical moves by the women’s civil right organizations were sometimes more damaging than constructive to the general flow of the movement.
3. In your opinion, is the war of the sexes over (in the 21st century) or do women still have a long fight ahead of them? Why of why not?
Since the beginning of the feminism and women’s rights movements women have gained many valuable civil rights. The gained victories through the years have gained female gender a huge deal of respect and equality. Women are now (in the 21stcentury) more independent and have more control over their lives, but this does not mean that the war of sexes is over. Gaining various rights and liberties by women has made a huge impact on our society. As a result, our life style and social norms and values have been impacted as well therefore giving the battle of the sexes a new momentum. Women are now faced with various new and unexplored aspects of social and personal life. They feel the need to expand their liberties and rights to these new aspects, but the way to equality is in no way hassle-free and smooth. Therefore women’s rights organization needs to adapt to the life style and social changes in order to address all the concerns promptly and effectively.
4. What was Mary Tyler Moore able to do as a “liberated” woman in the 1970s, and how does Orenstein compare that to the “liberation” in Sex and the City? What values guide her judgment?
Orenstein views Mary Tyler Moore, as a liberated woman, who was able to leave her boyfriend, move to the big city, get a job, and make new friendships. All the gained liberations would help portray Mary as the independent woman of the 1970s according to the view of feminist movements. The liberated Mary would promise the viewers the notion of “living happily ever after” and “making it” in life. Orenstein accuses the HBO series; Sex and the City, to be portraying women heroines as cheap figurines who treat everything, from shoes to boyfriends, as accessories in their lives. She thinks that the series only tries to glamorize some aspects of women liberation and rights such as sexuality and materialism and this is not how liberated women supposed to be. Orenstein praises the liberated woman’s image and how she can be goal oriented and successful, but she does not think over emphasizing of a few liberties does justice in portraying the liberated woman.
5. Based on the excerpt you read from Rebecca Walker’s writings, would you expect Walker to agree with Orenstein?
I would expect Walker to agree with the views of Orenstein. Walker thinks that sex and bodily pleasures are undeniable parts of womanhood and women need to explore and experiment these acts in a safe environment in order to develop their sexual personality. Development of a woman’s sexuality is an important step in self growth and validation of self confidence that needs to be granted to each woman in order to have thinking, liberal, and self aware women in the society. Orenstein would agree that sexuality is an important aspect of womanhood and sexual liberty is one of the most crucial women’s rights therefore it has to be subject to responsible propaganda which is free of over exaggerations and misguidance.
6. How realistic do you think Sex and the City is? Has sexuality liberty gained enough ground for all young women to be a sexually active as the women in the program?
In my opinion Sex and the City is not a realistic image of today’s young women. There are many similar factors governing the lives of the new generation of women, such as gaining sexual experience and independence, but the possibility of having such characters in real life is slim to none. Even with the possibility of finding women, in our modern society, that govern their lives exactly like the characters of the Sex and the City, we will soon find out that they are a very small minority among all the women. We will be able to see that they also have other values in life which empowers them in their daily endeavors and makes them the women they are. These women will not have strict, two-dimensional, personalities, as portrayed in Sex and the City, who only think about sex and materialistic rewards. They will also cherish and value other women’s rights and liberties that helped them create their self identity and try to base their life decisions on their total womanhood rather than just an image of a flashy, liberal, and sexually irresponsible girl.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Gohar Blog #13
Gohar Blog # 13
1.What was the impact of the Cold War on American women?
The Cold War between the United Stated of America and the Soviet Union brought a sense of uncertainty and nervousness to political and social norms. Cold War like other war has strong affects on everybody’s life specially women. During World War II women did excellent job participating in all major aspects of the battles. They replaced men at home as the head of the family and the decision maker while men were in war. After war women were not appreciated for what they did during those very hard times. Many women lost their job to men returning from war, since the companies always preferred male workers over female workers. Men wanted women to return home to be housewives again like old days. Many women who could not tolerate this discrimination started to form their own organization demanding their rights. They already tested the outside work and they prove to be capable of executing their jobs to the full extent. Therefore it was time to fight for what they had accomplished by participating in women rights movements and organizations.
2.Why have historians needed to rethink and revise Betty Freidan’s interpretation of the “feminine mystique”?
In her book “feminine mystique”, Betty Freidan captured the post war role of
domestic expected from women and how many women were not satisfied to be completely confined by the role of just being a mother and a wife. She even criticized magazine which were trying to publicize this presumption of feminine role. Although her book was really successful, many critics pointed their finger at Freidan’s views accusing her of not representing other classes of women outside the prominent white women class. They argued that the value of working women has long been praised in other classes such as the African American and white middle class women. The critics also argue that she even failed to portray herself accurately, in her book, since she was also a working woman who never went back to be a victim of domestic role confinement. Over all, she mentioned points which hit home with many women hence the huge success of her book, but the historians needed to reexamine their views of her in order to represent all classes of post war working women.
