The Internal Clitoris

This was a picture that was posted at the top of one of my readings for for another class. The big yellow wishbone in the middle of the diagram is supposed to be the internal clitoris of a woman. When I first saw this diagram of the internal clitoris it blew my mind how far it spread inside the woman. The article discusses how the clitoris is the only organ in the body solely there for pleasuring the woman. Yet there are so many woman that have no idea where their clitoris is located or what it does.

I know that all I really got from health class was that sex is bad and the best way to prevent STI's and pregnancy is to not have sex. Instead of trying to scare female teenagers away from sex it may have been a better idea to inform us on our reproductive systems work. Learning what the clitoris does, where it is, how to achieve orgasm. All these things would be useful for a young teenage girl to know. So when they grow up they are aware of their vaginas, and possibly don't rely on medication to achieve orgasm. After watching that documentary I was surprised to see how much woman and men rely on medication to achieve sexual arousal. We are taught that there is something wrong with us if we don't have an orgasm during sex. I think health class should not only go over the anatomy of the woman, but the stigma that lurks around a woman's orgasm. Woman should be told that it's ok if they don't always achieve orgasm and there are so many other ways to achieve orgasm other than sex.    

You got Science in my Feminism!

(Just a heads up, but planning for Women's History Month has begun!)

   American pop-culture, which, for the most part, IS American culture, portrays both scientists and feminists in a negative light. Scientists as represented as dull, crazy, socially inept people who overlook obvious solutions to problems (so that the “book dumb” hero can save the day) or are outright evil. Even well intentioned scientists are shown being so out of touch with reality that they think a giant deathray would improve peoples lives, or something equally insane.
    Our culture has problems with feminists, too. Feminists in the media are usually portrayed as man-haters that don’t understand that women have already won their rights and are setting out to create a matriarchy that oppresses men, etc. They’re also shown as ugly and fat and don’t shave, and are virgin whores.
    The reason for this, I believe, is that the united states is a deeply anti-intellectual country, and that creates both problems with our ability to use science and maintain a healthy introspective on our own culture. Things which challenge the status quo are bad, so while we greedily take up technological advancements that make things happen for us, we fear discoveries that might change our world view. This also goes for philosophical movements- “Safe” ideas don’t challenge our beliefs and don’t require much of a change in our behaviors. So objectivism- believing the best thing you can do for the world is to peruse your own goals no mater the cost to others- has gone over much better in the US than feminism.
    There are companies and other organizations that have a vested interest in perpetuating these portrayals. For instance, allegedly pro life organizations do not want science or feminism becoming more accepted (for a variety of reasons that cannot be neatly summarized within this blog post without derailing it). Newspapers and magazines love articles that provide “scientific” confirmation for every day biases, which is one of the reasons so much sexist pseudo-science ends up ingrained in our pop culture, like women being innately attracted to pink like moths to a bugzapper.
    All too often it seems that feminists and scientists distrust each other. But what we need to understand is that both groups need each other. Science depends on minimizing bias, and feminists need ways to demonstrate that the problems they point out actually exist. But the continued abuse of science to support sexism leads to distrust. On the flip side, I’ve seen feminist pieces (thankfully only one the text book) that make science out to be an enemy.
    The first step is getting people to meet, talk and explore each other's fields, and find common ground. I’m hoping that this election cycle will provide enough evidence that Feminist and scientific issues are interlinked.

Women not being pleasured (ryan gosling pic)

Going off from discussion we had in class about women not being safe while going to other countries alone, I wanted to talk more about the fact that women are still seen as objects not people. I found this image on Tumblr that shows Ryan Gosling talking about how in movies women can be shown getting tortured but cant be pleasured. (posted image below) I find this to be 100% true because you never see anyone getting upset about a women getting strangled, beaten or killed on screen but once you start pleasuring her in a sexual way then the rating goes up to PG-13 or even rated R and its called pornography. I feel like as a society we are putting too much emphasis on the wrong ideas. Even when its just suggested and not fulling shown it seems like its still more acceptable to show abuse the sex. Which confuses me because we are a overly sexual society but we have a problem of showing that women can be pleasured as well as men. 

