Gender Studies - November 2007

I had an interesting discussion about feminist theory today in my women's studies class. A lot of people complained that feminist theories are far too out of reach for most people. They are theoretically and academically dense. Is this a bad thing? Does this make feminism out of reach for too many men and women?

2007-11-16 07:13:21 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous

...insist on continuing to try to engage those who have proved what twits they are instead of doing something more interesting... like watching paint dry? And what will you all do when you manage to drive the last intelligent person away? I think there's only like 3 left here.

2007-11-16 06:55:26 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous

Reasons?

2007-11-16 06:37:49 · 11 answers · asked by mutterhals 3

I remember chuckling over some of the "old school" misogynistic scientists, who proclaimed that evolution might not have been as necessary in developing the brain of females, since it "obviously" didn't take any intelligence to survive and raise children - only to hunt and "use tools", which was supposedly the exclusive domain of men. Naturally, the idea that our female ancestors were a bunch of airheads, who survived only because they were incredibly cute, is roundly rejected these days.

But lately I seem to be hearing a similar idea - that men evolved to be brilliant, strong, and all-powerful....by themselves. I guess the folks saying this don't realize that you actually have to find a female ancestor willing to breed with those "all-powerful" men in order to be successful? Do they think that "survival of the fittest" means bachelors who were really good at hunting, but couldn't get a girlfriend? "Fittest" means, "best able to create offspring who will later breed".

2007-11-16 06:21:21 · 12 answers · asked by Junie 6

taken less seriously because women are mostly victims to these crimes? Are men less likely to speak out because they don't want to compromise their "manhood?" What can we do to change the difference in attitude?

2007-11-16 06:18:39 · 15 answers · asked by Lioness 6

And a contributor here who posts teriffic Q&As is a (OMG!) SAHM and home maker!

Do you think that people who are not the feminist stereotype are very shocking to many average people?

And is it a negative or positive effect for feminism in general?

2007-11-16 05:56:15 · 11 answers · asked by ♥ ~Sigy the Arctic Kitty~♥ 7

What kind have you had?

2007-11-16 05:22:00 · 12 answers · asked by ♥ ~Sigy the Arctic Kitty~♥ 7

And is it a good or bad thing?

2007-11-16 05:04:20 · 14 answers · asked by ♥ ~Sigy the Arctic Kitty~♥ 7

gender preference in your Dr? Working on your car?

for hair I prefer to have a woman most other services I don't care.

2007-11-16 04:59:06 · 20 answers · asked by Red Phantom 5

For instance: I enjoy cooking and baking.

2007-11-16 04:28:38 · 23 answers · asked by Red Phantom 5

Firstly, it takes hard work and the right decisions to succeed, two qualities that are of value. Would you hire someone for a job without looking at their resume and past accomplishments? Secondly, why should a woman have to be limited in her activities (trips, dinner etc.) because the guy can't come up with his half of the bill?

Why is it such a virtue to say money doesn't matter, when it represents more than just a piece of paper?

2007-11-16 04:18:55 · 23 answers · asked by Lioness 6

ok, i've pretty much faced the fact that i'm just not hot and not even cute like other boys my age(i'm 19). how do i make women think of me as sexy or AT LEAST cute and flattering to get attention from like other guys my age. i'm so tired of women seeing most guys my age as much sexier than me and only wanting their attention. the fact that they can make grown up, educated, pretty women crave attention from them makes me feel so pathetic.

i need some real answers. usually, i just get the "be confident and be yourself" stuff, but the fact is, that doesn't help anyone. there are plenty of confident guys out there whom women NEVER look at sexually and would prefer attention from a cute guy any day. please, i need someone to help me for real.

2007-11-15 17:28:21 · 19 answers · asked by ? 2

2007-11-15 16:46:43 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-11-15 16:26:41 · 12 answers · asked by Kinz 4

http://www.nycagainstrape.org/action_mrp.html

The NYC Alliance Agst Sexual Violence has a media response project to combat rape victims being treated like criminals.

In particular, look at the link on the right - the Cosmo article about 'gray rape'.

excerpt:
Alicia's "gray area" experience is something that is becoming so common, it has earned its own moniker: gray rape. It refers to sex that falls somewhere between consent and denial and is even more confusing that date rape because often both parties are unsure of who wanted what.

The author is not an expert in this field.

Isn't consent a black & white issue, either you do or you dont? Doesn't this diminish rape and all the problems with getting people (men and women alike) to report it? Can't there be clearer ways of giving consent so we don't have such wishy-washy ideas of what constitutes consent?