3. Who were the activist women in the 1950s? What difficulties did they face, and why?
The activist women of 1950s were the ones who became heavily involved in the work force during the war. These groups of women were given jobs during the war which were mainly performed by men before the war. During the post war era and with the return of men to the work force, women found their jobs and their new civic role in great jeopardy. The employers were more willing to hire back the men than keep the women workers. As a consequence many unions were formed by working women such as the Women of the United Packinghouse Workers of America (UPWA), United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers (UE), National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), League of Women Voters (LWV) and etc. These unions were formed to fight for what women achieved as equal member of society during war and sought to improve and keep the liberties granted to women in many aspects of the feminine movement. The unions helped push for women rights and liberties, decrease racial and class discrimination against women of color and lower classes. The activities of these unions paved the road for many other women activist groups during 1960s and later eras therefore making them a major contributor of women movements.
4. Why is the concept of a “bridge leader” helpful in understanding women in the civil rights movement?
The term “Bridge Leaders” was given to women participating in civil rights movements. Women of civil rights movements were not given official leadership roles since such roles were often assumed by men and women were overlooked for such positions. Men were given the leadership positions and they mediated the group communications between members, media and the government officials. Although women were not given any leadership positions, they had major participation in all aspects of the movement. Women actively participated in demonstrations, sit-ins, marches, and boycotts. Ella Baker, a well educated woman with a great character, was a perfect example of a bridge leader. After moving to New York, she actively participated in many organizations such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and achieved to levels of leadership very quickly, but when offered positions she often denied them because she was aware of the atmosphere governing the courts and governmental agencies. Therefore she saw it more fit to have a male representative and work behind the curtain as a more effective asset.
1.What was the impact of the Cold War on American women?
The Cold War between the United Stated of America and the Soviet Union brought a sense of uncertainty and nervousness to political and social norms. Cold War like other war has strong affects on everybody’s life specially women. During World War II women did excellent job participating in all major aspects of the battles. They replaced men at home as the head of the family and the decision maker while men were in war. After war women were not appreciated for what they did during those very hard times. Many women lost their job to men returning from war, since the companies always preferred male workers over female workers. Men wanted women to return home to be housewives again like old days. Many women who could not tolerate this discrimination started to form their own organization demanding their rights. They already tested the outside work and they prove to be capable of executing their jobs to the full extent. Therefore it was time to fight for what they had accomplished by participating in women rights movements and organizations.
2.Why have historians needed to rethink and revise Betty Freidan’s interpretation of the “feminine mystique”?
In her book “feminine mystique”, Betty Freidan captured the post war role of
domestic expected from women and how many women were not satisfied to be completely confined by the role of just being a mother and a wife. She even criticized magazine which were trying to publicize this presumption of feminine role. Although her book was really successful, many critics pointed their finger at Freidan’s views accusing her of not representing other classes of women outside the prominent white women class. They argued that the value of working women has long been praised in other classes such as the African American and white middle class women. The critics also argue that she even failed to portray herself accurately, in her book, since she was also a working woman who never went back to be a victim of domestic role confinement. Over all, she mentioned points which hit home with many women hence the huge success of her book, but the historians needed to reexamine their views of her in order to represent all classes of post war working women.
3. Who were the activist women in the 1950s? What difficulties did they face, and why?
The activist women of 1950s were the ones who became heavily involved in the work force during the war. These groups of women were given jobs during the war which were mainly performed by men before the war. During the post war era and with the return of men to the work force, women found their jobs and their new civic role in great jeopardy. The employers were more willing to hire back the men than keep the women workers. As a consequence many unions were formed by working women such as the Women of the United Packinghouse Workers of America (UPWA), United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers (UE), National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), League of Women Voters (LWV) and etc. These unions were formed to fight for what women achieved as equal member of society during war and sought to improve and keep the liberties granted to women in many aspects of the feminine movement. The unions helped push for women rights and liberties, decrease racial and class discrimination against women of color and lower classes. The activities of these unions paved the road for many other women activist groups during 1960s and later eras therefore making them a major contributor of women movements.