Amanda Todd Tragedy and Fake Fundraising

Amanda Todd's Story (click it, it's a link!)

Hopefully some of you will watch the video Amanda Todd posted before she committed suicide that tells of her experiences with bullying and cyberspace.

This week in class we discussed how you can either be completely anonymous or too personal on the internet, and how sometimes the false anonymity we rely on comes back to haunt us. When she was 13 years old, Amanda Todd flashed her breasts on webcam to a man, who unbeknownst to her, took a screen cap of her doing so. She had been told that she was beautiful, sexy, desirable, and over a year coerced into "flashing". Not a huge shock there, for we've discussed our society's obsession with female sexuality and letting women, especially young girls, know that they are only as worthy as they are sexy.

The shock arrives when the stranger she flashed tracked Amanda's information down, found her Facebook page, her school and home addresses and the names of her friends and sent the topless photo of her to all of them. From then on, Amanda's life became a living hell and she was tormented, switched school due incredible amounts of bullying, and eventually took her own life.

How easy it is for strangers to access our personal information is scary and extremely dangerous. It's something we're all somewhat aware of, thanks to our protecting parents and other such adults. But something even scarier is how virtual chat rooms online are so appealing to young girls that are seeking some sort of approval. Parents allow their kids to have unsupervised access to the internet at earlier and earlier ages, and kids are starting to go through puberty at increasingly younger ages. Girls are exposed to the shocking expectations of the media from the time they are born and because they start puberty earlier they become insecure with their bodies earlier. This combination makes them much easier targets for pedophiles on the internet which could lead to horrible consequences.

An interesting article I stumbled upon while learning more about Amanda Todd's story was this one, which is about how people are creating fake fundraising websites and using the sympathy the public has for the family to make a profit. This ties in to our other conversation about fundraisers and petitions online and how difficult it is to find out what is really going on.

Overall, the internet is an amazing thing if used safely, but it's sometimes used as yet another way to exploit women's sexuality. 

Commodifying the Body

 I often wonder why or how certain things are considered beautiful. Society plays a large part, but where do these ideas start? Who decided that being thin and tan is the most attractive, and how did it catch on? Didn't someone along the way go "Hey, I'm not really digging this idea!" I mean honestly, how can women be expected to always look as good as they did in adolescence? That's unrealistic and very unhealthy.

Something in the reading that really struck me was (in part A) when they mentioned how shaving body hair off is reminiscent of a pre-pubescent body, which symbolizes powerlessness. I've never thought of this before and it's a very strange idea. All girls that I know started shaving in middle school because, well, that's just what girls do! We were taught that this is normal and not shaving was gross and manly. Looking at it from a feminist perspective I see how it can be a way not only hold on to youthfulness but also keep women from gaining control.

I also wonder why women's bodies are more distorted in advertisements than men's are. Is it because male is the preferred gender and good enough as is? Or is it more related to female subordination? It's a real shame that women have been diminished to decorative objects and not seen as fully functioning members of society. Especially since women give birth and do most of the household work (in a traditional setting). How are they not seen as more valuable? I think a lot has to do with advertising, and it did not start with the type we see today. It started decades ago and these ideals have been easy to build on and keep using. It really makes me think if women have ever (and will ever) see a time when they are not being depicted as inferior, sexual objects.

Orgasm Inc.

I loved the documentary "Orgasm Inc." I thought it was very interesting and insightful. I find it really fascinating that we insist on fixing every little thing with a pill. It even causes us to diagnose things that are quite normal. We have such a need to categorize and label things, and sometimes there isn't even a problem until it's brought to attention and called a problem.

