Unit 14 LGBTQ

Heteronormativity is the idea that heterosexuality is the only form of acceptable sexuality and along with that idea comes traditional and even strict gender roles. I could not disagree with this concept anymore. I am in a heterosexual marriage and still believe that there are no such thing as "gender roles". I look at my relationship and we both feel that we are an equal partnership; we both work, cook, clean, balance the check book, be active, and make decisions together. The idea of traditional gender roles drives me crazy because it creates unrealistic expectations and confusion for individuals, no matter what sexual orientation they are. Heteronormativity creates feelings of uncertainty and dislike for oneself for individuals who may be questioning their own sexuality because the expectation is unrealistic and even unreachable. Truth be told many of the same-sex couples I know are no different then their heterosexual counterparts. Like blended and step-families my hope is that the LQBTQ will one day be widely accepted and respected. You don not have to agree with someones choices to respect them. 

Unit 13 Intersectionality

The theory of intersectionality reminds a lot of the movie the Butler starring Forest Whitaker as an African American butler in the White House. He worked with many American Presidents during the civil rights movement. As a young man he lived on a plantation with his family in the South where she witnessed his father being killed by the plantation owner who was raping his mother and his mother becoming mute. He eventually leaves the plantation and gets training from a master server eventually landing a job at the White House. While there he was witness to many presidential decisions regarding race in America, such as the first integrated school and the Voting Rights Act.

It was interesting watching this film and the perspective of a black man working for a white man who was in such a position of power. Eventually color was blind in the White House and even the president's would go to him for advice. This movie was a perfect example of what living during the civil rights movement was like, only instead of the typical of from the view of an activist or slave, it was from a black man who held a prestigious position. Despite his position in the White House he was still dealing with being black in a time where being black was not acceptable. I most enjoyed watching his internal struggle between respecting the decisions of the President's and the freedom of his people.

Unit 12 Conflict Theory

Conflict is unfortunately a necessary evil in our relationships with others. The picture above is a collage of words in regards to conflict. I know for me personally these words come into my mind when I am dealing with conflict with others as well as myself. With conflict brings positive and negative outcomes within our relationships, but one thing is for sure, with conflict relationships will change as a result of conflict. 

Conflict resolution is important to teach in order to help individuals become more successful in their relationships. I liked this picture because the collage of words are the words that need to be used to help overcome conflict in a positive manner. 

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Unit 11 Feminism Family Theory

In my blog today I would like to compare feminism in our society to feminism in other countries. Like mentioned in our readings, cultural differences can change the role of feminism in a society. Although feminism in Japan is attributed to a huge influx of Western influence in Japanese culture, it also differs from Western feminism by focusing less on the individual. Prior to the nineteenth century women were taught to obey any man they came into contact with. There were women being sold and forced into staying in unhappy and/or violent relationships. when the feudal system was abolished women could no longer be sold, women were allowed to request a divorce, and both boys and girls received an elementary education. Then like their Western counterparts women gained the right to vote and the sexes became more equal. Where they differed was Japanese women wanted equality for both sexes from the oppression of society, not equality with men.

In India feminist are like many of there Western counterparts. They to want equality amongst the genders. Indian women want equal pay, political rights, and equal access to education and healthcare. Unlike Westerners, Indian feminists face a unique sense of discrimination due to India's patriarchal society. Sex-selective abortion is a major issue that has been plaguing feminists in india for two decades, but unfortunately as it stands a man has right to terminate a pregnancy if the sex of the baby is undesired. 

In Egypt women were once considered o be equal. Many of Egypt's literature and artwork depict women having equal if not more power then men. When Europe began to invade Egypt those views quickly shifted, and women in Egypt are fighting for equality. Some of the unique issues feminists face in Egypt are on the issues of marriage. Feminists have fought unsuccessfully to raise the age to legally get married as well as the abolition of polygamy. 

It is clear to me that women all across the world are facing issues of social inequalities. Cultural differences play a role in what social issues feminists will be fighting to make equal and/or abolish. Women have come a long way in many retrospects but still have a long way to becoming equal with our male counterparts.