4. Why is the concept of a “bridge leader” helpful in understanding women in the civil rights movement?
The term “Bridge Leaders” was given to women participating in civil rights movements. Women of civil rights movements were not given official leadership roles since such roles were often assumed by men and women were overlooked for such positions. Men were given the leadership positions and they mediated the group communications between members, media and the government officials. Although women were not given any leadership positions, they had major participation in all aspects of the movement. Women actively participated in demonstrations, sit-ins, marches, and boycotts. Ella Baker, a well educated woman with a great character, was a perfect example of a bridge leader. After moving to New York, she actively participated in many organizations such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and achieved to levels of leadership very quickly, but when offered positions she often denied them because she was aware of the atmosphere governing the courts and governmental agencies. Therefore she saw it more fit to have a male representative and work behind the curtain as a more effective asset.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Gohar Blog # 12
Gohar Blog # 12
1. To what extent did World War II challenge gender stereotypes for women? To what extent did it reinforce them?
The women’s gender stereotypes challenged throughout the war from start to the end. During the war most of the men left work and participated to the war. Because of that very high demand for workers appeared in the manufactories and all over the workplaces. Women with kind of new energy come to the work and they had shown the world that they could do the jobs even some times better than men and support their country. Women participated to the all kinds of easy and hard jobs such as welders, mechanics and even military. The Women’s Army Corps and Women’s Air force Service Pilots were recruited. They could not fight directly but they showed ability to stand for their country as well as men. Their gender stereotypes were reinforced in some ways included nurses, clerks, and telephone operators.
2. What were the most long-lasting results of WWII for women and their families?
The most long-lasting results of war were the ability to continue the life for people and work for manufactories because of women participation. WWII showed that women are valid contributors for the United State of America’s economy, industry and more important family life. During the war when many men were fighting for their country, many women fill their place and kept the economy in roll. Also large demand and participant of women were the new beginning for them to show their ability to manage any job and make the employers to think about new sources of employees.
Article
3. The article is about women’s work opportunities. According to the article there are not limited for their work during World War II. During war men were in the war and most manufactories work most be done by women. That was the best situation for women to show their ability and proofed how strong and smart they were.
4. This article does not have special audience. Everybody could be the audience of this article, but because of war situation I believed the main audience could be men. The men during the war wanted to know what happened for their job and workplace. The article showed women’s femininity just taken away temporary.
5. The work condition was not good enough for women. They did not enjoy working in kind of unsure and unclear situation. Because of war they must work very hard and they did not get the same pay as men did. Also they knew after the war most of them must quit the job and go back to home and do their routine duties.
6. In different ways, does the article suggest that the women retain their femininity during their outside work? They should do all home chores such as cooking, cleaning, shopping, and doing their personal needs. In general some of them did not enjoy working because they knew that period are temporary and they have to go back home as soon as war over.
7. According to the article when the war is over, some of the employed women will keep their job. Some of them will quit the job and get married. The most important experiences that the women got during the war, was the independency and freedom of working condition. They most of them will continue to work and try for better opportunities.
1. To what extent did World War II challenge gender stereotypes for women? To what extent did it reinforce them?
The women’s gender stereotypes challenged throughout the war from start to the end. During the war most of the men left work and participated to the war. Because of that very high demand for workers appeared in the manufactories and all over the workplaces. Women with kind of new energy come to the work and they had shown the world that they could do the jobs even some times better than men and support their country. Women participated to the all kinds of easy and hard jobs such as welders, mechanics and even military. The Women’s Army Corps and Women’s Air force Service Pilots were recruited. They could not fight directly but they showed ability to stand for their country as well as men. Their gender stereotypes were reinforced in some ways included nurses, clerks, and telephone operators.
2. What were the most long-lasting results of WWII for women and their families?
The most long-lasting results of war were the ability to continue the life for people and work for manufactories because of women participation. WWII showed that women are valid contributors for the United State of America’s economy, industry and more important family life. During the war when many men were fighting for their country, many women fill their place and kept the economy in roll. Also large demand and participant of women were the new beginning for them to show their ability to manage any job and make the employers to think about new sources of employees.
Article
3. The article is about women’s work opportunities. According to the article there are not limited for their work during World War II. During war men were in the war and most manufactories work most be done by women. That was the best situation for women to show their ability and proofed how strong and smart they were.
4. This article does not have special audience. Everybody could be the audience of this article, but because of war situation I believed the main audience could be men. The men during the war wanted to know what happened for their job and workplace. The article showed women’s femininity just taken away temporary.
5. The work condition was not good enough for women. They did not enjoy working in kind of unsure and unclear situation. Because of war they must work very hard and they did not get the same pay as men did. Also they knew after the war most of them must quit the job and go back to home and do their routine duties.
6. In different ways, does the article suggest that the women retain their femininity during their outside work? They should do all home chores such as cooking, cleaning, shopping, and doing their personal needs. In general some of them did not enjoy working because they knew that period are temporary and they have to go back home as soon as war over.
