When thinking about the blog questions for today, I sat and day dreamed alot about what, who, and where I want to be in my future- they were big dreams! However, it is incredibly important for me to achieve what I desire in life because I have seen what my mother has done and she loves her family, career, and is able to live the life she wants comfortably; a goal that I think alot of individuals strive for. But, I believe without a sense of desiring more from oneself or from life in general brings about a lull in an individuals aspirations and even daily schedule. Something I never want to face because I want to be secure and loving the decisions I make as a growing adult.
Where do I see myself in 10 years?
That is a good question. Even though I day dreamed about "what I want to be when I grow up," I came across alot of career paths including: working for the government/state/city as a criminal therapist, working as a family therapist, working as a lawyer, working in a rehab clinic, working at a non-profit organization, or even working in management at a large company... I still feel like my possibilities are endless and I do not want to put a cap on one career choice just yet. But as of right now, I would love to either work as a therapist (criminal or familial) or as a lawyer. Though, whatever career path I follow I will be living in Chicago or a surrounding suburb, depending on how many children I have (hopefully two :), but maybe just one at that point). Overall, it is important for me to have solid career and familial life so see at that point that I will have a great start - at 31.
How will GWSS help?
I think GWSS will be helping alot more than I initially thought. I am getting some great experience in different fields as well as gaining different knowledge about many many career paths and becoming far more creative and "real world" savvy. But I think the most help I am getting is our practicum experience. It is a great resume booster, good experience, and offers alot of different ideas as far as how I want to help people/society as I grow older, and ultimately it allows me to grow in to myself as a person in real life rather than in just a classroom setting....Exciting to think about!
What things do I need to learn/do to achieve my goals?
Oh god I need to do so much to achieve my goals in life!.. the list could probably go on forever, but here are just the ones that I know I have to learn/do in order to get what I want in life.
*First and foremost, graduate from Iowa
*Find a job which will include: applications, networking, training, etc..
*Apply for gradschool/get in gradschool/graduate
*Find my inner-self!
*Have a supprtative family (as far as a husband and kids)
*Volunteer to gain experience
*Study up on different careers to gain knowledge on new concepts/ideas
*Participate in seminars or tours of "helping" facilities to find out what I enjoy the most as far as atmospheres
*Be apart of the community
*Always stay involved
*Re-evaluate as I grow older regarding what is best (career, family, and life)
*Stay focused!
All of these things (and I am sure I could think of more later) will help me as well as improve my life goals
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Theories, Justice, Experiences
Quick Reflection:
Before I get into the serious part of the blog, regarding the readings and questions asked for this week, I wanted to touch base about last weeks trip to ICIW. It was so great to have that experience, I do not think words can truly describe it! It was so new, exciting, and such a learning process for me that it almost felt surreal. I am so thankful that Rachel is taking this chance with us :) Can't wait to go back for orientation on October, 8th as well as start my volunteering process there.
How does your experience with Women Studies theories inform your ideas about justice?
Honestly, I have not taken a women studies course that focuses on theory work; it has mostly been just a one lecture overview that is just skimmed to give background information regarding the topic of study- nothing in depth. Although after reading chapter eight of Socializing Care, I feel as though I have a pretty good understanding as far as what the major ideas are. And I would have to state that the Restorative Justice concept is great! There needs to be more in depth steps to help our society with the aftermath of crime. I think the book did a great job of explaining how the process of RJ can work as well as how it can effect those positively; community participation, needs of the victim, accountability of the offender,and restoring victims, offenders, and communities are all ways to help society as a whole! RJ also is a great bridge to pushing care work/ ethics of care into the spotlight- even though it may take more than the fancy name of RJ to do that for our society :(
As I did agree with alot of the statements that the book covered regarding RJ and the process in which it works, it was rather disappointing to read why in some cases it does not work; because our judicial system is still ran and over seen by male figures who do not feel the need to look into RJ. It was good to see why it does not work to its full potential (again, in some cases) and how everything stems back to "separate spheres," but I have to say that is tarnishes my view on justice a bit. I feel as though alot of it is just old school ways of dealing with crime in which it all a political battle- why can't there be something done for the people themselves!? I could ramble on about this question forever because I feel so torn. Something needs to be done so our society can better itself -BUT- on the other hand I feel as though our society is way to selfish to change their ways and justice will continue to be corrupted and unresolving for many.
