Reply to Tiffany wk 6

Jason said...
I know that episode by heart cause i watch Fresh Prince every night on Nick at Night after George Lopez but thats beside the point. Society has made it clear that men are to protect their women and women are to feel safe around their man. Personally I love a girl who can kick ass, it is sexy sorry if that sounds pigheaded. A girl who can hold her own ground and is strong is a great positive. Also you have to remember it is a T.V. show not saying that Lisa can't beat up Will or defend herself be we all know that Will can be dramatic. Look at the episode where he was boxing that girl at the gym and she knocked him out. Everyone made fun of him and he had to go back to the gym and defend his manhood i guess and show everyone that he could take on a girl. I dont think all men are like that but i know alot of guys feel inferior because they are suppose to be the macho tough guy protecting their girl. But women are strong in the sense that when we are sick, you girls do a great job at taking care of us. SO we do it physically and you guys to it emotionally. Mentally we can meet in the middle.

Week 6: How are the kids?

In the 6 weeks that have passed in this class we have touched on many topics from Wood, Prof M, or shared in our own experiences. Whether it is our gender roles, sex, preference, etc. the one thing I have always wanted to know is, What happens to the children. We get so into ourselves or the way society may view us that we forget about our kids. When it comes to who should work and stay at home, many parents both work leaving the child to be raised by 50 cent and Paris Hilton. We are too occupied on filling our roles as male and female and not as fathers and mothers. Have we become that selfish of our own needs and wants that we forget about our little ones? Are we so worried about being generalized into our roles that we forget that one role that we get when that child is born? From back in week 1 discussing about the pregnant man, to our roles in the workplace, at home, etc, and even now with transgenered and is it ok to go from man to woman? Do we ever think about anyone else, perhaps not our children if we do not have one but our families and friends? I am asking alot of questions because I sometimes think that we have become too selfish in ourselves and jsut ignore everything else that goes on around us.

Reply to Terry's Post wk 6

Jason said...
I have a second job that is part time and on weekends we do birthday parties. Whether I am leading the party or working as a host, I always see the men discussing business, sports, money, and the women are together discussing their kids, house, vacations, and etc. as you mentioned. If when it comes to the parent child classes we offer, the men really rather not be in the class and i see more of the moms in the classes with their babies.When it comes to the younger crowd I see a mix. Boys do play with boys and girls play with girls but in the last three years that i have been around kids 24/7 i see the two mixing alot more. I see my kindergarden boys and girls playing and running together, I see my middle school students doing much of the same. When i was growing up I always hung out with the guys and it wasnt until I got older I started having more girl friends and thats when i realized this gender socialization is boring. Now I have a great mix of male and female friends and i actually hang out with my female friends more, even when i was younger i liked hanging out with the ladies..lol. Whether formal gatherings or social events, the younger kids are starting to interact more with each other but the old school parents are still living up to their roles of the men drink, talk, and play while the women talk, cook, and clean.

Business Post wk 5: Father's Day Delight

And so comes another year where we celebrate the Father's who have stood by their families, full filled the role of a man, and showed us that men can be nurturing as well as strong. Father's Day is coming and just like Mother's Day, we celebrate those who have surpassed their gender role and taken on more than just being a Mother or Father. They have become friends to their children, best friends with their spouses, and even flip flopped their roles from man to woman. My question is can we celebrate Mother's Day if we are Men, and Father's Day if we are Women? There are many single parents out their who play both roles. Even our aunts, uncles, and grandparents take on these roles. It doesn' stop there because we have that extend relative or family friend who takes care of us like our mom's and dad's. Prof M talked about this in our first week about Mother's day in regards to the woman who takes care of her daughter. So many people have different roles and I am sure have been a big part of our lives growing up. They may not have had the title of mother or father but they gave us the values, love, and encouragement like they were our parents.

I grew up with no father and at times I felt like I barely had a mother. I had my aunt and grandmother as my support system. They taught me the morals and values needed to grow up. Even though growing up was rocky and even now as a 25 year old I know I have much to learn. On sunday as we celebrate having Father's what defines a father? Is it being a provider for your family? Is it being that friend, companion, and role model? Can someone be a father without being biologically linked to the child? What defines a father or "being a Man". Is it not leaving your family? How about showing compassion or being nurturing?

