For class last week our in class assignment was to pretend we were from another world, and look through a magazine. By looking at the magazine we would be able to see what Americans are like, without ever having to really meet them.
Because I didn't get to say what I got from my magazine, I thought it would be nice to use it for my blogpost this week.
My magazine was Women's Health, a fitness magazine. Even though it was a fitness magazine, there was still a lot of emphasis on beauty. Although the pictures were of women working out, they were still made up to look "sexy." There was also quite a few sections about sex, relationships and work. All of which you wouldn't normally think of finding in a fitness magazine.
So, if I was from another planet and saw this magazine, I would say Americans are:
1. Dedicated to wanting to be in shape.
2. Care about their looks, even when they are working out. Beauty is very important.
3. Sex crazed...their is some kind of sex appeal in every ad.
4. Worry about eating healthy.
The first 3 aren't really a surprise. I think most Americans value beauty, being skinny, and sexy above all other things. Everyone wants to be attractive and magazine's know it.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Masculinity and The Pot of Stew
Last class we discussed in groups how masculinity has changed in today's society and America's "pot of stew."
So, first up to the plate, masculinity. In the reading for masculinity there were a lot of different ideas thrown around about how masculinity has changed, why it's changed, how it's changing. I, on the other hand, don't really feel like it has changed all that much. Yes, some guys to seem more feminine, metrosexuals, but I feel like the majority of men still portray and hold tight to the thought of a rough and tough man.
Author "Henry James wrote in The Bostonians: 'The whole generation is womanized. The masculine tone is passing out of the world.It's a feminine, nervous, hysterical, chattering, canting age.'"
I could not disagree with that statement more. This is still a man's world. That's why they are still getting paid more. Why there hasn't been a women president. Why they still run almost all of the big companies. It's not a woman's world. Not even close. If it was, companies wouldn't feel the need to have to change things around for women...the fantasy baseball for women, where they pick "boyfriends, lame. It's a man's world and it's probably going to be that way for some time to come.
Next up, America's pot of stew...also known as the melting pot. I think the term, pot of stew fits American way more than a melting pot. We might all be Americans, but we are divided up by our ethnicity's.
In one of the readings I read for this week, the author points out that really only whites are seen as Americans. The rest of us are: Native American, African American, Mexican American, Asian American. You don't ever hear someone call themselves a German American, or Irish American. I think the author hits that point right on the head. You don't even here that, or see it when filling out paperwork. It's kind of ridiculous.
As long as there are separations like this, we are always going to be a pot of stew and not a melting pot. We all live in the same country, so we are all Americans. There is no need for differences....unless of course you, yourself, came here from another country. But for those of us born here, and whose families have been here for generations. There is no need for extras before the world American.
So, first up to the plate, masculinity. In the reading for masculinity there were a lot of different ideas thrown around about how masculinity has changed, why it's changed, how it's changing. I, on the other hand, don't really feel like it has changed all that much. Yes, some guys to seem more feminine, metrosexuals, but I feel like the majority of men still portray and hold tight to the thought of a rough and tough man.
Author "Henry James wrote in The Bostonians: 'The whole generation is womanized. The masculine tone is passing out of the world.It's a feminine, nervous, hysterical, chattering, canting age.'"
I could not disagree with that statement more. This is still a man's world. That's why they are still getting paid more. Why there hasn't been a women president. Why they still run almost all of the big companies. It's not a woman's world. Not even close. If it was, companies wouldn't feel the need to have to change things around for women...the fantasy baseball for women, where they pick "boyfriends, lame. It's a man's world and it's probably going to be that way for some time to come.
Next up, America's pot of stew...also known as the melting pot. I think the term, pot of stew fits American way more than a melting pot. We might all be Americans, but we are divided up by our ethnicity's.
In one of the readings I read for this week, the author points out that really only whites are seen as Americans. The rest of us are: Native American, African American, Mexican American, Asian American. You don't ever hear someone call themselves a German American, or Irish American. I think the author hits that point right on the head. You don't even here that, or see it when filling out paperwork. It's kind of ridiculous.
As long as there are separations like this, we are always going to be a pot of stew and not a melting pot. We all live in the same country, so we are all Americans. There is no need for differences....unless of course you, yourself, came here from another country. But for those of us born here, and whose families have been here for generations. There is no need for extras before the world American.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Don't Smile Too Much at Work!
So today while driving to the gym the guy on the radio brings up a study done on women and smiling at work. According to the study, women who smile a lot at work are seen as less authoritative and serious about their job. What do ya know...
This seems bizarre to me. Women just can't seem to get a break.
Men are turned off by women like Hilary Clinton who come off as strong, independent and smart. So you'd think...oh well maybe if she would seem more friendly and not so standoffish it would work in her favor. Apparently not.
According to the story, if a woman comes off as too friendly and nice, so isn't taken seriously. So how in the world are women suppose to act. If they are too serious, they aren't likable. If they are too likable, they aren't serious about their job.
It seems like an unfair judgement. Men seem to be able to get away with a lot more, when it comes to attitudes in the workplace. While it seems impossible for a women to get a good footing, and be able to make a living without being judged.
Hopefully, times will change in the work field, and one day everyone will be treated as equals.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
The Highest Paid Employee at Facebook is NOT Mark Zuckerberg!?!?!
While scanning through the Yahoo! news I came across a story called "Meet Facebook's highest-paid employee" with a picture of a woman. Intrigued, I clicked on it and found that Sheryl Sandberg not only gets paid more than Mark Zuckerberg, but she is also "second in command at Facebook."
I found this interesting because last week in class we discussed how women are usually paid less then men who do the same job, and how they are rarely in charge of a company. While she might not be completely in charge of Facebook she "can take much of the credit for the company's success. As chief operating officer--and the self-described 'grownup' in the room."
Another thing I thought was great about the article was how she also addressed women and having children. She "advises women to take care of their careers" and not to leave the workforce to have their children and decide not to return afterward.
This article touches base on quite a few things we talked about in classes, and I think it's great to see the things we are learning in class being addressed by a women who is in a great position of power at a large company.
I think her quote at the end of the story is great and really stresses the importance of women in the workforce.
"In a commencement address to Barnard College graduates, she said, 'We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the converstaion, to make sure women's voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored."
I found this interesting because last week in class we discussed how women are usually paid less then men who do the same job, and how they are rarely in charge of a company. While she might not be completely in charge of Facebook she "can take much of the credit for the company's success. As chief operating officer--and the self-described 'grownup' in the room."
Another thing I thought was great about the article was how she also addressed women and having children. She "advises women to take care of their careers" and not to leave the workforce to have their children and decide not to return afterward.
This article touches base on quite a few things we talked about in classes, and I think it's great to see the things we are learning in class being addressed by a women who is in a great position of power at a large company.
I think her quote at the end of the story is great and really stresses the importance of women in the workforce.
"In a commencement address to Barnard College graduates, she said, 'We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the converstaion, to make sure women's voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored."
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