7. According to the article when the war is over, some of the employed women will keep their job. Some of them will quit the job and get married. The most important experiences that the women got during the war, was the independency and freedom of working condition. They most of them will continue to work and try for better opportunities.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Gohar Blog #11
Gohar Blog # 11
1. Is it appropriate to speak about a “New Woman” in the 1920s? If so, what was new?
The question is “Is it appropriate to speak about a New Woman in the 1920s?” Of course we should talk about New Woman in the 1920s. The years from 1920 to 1945 were the decades of changes. The women had great roles in influencing the society. Their lifestyles were totally different from before. They were more independent and more educated. They had big influences in family finance and economic matter. The most important was extension of women traditional responsibilities. The growing numbers of working women were impressing. An electrical kitchen appliance makes life more pleasure for women to work in kitchen and affected the economy as consumers.
2. Why did women active in politics encounter so much difficulty accomplishing their agenda in the 1920s?
Women political activists in 1920s were the result of suffrage campaign, all groups were prepared to count women’s votes. Women also pursued their agendas such as, supporting child and woman’s labor laws, health, reform, legal rights, and so on. Both Democrats and Republicans parties recognized women’s issues. The main risen the some of these issues became more difficult, because of different goals and ideas, but very soon they realized “No women are free until all women are free”. The more serious problem was the decade’s conservative political climate. After all, like what the book said at page 489”it id not suppressing that the reform agenda of women’s groups reformed at the nation’s capitol, and it is impressive that women activists accomplished as much as the did on the local and state level.”
3. How does the image on page 499 represent some of the experiences of women during the Great Depression?
The Great Depression in 1930 had the most emotional and material harmful affect on working- class and farm families, because they didn’t had more stuff to sale and buy food or clothes. The Depression was much harder for single mothers’ life. The image shows the wonder women with hungers children asking for food. She looks fifty years old but in real she is just thirty-two years old. She probably lost her job and she is unsure for future. Her face shows how hard she lived. Her dress shows she is kind of nice and organized lady, even the clothes are very old.
4. In what ways was the Great Depression a “heavily gendered experience” (page 498)?
During the Great Depression many women were employed, but the media was mainly focused on how men lost their jobs and are now unemployed. The media still believed that the women’s place in the society is still at home. As time passed magazines started posting articles on how to save money. The ads were now more directed towards women, the recipes started using cheaper ingredients.
The depression also affected the marriages, many men were unemployed and this resulted in divorces, women would not marry or if they did, they would not want to have children because of the hard times.
1. Is it appropriate to speak about a “New Woman” in the 1920s? If so, what was new?
The question is “Is it appropriate to speak about a New Woman in the 1920s?” Of course we should talk about New Woman in the 1920s. The years from 1920 to 1945 were the decades of changes. The women had great roles in influencing the society. Their lifestyles were totally different from before. They were more independent and more educated. They had big influences in family finance and economic matter. The most important was extension of women traditional responsibilities. The growing numbers of working women were impressing. An electrical kitchen appliance makes life more pleasure for women to work in kitchen and affected the economy as consumers.
2. Why did women active in politics encounter so much difficulty accomplishing their agenda in the 1920s?
Women political activists in 1920s were the result of suffrage campaign, all groups were prepared to count women’s votes. Women also pursued their agendas such as, supporting child and woman’s labor laws, health, reform, legal rights, and so on. Both Democrats and Republicans parties recognized women’s issues. The main risen the some of these issues became more difficult, because of different goals and ideas, but very soon they realized “No women are free until all women are free”. The more serious problem was the decade’s conservative political climate. After all, like what the book said at page 489”it id not suppressing that the reform agenda of women’s groups reformed at the nation’s capitol, and it is impressive that women activists accomplished as much as the did on the local and state level.”
3. How does the image on page 499 represent some of the experiences of women during the Great Depression?
The Great Depression in 1930 had the most emotional and material harmful affect on working- class and farm families, because they didn’t had more stuff to sale and buy food or clothes. The Depression was much harder for single mothers’ life. The image shows the wonder women with hungers children asking for food. She looks fifty years old but in real she is just thirty-two years old. She probably lost her job and she is unsure for future. Her face shows how hard she lived. Her dress shows she is kind of nice and organized lady, even the clothes are very old.
4. In what ways was the Great Depression a “heavily gendered experience” (page 498)?
During the Great Depression many women were employed, but the media was mainly focused on how men lost their jobs and are now unemployed. The media still believed that the women’s place in the society is still at home. As time passed magazines started posting articles on how to save money. The ads were now more directed towards women, the recipes started using cheaper ingredients.
The depression also affected the marriages, many men were unemployed and this resulted in divorces, women would not marry or if they did, they would not want to have children because of the hard times.
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