Weblog

Sunday, 02 December 2007

  • Whaaatttss Uupppppp!

    This semester was interesting. I have never had a blog before and wasn’t quite sure what it was. I feel a little bit more computer savvy although honestly it is not that hard to have a blog. Now confessional time, I really didn’t learn how to do some of the things I wanted to, like putting up pictures and videos. I think that would still be nice to figure out, but probably will need to ask someone, most likely my brother. When it comes to learning about feminism, I found the course to be a little more than I expected. I didn’t know feminism included so much about equal rights for different races and sexualities. I personally believe in many ideals that the feminist movement founded, but not all and therefore would probably be seen as a progressive traditionalist not feminist. One of the questions I posted and thought about through out the semester was, can one be a Christian and feminist at the same time. I honestly don’t think it is possible, at least if I understand feminism correctly. I don’t think feminists are rude, horrible people rather I disagree with some of their views such as abortion, homosexuality, and having so many government mandates in American’s lives. I think if these are critical to feminist beliefs than I don’t want to be a feminist. I still can respect other’s opinions and discuss their viewpoints because I understand that not everyone shares in my beliefs, and would not make them change however I don’t feel that they should make me change either. I have found this class to be good for making discussions and taking a stand on issues, therefore deciding for oneself what matters to him or her.

Sunday, 04 November 2007

  • You Haloo,

    I always find media and entertainment to be a fun subject. It's an interesting mix when you have freedom of speech and governmental influence combined with a rich economy and societal appetitie to be entertained. How much does or should the government influence the entertainment industry. I mean I understand how some shows could be seen as anti-feminist, but there are many shows that are anti something. It could be anti religion or christianity, anti - government, anti - war, or so many other things, however does that mean it shouldn't be allowed on television. Well according to the way I understand American politics of free speech and free press, I think the creators, writers, and producers of these shows should still be allowed on air even if they go against other's beliefs. I think the same is true for music and other forms of enterment. Not all countries have this problem, but they also don't have as much freedom, which is what makes America what it is. I myself don't think everything has to be an argument or controversy, rather that people can do or not do what they choose. I think if you don't like a certain show or style of music than you don't have to listen or watch it. I don't know, maybe I am too simplistic and think there are other  problems out there that should be focused on. Speaking of my opinion, while going through this semester one thought has come to mind, which I lay out for public debate. Can you be a Christian Feminist, keeping your "conservative" or "traditional" morals while also believing in women's rights? I am interested to see the responses, so please give me your thoughts.

Sunday, 28 October 2007

  • Hey all,

    Yes, I know that is not proper English but this is a blog, and my blog at that, so I figure I can do what I want. Now what would I want to do more than talk about Women's Roles In and Outside of the Home. Wow that sounds really familiar like a title of a chapter or something. Okay, enough fooling around this chapter I believe really speaks to my generation. Since women working outside the home is becoming more prevalent even if their pay is still less then men, and men aren't staying home any more, the problem coming to everyone's mind, is what to do with the kids and house? I myself was lucky, at least in my opinion because my mom stayed at home. However I know that many families don't have parents who stay together let alone have mom's who stay at home. I think the trend for most families today is the utilization of daycare. Now that can be a problem considering the expense of daycare and the quality. Although I'm not really sure what the alternative is other than family help or nannies which is not an option for all families. I believe that maybe one aspect not looked into is changing one's lifestyle. I think that many people spend outside their budgets and have extra expenditures that are really not needed because of lifestyle wanted not needed. I think if families could better spend their money, then whether it be a stay at home father or mother, or just part time daycare; a better, happier family system could be made. I hope this can be done because I want to be there like my mom was for me.

Sunday, 14 October 2007

  • I got from the blog that western views of family are more about materialism and self indulgence. I do agree that these things are prominent in America but believe part of that is because of our economy and also part of human nature. I do think many non Western countries share that view which can be irritating, but thankfully as shown by the Penguin Atlas that doesn't stop us from giving and helping those countries. I honestly think that most people have more commonalities than differences, that is why I like psychology better than sociology. Psychology focuses on peoples behaviors and how we all have problems, while sociology only sees the differences. In this same vein I believe that western or not, families have similarities. For instance, Riverbend had pictures in her house of family and memories with her sibling doing silly things. My house also has those things. The differences are really in what our country and society will allow individuals to do. I am not sure where she lived, but most likely a civilized area. The fact she went to highschool being a girl and even has a blog page says something. Her family probably had some money, more than most because most of the Iraqi population lives in rural areas without much. I think besides the societal differences, the main difficulties for non-Western families such as hers would be the violence surrounding them. Although one of her blogs said that there wasn't Sunni/ Shia conflict I do not believe this to be true considering, the conflicts were reported visually throughout the world. Unfortunately the area in the middle east has had conflict for hundreds of years and I doubt it will stop. Right now it is that lack of imminent violence that separates the U.S. from other countries, but the time will probably come when that isn't true.

Sunday, 07 October 2007

  • Hi online world,

    I felt really connected to this weeks chapter about women and their reproductive rights in healthcare. For me it was personal since I have struggled with a problem in that field for many years. There are about 90 million women in the world suffering from endometriosis and I am one of them. Although I still have pain, thankfully there are many ways of helping relieve the symptoms at least in countries with good healthcare and individuals who can afford it. I had never thought about how lucky I am to be living in the U.S. For a long time, I just felt bad for myself, but after reading the disadvantages to women in other, poorer countries I know how blessed I am. When reading the statistics in the Penguin Atlas about countries that don't have contraceptives, I realized how other countries might view them as just pregnancy prevention. There are many reproductive problems women have throughout the world that can benefit from birth control pills. A better name would be hormone therapy, but apparently many governments don't see it that way. I couldn't believe that only in 1999 Japan legalized birth control pills. I thought countries had become more advanced in medical treatments. I understand that in certain countries where government and religion are not separated how certain things like abortion and birth control are banned. Unfortunately government doesn't always see how certain medical advancements can help women and not always go against religion. I would hope that other countries governments can come to conclusions that helping women in pain and giving them better healthcare opportunities doesn't mean they love their god or gods any less.