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.

Chapter 54: Marketing "Reality" to the World

For those, reality TV and game show-esque fans, Survivor has been a well known show for years. Since its release on CBS in 2000, the show has had up to 29 million viewers in a season. The show revolves around a particular number of contestants on in various remote locations in Africa, South America, North America, Australia and Asia. The isolated contestants must learn to live on their own and survive in these locations. They have to find their own food, water and shelter while participating in competitions throughout the show. The competitions help them obtain immunities or a form of competitive advantage. At the end of the show, contestants can be voted off the island or continue onto the next episode. This becomes interesting as viewers watch contestants form alliances with each other and strategize on how to win. In 2015, the show has become a global franchise with its own renowned brand. Chapter 54 further explains the shows road to success through marketing and strategic initiatives.

In Marketing "Reality" to the World,  Chris Jordan explains how shows like Survivor are marketed to the public to maximize viewers and profits. Jordan discusses the idea of post-Fordism which promotes globally promoting products and brands nationally and internationally. Jordan also explains the main goals of reality shows which is to attract a proper audience and advertisers. Survivor attracts teens and young adults which is a large audience that many advertisers want to influence. Globalization also plays an important role in the success of reality shows. Licensing the show to countries abroad increases viewers abroad. Reality shows create a brand for themselves to acquire loyal fans. Similar to fashion logos like Gucci and Nike, the Survivor logo and phrases are very well known. Because of the brand success, Survivor maintains committed advertisers. This business strategy is used by a variety of other reality tv shows including The Bac helor, America's Next Top Model, The Real World and many others. 

Boys, Girls and Toys- Oh My!

Many toy stores and department stores have gender specific aisles stocked with dolls, games, learning toys, building blocks and other fun products created for children. Additionally, the websites for these stores like ToysRUs have gender related filters for "Girls' Toys" and "Boy Toys". After using these filters and comparing the results, there is a clear distinction between the products, packaging, and marketing for girls and boys. The pictures included in this blog are screen shots directly from the ToysRUs webpage after refining the toy search by gender. The "Boys' Toys" page above is predominately blue and green, with deals on action figures and outdoor items including an Avengers themed scooter. The site also has featured categories including video games, bikes, and building sets that the company believes would attract young boys. The "Girls' Toys" page includes a bright pink heading with Barbie and Hello Kitty dolls, along with deals on My Little Pony toys. The featured categories for the girls' toys include dolls, crafts, and pretend play. These two pages give a strong idea of the main relationships between toys and gender. 

In general, girls toys tend to revolve around feminine stereotypes including nurturing, motherly, domesticated, etc. Boys' toys align with masculine stereotypes including aggressive, athletic, energetic and logical. Because of gendered toys, these stereotypes are introduced to children at a very young age. As girls and boys begin identifying themselves by gender, they are subject to choosing what time of activities they partake in. A simple trip to a toy store leads them to believe that if a child is a female, she should shop in the girls aisle. 

Some department stores are reacting to this issue in a positive manner. For example, Target announced that they will be removing gender specific aisles from stores. In August of 2015 the company stated they would remove the gender labels for toy departments and other child related departments including bedding and entertainment. They also plan on eliminating the pink and blue decor that emphasizes the gender specified aisles. These are important steps that many toy and department stores should take because it prevents children from being exposed to the gender stereotypes. Children should have their own right to choose what they want to play with without any external pressures. 

Gender and the Military

The US Armed Forces are the military forces for America that consist of five branches including the Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps. Although I have friends and relatives in different branches of the military, I have never thoroughly discussed the social dynamics and gender roles in the military with them. Those who I have briefly talked to about it only stated that it was a highly male atmosphere with a lot of testosterone. This description is what most people would think of when referring to the military because certain branches are predominantly male. 

