Response to Maissa's Week #6

Nik B. said...

I do think there is a good deal of cultural ignorance involved, but perhaps it may just seem like men ask in such a manner because they are men. The women may not come off like the men do because it may seem more comfortable coming from someone of the same gender. I also think the men who do ask may come off as more ignorant because of what is engendered into their upbringing as viewing women as objects rather than people of different cultures/ways and with the subsequent sensitivity to those different cultures/ways. I know two wrongs don't make a right and I am being judgmental in my own wrong way by stating, but I can bet most of the men who do ask are not so much curious as they are either ignorant or asking out of criticism of something different. Personally, I would not be so bold to ask. Even if I did not know, I would still feel it an insult to ask publicly like that or make a comparison to something else like a nun's habit. I think it is rude, if I am interpreting the situations correctly.
June 25, 2009 2:19 PM

Feminism and Meninism Lacking in Today's Media?

Hopefully because I'm mentioning more TV shows I don't get spam-suspicious again by the site. But, in examination of many modern television shows, especially those that focus on the family or institution of marriage, it is interesting to note that it is now the men who are many times portrayed as the weak and inferior ones. It is in the manner of the bumbling Doug Heffernan from King of Queens, the incompetent husbandry of Ray Baron from Everybody Loves Raymond, or the utter incapability and stupidity of Homer Simpson that this is the case (these are among the more popular sitcoms). Nowadays TV sitcoms often present the male as unable to do much of anything, while the women accomplish more or hold the reigns of the household. This definitely is in much contrast to the past when those roles were reversed. However, many shows with these elements, or those of primarily female focus, rekindle a feminist presence but lack feminist substance. The female drive and ideals of the then breaking-out shows like The Mary Tyler Moore Show are rare to find in modern situation comedies. Any feminist topics that are addressed are done so with much less determination and conviction than the typical gossip and casual talk that occur on many female-driven shows. Has the media simply not found enough of an audience to seriously depict a culturally accurate portrayal of strong male and female characters? I don’t watch much TV anymore aside from Scrubs, The History Channel and sports, but would anyone say there are quality shows that depict quality characters that embody quality traits of men and/or women?

Responser to Teandra, Week 5

Nik B. said...

Firstly, I think it heavily depends on the custody rights/issues and how the relationship with the mother is. I can see where it becomes a sensitive issue not so much of gender, but rather trust in where his money is going and exactly how much is being allotted for his child. I do think, as discussed in more depth in this weeks discussion board, that this scenario is related to child support/custody issues that occur in the courtroom. In my opinion, many men are discriminated against in the courtroom and then the subsequent aftermath shows a bitter, depressed man seemingly incapable of seeing his children, or at least enough of them, but then having to turn a good deal of his money over to the mother. I have to say, if I were in that poor guy's shoes who had lost a wife, a kid(s), essentially a family, and then money, I'd be just as frustrated and bitter. All in all it is a sensitive issue and while it may be about money right now and specifically, overall it is a sensitive issue for fathers, especially for those who aren't deadbeat dads, and it is one that according to the media and our state of society, women have the supreme advantage in.
June 18, 2009 9:15 AM

Week #5 Eureka Moment -For Sex and the City viewers

Sex and the City certainly takes advantage of the cable television sitcom and, ever so uncensored due to its HBO platform, shows that women have taken a far leap from the typecast role of model homemaker. This show depicts four successful women in modern New York City whose extra-professional goal is to find a worthy man. Sex and the City surely denotes a great independence and freedom that women have. As the women dissect and examine their relationships and desirable male counterparts, they form an iron bond and use one another to vent, confide in, and find assurance in their personal philosophies. Though the show may accurately represent female, upper-class, single life in the big city, it paints misconstrued ideals of the male and female relationships. Any viewers disagree? The main and focused point of the show, and its saving grace, is the emphasis of strong female relationships with one another and the importance of friendship. The four women of the program all exhibit their very distinct side of happiness and discontent. Their upper class status does allow them to live their lives and do what makes them happy, sexually and socially, or at least the attempt to do so. Sexual confidence appears to denote who is happiest and in the most control . However, as a whole, even though Sex and the City portrays a great aura of female freedom, it lacks any feel whatsoever of female empowerment. Above its stories of friendship and relationship woe, the show ultimately takes for granted women who in reality strive for both equality among men in the workplace and break out of the mold that depicts women as mere sex objects. The sitcom also represents a small percentage of women in the middle to upper class, who have the luxury of choosing their path as far as working or settling down in a family. I wanted to ask that in today’s society lower class where many women have no choice but to work, given perhaps that has been the case for most of their lives, do you think they would rather prefer to staying home and spending time with their children? Also, in speaking to a dominantly female forum, how accurate would you say the proclaimed accuracy of the female dynamics on a show like this actually is?

