Modern Familes & Modern Money Worries Summary

In the US today, there are a wide variety of families with different structures and financial status. From those below the poverty line, to those in the upper class, family dynamics plays an important part. Having two incomes versus one, children from ex-husband or wives, a same-sex significant other, etc. can affect the financial status of many families. These characteristics play a role in income, taxes, budgeting, investments, and saving. The providers of every family constantly deal with the difficult task of making financial decisions that will benefit themselves and their families both now and in the future. The structure of many modern families makes these decisions difficult. An article written by Paul Sullivan, "Modern Families and Modern Money Worries" explains four diverse modern family structures and how the typical financial struggles associated with them. He discusses single parent, blended, same-sex, and multi-generational families.

He starts with single parent families which include single or divorced parents, widows, abandoned spouses, and many others. Single parent families typically include one working parent and sole provider for a household. The hardships depend on the income, amount of children, and other demographics. These single parents suffer from the stress of both providing for and caring for their children. Additionally, they must decide whether to invest in life insurance if they die.

The next family he describes is the blended family which includes a couple with children from each other and other previous relationships. The main financial issues associated with this family dynamic includes the distribution of wealth between children. Many families may want their own children to receive more than their significant others. Additionally, the amount of children to raise increases expenses significantly, which leads to many budgeting obstacles.

Sullivan then describes the same-sex couples which dealth with issues regarding pension and social security benefits. Another issue associated with same-sex couples included realty and where to invest in property. There are also social issues that affect the financial status of same-sex couples. Sullivan brings up the idea that some gay children may lose inheritances depending on the acceptance of their parents.

The last demographic mentioned is multi-generational families which includes a family with different generations living in the same house. These families typically incur high expenses to support more residents. The budgeting and saving for these families can become complicated depending on the amount of working members. Multi-generational families also face complicated tax situations due to the amount of dependents and monetary transactions including healthcare and other expenses.

Gender Neutral Children

From the moment a child is born, parents have to make endless amounts of decisions about raising the child. Many of these decisions are associated with the child's gender. When decorating the child's bedroom, dressing him or her, and even buying them toys and accessories, most parents consider whether the child is a boy or a girl. Aisles of infant and children stores are filled with clothing, toys, etc. covered in pale pink and light blue as a way to decipher gender. Most parents make the decision to raise their child with regard to traditional gender norms. Others, like Beck Laxton and Kieran Cooper choose a different direction by raising their child gender neutral.

The DailyMail published an article on a British couple that refused to reveal their child's gender for five years. Laxton and Cooper had a son, Sasha, who they wanted to raise gender neutral. They did this by concealing his gender, dressing him in clothes for both boys and girls, and decorating his room using a gender neutral color, yellow. This was not as easy as it sounds, and it has become more difficult for them to continue raising Sasha like this since he has started school. Attending school exposes children to peers who may be raised completely differently. Sasha's parents stated that he has not been judged for his clothing choices or toys. His parents let him make his own choices on what he wants to wear or play with. 

Raising children like Sasha is beneficial because the child becomes more independent and adopts his or her own gender identity rather than learning one. However, not all agree with this method of parenting.The article also presents an opposing opinion to this gender neutral idea. Dr. Harold Koplewicz, a psychiatrist from the US disagreed with the idea of raising children gender neutral. He explained that children are not born with a "blank slate" and their brains do work and develop differently depending on gender. He used examples of activity and language development to support his statements.

Whether or not parents choose to raise their children as gender neutral or make the decision to follow certain gender norms, the most positive parenting includes accepting children and the decisions they make. Although it is nearly impossible for infants to make basic decisions on their own, as they grow up they begin developing their interests, personality, and overall identity. Parents can aid in this process by being supportive and accepting of their children's choises. 

Solidarity

On the night of November 13th, 2015, Paris suffered a massive terrorist attack including shootings, bombings, hostages, and over 100 deaths. The traumatic evening which was deemed a terrorist attack hurt the lives of all the residents, tourists, and others all over the world who heard the news. The world came together on the days following the attack to show support for Paris. For example, famous monuments and buildings including the Empire State Building in NYC and the Sydney Opera House in Australia, as shown on the right, were lit up in blue, white, and red in honor of those suffering in Paris.

