How is teacher A, a female, different than teacher B, a male in their gender roles? I observed teacher B a little closer last Tuesday to be able to describe how his teaching is different than A in regards to his male gender-ism. Teacher B's voice is not much deeper compared to teacher A but he sure dresses differently.
He is a man and is presence commands respect because he is firm and he loves his work. He stands tall and straight and his mouth is closed as he stares straight ahead. What?! I exclaim to myself, his silence brings everyone to silence themselves. When the class is disruptive or he wants to make a marked point he speaks firmly like a loving father would speak to his unruly child, in just that way. The class laughs when he laughs, and is serious when he is serious. I am not sure if that has to do with his gender but somehow I do.
Teacher A is smiles often to which we respond pleasantly. Sometimes she makes fun of herself and the class seems to relax more. When the class is disruptive or she wants to make a point, she speaks louder and to get every one's attention. Many students will laugh when she laughs and some students find it to be an opportunity to whisper to another student. She deserves as much respect as he does and shares the same degree of passion for teaching as teacher B; but she has to use more energy to receive it. She has to raise her voice more often without being demanding; she has to be more animated to get the eyes on her.
I think this has been the situation and atmosphere since I was in elementary school for teachers of different genders. I am referring to my experience in public schools which from what my parents informed me are different in private Catholic schools. I don't think it will change and that makes men and women different which makes life interesting.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Expectations working at 9 TO 5
My expectations of the organization 9 TO 5 were two fold: one involved the atmosphere of this grass roots movement at the Colorado headquarters and the second expectation involved my idealistic view of the world; seeing people more cooperative and compassionate of the needs of working women.
The image of walking into the downtown office at 9 TO 5 was a room that was as big as a Kmart store, full of cubicles where men and women are answering ringing phones. The energy was high and ongoing; the large white painted walls had bulletin boards scattered through out the room with brightly colored posters tacked to the cork boards shouting women's rights causes. I think my scenario's expectations came from the movie 9 TO 5, a comedy created in 1980 about 4 women who work for a large corporation and who seek revenge on their sexist, bigoted, condescending boss. A catalyst movie about sexual discrimination in the work place.
The second expectation I had before I walked into the first day of my Gender and Communication class room was organizations like 9 TO 5 having an on-going "civil war' between the government and ordinary people; or women vs. power hungry men. I thought that once society was aware of the inqualities still present in every day work life, problems like a lack of paid sick days- and a banner made for society to see this and shout at for changes- would implement change.
But it is not that simple and takes more than a banner or a day. It takes numbers- numbers of people to over ride the narrow minded views of people who hold positions in office. Those in office who dispute the less dominant classes of people.
And those people who are different in the work place and who ask for the focus to be on their families at critical times; and who ask for basic human rights to be reinforced such as respecting one another in the work place- they need to be persistent in seeking changes and it cannot be just the organization itself to make these changes. My expectations of the a grass roots organization making obviously important changes for citizens with little effort probably came from the media in books, movies and music. Stating that change is necessary, a no brainer, so nothing should hold up the issue because people are homogenous in their thoughts for a better world. But not everyone operates in the same way and has the same attitude. In my opinion there are a lot of black and white views out there wearing color.
The image of walking into the downtown office at 9 TO 5 was a room that was as big as a Kmart store, full of cubicles where men and women are answering ringing phones. The energy was high and ongoing; the large white painted walls had bulletin boards scattered through out the room with brightly colored posters tacked to the cork boards shouting women's rights causes. I think my scenario's expectations came from the movie 9 TO 5, a comedy created in 1980 about 4 women who work for a large corporation and who seek revenge on their sexist, bigoted, condescending boss. A catalyst movie about sexual discrimination in the work place.
The second expectation I had before I walked into the first day of my Gender and Communication class room was organizations like 9 TO 5 having an on-going "civil war' between the government and ordinary people; or women vs. power hungry men. I thought that once society was aware of the inqualities still present in every day work life, problems like a lack of paid sick days- and a banner made for society to see this and shout at for changes- would implement change.
But it is not that simple and takes more than a banner or a day. It takes numbers- numbers of people to over ride the narrow minded views of people who hold positions in office. Those in office who dispute the less dominant classes of people.