Responser to Taran, Week 4

Nik B. said...

I very much agree with you. Perhaps this type of behavior is common in bars, of all places, since the attendance there has the potential to attract that type of behavior especially when the influence of alcohol is thrown into the mix. Bar behavior could easily be another blog altogether. Anyway, I think the bottom line is security. A lot of woman, and I hope I don't cause an uproar with this one, place security above other qualities in looking for men. I am speaking of the masses. However, I also feel that once women find that security, they then feel more in control of the relationship compared to the man. I think this may be referred to as a Stone Age behavior since the latent behavior has almost been claimed to be ingrained since the prehistoric era.

June 11, 2009 4:53 PM

Week #4 Eureka Moment

I work in an elementary school. As many of us may know, elementary schools are basically dominated by female teachers. Now at this particular school I did my internship with in high school and also my college field work. All in all, I have been there for nine years now working with many different women of all ages, creeds, ethnicities, etc. In so doing, one would think I’d accumulate a greater understanding of the female mind. However, this is very untrue. In fact, during the past nine years I have become even more confused, but it’s okay, I’ve learned to accept it. Meanwhile, I have been able to note the various behavioral differences among the two sexes. One that stands out is the group social dynamics among women that don’t necessarily share the same age and views. And in that, I have noticed that in comparison with the small group of male teachers, the women are much more competitive in the workplace, grade/unit settings, etc. than the males are. Additionally, when it comes to administrative dealings, I also noticed that women seem to take issues much more personally. In contrast, in the workplace the males are more laid back and less competitive. And then during out-of-school activities like community sports or fund raisers, it is, of course, the men who become the competitive ones. This doesn’t take anything away from anyone’s ability to teach, it is all relative and everyone I work with is very talented and devoted. I’m sure this can probably translate to other occupations as well, but I was wondering if anyone could comment on possibly the origins or reasons behind this? Or even to disagree.

Week #3 - Response to Robin's Week 2 Comment

Nik B. said...

Throw all the rules out the window. There is always some level of androgyny in every relationship, I believe. In mine, I clean and cook, but my girlfriend also still loves to do elaborate Thank You and holiday cards and collect a plethora of shoes only worn once every leap year. Times have changed drastically in that case and more often than not, I really think the traditional rules don't apply so strictly. There are many mixes and matches.

June 4, 2009 2:48 PM

Week #3 - Response to Joan's Eureka Moment

Nik B. said...

I actually do the same thing in waiting rooms and other places where looking around at people as all one can do to pass the time. I always find it interesting looking at those different people (and trying hard not to stare!) and maybe imagining what their life is like or what kind of person they are. In this case, it is simply curiosity and imagination, not prejudice or judging, I think. I do not think myself any better than the other people, it is just to pass the time. Anyway, I firmly believe finding that human interest in other individuals makes one appreciate humanity more. Like waiting in traffic, you tend to look around in the other cars and wonder where those people are going and what not, and you find a connection there, no matter how minute. All of those general musings do pertain to a superficiality of appearance, and definitely gender first, I think. And so finally to my point, gender is always the first and foremost barrier of superficial assessment and subsequently, that will always be a primary connection to how we see that individual based on our own views and culture. Yes, you can be completely open-minded and acculturated to other people regardless of creed, color, sexual orientation, etc. However, I think it is within our subconscious to examine one's gender and associate something, anything, or everything based on that gender given how and where you grew up. In that particular case, I think males and female both innately exhibit some degree of prejudice.

June 4, 2009 2:40 PM

Week #3 Eureka Moment - Freud the Fraud?

There was a section in our last set of readings that attributed some detail of Sigmund Freud's theories with certain gender topics. I recently read that it is of popular consensus in the scientific community that Freud was, in fact, a fraud. Apparently there are only six fully recorded case reports of his and of those, it was found that none of those patients were helped from Freud's therapy. The information can be found most notoriously in Frederick Crews' book, Unauthorized Freud. Additional info can also be found in various articles from the New York Times, National Review, Stanford World Association of International Studies and more. My point is the amount of significant cultural influence Freud had on 19th Century society, specifically feminism and the female psyche, and how much of that seeped into traditional views still held today. Granted Freud's Oedipal Theory (you know, that disturbing bit of psychoanalysis about little girls wanting to have sex with dad and get rid of the competition: mom) and other female notions are certainly archaic in today's modern realm of psychology, it nevertheless held a great deal of influence at the time. Freud followers would elaborate on Freud's models and establish theories that degraded and placed even more heavy stereotypical bias on women. One example is a psychologist by the name of Lawrence Kohlberg who published that women were cemented in lower developmental levels of morality and values due to their inability to utilize the then norms of society, but rather dwell on trite nonsensical issues about other women, other relationships, etc. In other words, gossip.