Additionally, individuals around the world have come together via social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to express their sorrow, mourning, and opinions on Friday night's events. People changed their profile pictures to photos with a blue, white, and red filters to show support. Additionally, hashtags like "#prayforparis" were also used frequently on posts. People who studied abroad or visited Paris while traveling posted pictures as a form of condolences. Some may say this was an act of unity within various nations of the world coming together to pay their respects. However, others have highlighted a flaw in the solidarity expressed in these actions.

A blog article published on outwithgeorge discusses the idea of privilege and its relation to the solidarity shown after the Paris attacks. The author of the blog highlighted the fact that the world came together to mourn the death of those in the Paris attacks but failed to display solidarity for others suffering around the world including those in Lebanon, Kenya, or Syria. He explains that so many people are more sympathetic to those who suffered in Paris because it is associated with white people being the victims. When it is "brown" people suffering civil unrest, terrorist attacks, or massacres, the world does not post flags up as profile pictures or create hashtags to show support.

This issue arrises from the media and news networks revolving their reports on the attacks on Paris. The news channels do not appropriate coverage on various events, but rather focus reports on what they believe to be the most important "breaking" news. Since the Paris attacks were given the most attention, the word spread, similar to a viral Youtube video or Facebook campaign. Because of all the attention the attacks received, people were more inclined to show support. Although the privilege issue also plays an important role in the issue. News channels and individuals need to make an effort to become more aware of problems similar to the terrorist attacks in Paris. Solidarity is effective when it is not focused on a concentrated amount of issues.

Photo credit:
http://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2015/11/monuments-around-the-world-light-up-for-paris/416106/

Chapter 68: GimpGirl Grows up: Women With Disabilities, Rethinking, Redefining, and reclaiming community

http://www.gimpgirl.com/

In chapter 68 of Gender, Race, and Class in Media, there is an article that explains the story of a website created for disabled women. The article, "GimpGirl Grows up: Women With Disabilities, Rethinking, Redefining, and reclaiming community" touches upon the creation, growth, and effects of Gimp Girl Community or GGC. This website was developed by Jennifer Cole, a disabled women who wanted to create a virtual place where women with disabilities could go to make connections with others and receive information and advice. The article starts by discussing the background and early stages of the website including quotes from Cole regarding her vision for the site. Additionally, the article explains the growth of the site and how it has transitioned since it started.

Gimp Girl Community started in 1998 as a forum for women with disabilities. The main goals for the site were to combat and combat abusive situations regarding disabled women and to strengthen their representation in the world. Jennifer Cole founded the group when she was 18 or 19 after leaving an abusive home and struggling with her transition into adulthood. The group was established to enable those feeling alone or isolated to connect with each other. Users can share ideas, personal experiences, problems, struggles, and advice with each other. The site had news and resources along with quizzes, polls, and other posts relating to women with disabilities. Additionally, the site did not discriminate against a particular age group, sexual orientation, or disability. 

The article also discusses the growth of the website through technology advancements. In 2003, the website adopted a LiveJournal format which was similar to a social networking site. Users could create their own accounts and join various communities. In 2007, Dr. Mark Rubin of 3D Embodiment donated a program for Second Life, which is similar to a virtual video game. Users could meet in various places on the computer including a pool area, amphitheatre, and many other locations. This program evolved throughout the years and fostered connections while letting women with disabilities enjoy a virtual experience. The issues with the SecondLife program for GGC include the lack of face to face interaction and over-reliance on computer software. However, the internet based community was created for the convenience of disabled women to interact with people in a setting similar to face to face interactions.

Chapter 68: https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/gender-race-and-class-in-media/book239376#contents

Social Networks

Facebook is a social media website, started in 2004, where people can create their own page and post photos, messages, links, and other information on their friends pages. The site is commonly used by people of all ages from middle schoolers to adults. The site enables users to create a personal page and use it as a way of expressing themselves and communicating with others. Everyone portrays themselves differently focusing on various interests, opinions, and social connections. Many of these pages, photos, and posts are associated to gender. However, as awareness for gender issues increases, Facebook has also become a way of addressing  these issues. 

After looking through Facebook and my friends' pages to determine whether or not they were gendered, I compared the pages of male and female friends. While browsing through pages, I noticed various similarities and differences. Females are more inclined to post "selfies", sentimental articles, celebrity news, and information about their personal or social lives. Most males tend to post their opinions on sports news or comical photos and videos. Similarities include posts about any controversial or political issues in which both male and females broadcast their opinions to friends on the site. Additionally, posts regarding popular music is also a similarity between genders.  Either way, the pages serve as a virtual version of user's personality including their goals, opinions, and interests or "likes". 