I know that the media now use 'accuser' instead of 'victim'.

Any other concerns about rape in the media?

2007-11-15 14:14:09 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous

And engage in other types of play typically thought of as "girl games/toys"?

This is in response to the post about the boy who was forced to live as a girl and ended up commiting suicide. Admittedly, a very sad story. I noticed myself, and others, who posted something ot the extent of "children should be able to play with whatever toys/games are naturally of interest to them" got quite a few thumbs down. I'm curious to know why that is.

Should we try to ensure that out children are only exposed to "gender approriate" play? Dolls and toy ovens for girls, dump trucks and G.I. Joes for boys? Would it be wrong or detrimental to give a girl a "boy toy", or a boy a "girl toy"?

2007-11-15 13:42:12 · 28 answers · asked by Priscilla B 5

I do.

Plain and simple, now what's your opinion?

2007-11-15 12:53:09 · 33 answers · asked by Love.to.Laugh 3

if you have a daughter, will your views change? will you want her to be able to have a career AND a family? should she get an equal wage for equal work? will you belittle her if she's raped? if you have a son, will you expect him to be dominant? would you care if he became a stay at home dad? should he be the sole-breadwinner?

2007-11-15 12:51:34 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous

bathing suit or otherwise fail to cover her breasts with less than a full opaque covering of any portion thereof below the upper portion of the nipple"?
Since this law does not apply to six year old boys, it is patently unfair to girls!

2007-11-15 12:43:54 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous

Why do so many women say "I am not a feminist" when they actually believe in equality for genders? Does modern feminism encourage a sisterhood between women, or do some feminists confuse women, and make feminism unappealing? Do you think that there is an element of misandry in modern feminism?

2007-11-15 11:42:43 · 16 answers · asked by >_< 2

Why is this more acceptable than a woman having a fantasy about being with two or more guys?

2007-11-15 11:18:47 · 19 answers · asked by It's Ms. Fusion if you're Nasty! 7

Or is Christopher Hitchens completely out of touch? See article and respond:

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/01/hitchens200701

I was personally offended by this article, because Hitchens assumes the "male" brand of humor is the only sort of humor that is relevant. He insists that women cannot be funny because they don't like poop jokes (which, indeed, some women do!). He also claims that our culture does not value female humor, and men don't particularly appreciate in a mate. interesting, because, in my experience, funny men appreciate funny women, unfunny men don't.

What do you think? ARE men funnier than women? Why is this idea prevalant? Is the article sexist?

2007-11-15 09:39:45 · 16 answers · asked by Kinz 4

Is it to make up for being shorter than men? To try and gain stature?

2007-11-15 09:35:36 · 83 answers · asked by Anonymous

well..maybe evolution is more accurate :)

But I think that they are very interesting and that they are already influencing things for the good in the US and are doing more and more. I'm sure that they will be a serious part of the business world and affect the economy. And not just in the US.

And like my question suggests..they are doing it quietly. I don't think that many people are even aware of them as a trend. I picked up on them just recently myself.

I don't really want to call it a feminist thing even though a Chicana entrepreneur is feminist and rad where it counts in real life. I think that the change is more wide.

What do you think?

2007-11-15 09:00:06 · 5 answers · asked by ♥ ~Sigy the Arctic Kitty~♥ 7

2007-11-15 08:56:58 · 17 answers · asked by Díscolo 6

Do you avoid buying gender stereotypical toys for kids? I was at Costco the other day and saw a pink kitchen set for kids, I wondered if a feminist would have bought something like that for a girl? Would you buy something like that for a little boy to break the stereotypes?

2007-11-15 08:37:36 · 27 answers · asked by Lioness 6

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071115/BREAKINGNEWS/71115005

if a 4 year old can protect a woman better than a woman can protect herself...what does that say about feminists?

2007-11-15 08:24:13 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous

The one that promoted women power and the passing of the 19th amendment (granting the vote to women). Gosh, I feel old.

2007-11-15 08:23:19 · 9 answers · asked by Fletcher t 2

I thought sensitive meant, not being able to take a joke, or that is always serious.

2007-11-15 07:53:21 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous

Have an extremely unattractive size 2 woman or beautifal size 14. I do realize that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and comes in all shapes and forms, but just based on looks not personality.

2007-11-15 07:25:11 · 22 answers · asked by jo 6