I guess to answer the above question in a simple sentence I would state that: after having experienced/learning the theories within women studies, justice seems very unnerving, unresolving, and controlled by traditional means in which nothing changes as our society changes. Something that needs to be re-looked at if people truly want "peace."
What is justice?
After reading the chapter and the article off ICON, experiencing/ hearing stories about prison life, and attending our discussions, I cannot say I really know what justice is anymore. Is it justice to be punished for a crime by going to prison or is it justice for those who have done wrong to accept what they did and create a better life for themselves and society? Is it justice that people go to prison for being associated with a crime they did not commit? Is it justice for individual to be locked up time and time again for crime- without any social or mental guidance? I just feel like every situation is different and each and every individual is going to have a different idea of what justice is for them (as a victim or even outside individual). I mean on one hand I think that there is justice when an individual is sent to prison for committing murder -BUT- what if that person is mentally ill? If they were I would then think that justice, for that murder, would be that the mentally ill would attend a mental institution- they need to understand what they did/what happened. See its all different that is why RJ is so important for our society to adopt- caring and helping is so much more important than solely punishing because many can not learn in that way.
These are hard questions Rachel!
See everyone at discussion on Friday :)
Before I get into the serious part of the blog, regarding the readings and questions asked for this week, I wanted to touch base about last weeks trip to ICIW. It was so great to have that experience, I do not think words can truly describe it! It was so new, exciting, and such a learning process for me that it almost felt surreal. I am so thankful that Rachel is taking this chance with us :) Can't wait to go back for orientation on October, 8th as well as start my volunteering process there.
How does your experience with Women Studies theories inform your ideas about justice?
Honestly, I have not taken a women studies course that focuses on theory work; it has mostly been just a one lecture overview that is just skimmed to give background information regarding the topic of study- nothing in depth. Although after reading chapter eight of Socializing Care, I feel as though I have a pretty good understanding as far as what the major ideas are. And I would have to state that the Restorative Justice concept is great! There needs to be more in depth steps to help our society with the aftermath of crime. I think the book did a great job of explaining how the process of RJ can work as well as how it can effect those positively; community participation, needs of the victim, accountability of the offender,and restoring victims, offenders, and communities are all ways to help society as a whole! RJ also is a great bridge to pushing care work/ ethics of care into the spotlight- even though it may take more than the fancy name of RJ to do that for our society :(
As I did agree with alot of the statements that the book covered regarding RJ and the process in which it works, it was rather disappointing to read why in some cases it does not work; because our judicial system is still ran and over seen by male figures who do not feel the need to look into RJ. It was good to see why it does not work to its full potential (again, in some cases) and how everything stems back to "separate spheres," but I have to say that is tarnishes my view on justice a bit. I feel as though alot of it is just old school ways of dealing with crime in which it all a political battle- why can't there be something done for the people themselves!? I could ramble on about this question forever because I feel so torn. Something needs to be done so our society can better itself -BUT- on the other hand I feel as though our society is way to selfish to change their ways and justice will continue to be corrupted and unresolving for many.
I guess to answer the above question in a simple sentence I would state that: after having experienced/learning the theories within women studies, justice seems very unnerving, unresolving, and controlled by traditional means in which nothing changes as our society changes. Something that needs to be re-looked at if people truly want "peace."
What is justice?
After reading the chapter and the article off ICON, experiencing/ hearing stories about prison life, and attending our discussions, I cannot say I really know what justice is anymore. Is it justice to be punished for a crime by going to prison or is it justice for those who have done wrong to accept what they did and create a better life for themselves and society? Is it justice that people go to prison for being associated with a crime they did not commit? Is it justice for individual to be locked up time and time again for crime- without any social or mental guidance? I just feel like every situation is different and each and every individual is going to have a different idea of what justice is for them (as a victim or even outside individual). I mean on one hand I think that there is justice when an individual is sent to prison for committing murder -BUT- what if that person is mentally ill? If they were I would then think that justice, for that murder, would be that the mentally ill would attend a mental institution- they need to understand what they did/what happened. See its all different that is why RJ is so important for our society to adopt- caring and helping is so much more important than solely punishing because many can not learn in that way.