After reading "Sexuality, Gender, and the US Military" by Melissa Trible, I have a better understanding of the different perspectives on gender roles and sexuality within the armed forces. Most of the information in the article is outdated because it was written in 2008 and the "don't ask don't tell policy" applicable to homosexuals in the military is no longer applicable. However, the information regarding gender in the military is still relevant today. Trible takes into account the differences in physical and emotional aspects between men and women. She makes a point to say that these are only averages, not absolutes. Therefore, female and male build and emotions may differ, but this does not mean that all women are not suited for combat. She also presents the solution of female-only combat units so that their training and unit can be tailored for females. This idea would solve some solutions, but males and females fighting for the same thing should be able to work together with the right system. 

Another interesting topic is how female and male soldiers are portrayed in pop culture. There are many movies that include or revolve around armed forces. Some examples of movies include Saving Private Ryan, American Sniper, The Hurt Locker, and many others. These movies have predominantly male characters and the male soldiers are always presented as brave, determined, and strong individuals. Females are also portrayed as these characteristics, but they are also presented with more masculine features. They are regarded as tough and show less emotion that a typical female, and not typically presented as a higher up officer. 

Popular culture also presents soldiers and their husbands and wives in a particular way. For example, Army Wives is a show about four army wives and one army husband. The show includes accounts of abuse, PTSD, cheating, homophobia, financial issues, and other issues associated with their marriages. It captures the life of these families with a dramatic spin on it. 

Sound & Fury: Fred Phelps and Life Inside Westboro

Every church has its own set of beliefs on countless topics including ethics and morality, religion, sexuality, and other controversial issues. Westboro Baptist Church is an infamous Baptist church lead by Fred Phelps in Topeka, Kansas. The church is classified as a hate group due to its hate speeches against the government, military, gay community, and many other groups. The church was formed in 1931 as a branch of another Baptist church in Topeka, East Side. In 1954 Phelps was hired as an associate pastor for East Side and became the pastor of Wesbtboro a year later. Phelps disaffiliated Westboro with East Side, making the church an unaffiliated Baptist church in Topeka. An article by Mark David Bradshaw, Sound & Fury: Fred Phelps and Life Inside Westboro, gives readers an inside look at the family life and story of Fred Phelps. The recounts of his life and family are heavily related to the speeches and protests at this church.

At the age of 24, Phelps moved to Topeka with his wife in 1954 and raised 13 children while leading Westboro. He forbade them from joining any extracurricular activities or celebrating holidays like Christmas. Additionally, he made his children run excessively and sell candy as a form of income. He abused them as punishment for not following his strict rules. Phelps forbade his children to date and when he found out his son Freddy was seeing a girl he targeted her and called her names like "whore" until she commit suicide.

Phelps was also a lawyer and created a lawfirm that was responsible for most of Westboro's legal activity. He abused this firm and his license when suing people for anything he did not agree with. He sued the school his children attended when the contacted police to investigate potential child abuse in the Phelps' home. In 1979 he was disbarred from practicing law due to this activity.

When analyzing Phelps' story, readers should analyze his actions and how they affected the church he led. His leadership as a patriarch of a family can be compared to his leadership of a congregation as a pastor. He was never open to new ideas and would not let his family explore anything that was not a part of his plan. This form of tyranny can brainwash the followers of the church which leads to the protests and hate speeches. People of Topeka and surrounding areas should be aware of these things before joining such a radical organization or hate group.

Chapter 39: The Pornography of Everyday Life

Pornography is known for its degradation and sexualization of women. The many forms of pornography can be associated with gender, violence, rape and objectification. In Chapter 39 of the textbook, Jane Caputi explains the negative effects associated with porn that we encounter in our everyday lives. In Pornography of Everyday Life, gender issues, violence, rape, and objectification are not just in the videos or photos of kinky or rough sex. People are exposed to these things from advertisements, language or slang, movies, and television shows. 

The first thing Caputi discusses is gender porn. Gender porn emphasizes masculine hostility and feminine submissiveness. This can be witnessed in male dominate porn where women are completely controlled by the male counterpart. However, in everyday life, this is portrayed in advertisements. Looking through a magazine, there are countless ads for fashion, fragrances, and other products that include men and women in a sexual position. The women are typically inferior to the men in these images. An example of this is Calvin Klein ads, like the one mentioned in a previous blog post with Justin Bieber. People do not question the gender issue in these ads because they are used to seeing them all over. 