Father is defined as a male parent. A man who exercises paternal care over other persons; paternal protector or provider. ( Provided from Dictionary.com)

The father is defined as the male parent of an offspring. The father-child relationship is the defining factor of the fatherhood role.[4][5] "Fathers who are able to develop into responsible parents are able to engender a number of significant benefits for themselves, their communities, and most importantly, their children." This information provided by Wikipedia.com

So how do we define father or being a man?

reply to Alex's blog wk 5

Not only have girl fights become something of a habit. You will also find in colleges hazing to be something that has grown more and more with girls. It use to be big with the boys and now has spilled with the girls hazing each other. Physically, emotionally, and socially. It is bad enough that the media and internet make it hard for girls self-esteam, girls do it to each other now and then later call themselves family or friends for that matter. Media and internet have done a poor job in showing the negative of this behavior and just show how cool or great this is. Everyone saw the video of the girls beating on that pour girl in that house. That video was played over and over again on the tv. It is amazing how we only know how to display the negative and never the positive.

reply to Charlene's post week 5

Jason said...
It is so hard sometimes to express love especially when you have had bad experiences with love. You begin to wonder does love even exist. Everyone wants to be love and loved a certain way but maybe that is our problem. Sure we all deserve to be treated well and taken care of but who is to say there is a right or wrong way to love some one or show it. I remember my last relationship and how I was told I needed to love this way and do this and do that. I never was allowed to love the way i knew how. Sure it wasnt perfect and then again none of us our. What makes us all unique and special is how we express that love whether its spiritual, physicaly, emotional, or whatever. Love is such a general term and it can be interept in some many ways. In the end love for me is communicating, respecting, just meeting in the middle. Like you said Charlene you know your husband and you knew his MO. That right there is love. Just knowing what your husband is thinking and wanting to communicate with you to me is a part of love. Just knowing what the other person is thinking as if your brains are on the same page. Also seeing that you guys have been together for 20 years still gives me hope in a society that sees people get divorced more than they go to the movies.

reply to Alex's post week 4

Jason said...
You have to look at this country as not sexist but racist. You mentioned Obama as a poster boy and because he is a male he has had an easier campaign. You have to keep an open mind that yes Clinton is the first woman to run for president but Obama is the first black man or woman running for president. Both are minorities when it comes to being commander and cheif. Obama also has religion as a second factor against him. In a time where if your religion is not Christian or Catholic you are tagged as being part of terriost actions. Obama has more to prove and now that he has become the democratic favorite how will this nation act towards a black leader. We have come a way towards racism but we have barely put a dent in our western civilization. Could Hilary have lead our country? I would say yes she could have. The question you ask about a womans point of view is not taken seriously is because woman have not been fighting as long as men have when it comes to war. In the 4,000 plus soldiers who have died and the millions before this war how many were woman fighting in action. Very few and I am not saying that this is the sole reason why a woman is not take seriously, but a woman has a soft side. Can a woman president truly say yes we can go to war? Look at how men and women interact with their kids. A woman is much softer and nurturing while the man is more rough and supportive. I think our nation is afraid of being babied by a woman. But then again that is the way our society thinks and Clinton could have easliy proved every one wrong. But to say we are a sexist nation you have to look at both sides and say are we really sexist or still Racist.

Reply to Teresa Post Week 4

Jason said...
When I first read this I thought of my friend who works at a womens shelter and tells me the only stories of these women who have been battered and have no place to go and still want to go back. Even when they refuse to go back their husband come looking for them and threatening them. I always wondered for starters what makes a man do that...actually a punk do that because he's not a man. Second my heart goes out to those women cause you can sit there and say its easy to walk away but sometimes its not even close to easy. There are so many factors that come into play like money, education, and etc. I am just glad that this battered woman was able to find the strength to leave and not look back. When you think about it this ties in to our gender expectations. We expect a man to be respectful, caring, and loving. We expect a woman to be loving, nurturing, and faithful. My question is where does it turn south? Is it society that says stop being that type of person and become reckless? Or is it the way the person was brought up? Perhaps some men and women grow up with no expectations from their parents. They are forced to become who they want to be with no expectations, no values and morals. Just be who ever you want to be or whatever you see on TV thats who you become. In the end sometimes we become and do what we see on TV and what we hear through music.