I felt really bad for the one woman in the film who was a tester for the "Orgasmatron". She was so upset about the thought of not having an orgasm during intercourse. She thought this was the "normal" way to have an orgasm, and when she thought (or was told) that she was not normal she set out to fix it. I think many of us can relate to the idea of wanting to fix ourselves and being victims to advertising and over-medicalization of our bodies. I was so happy for this woman when she realized that she is normal and can have a fulfilling sex life without the use of various pills and/or devices thought up by the pharmaceutical companies.

I think we need to see more positive reinforcement about our bodies and sexuality. Like the woman who held a separate presentation at the conference and introduced various toys and other non-medical methods to improving one's sex life. These natural, organic ways to increase stimulation and pleasure are much better for women. They're not owned by the pharmaceutical companies, they don't involve over-medicalizing our bodies, and it honors the idea that we are all different but that doesn't mean abnormal. It would be nice to see more of these types of influences in our society, instead of the race to create the female Viagra.

Thoughts: Chapter 19, first week of November, Rebekah Calhoun

Even though the internet has a way of giving everyone an identity, and validating our existences, it also removes everyone's faces in a way-- it makes us all anonymous. When we discover the vast expanse of people out there, all crowding in front of cameras and hungry for their five minutes of fame online, we begin to understand just how insignificant our own small reality really is, and the insignificance of others. Then, we discover the power of celebrity, the power of status and mass appeal, and learn that only some are really insignificant, the masses, all of us. In terms of globalization, the internet is a powerful thing. Imagine experiencing Jersey Shore in a third world country. Imagine seeing hardcore porn for the first time as a thirty year old in a highly religious police state.
We're not equipped to handle all this learning, maybe, and we can't keep up with all the new desires and freedoms. We find out that there is a whole new world to be friends with, but that world might hate you, it might be merciless.
I think this is might be part of the reason people begin to think of each other as objects, because there are just so many of us, you see yourself as small and others as small, too. There is a certain degree of certainty that you can get away with just about anything.

The traveler and the travelled

Last class we discussed travel and tourism, which introduced male and female roles when it comes to traveling. Men view travelling as a luxurious, fun-filled, relaxing time where they can go live out their wildest fantasies. While women are made to be afraid while traveling, a woman is told 'have fun, but be safe and aware of your surroundings!' In discussing this in class, we talked about how men feel entitled on vacation, possibly to sexual adventures, and this is reinforced by society. However, women are made to feel quite the opposite and if they go on vacation thinking that they can have the same kinds of "fun" as men can then they are in the wrong. This made me think about the double standard, men are almost encouraged to be sexual predators and this is okay, while women are overstepping their boundaries and crossing the line if they believe that traveling means they can commit these same acts.  The men are the 'travelers' in the situation, and the women of their destinations are the conquests that are 'traveled'.

In talking about travel and tourism, the topic of sex trafficking came up and the movie "Taken" was mentioned. It is amazing how in this class the media can truly infiltrate our brains with ideas about the world. Probably everyone feels that somehow each topic could relate to some form of media and this continues to intrigue me in thinking about how women's roles have come to be the way they are, yet they haven't changed much at all. It is a sad truth that stereotypes and prejudices continue to be reinforced and the progress made in these kinds of issues is considerably slow. The media controls are exposure to these issues and only allows us to see what we wanna see. So I want to challenge myself, and I invite you all to do the same, in trying to find positive media images and good causes that deserve support out there. It may be tough and not as easily accessible as those that are constantly allowing us to feel prejudiced about certain issues, but I think it is definitely possible!