Another issue Caputi discusses is violence porn. Violence porn usually includes extreme acts of dominance causing harm to another person. She uses the modern day slang as an example for violence in everyday life. The terms used to talk about sex all have a violent connotation including banging, nailing, and fucking. People do not question the use of these terms to talk about sex because they are used so frequently in casual conversation. 

Caputi creates an interesting comparison between actual pornography and everyday ads and language. The article gives readers the impression that the effects of using a particular word or publishing a certain ad have harmful effects equivalent to that of porn. These things can only be avoided if people raise awareness for the issues. Being cognizant of the pornography of the everyday life can help people avoid the negative messages it sends.   

Intelligence vs. Icon

Part of becoming a celebrity is creating a name, brand, and public persona for yourself. One of the biggest problems in Hollywood is that celebrities are not portrayed as their true selves. Celebrities are typically guided to act, look, and react particular ways to enhance their public image and maintain a strong fanbase. For example Marilyn Monroe was depicted as a dumb blonde and sex icon throughout her life. Fans saw her as a symbol of beauty, sexuality, and lack of intellect. However, is this who the true Marilyn Monroe was? An article written by Neil Norman, Not Just a Dumb Blonde describes Marilyn Monroe's intellectual side that was rarely demonstrated in the media.

When you think of Marilyn Monroe, the first things that probably come to mind are her famous provocative black and white photos wearing a white dress blowing up in the air. Although she is typically remembered for looks and sexualized photos, Norman highlights her other impressive characteristics including a willingness to improve her intelligence and search for knowledge. Monroe associated herself with many notable intellects including Soul Bellow and Truman Cope. Additionally, she had a surprisingly high IQ score for what the media made her out to be. 

Although at the time it was more powerful to be sexual and beautiful than intelligent, I believe that times are changing in a positive manner. Various female celebrities including singers, actresses, and comedians show their smarts and still have a strong fanbase. Natalie Portman for example is in various famous movies including Black Swan and Thor, she is well known for her movies but she also has a degree from Harvard and does not compromise her smarts for fame. Women should look to Portman as an inspiration because she does not hide her educational background and remains successful.

What effects would arise if the first thing that came to mind when thinking of Marilyn Monroe was her impressive IQ? There are many positive effects of celebrities showing their intellectual side to the public through interviews and the media. Young fans tend to look up to celebrities as inspirations. Therefore, if they see icons like Marilyn Monroe gaining popularity acting dumb, they will most likely assume that is the way to act to make friends or impress their peers. However, if celebrities take pride in their education or working hard in school, it will have a positive effect on their fans. Additionally, it directly combats the objectification that women suffer from everyday. 

Time Magazine Article Summary

The fashion industry produces exaggerated photographs in ads to catch the reader's attention while promoting the brand at the same time. Fashion photographers are considered artists, creating spreads for high end designers and creating a story in their ads. Like fashion companies, photographers also want their work noticed by many. They create memorable pieces by thinking outside the box and pushing the limit. However, are they taking their art too far?

TIME magazine published an article discussing a controversial "fashion" photography spread. The photographer, Raj Shetye, published an image spread called The Wrong Turn which consists of a women on a bus being groped by men. It is in reference to a gang rape act in India from 2012 where a 23-year old victim was raped by six men on a bus. The models in the shoot are dressed in high end attire including a ball gown, dress pants, and button downs. The published images created major controversy because of the severity of the crime that the photographer portrays as high fashion.

The victim of the 2012 incident, Nirbhaya's parents spoke out against Shetye stating that, "He has tried to hurt the sentiments of parents and has mocked a girl's struggle. He has no right to play with anyone's sentiments" This statement highlights the negative effects of fashion photography when the spreads incorporate violence, especially against women. Ads and other published images like those of Shetye support rape culture by using it as a means of gaining attention. Just like ads of women objectify and degrade them, ads with domestic violence send similar messages. Additionally, they are insensitive to those who have suffered from these violent acts. Photographers should be cognizant of this and use their artistic abilities to promote change. It would have been more effective and less controversial if the images had a saying or disclaimer raising awareness for the issue, rather than glamorizing it.