Week 4: Where are my female athletes

I recently read an article written by a man that asked the question; where are the female athletes? I found this interesting since we talked about Brandi in our blackboard discussions. In the article he was listing all the female athletes of the past that made such a huge impact on women sports in the 90's. When it comes to now there is no one a young female athlete can look up too. In the 90's we had Mia Hamm for soccer, Gabrielle Reece for volleyball, Jackie Joyner Kersee for track and field, Katrina Witt for figure skating. I can go on and on with a list of strong female athletes but now we live in an age where girls cry for that role model. We can look at our female athletes now, most of them are retiring like the Williams sisters, Lisa Leslie from the WNBA, and so on. Girls can say we have Danica Patrick and Maria Sharapova but they are not dominating their sport like the woman in the past have and they are more seen as sex symbols. These two girls are in the top 10 of hottest female athletes. They are not even in the top 10 for influential and dominating. The question I have is has out society taken the few woman we have as role models and turned them into sex symbols? Better yet do the women athletes of today see being a sex symbol first as a meal ticket to success and once they get into the sport they will try and perform to the best of their talent? When they asked students in North Jersey schools whos their favorite female athlete, most girls did not have one. They had Derek Jeter on their top list. Women athletes need to say to heck with being on the cover of Maxim, or Playboy and say I want to be on the cover of ESPN the Magazine. I want to see again little girls having Mia Hamm posters on their walls. Like I said before, men are bored at seeing other men. Where are the women with fire, passion, and drive for the love of the game. In an era where steriods and drugs affect male sports, females need to show some of the guys what it takes to win. Help them remember why they loved the sport in the first place. Not for the money but for the love and passion of the game. That is what Brandi represented when she took off her shirt on that field. We need another moment like that in sports today.

Reply to Glenn's post week 4

Jason said...
Glenn you make an interesting observation. I think everyone went through that growing up in middle school and high school up to college. Men had the sports they played in and women had theirs. You can look at the sports that have crossed paths. Basketball is played by both men and woman, soccer, and baseball but woman play with a softball. In basketball not too long ago the WNBA played against the NBA men. It was an interesting game but the women were over matched. I feel there is a same sport understanding between the genders but its not across the board. You don't see girls playing football but then again would a girl want to put on the physical muscle to compete in football.You look at bodybuilding and how woman work out just as hard as men do in that sport. In different situations men and women have an understanding and a respect for one another because they both see what it takes to compete and want to win in that sport. I know my children that I teach enjoy playing sports and I teach them that both girls and boys can play against each other and even on the same team. At first my boys were reluctant even saying I dont want her on my team but after sometime now, the boys have enjoyed having the girls on the team. They actualyl have made comments that they have improved. My girls play football and baseball right there with the boys which I'm very proud of because like you said there has to be an understanding at an early age.There are sports like basketball and soccer that have the respect level between both men and women. Both genders know that they can compete and be on the same side. Then there are sports or issues that men just want the girl on the team to stare at their body and see them run. The question is how do you place that system in our schools? In our schools its where it starts or does it start first at the home? Do parents have more of an impact? I know I teach my kids to play together in both my jobs but that is just a fraction of what can be done. There is alot more but all it takes is a small start that can grow into something big.

Reply to Dorit's week 3

Jason said...
Woman are working more than ever. Woman have gone to work and put that first and being the homemaker who takes care of the house and kids a distant second. Woman are becoming more like men every day. They are not focused on when am I having a child. They are more focused on when am I getting that promotion. That job should be mine. Each field has its discrimination. Education is all woman from top to bottom. I work in a field with both my jobs that is nothing but woman. My Supervisor have all been woman. But you go to a corporate business and see more men in higher roles and even though their are woman who hold strong positions, its not an equal level. I wouldn't say its discrimination, back then yes. Now it is to the point where it truly is every man or woman for themselves with a few exception. There are still jobs that will higher a man over a woman and a woman over a man. In the end expectations of woman are changing quickly than people think and Education is a dominant field for woman.

Reply to Tiffany Week 3

Jason said...
Skinny bitch is an offensive way to title a book that is suppose to help woman feel good about losing weight and eating healthy. Then again it seems all we do as a society is down play each other. Men we refer to each other in different words that are offensive. The book could have been titled Skinny in the Kitchen and get rid of the word bitch. Then again why does every girl have to be skinny. Ladies meat is good no need to be skinny with no curves. Remember like Shakira said in her song..Hips Dont Lie. But overall we need to find better ways to communicate with each other instead of putting us down even if the word Bitch is being used as describing someone's positive attitude.

Week 3: Expectations with Change!!!