An article by Jordan K. Turgeon, "How Facebook and Social Media Affect Generation Next" highlights the influence sites like Facebook have on young adults. A positive aspect is that it can help young users become fast learners. Additionally, users tend to become more empathetic due to the consistent connection with friends and family. The negative affects on teens include an increased sense of narcissism, lower grades, and psychological disorders. These issues can develop and grow due to the constant sharing of personal life. Like other social media sites including Twitter and Instagram, Facebook's sole purpose is to share your life on the internet. Teens develop disorders when they use the site to increase their self confidence through acceptance via likes, comments, and other posts. Furthermore, teens tend to compare themselves and their lives to others at the click of a button. These issues can be stopped by increased awareness and education on social media to young social media users.

Chapter 70: How It Feels to Be Viral Me

Jimmy Wong's "Ching Chong" Video - Youtube

Many people become famous through social media websites, especially Youtube. Celebrities including Justin Bieber have started their careers on this popular video sharing website. Chapter 70 of "How It Feels to Be Viral Me" discusses YouTube stars and the Asian American YouTube vloggers like Jimmy Wong. Wong created a video in response to an offensive YouTube video that went viral.

In 2011, a UCLA student, Alexandra Wallace, created a video that consisted of jokes towards Asian Americans. She made comments about them on the phone in the library by imitating them saying, "ching chong, ling long, ting tong." In response to the video, Wong recorded and shared a song on YouTube. He starts the video holding a guitar with an accent saying that he is not the most politically correct. He then begins singing a song directed towards her referring to her face full of makeup followed by the "ching chong, ling long, ting tong" reference. The song has a good rhythm and satire which attributes to its fame.

The author then discusses other ideas related to YouTube including "International Secret Agents" and "Kollaboration". Kollaboration and ISA are part of a new economic model that connects fans with their vlog idols via live performances. The companies have helped promote Asian American YouTube stars including A.J. Rafael, Ryan Higa, and Jennifer Chung. The success of these concerts shows the rise of Asian Americans in mainstream entertainment.

This article focuses on Asian American stars, but YouTube has helped create stars of all race and ethnicities. The platform allows people to discover talent whether it is related to comedy, music, cooking, make-up, or various other skills. Fans using the internet become familiar with these stars because they can adapt to them since they are typically everyday people and not yet celebrities. People of all cultures can share their talents with the world which is one of the greatest parts about vlogging. People like Jimmy Wong can also create videos to send a message and prove a point which was scene by over 5 million people since 2011.

Reality Television

When you turn on the television looking for something entertaining to watch, you are most likely to come across a reality television show that captures your interest. Reality television makes up a majority of today's TV networks. There are a variety of reality TV shows including competitions, dating shows, families, and cultures. People enjoy these shows because they are easy to watch, mindless, and adaptable. Although they are famous for being entertaining, there is a question of whether or not these programs are actually "reality" shows.

Reality shows are frequently scrutinized for their lack of reality due to media and producer manipulation. The producers of these shows are interested in maintaining a high number a viewers and consistent positive ratings. Profits for these programs are dependent upon the popularity of the show. Anna Klassen, a women who appeared on a reality show called Bustle, recounts her experience being on reality TV in an article called "I Was on Reality TV: Behind the Scenes Secrets of Faking Real Life". Klassen stated that she was not herself when they were filming because they had her saying and doing things out of her character and personality. She also said the producer had her re-film particular parts multiple times. At the end of her makeover in the show, she had to go on a date where she said the person she was set up with was an actor from a casting site. Klassen's experience on a reality show emphasizes the truth behind fabricating these shows.


After watching an episode from Real Housewives of NJ, I realized that the gender roles are very stereotypical. The women on the show Theresa, Melissa, Jacqueline, Caroline, and Kathy are all emotional, family oriented, matriarch characters. There husbands including the infamous Joe Giudice are portrayed as careless and aggressive, especially during fighting scenes. Every episode is filled with drama and the way they handle the drama is typically dependent on gender. In the photo on the right, you can see Jacqueline and Theresa arguing which happens in most episodes. It is questionable whether or not the drama is real or for entertainment. After reading into reality television it seems as though these fights and divisions between friends were created to increase viewers.