Gendered Slang/Language

Gendered language is defined as language reflecting the experience, prejudices, or orientations of one sex more than another. The relationship of gender and language is surprisingly very close especially due to modern day slang, which typically emasculates males and degrades females. We have been exposed to this language at such a young age that we do not question people that use gendered phrases. Similar to the idea that pink is for girls and blue is for boys, particular words and phrases are associated with being male or female. There are many gendered phrases that have a negative affect on society, however people are beginning to highlight this issue. For example, Always brand has created a #LikeAGirl campaign that empowers females and speaks out against that phrase. Another example is a youtube video created about the phrase "be a man." These two phrases are frequently used by people of all ages, but the message it sends out hurts our views on gender.

"You play like a girl" can be heard at recess, on the playground, during sports games, and many other environments. At first, the phrase sounds like a typical harmless insult, but what is the true meaning behind the phrase? Are girls not skilled enough to play a game as well as their male peers? Do girls lack the competency or strength to excel in a sport or other activity? This phrase degrades girls making them sound weak and incapable of the things boys can do "effortlessly." Always, a popular brand in the feminine product industry, has created a campaign that highlights this phrase and the affects it has on gender. The following youtube video, created by Always, asks people of different ages what the term "Like a Girl" means to them. The answers say it all: Always #LikeAGirl.

A similar phrase, "be a man" is used by peers, coworkers, siblings, etc. when convincing them to do something. The term emasculates men, creating a stereotype that males should be tough, brave, courageous, and adventurous. Also, if someone does not "man up" they are called girls or pussies. This shows that people who show vulnerability or fear are associated with women, or worse, female body parts. There is a youtube video similar to the Always one where males from 5 to 50 years old are asked what it means to "be a man" and their responses vary by age. It is interesting to see how even young boys the age of 5 already understand the gendered association. This video can be viewed here: One Word: Be a Man

Girl Rising Comparison

The education system is a fundamental part of society and varies all over the world, especially for women, who are treated differently in every country. Women receive different opportunities regarding education depending on their community, culture and class. Girl Rising is a 2013 film directed by Richard E. Robbins that highlights the stories of 9 girls living in developing countries around the world. Each girl battles numerous obstacles to fulfill her dreams of obtaining an education, an invaluable ticket to succeeding in her respective country. The film is inspirational and encourages viewers to put their life and opportunities into perspective. Living in a country with countless opportunities to learn and succeed, American education can easily be taken for granted. Comparing the stories and experiences of two women, Suma and Ruksana, with women in America, the opportunities and situations are significantly divergent but many lessons can be learned from it. 

Suma is a young girl growing up in Nepal, who was a bonded laborer or "kamlari" since the age of six years old. Her family was poor and in need of money, so Suma was sent out to work in the homes of various masters while her brothers went to school. In each home, she was overworked from early in the morning to late at night, cleaning the dishes, doing laundry, and even working in the fields. She was mistreated by her masters and their families but looked to music as her escape. One day she was introduced to education from a social worker who conducted a night class for young bonded laborers. The social workers asked Suma and other kamlari about their duties and experiences and began fighting against this form of slavery. Suma was liberated from her duties but still pursues her passion for the art of music. Suma's story exemplifies the traditional views many people in developing worlds have of women not being worthy enough for an education. Women are kept from learning and forced into labor jobs as soon as they can walk. However, Suma proves that women are more powerful with an education. 

Ruksana is an 11 year old girl living in India, who like Suma, has a passion for art. However, her situation is much different from Suma's, because Ruksana lives in a family that supports her education. Her father works countless hours to send Ruksana and her siblings to school, to have a better future. Ruksana gets in trouble at school for using her notebook to draw rather than take notes. Instead of reprimanding her, her father takes her to get art supplies. Although the family is living on the streets, the father supports her passions, something rare in developing countries. Ruksana's safety is constantly at risk which is a constant battle everyday. However, she uses her art as a benefit, selling it on the streets of India. 