Had anyone else heard of this about Freud before? Is anyone a Freud follower (and I have I offended you? oops!) If this truly is the case, no pun intended, could such a monumental figure in history really contribute that much influence?

Week #2 - Response to Robin's Eureka Moment

Nik B. said...

I believe the issue mainly has to do with the traditional gender stereotypes our culture has created in that girls are the weaker sex, are more fragile, and need looking out for. It also stems from the similar, traditional value that a young girl is to remain innocent and pure for as long as possible especially out of wedlock, which still can raise some eyebrows, apparently. It is also significant to note than our Western, Christianized culture here in the United States has its long-standing patriarchal and Puritan origins from centuries back. Those values soared on down to generation to generation which naturally oppressed women and their sexuality.

May 29, 2009 6:03 PM

Week #2 Eureka Moment

Earlier today my girlfriend and I decided to watch a movie this morning. Unfortunately, on this beautiful Memorial Day options for the day's activities were limited since she was not feeling well. So I recommended the movie, American Pie. Now, I had not seen this movie since...I don't even know, seven or eight years at least. For those of you who have not seen it, it is a very raunchy comedy centered around sexual humor that is based on four high school seniors who make a pact to lose their virginity by prom. During the opening scenes at Stiffler's party where the sexual behaviors and obscene terms fully let loose, my girlfriend turns and asks, "Are guys really like that in high school?" My first instinct was to say, "yes", but I hesitated and really thought about it. I eventually replied, "a lot, but mostly no." I went to two very different high schools (one with a class size of 150 and the other 1,200) and so I had great deal of frame of reference, but the film's portrayal of hormone-crazed teenagers putting all their energies into one such goal is not very accurate, of course. I then thought about the countless number of similar films with similar portrayals and what girls must think from seeing these movies so many of which depict similar messages. It's all over television as well. I know there's not many fellow males in this class, but what do you think about the male portrayal in these teen films? And for the women, what are your reactions toward these types of movies/shows?

Responser to Tiffany, Week 1

Nik B. said...

In response to Tiffany: "Real Men Wear Pink"...is wearing that supposed to make the kid gay? It is those kind of homophobic fears that drive a lot of strict gender enforcing. I firmly believe sexual orientation is something that is on the genetic level and cannot be changed or learned, nor is it some kind of disease. There is so much evidence out there in the scientific and research world about hormone levels in the womb that back such a theory up. You are absolutely right how it is in this matter that children have their already very limited freedom infringed upon.

May 20, 2009 4:02 PM

Response to Professor, Week1

Nik B. said...

I believe it all comes down to fear and security. Parents want to steer their child in a specific direction and, since at a young age toys are often a kid's first friends, then a parent wants to make sure their boy or girl is hanging out with the appropriate friends. In this case, the superimposing of toy purchases fulfills a sort of homophobic, societal/cultural duty of tradition that ensures a lucid steering toward a specific gender and its respective proper behavor. This really is just speaking of the majority and not the whole of population, of course.
It does indeed hinder a child's choice to have what pleases them, but after all we as parents will always have the need to decide what is best for our son or daughter.
The marketing can be gender-biased when television commercials or other advertisements strictly portray boys playing with action figures or girls only with Barbies, for instance. That in itself plays a large role in what parents confide in as a guideline for purchases. The media will often clearly paint the gender lines either blue or pink depending on who they think their target audience will be. Is this just good social advertising, third party child-rearing, or perhaps even a little of both?
Like many traditional American male children I was always steered toward the action figures, footballs and hockey pucks (most notable male sports) from an early age yet past the androgynous Fisher Price toddler toys. Even with my nephews, I see my brother stubbornly and with conviction filtering his kids' play things so that they foster a direct male path. In our majority society of the heterosexual, traditionally gender outlined masses, this innate desire to choose our children's paths for them and according to traditional values is in our nature.

Hello

Hello everyone. My name is Nik, 26, part-time student and full-time Special Ed. teacher. What is everyone's major and/or occupation?