Hall of Fame

Anyone that knows me knows that I am very passionate about changing gender stereotypes.  I have even joked with my family that if I have a daughter one of her first sentences will be “stop trying to make me conform to gender stereotypes.”  So when I read an amazing blog post about a teacher in Wisconsin that is addressing gender stereotypes in her classroom, I knew that I had to share it. 

Fighting Gender Stereotypes

In this post, the writer initially becomes aware of gender stereotypes – and how extreme they can be – when she is having a daughter.  I loved when she said “I refused to make my baby daughter fit in the box that society had created for her.”  That is exactly how I feel. 

But she even took this a step further.  Instead of just raising children that are aware of – and do not need to conform to – gender stereotypes, she began addressing the issue in her classroom.  The lessons that she did with her 1^st grade students are simple and do not take much time.  They do, however, begin to challenging the ideas that her students have about gender.  Some may feel that 1^st grade is too young to start talking about gender stereotypes and gender nonconformity, but I would argue that it is the perfect age.  As is evident in this post, and by watching any kids playing, they already have very specific ideas about what is acceptable for boys and for girls.  These ideas, however, have not been solidified in their minds and these lessons will help them be more aware and think about the truth and validity behind the messages they receive. 

I can only imagine and dream for a world in which all of our children are taught these lessons at an early age.  I honestly feel that these would lead to gender equality and minimize the impact of so many gender-based issues.

Hall of Shame - PA Liquor Board

The Pennsylvania Liquor Board has received a lot of criticism for one of their recent advertisement.

The intention of the ad was to raise awareness of the link between alcohol and sexual assault.  Except what they actually did was place blame on the victims and their friends for the assaults that happen.  While victim-blaming happens all the time in our society, this ad and the message it sends is unacceptable.  Erin Gloria Ryan, a blogger from Jezebel, wrote "rape is not just a bad thing that happens to someone after drinking too much.  It is a deliberate act on the part of the rapist, a violation of another person committed solely because the rapist wanted to rape.  The sooner we acknowledge this, the sooner we'll be rid of stupid, finger wagging ads like these."

Maybe instead of spending time and money on victim-blaming ads like this, we should change the way our society responds to women that are victims of sexual assault after having been drinking.  So often a woman who has been drinking is not believed or is told that she probably just regrets the hook-up.  I know many women that I went to college with that were sexually assaulted when they were drunk and never reported it because they believed no one would believe them.  That is the real atrocity.

Hall of Shame - Women and HIV

While men still represent the majority of HIV and AIDS cases in the United States, women are accounting for an increasing share. 

·      In 1985, women represented 8% of AIDS diagnoses; by 2005 they accounted for 27%. 

·      Even more concerning is that HIV is the 5^th leading cause of death in women in the United States between the ages of 25-44.  It is likely that the majority of these women contracted HIV as an adolescent or young adult. 

Among certain female populations the statistics are even more concerning. 

·      Girls between the ages of 13-19, represented 43% of AIDS cases reported, while women ages 25+ represented 26% of AIDS cases. 

·      For African-American women ages 25-34, HIV is the leading cause of death.

·      In 2009, black/African American females made up 14% of the female population but accounted for an estimated 66% of diagnoses of HIV infection among females.

It is important to consider the ways that HIV/AIDS impact different populations and not rely on a one-size-fits-all prevention program.  Often for women, asking their partner to use protection is not an easy task because many relationships have a power imbalance.  If prevention programs only address the facts about HIV and encourage safe sex, then it will be useless for these women.  Prevention programs needed to be gender-specific and consider the ways in which gender roles and power impact relationships. 

Treatment for women living with HIV/AIDS also needs to be gender-specific because their demographics look different than those for men.

·      Nearly two-thirds (64%) had annual incomes below $10,000 compared to 41% of men

·      Research suggests that women with HIV face limited access to care and experience disparities in access, relative to men

·      Also many of these women have familial responsibilities that complicate the management of their illness, which results in poorer health.