Suma and Ruksana's stories are inspirational and represent girls all over the world, struggling to succeed due to everyday obstacles hindering their abilities to become educated and rise in their communities. However, their positivity and passion is admirable and a lesson that everyone can learn from. In America, a majority of the country, both boys and girls, have the opportunity of education. Additionally, the equality between girls and boys is must stronger in our country than those of Suma and Ruksana. The education in our country helps foster dreams for many. We tend to take it for granted, where going to school and doing homework is a chore. Looking at Suma and Ruksana's strive for this so called "chore" puts education into perspective. Without education, we cannot succeed or fulfill our dreams. 

All in The Family

The nuclear family is regarded as the basic social unit of two parents and their dependent children. In the media, nuclear families stereotypically consist of a heterosexual couple of the same race and their children. However, this has changed tremendously in the past years and the types of family dynamics are endless. The gender roles are one of the most highlighted changes, as women are becoming more prominent in the workforce. This change as a strong affect on the household because it breaks the boundaries of "women are housewives and men are breadwinners."

In an article written by Sara Eckle in 2010, Dad-Mom Role Reversals, there are many examples of these gender role changes. Keep in mind, the article was written as America was recovering from the 2008 recession where the unemployment rates increased significantly. Many men that were used to being the main source of income for their families were out of jobs with the hopeless feeling of not being able to get back on their feet and provide for their wife and children. Parents and couples were forced to do what they could to overcome the situation; which meant changing roles if necessary. Therefore, women who had job opportunities were forced to work long hours, which meant less time spent on domestic activities. Men who were unemployed had to make up for the cooking, cleaning, and babysitting that their wives could not fulfill.

Eckle interviewed a number of couples and their reactions to these changes varied. For example, some had a difficult time with the changes like D.C. couple Christine and John Fruehwirth. John a former director of a private equity firm in the Washington D.C. area lost his job while his wife ran a career development business along with an additional job as a career consultant. John had a difficult time caring for his 7 year old and 5 year old, forgetting to change them or keep up with laundry. This shows the hardships that came with the role reversal.

Comparing the Fruehwirths with modern day families, there are many changes. With a high divorce rate, many families consist of only one parent rather than two. This puts added stress on the mother or father who is responsible for both working and nurturing his/her children. Parents today are extremely strong and hard working. We have all witnessed at least one friend or relative with this family dynamic and their strength of being a pillar for the family is tremendous. Whether the gender roles are reversed or one parent is taking on the stereotypical roles of both genders, the adjustment to these changes are difficult and take time to adapt to.

Chapter 26: Image-Based Culture

When you see this photo what do you think it represents? The 2015 Calvin Klein Jeans advertisement, featuring Justin Bieber, sends out many messages to viewers. The ad for jeans shows Bieber straddling a topless model, both wearing Calvin Klein jeans. This ad connects jeans, a typical clothing item, to sexuality and looks. People who see this ad may begin to believe wearing these jeans gives people a sense of superiority and sensuality. This ad is not the only one publicized that sends these messages. In fact, a majority of products on the market are heavily marketed through advertisements including food, cars, cosmetics, and household products. 

In Chapter 26, Image-Based Culture: Advertising and Popular Culture, Jut Shally gives an indepth explanation of advertisements and their affect on pop culture today. He starts by giving a brief history of ads being used in the early 1900's where ads starting incorporating visual images. The evolution since then due to technological advances and marketing innovations has been tremendous. Ads are encountered countless times in our everyday life, surfing the internet, driving to work, reading magazines, watching TV and many other day to day activities. Shally explains that advertisements create life styles that people yearn for. For example, a basic cereal ad typically includes a "perfect" family sitting at a table eating breakfast together. These social factors affect the audience leading them to believe that purchasing these products are necessary to give them this happiness. He also mentions that commentators have associated advertising with a religious system where people form their identity in materialistic means. 