And those people who are different in the work place and who ask for the focus to be on their families at critical times; and who ask for basic human rights to be reinforced such as respecting one another in the work place- they need to be persistent in seeking changes and it cannot be just the organization itself to make these changes. My expectations of the a grass roots organization making obviously important changes for citizens with little effort probably came from the media in books, movies and music. Stating that change is necessary, a no brainer, so nothing should hold up the issue because people are homogenous in their thoughts for a better world. But not everyone operates in the same way and has the same attitude. In my opinion there are a lot of black and white views out there wearing color.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
9 TO 5 Invites you to Sienna Wine Bar on Monday, Feb. 28Th
You are invited to join myself, staff, and members of 9 TO 5 at Sienna Wine Bar, 3422 East 12th st, Denver from 5:00-7:00 PM on Monday night, February 28Th for this National Association of Working Women. Come have some appetizers and learn the benefits of becoming a member for working women who want equal pay and equal treatment at work! This evening at the Sienna Wine Bar we are inviting you to become a member for only $15.00 a year, or just come and meet women who care about other women.
Please RSVP to Bridget Kaminestky
303.628.0925
Please RSVP to Bridget Kaminestky
303.628.0925
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Gender and communication at home
I befriended 2 people this month and was surprised to learn that they were not read to as children. One friend expressed it to me directly, and the other friend expressed it to me when the idea of reading to his toddler was foreign to him. They both shared with me the hard long hours their father's had worked to put food on their table; and their mothers worked equally as hard raising the children while their husbands were absent making a living.
The concept to sit down with their children and pause long enough to read to them would have been a luxury because the primary needs to make ends meet was at the forefront of their mother and father's mind.
Education is a secondary need and being educated is a gift. Because when we are educated not only can it allow economic advancement, it also makes day to day living easier. When we are educated, the world is viewed with a different lens, different perspective on life, and better choices are often made.
In meeting these 2 people I had an "AH-HA" moment today and now understand why literacy is so important and why everyone should have an opportunity to know someone who can patiently teach them how to read and further their education with confidence.
The concept to sit down with their children and pause long enough to read to them would have been a luxury because the primary needs to make ends meet was at the forefront of their mother and father's mind.
Education is a secondary need and being educated is a gift. Because when we are educated not only can it allow economic advancement, it also makes day to day living easier. When we are educated, the world is viewed with a different lens, different perspective on life, and better choices are often made.
In meeting these 2 people I had an "AH-HA" moment today and now understand why literacy is so important and why everyone should have an opportunity to know someone who can patiently teach them how to read and further their education with confidence.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
A Womens Movements in the 21st Century
The Liberal Feminism movement began in the mid 1990's when many middle class women were fortunate enough to stay at home and raise their children. And while the children were at school and their husbands were at work, these privilege stay at home mom's got together with other stay at home mom's at the park, their neighborhood health clubs, and attended organizations like MOPS- mothers of preschoolers.
It was an American dream, except for the conversations that went toward a need for their own identity, that serving others was gratifying because of their love for their families, but these stay at home mom's wanted more, their own personal satisfaction and growth. The liberal Feminist Movement was sparked in 1963, when author Betty Friedan wrote the book titled: "The Feminine Mystique." Friedan writes about controversial issues about women being held as the domestic doer with no time to become more than her role as homemaker. The Liberal Movement that was initiated by the book The Feminine Mystique"provoked a group of women to create a strong organization titled: NOW: National Organization for Women, which allows opportunities for women and protects their rights. I can relate to the Liberal Feminism Movement because by 1992, my husband and I were a family with 3 children under the age of 5. The society's values and culture for which we embraced in the mid 1990's were embedded in our way of living. In 2000 I decided that I wanted to finish college, train for a marathon, and take an improvisational class. It meant I would be home less often and my focus was on other things besides child rearing and dinners. It was the beginning of the end of my marriage to my high school sweet heart. Can society create and embrace a balance of accepting and celebrating stay at home mom's who are dedicated to their children and spouses while accepting personal freedom in their lives? Awareness and education such as this assignment can help keep a families intact.
