Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Who is in control
I found the articles very interesting in that they explain the American culture. If we are not manipulating we are lying, if we are not lying we are false advertising. In the article Brumberg's Body Project, and Steins Sex Lies and Advertising, reading about women and their ability to not be able to think for themselves really struck me. It also struck me that women are being tricked by their own people in order to define who they are as individuals. I found it interesting to read about how women became socially constructed to wear bra's. This really made me think about the ways in which american society is controlling every aspect of peoples lives. In the article it explains how girls were tricked into shaping their bodies according to how america wanted them to be. Yovoun's personal essay real touched home to me. This is really true as to how women begin these mass diets and looked to manipulating people for advice. I found the article very heartbreaking because women have had a hard time living their lives as they envision themselves. They are always adhering to a higher power. This is a very hard issue because people in society are just robots, never looking out side of whats normal. People need to start taking responsibilities for themselves because ultimately at the end they control their life decisions.
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I accidently lookin in march for the readings rather than april so initially me and charles did the wrong readings for today but when i looked back over these articles i found it very interesting how we can talk about body image and women in the military and see two very different ways in which control is exerted on women as well as continued and used amongst themselves to control others. it shows a lot about our society and how engrained it is to have heirarchies in every aspect. I also found it interesting that separate bathrooms and making these devices for women to pee are the top priority in adjusting the military system. and i find it hard to believe that women dont feel as much of a need to prove themselves in the military, i just think that the "dont ask dont tell" policies are so engrained and practices that much of the issues are ignored and justified
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of the questions brought up in these articles we've read for today--and even the one's that Charles and Amanda accidently read--surround the issues of power and control. Who has the power? Who has the control? Reading through the articles centered on women in the Army, it's hard to say if they do or they don't. I think it's safe to say that if the sexual abuse described in the article is a prominent issue, these women definitely suffer a lack of control because they can't really do anything to stop it. I am rather disgusted by that, simply due to the fact that these women are pushing down barriers and going out to fight for our country and yet, we can't even guarantee them protection. Being sexually abused can be so psychologically damaging and is so difficult to talk about, but even if these women are brave enough to say something, all it does is bring them trouble. So they don't. What kind of example is that perpetuating? In many ways, people look up to the Army as a paragon of protection, but they're not even protecting their own. It's really disturbing to think about.
ReplyDeleteSomething interesting I also saw was in the second New York Times article, the fact that in order to "fit in" many of these women have to "act like men." I think Levy would get a lot of justification reading through this article. She'd probably point out that look, here are women "in power," but the only way they get there is by acting like the men who dominate the Armed Forces. Do these women gain from this? I don't know. I've never had the opportunity to speak to such a woman and ask her how she feels about that. It's easy to say, "Of course they must hate having to act like that! They want to act like women!" but that's just perpetuating another type of stereotype and ignoring the actual women involved. I think, going in, these women would know how they are going to be expected to behave and I don't think they would sign up if they had a significant problem with that.
The military readings really struck me. In the armed forces it seems more obvious than ever the need for power. The problems women face in everyday society are the same problems the women face in the military. The issue here is control, and for officers who are so used to being obeyed, it is hard for them to accept a "no". Essentially, it is important to know that even though we hold our armed forces to somewhat a higher standard, there are still important problems that need to be addressed. As far as the article about supremacy, well it is an issue that hasn't quite been addressed as much as it needs to be. Although her article is very stereotypical I think she makes some good points.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the confusion, but I'm glad that you're finding ways to connect these older readings with the ones assigned for today. I'm also glad to hear that you found the military articles, particularly, very striking. They're striking to me as well, and as Brittani and Trey point out, they reveal the extent to which violence against women is often about power and control. Brittani, your point about "fitting in" and the connections between Myers and some of Levy's ideas are also compelling!
ReplyDeleteI also found the military article to be extremely compelling. The military especially in times of war, really makes me nervous. I have to say I do not agree with either of the wars we are in for my own personal reasons. Yet, I support the troops and part of my support is wondering how they are able to express themselves. A main part of being in the military is conforming, not questioning your orders. But what happens when you lack of ability to question actually hurts you?
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