All statistics are from: Kaiser Family Foundation

Hall of Shame - White Rihanna

In October, Rihanna was on the cover of Vogue UK.  On the cover, she wanted to pay tribute to Marilyn Monroe.  Notice anything about the cover?

Not only is she wearing a blonde wig, but they also used computers to lighten her skin.  In this comparison you can see that she looks awfully white...

    

Does Rihanna really look more like Marilyn Monroe because her skin is lighter?  That is a weak justification.  This photoshop job only reinforces the beauty norm for women of color that those with lighter skin are more beautiful.  

There is power in knowledge and we need to let the magazine publishers know our distaste for what they do to beautiful women.  The only true way for them to feel the pressure is to stop supporting them with our money.  I encourage everyone to take a look at what they purchase and decide who deserves your money (and no one can decide that besides you).  For many years, I have subscribed to Cosmo and enjoyed reading it.  But as I began thinking more about it, there were objectionable articles, advertisements, and awful photoshopped pictures.  I have now decided to cancel my subscription.  While one person may not make a difference, a group can.  And a last thought for you, one of my favorite quotes, "Some things I cannot change, but till I try I'll never know" (Wicked).

Hall of Fame - Kiri Davis

In response to my last post, I wanted to highlight an individual that is bringing attention to society's beauty standards for African-American women.  Kiri Davis has made a short documentary entitled "A Girl Like Me."

This is a great film that discusses light v. dark skin, "good" vs. "bad" hair and the ways in which this impacts African-American women's self-image.  She also repeats the infamous doll test in which African-American children are asked to identify their preferred doll between a White and African-American doll.  About 72% of the children say they prefer the White doll.

I wanted to feature this film because the only way our society is ever going to change beauty norms for women is to have frank conversations about them and the ways that they impact our self-image.  It is also important to recognize that their is not one set of beauty standards for all women but that they do vary between different races.  The example of skin color is a great one.  The standard for White women is to be dark and tan, while the standard for African-American women is to be lighter.  Am I the only one that finds that interesting...  Can't we just be happy and love the way we look.

Hall of Shame

So this post is not about a specific thing or person but more about the pressure that society puts on girls to look a certain way.  I have recently been thinking about this a lot as a result of one of my groups.  The topic of this session was self-esteem and one girl openly shared about how hard it is being a little heavier.  This can be especially difficult for younger girls who get bullied and harassed because of the way that they look.  It is especially disheartening that this happens at school.  A place with the sole purpose of learning and becoming smarter.  But all some girls can think about is their weight and how to avoid being made fun of, and not what they should be learning.  For those girls, of any age, that are outside the beauty norms it can feel like you are never pretty enough, or skinny enough, or sexy enough.  Even in tonight's episode of Glee one character could not believe that a guy was attracted to her because she wasn't "the pretty girl."  


It still amazes me that after all the advances women in our society have made, they are still consistently judged on the way that they look.  How many of us have looked at another woman and thought "Why is she wearing that?" or "That outfit is not flattering."  I know I am guilty of this.  At the same time, when watching TV or looking in a magazine, women often compare themselves to the models and actresses.  When a lot of the time what we see is not even real.  If you have not seen this video it is amazing because it shows the way that a person is transformed from reality to what you see if an ad.

I wonder if we will ever live in a society in which all women are happy and satisfied with their bodies.  If a girl that doesn't fit within society's beauty norms, will be able to love herself and not be made fun of at school.  Or if things are going to continue to get worse as technology advances and we can make more digital alterations to pictures.  

Hall of Fame - England and Argentina

I have posted two Hall of Shame and figured it is time for a Hall of Fame post.  I wanted this post to be in response to my most recent Hall of Shame post about women in positions of power.  So first I want to recognize England has recently changed their succession laws to make women equal to men.  In the old law, which has been in place for 300 years, the first born son is the heir to the crown.  But now if this lovely couple has a daughter first, then she will take precedence over her brothers as heir to the thrown.  Prime Minister David Cameron has said "the idea that a younger son should become monarch instead of an elder daughter simply because he is a man - this way of thinking is at odds with the modern countries that we have become."  