These are hard questions Rachel!
See everyone at discussion on Friday :)
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Pre-Prison Wonders
There were alot of thoughts and even more so questions that came to mind when reading the material for this blog because I truly do not know what to expect, how I will act, or if I am even going to enjoy my time there...Until then I feel that reading as much material as I can and writing about my thoughts, fears, and questions will help any anxiety or anxiousness I have for Friday.
What are Prisons for?
To me this is a hard questions to ask even though it seems simple; prisons are to contain and help those who have wronged within society. However, have some really wronged society... For example, if a woman is beaten day in and day out or is raped by her mom's boyfriend (much like in the situation that I read about in one of the extra online readings) is it really a "crime" if she fights back and ends up killing her assaulter? To me that is not a woman that needs to be incarcerated. Then what are these prisons for? To hold those who have done a "crime" when they were temp. insane- then I would conclude that a woman who is suffering from a concerning mental state, should be helped in a mental institution, not a prison.... that question has so many additional questions that goes along with it!
Why are we going to ICIW?
I cannot speak for anyone else in the class, but my goal is to help those who are detained in ICIW- give them hope that when they are out (if they are not lifers) they have a chance for a successful life within society if they can make the right choices. I want to dedicate my time to help those who truly need someone to talk to, someone to lean on, someone to guide them in the right direction.This can impact both us and the women we encounter by gaining knowledge about other experiences, people, lifestyles, etc...Everyone will leave this experience (prisoner or student) with a new view of life- one of which will help with future decisions in situations of all kinds. I do ultimately hope that I am able to touch at least one person enough to impact them in a positivity light so they are able to do "good" when they leave ICIW. In return this is also a good learning experience for me because I am still wondering if this is something that I want to participate in as my career in life or something that I volunteer for.
What do I expect?
I feel as though I cannot answer this question because I have no idea. I have never been to a prison, jail, or even in that kind of environment where guards, police, and detainees are present. Although, I do hope to walk in and be amazed by the environment in a way where there is so much to learn. I also hope to become friendly with inmates and gain their trust so I am able to interact with them on a natural level. I do not want to be scared, I want to be confident in what I am there doing, and I want to enjoy my time there!
Can't wait for Friday!
What are Prisons for?
To me this is a hard questions to ask even though it seems simple; prisons are to contain and help those who have wronged within society. However, have some really wronged society... For example, if a woman is beaten day in and day out or is raped by her mom's boyfriend (much like in the situation that I read about in one of the extra online readings) is it really a "crime" if she fights back and ends up killing her assaulter? To me that is not a woman that needs to be incarcerated. Then what are these prisons for? To hold those who have done a "crime" when they were temp. insane- then I would conclude that a woman who is suffering from a concerning mental state, should be helped in a mental institution, not a prison.... that question has so many additional questions that goes along with it!
Why are we going to ICIW?
I cannot speak for anyone else in the class, but my goal is to help those who are detained in ICIW- give them hope that when they are out (if they are not lifers) they have a chance for a successful life within society if they can make the right choices. I want to dedicate my time to help those who truly need someone to talk to, someone to lean on, someone to guide them in the right direction.This can impact both us and the women we encounter by gaining knowledge about other experiences, people, lifestyles, etc...Everyone will leave this experience (prisoner or student) with a new view of life- one of which will help with future decisions in situations of all kinds. I do ultimately hope that I am able to touch at least one person enough to impact them in a positivity light so they are able to do "good" when they leave ICIW. In return this is also a good learning experience for me because I am still wondering if this is something that I want to participate in as my career in life or something that I volunteer for.
What do I expect?
I feel as though I cannot answer this question because I have no idea. I have never been to a prison, jail, or even in that kind of environment where guards, police, and detainees are present. Although, I do hope to walk in and be amazed by the environment in a way where there is so much to learn. I also hope to become friendly with inmates and gain their trust so I am able to interact with them on a natural level. I do not want to be scared, I want to be confident in what I am there doing, and I want to enjoy my time there!
Can't wait for Friday!
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