It was an American dream, except for the conversations that went toward a need for their own identity, that serving others was gratifying because of their love for their families, but these stay at home mom's wanted more, their own personal satisfaction and growth. The liberal Feminist Movement was sparked in 1963, when author Betty Friedan wrote the book titled: "The Feminine Mystique." Friedan writes about controversial issues about women being held as the domestic doer with no time to become more than her role as homemaker. The Liberal Movement that was initiated by the book The Feminine Mystique"provoked a group of women to create a strong organization titled: NOW: National Organization for Women, which allows opportunities for women and protects their rights. I can relate to the Liberal Feminism Movement because by 1992, my husband and I were a family with 3 children under the age of 5. The society's values and culture for which we embraced in the mid 1990's were embedded in our way of living. In 2000 I decided that I wanted to finish college, train for a marathon, and take an improvisational class. It meant I would be home less often and my focus was on other things besides child rearing and dinners. It was the beginning of the end of my marriage to my high school sweet heart. Can society create and embrace a balance of accepting and celebrating stay at home mom's who are dedicated to their children and spouses while accepting personal freedom in their lives? Awareness and education such as this assignment can help keep a families intact.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Language Shaping Awareness
My class notes read:" We need use to create symbols, for example, a tree alone is not yet a symbol, but tie a yellow ribbon around the tree, and it becomes symbolic, it has meaning. Only humans use symbols"
I recently experienced the significance of symbols and their meaning in American culture last Saturday when I went to deposit cash in a bank account and I did not have the account number with me. The friendly teller said "no problem," and for a quick moment he hesitated and looked at my left hand and 3rd ring finger, unadorned.
I believe his looking at my finger was unconscious on his part. Wedding rings have been worn on the left hand, third finger, "because of the strong held belief that this finger is closest to the heart. " (www.hubpages.com) Wedding rings in many cultures symbolize love and devotion forever. Marriage in our culture symbolizes stability, consistency, and moral values. I think this young teller looked at my 3rd ring finger on my left hand and when he saw it was not decorated it caused him to hesitate on my credibility. However, I think the information I had given to the bank teller was enough for him to proceed with the transaction.
The wedding ring in our American culture represents commitment on behalf of both women and men; the lack of a wedding ring on a middle aged woman can give give the message of self indulgence, and for a man it can be regarded as particular. This unconscious message of the latter is disconcerting and not at all the reason I lack a ring today.
I recently experienced the significance of symbols and their meaning in American culture last Saturday when I went to deposit cash in a bank account and I did not have the account number with me. The friendly teller said "no problem," and for a quick moment he hesitated and looked at my left hand and 3rd ring finger, unadorned.
I believe his looking at my finger was unconscious on his part. Wedding rings have been worn on the left hand, third finger, "because of the strong held belief that this finger is closest to the heart. " (www.hubpages.com) Wedding rings in many cultures symbolize love and devotion forever. Marriage in our culture symbolizes stability, consistency, and moral values. I think this young teller looked at my 3rd ring finger on my left hand and when he saw it was not decorated it caused him to hesitate on my credibility. However, I think the information I had given to the bank teller was enough for him to proceed with the transaction.
The wedding ring in our American culture represents commitment on behalf of both women and men; the lack of a wedding ring on a middle aged woman can give give the message of self indulgence, and for a man it can be regarded as particular. This unconscious message of the latter is disconcerting and not at all the reason I lack a ring today.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
When I knew my gender
I was learning to walk and my uncle Joe said, " look at her! She is a wee little girl!" The phrase stuck, and my parents, older siblings and extended family called me a wee little girl for a long time. "Wee" sounds like "Wii."
Video games were not invented then, and my home was surrounded with gender toys like dolls and GI Joe's. I suppose I could have asked for a GI Joe or play with my brothers toys but I never opened a gift that was not a dress, something pink, a dolly, a plastic kitchen set or a musical instrument. So what was not given to me did not belong to me.
Not long ago I was under going minor surgery and while I was becoming relaxed from the medicine the anesthesiologist gave me, he asked me questions. His comment after I told him my aspirations for my future after being a stay at home mom for 23 years, was for me to find a nice well- off man to marry. It was discouraging because I think I have more to offer society than just helping the economy by purchasing goods and services.
Video games were not invented then, and my home was surrounded with gender toys like dolls and GI Joe's. I suppose I could have asked for a GI Joe or play with my brothers toys but I never opened a gift that was not a dress, something pink, a dolly, a plastic kitchen set or a musical instrument. So what was not given to me did not belong to me.
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