CRJ #1

Women’s studies is recognizing the achievements of women and acknowledging their place in society. This is also seen in regards to the women’s movement. The women’s movement is about commitment to personal change as well as social transformation. This was used to help establish the study of women’s studies in higher education.

Once higher education allowed women’s studies to be taught in the classroom they set goals and objectives such as learning about a woman’s status in society- housewives to businesswomen and the social ladder in regards to how women are perceived.

Feminism in today’s culture, especially the youth has not been a glorious one. When we think of feminism and feminists we think of hard-headed lesbians who over react and over exaggerate women’s issues. Feminism wants all women to have equal rights and not be outshined by the male population, but have equal rights for all of the population- men and women. Not to mention recognizing the similarities in women’s status worldwide.

There are different types of feminism, but all of them focus on equality and celebrating the achievements of women. One misconception of feminism is that men are allowed to be feminists too. Liberal feminists use the present system of government to improve education and employment. Radical feminists are looking to change certain laws such as marriage (with lesbian feminists).

Feminism has many parts to it. There seems to be some truth to the ideas the youth has on feminism but at the same time there is so much more to it. After Reading farther into this, I have realized I am not a feminist. I sometimes agree with equal rights and sometimes I don't. But to make things easier, we'll say I don't. I'm glad I was able to find more information on feminism so I wouldn't continue living with a single idea. It's almost as though you are living a lie.

Assignment 1- Feminism Viewpoints

When I think of feminism, I think of a female who is overly into rights and equality. I think of someone who constantly petitions for rights that the rest of the population may not be completely happy with having. I was able to find some different view points on feminism from some of my friends. They all tend to have the same idea, from what culture and our age group has taught us- which of course, may not be true.

At the beginning of the school year, everyone talks with their friends about the classes they are taking. I rattle of my four English classes and then my two electives, Intro to Sociology and Intro to Women’s Studies. When they hear Women’s studies, they in a way question my choice of class. Except for one of my previous roommates that already took the course and gave me some pointers. My friend Dzu thought I was weird for taking the class. Two of my roommates Ryann and Torria both thought it was a good experience for me and thought it was a decent decision.

I asked these same people what they thought of when they heard the word feminism. There were slightly varying responses, but at the same time, they were the same. Dzu described a feminist as a crazy non-feminine woman. He also thinks that a feminist searches for things that are their rights and then goes around and exploits them. Torria said she thought of an extreme female activist. While Ryann pictures a head-strong yet close-minded woman.

I am not a feminist. I do believe that there are rights that should be shared with everyone, but at the same time, I do not go out and protest or make a big deal if a man has more rights than I do. If I hypothetically told my friends I wanted to become a feminist, I would have gotten some pretty interesting responses. Ryann said she would ask what happened to me and then smile and nod. Torria said she would tell me I was lying to her and that I was really confused because to her a feminist equals an angry lesbian- which I am not. Dzu didn’t want to comment on how he would perceive me if I were to become a feminist.

So, in conclusion, it seems that my age group has about the same view on feminism. Hopefully with this course I will be able to dispel that stereotype and educate my peers on the issue.

Me in a nutshell

Hi. My name is Kara, and my major is still undeclared but I'm working towards English. I'm a Junior from Richmond, VA and am taking this course in Blacksburg. I'm taking this class for the requirement and because I've heard it was entertaining. I have not taken a Women's Studies course before, and this will most likely be the only one. I have no idea what I want to do after I get out of school. I work at Cold Stone, so I may work my way up that ladder. I am not too particularly fond of this course being online, but I didn't want to sit through another lecture. So I suppose that is me in a nutshell.