I have to admit that I am looking forward to seeing the Sex and the City movie when it comes out. I think Cary should have ended with Edan and not BIG. I feel BIG and Cary probably may not end up getting married. I can’t believe that Steve is cheating on Miranda but there is probably more to it then what the preview is showing. The previews show a mix how both gender can make mistakes and either violate the norm or live up to what we label as stereotype. For example, each lady had a role they portrayed, Cary was the woman looking for love in all the wrong places, Charlotte wanted to be the perfect wife, Miranda was work focus, and Samantha was well if you saw the show you saw what Samantha was but the point here is that they all at some point went away from their norm and changed. We saw Charlotte cheat on her husband, Samantha finally giving in to a man, Miranda pausing her career to be with Steve and the kids in Brooklyn, and Cary battling her emotions and going from love, to in love, to being in love, to doubting love. Saying its ok to be confused about what you want because sometimes in life you do not always get it.

They took on gender patterns that are woman but in our society could be seen as men. Men are looked at as sluts, please excuse any slang I may use. We have that stereotype that we go from one girl to another. We are seen as we communicate with woman through music, body language, and etc. as possibly wanting one thing. You look at Sex in the City and certain characters show that men are not the only ones that act that way, woman are just as guilty. I feel personally our society is breaking away from the traditional roles through music, everyday life, etc. Woman are working more and being home less, Men are actually becoming more in tune with a woman’s feelings and believe or not want a family just as much as a woman does but you are seeing woman just not ready as we did in the past. Music and movies are changing the way we communicate are roles. I have to laugh when I see a girl rapping a 50 cent song and dancing like a guy. Whatever happened dancing and singing like a woman to a simple dance song. My expectations went from being engaged or married by now with a woman that would be honest and faithful. I’m 25 and I have yet to meet a woman like that and when I do, they happen to be my best friends. I’m not even thinking of engagement in fact it scares me because I see more and more divorce and people cheating on each other which makes me fear it all. Can a marriage honestly last in our society today with all the expectations we put on ourselves and on our genders? Funny how our best guy and girl friends are the most honest and loyal people we know but we would never date them. Why is that?

Thank you guys

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their encouraging words that hey its ok for a guy to have a femine side to them. We try so hard to have that tough guy shell that we sometimes forget to have a soft side and may come across as prick or something worse. So thanks for the words of encouragement.

Business Class post week 2: I work with all Woman

All my life I have been surrounded by just woman. Basically every boss I've had has been a woman and all I do is work with woman. I was raised by my Grandma and mother. I had no dad and my Uncle was the only guy influence in my life. As a result growing up I have developed a femine side to me. Some of my favorite movies are Untamed Heart, The Notebook, and even P.S. I love you. I am very much in tune with my guy side from sports, to movies, to everything that our society has said this is what makes a man. I have been made fun of because I even watch Sex and the City which I am actually looking forward to seeing the movie by the way. I have never felt like I was confused about my sexuality or gender. The question I have is why can't a man be in touch with his femine side? Woman get all mad when a guy doesn't act romantic or show any interest in chick flicks. I mean come to my house and you will see my dvd list of chick flicks. In both of my jobs I am surrounded by woman and not that I mind. I always love hearing menstrual stories and woman complaining they can not find the right guy and instead go for the right now guy. I guess where I am getting at is this: Why do guys have a problem with another guy being in touch with his feminie side? Do woman really want a guy who is just a straight up guy who doesn't care to know that your shoes match your dress or a guy who wants to do a dinner and a movie? Since the class is about gender and communicating, perhaps someone can communicate with me that it is ok to be a rough guy with a soft heart.

Pregnant Man

Our society has evolved our the years in regards to recognizing same sex marriages. I can not honestly say this is a pregnant man because she was a woman. A woman who became a man but has all of the female parts needed for childbirth. Will our society truly accept this transgender issue? Maybe or maybe not. One has to think what will the child think of this growing up. Children are affected tremendously by issues of divorce with parents, same sex parents, and now having a father who is truly a woman but is a man by taking pills. Will society accept this I don't think so, maybe a few groups have but the majority sees it as a woman married to a woman having a baby. In 10 years or sooner when the child gets older, that child may develop issues of its own identity and have troubles figuring out the norms of society. Society has generated certain norms that are allowed and others that should not be. Is this because religion plays a huge part in our society in terms of what is right and what is wrong? Only time will tell if this pregnancy becomes a success not because they have the child but if that child can grow up in a society where she will be looked at differently. The child will be seen as the child whos parents are both females and one of them decided to change her outside appearance to look like a man. Or perhaps nothing will happen and they all will live happy lives. Then again does our society allow us to live happily ever after. Only time will tell.

Hey everyone, hope this will be a fun and enjoying class. Looking forward to some interesting coversations.