The other country that I wanted to recognize is Argentina.  In 2007, they elected Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner as their 55th president.  She is the first female elected president of Argentina (and second female to serve as president).    Interestingly enough, when she first was elected in 2007, the relationship between Argentina and US deteriorated because the US claimed that she had illegal financial support for her campaign.  I'm sure the fact that she was a woman had nothing to do with their claims...


She was recently re-elected and her margin of victory is the largest since democratic elections have been held in 1983.  One of the main responses for her high approval rating is the fact that Argentina's economy has grown 9% last year.  This provides more evidence that women as national leaders can have an amazing impact on the country and its economy.  

Hall of Shame

Forbes has recently published an article of the world's 10 most powerful people (Full Article) and there is only 1 woman on the list.  Even though women make up 51% of the world's population, there is only 1 woman on the list.  The 1 women who did make the list is Angela Merkel who is the Chancellor of Germany.  Germany also has the most vibrant economy in the EU.  Coincidence...

This list is further evidence of the fact that women worldwide are not represented in positions of power.  This is especially true in the United States where women make up 51% of the population but are only 17% of Congress.  Some other countries that have had female leaders include: China, Haiti, India, and Iran.  We try to make ourselves seem like women are true equals, while we portray these countries as disrespectful towards women.  But they have taken a huge step by electing a female leader.  And it seems like it will be many years before this happens here.

Everyone is clamoring for change in our political system.  Maybe we should start by changing the people that are in positions of power.  Paying special attention to the fact that we seem to always vote for the same type of candidate - white, male, college educated, over the age of 35.  Let's try mixing things up and see what happens.  Maybe our economy will become as vibrant as Germany's.  Keep that in the back of your mind when you go to vote next week.

Hall of Shame - Amateur International Boxing Association

For the first time ever, women will be allowed to box in the 2012 Olympics, which is wonderful.  I wish I was writing a "Hall of Fame" post for this milestone.  But we can't celebrate because the Amateur International Boxing Association wants female boxers to wear skirts.  Really!?!  Wearing skirts to box...  

And the most ridiculous part is their reasoning.  They  are "asking female boxers to wear skirts because it will make the women easier to distinguish from the men."  Do we really need a skirt to distinguish men from women?  Isn't the sports bra and hair enough to tell that they are women.  Some advocates for the skirts wants female boxers to wear them because they are "elegant."  When I look at this picture, elegant is not the first word that comes to my mind.  

I see two strong and proud women.  Why can't we accept and celebrate their strength?  This is just sexism once again rearing its ugly head and forcing these women to conform to society's idea of femininity.  

For the full article: Female Boxers Forced to Wear Skirts

Miss Representation

Last night, I attended a screening of the documentary "Miss Representation," which (according to their website) "explores how the media's misrepresentation of women has led to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence."  The aspect of this movie that I found the most compelling was their discussion of the way in which the media portrays female politicians, focusing especially on Hilary Clinton ("the bitch" and "a nutcracker") and Sarah Palin ("masturbation material").  I was so moved by the documentary and found myself having goose bumps at several points throughout.  I have included a trailer for the documentary and encourage everyone to see it.    

This documentary served as the inspiration for creating this blog.  For awhile I have been passionate about working with girls and women to help themselves feel empowered and to understand the influence that media has.  One way that this passion is expressed in my life is through my job as a social worker running groups with middle school girls.  This blog is based on a media literacy activity that we do in our groups - Hall of Fame and Hall of Shame.  Media sources that portray women in an positive and empowered manner deserve to be in the Hall of Fame, while those that portray women in a negative and degrading way are in the Hall of Shame.