“No D December”

Okay, so since I am such a blogger, I have been seeing a lot of stuff posted on No Shave November. There is this thing that guys are saying in response to girls participating. They are saying, "No D December". So pretty much they are saying that women should not participate in No Shave November. They are saying that it is disgusting and that if we do then we don't get any 'Dick' for all of December. I think it is quite ridiculous that men are threatening to take away their dicks to try to not get us to participate in No Shave November. My response to those idiots (which is A SHIT TON of men on social networks) is that they can not control what women do or don't do with their bodies. If we shave, we shave, if we don't, we don't. The fact that men think that telling us that we can't get any "D" if we don't shave makes me what to laugh in their face. I don't want your "D" anyways boys, please don't flatter yourselves. The stupidity in this society does not seem to ever surprise me. I have lost so much respect for our society.  

No Shave November Public Service Announcement

Anyone threatening a lady who participates in No Shave November with “No D December” gets signed up for No V Forever. 

Nutrition. Gender/ Society

The way which people nourish themselves interests me because of all the factors that are contributed such as the the economic and cultural aspect of food taboos, condition of poverty, and the "ideal" body image, having enormous effects on the ways gender impacts health. First off, the broad idea stated from our textbook that there was "more value" for males to be fed more and better assuming one day it'd benefit them having access to educational opportunities and high paying, physically or mentally demanding jobs, had bothered me a ton. This idea is extremely outdated because of all the women currently in the workforce, but it led me to contemplate whether what is being fed to men compared to women is what makes the large differences in the way gender functions in the world. This made me feel for the women in some countries who can only receive low-quality meals with no protein for example, setting them back from someone whose body takes in much more vitamins. On top of that, there's a standard of beauty some women from diverse backgrounds feel they must keep up with that can limit the amount one can eat, causing diseases and other horrible affects. Besides from the ideal woman in our society being slim and suggestive of adolescence, it seems as if there's a correlation to nutrition and patriarchy. Because of the importance of nutrition on the body, how are woman supposed to keep up with a beautiful appearance when their nutrition is perceived as so inferior?

Most mother's tend to feed their children before they feed themselves, and often times don't worry as much about their own nutrition. I was fortunate enough to have a mother and father who fed  my siblings and I equally and who ate plenty of fairly nutritious food once we were all finished. However, my aunt's condition of poverty proved to be a strong factor in my cousin's health, when I was told she was feeding Madeline and Dee soda almost every day from a bottle at an extremely young age. By the age of five my cousin was telling me to try out Dr. Pepper, and I was like "what?". My aunt was doing this most likely due to how affordable some of these less nutritious  items were  priced on the shelves and her difficulty finding work. The price difference of food that provides the proper nutrition to non-nutritious foods can be baffling. Nutrition is so vital to the future of a young one, and not all  elementary schools are able to afford providing such hardy food for their children in the cafeterias, and the cafeterias will show. It's difficult for the majority of people but especially women around the world to be able to eat and feel healthy, and not feel pressure from underlying social norms.

Federal Judge In Michigan Rules Against Birth Control Benefit in Favor of Business Owner
U.S. District Judge Robert Cleland ruled Wed. Oct. 31 that a Catholic-owned family business in Michigan does not need to comply with the Affordable Care Act's birth control benefit, RH Reality Check reported Nov. 2. The temporary injunction affects the owner of Weingartz Supply Company and his approximately 170 employees, and like a similar ruling from a federal court in Colorado, is limited only to that challenger. In July, U.S. District Judge John Kane temporarily prevented the government from requiring the Catholic owners of Hercules Industries Inc, a private manufacturer of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment, from complying with the birth control benefit as well.
I got this from  http://womensenews.org/breaking-news#.UJQxDKD5UUo.

This is one of the huge issues that is going on in our election. Women's rights is being affected by health care being more and more privatized. Companies don't want to pay for birth control but would they pay for Viagra? This is sexism at it's greatest. Companies do not want to bother with the health problems of women but if a man needs something it isn't but the slightest thought. Mitt Romney wants to totally privatize health care saying the people could take care of their own rights but I think we have seen that those who aren't as well off are never affected in a good manner by being asked to take care of their own problems. Medicaid and Medicare were put into place to aid people who can't help themselves, who can not afford to go out and pay for health care on their own. If health care were privatized I think we would see companies acting like this company, saying they shouldn't have to pay for this or that but really what they don't want to pay for is a woman. I also think there are a few other classes of people who would see a great discrimination by privatization.