Articles like this one are effective in promoting awareness of the image based, materialistic culture that ads have created.We are constantly being led to believe that we can recreate the lifestyles in ads with the products they promote. From feeling sexy in high end jeans to feeling superior in a particular car, how can we prevent the ads from affecting our minds? I believe the best way to approach these ads is with a sense of skepticism. Reading articles like the one in this chapter helps us become aware of these subtle messages. 

Image from: http://www.itssuperfashion.com/2015/01/justin-bielara-stone-calvin-klein-spring-2015/

Music Videos: Imagery and Lyrics

Taylor Swift - Shake It Off
Beyoncé - Run the World (Girls)

Cultural appropriation is a sociological concept which views the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of a different culture as a largely negative phenomenon. With the wide variety of cultures in our country, people adopt styles, music, foods, and many other cultural traditions from one another. Although there are some instances where accepting and adopting parts of different cultures can be positive, i.e. multicultural restaurants or fashion trends, sometimes this idea can be taken too far. Many popular artists are guilty of cultural appropriation in the lyrics of their songs, music videos, and fashion statements. I found two music videos that can be used as examples of this concept, Shake It Off by Taylor Swift and Run the World by Beyonce.

The first music video is a recent song from Taylor Swift, a pop singer and feminist. The song, Shake It Off was instantly a hit due to the catchy rhythm and light hearted lyrics. In the music video, Swift has a variety of costumes in the scenes. The ones that stand out are a break dancing scene where she is dressed in a flat top hat, leather pants, a varsity jacket, and holding a boom box. There are men behind her of different races posed in attire similar to hers with “tough” looks on their faces. In another scene she is dancing in an animal print cropped jacket, with layered gold jewelry and big gold hoop earrings. In this scene there are women of different races shaking their butts behind her. The ending of the video is a group of people in everyday outfits dancing with Swift. The beginning of the video exemplifies cultural appropriation because of the highlighted racial and cultural stereotypes.

The second music video is from Beyoncé’s recent top hit, Run the World. This video is an example of cultural appropriation and hegemony for a variety of reasons. The scenes are of women dressed in gladiator attire. The women encounter men ready for battle and Beyoncé begins dancing sexually in front of them. The attire is also sexual in many of the scenes including one where they dancing are in lingerie and heels. The video contradicts the lyrics of this song which is supposed to promote female empowerment, however the sexual dancing and costumes portray submissiveness or using sexual demeanor to have the upper hand against males.

Both music videos are surprising for the artists who are known feminists. If these pop culture icons strive to relay feminist messages to the public, it would help for them to avoid cultural appropriate or hegemony in their videos, watched by millions.

Chapter 25: When in Rome

With car radios, podcasts, and internet radio stations, today’s talk shows have a significant amount of listeners. There are talk shows about pop culture, sports, politics, and other hot topics. Chapter 25 of our textbooks consists of an article, When in Rome, which highlights a particular sports talk show hosted by Jim Rome called The Jim Rome Show. Jim Rome has aired on ESPN, CBS sports radio, and other local radio stations. In the talk show, he discusses sports news, scandals, and controversies. He is famous for his blunt opinions, clever statements, and sarcastic humor.

The way Rome presents sports news has a hegemonic tone to it especially when speaking about sex scandals involving strippers. David Nylund, the author, uses quotes from Jim Rome’s talk show about a sex scandal involving professional athletes at a strip club. When discussing the story on air, Rome and his callers use many derogatory terms including, skank and tramp. However, they remain respectful to the athletes, calling them by their names. This dialogue creates a misconception that the strippers are at fault and that the men were not held responsible for their actions. 

Additionally, when listeners, or "clones", call into the show he either "runs" them by ringing a buzzer and hanging up or lets them finish stating their opinion and "racks em" which enters the caller into a contest. This method is a form of approving or disapproving of other people's opinions. Nylund interviewed listeners who admitted that they would not call in because of the fear of being "run". This shows the traditional masculinity that men have, looking for approval from other masculine men. This idea dates back to middle school days when many teens look to be in the "cool" crowd. 