No Shave November

This week our class discussed how the social norm for women is to be hairless. We also talked about how most women go against this norm, especially during the month of November for “No Shave November”. Within the same week I came across a post on Facebook by a male. He posted and I quote, “No Shave November originated as a benefit for prostate cancer and a way to show respect for fellow men battling various types of cancer. On that note, ladies, please go shave your damn legs.” This first part of this quote is a truthful fact. At one point No Shave November was a time to support males with prostate cancer. But the second part of his quote did not add up.

Since I always have believed in equality between men and women, I became disgusted by his post. I responded to his opinion by saying, “Why can’t women support these men who have gone through cancer? Just because we are a different gender means we cannot participate?” He answered back by saying, “No, because it’s gross to see a girl with really hairy legs.” This just showed how ignorant some people can be. I then responded with, “Well first you should not be seeing girl’s legs in November anyways and second, I am sure any men who had have gone through cancer would appreciate any support they can get.” He gave up on the argument, probably because he lost interest or was embarrassed.

I would like to let everyone know after reading this is I am the last person to get into other people’s business. I am the last person to start conflict or get into arguments of situations that are not even worth it. I just saw this inequality and knew it would be worse if I did nothing about it. I do allow for this boy to have his personal opinion but he is limiting the support for cancer for men at the same time. That’s like me saying, “Boys shouldn’t be wearing save the boobies shirt during breast cancer awareness month.” This just does not add up. More people should be advocating for support instead of discouraging it.

On a lighter note...

I can say I was honestly happily surprised while reading my roommates Seventeen Magazine. I was flipping through when I came across a section about their campaign called "Body Peace" and one of their vows were to 'stop comparing myself to girls on TV!' The actress Mae Whitman talked about her insecurities because her thighs touch and they shouldn't, but she now accepts herself as who she is and is much happier. I don't know how much it will help but I appreciate that they put that section in there even though they obviously support the other girls who are on TV. There was another section titled "is my vagina normal?" where a girl wrote in saying I'm worried mine is ugly. Seventeen responded by saying how each vagina is unique and perfectly healthy in every way, also that variation is normal and is expected. Another girl asked if she should shave or wax her vagina and they said "There's no 'standard' you need to be following. And despite what you've heard guys like or expect- relax." I was so happy to read this, an actual positive message to hear from a teen magazine?? Weird right! It's nice to see there's some hope in the world for teenage girls!

through a rapist's eyes...

this may or may not make you more paranoid about rapists, but it is very informative and important...

http://sorenthan.tumblr.com/post/26113337415/larrystylinsoneternal-opal-leaves-through

Thoughts

This week's class material has me thinking about how advertising manipulates we think and feel about ourselves. We are shaped by the resources available to us, and clothing styles often reflect technological achievements of the time, and this affects the types of clothing most commonly worn in a society, with variations between classes. We learn to recognize fine things of the rich, and the common things of the poor. However, what is seen as fashionable to an upper class could easily be copied and cheapened by lower classes, rendering it out of style again to the rich, who must move on to something else. As women, the pressure to have fine possessions, and to guard our precious things, and to be savvy to what is most beautiful or coveted, can be especially strong, I think.
The very fact that a product exists makes us think we need it. The word manipulation, in describing advertising's relationship with consumer society, has negative connotations. It can be described other ways. Ultimately, though, I think that we serve a purpose, as buyers, and a great deal of work is put into satisfying our needs, and that so many discoveries have been made about how to control the way people think and feel through images and linguistics that simple advertising over-steps its boundaries by doing more than necessary. Consumerism creates needs that aren't there, just to satisfy them, which has a multitude of psychological, social, financial effects.