Rome does speak out against homophobia; especially when referring to a scandal where professional baseball pitcher Julian Tavarez called fans of another team "faggots". He shows disapproval for the name calling and openly discusses the topic of sexuality in his talk show. This is a notable action because his opinion influences many people. 

Nylund highlights both the negatives and positives to Rome's talk show. Although the sports radio show seems aggressive and hegemonic against females, his main purpose is to attract viewers, mainly men to listen. He has successfully done this and stands by his opinions on sports, homophobia, and heterosexism. 

I Tube, You Tube, We All Tube

Stereotypical gender roles
Defying gender roles video


 There are many videos regarding gender roles on the internet today. Similar to the “Blurred Lines” music videos and parodies watched in class, some videos involve stereotypical gender roles while others are used to defy these stereotypes and send messages to internet users everywhere. These videos become viral and the messages they convey are quickly broadcasted. After searching various articles and videos on YouTube, I discovered two videos sending opposite messages.

The first video is of a woman walking in New York City. There was a hidden camera in front of her recording her encounters with various men on the streets. The comments people made to her were displayed as subtitles for viewers to see. The comments included various sayings including, “smile!” and “how you doing”? At one point during the video a man followed her for a few minutes trying to start conversation. This video highlights the frequent cat calling that many women encounter in their daily lives from strangers off the street. The powerful video ends with a closing paragraph about an end to street harassment, an issue where women are the common victims.

The gender roles are completely reversed in the second video. A man is walking the streets pushing a baby stroller wearing “provocative” male clothing. The women are the streets stop him, trying to talk to him and seduce him. Similar to the first video, one even says, “keep smiling honey!”. The man becomes sexually harassed towards the end of the film where his wife picks him up from the police station with bruises all over his face and body. The ending conversation between the man and his wife is the most powerful part because she does not show remorse for him but rather anger, blaming the situation on his attire.

The two videos highlight the harassment issue that occurs to innocent people walking in cities. Men may not see this as a serious issue, but there are dangerous consequences. The videos  are very effective in making people aware of this issue, hopefully making men cognizant of their seemingly “harmless” actions.

Chapter 1: Cultural Studies, Multiculturalism, and Media Culture

            In Chapter 1 of Gender, Race, and Class in Media, there is an article written by Douglas Kellner, Cultural Studies, Multiculturalism, and Media Culture. This article discusses various ideologies regarding gender, race, and multiculturalism and how these ideas relate to the media. Media influences the minds of a large audience and Kellner touches upon the effects music, movies, shows, and the internet have on social classes. He starts by discussing how media controls how we dress, what we say, and how we act. For example, teenage girls are easily influenced by shows like Gossip Girl that revolve around the young upper class living extravagant lives in Manhattan. Although there are female independent protagonists in many current television shows, the multicultural or LGBT representation in mainstream media could receive more attention. 

         Kellner also discusses how media relates to the modern day economy. Shows, music, and other forms of entertainment are dependent upon large corporations and profits.  He explains that everything from the length of a song to the content constraints on media sharing sites is all managed by large businesses looking for profits. This highlights one of the main reasons media cannot be easily manipulated abruptly, but the change to increased equality in shows, music, and other content will take time. 

           Another interesting point made in the article is about pop culture icons including Beyonce, Madonna, and Lady Gaga. Although their claim to fame is the entertainment industry, their success is far from limited. These stars are leading icons in beauty, fashion, and sexuality. Their fame influences a large population which would enable them to promote messages with great ease. If these stars were on the forefront of change and equality for gender and multiculturalism, would they hold the power to make lasting changes? I believe they have the power to combat stereotypes and improve society especially due to their success and inspiration to fans out there.

           In conclusion, Kellner highlighted many interesting points about media and its influence on society. There are so many media outlets that are currently being used to influence the public. Although the shift to more equal media representation for different races, cultures, and social classes will take time, the effects would be long-lived.