Chapter 7 Analysis and Reflection

Ahhh, I completely forgot to blog about Chapter 7 ("From 'Giving Care' to "Taking Care': Negotiating Care Work at Welfare's End) and I am so very sorry for possibly delaying anyone's comments for their participation grade!

Anyways, when reading this chapter I had so many different thoughts running through my head: welfare is bad, welfare is good, because of stereotypes welfare gets a bad rap, people need to have jobs, welfare is getting out of control, there needs to be other programs implemented so welfare is not clung to by so many, and the list could go on. I just did not/probably still do not know what my true opinion was because there is so much information within what Hamingtion and Miller discuss (policy's, interviews, stereotypes, etc...) in addition to our class, and another class that I am currently taking (Work and Family Institutions). But to play devils advocate, below I have reflected on both positives and negatives of the reading, opinions, and other information that I have been educated on.

My first thoughts: I honestly thought that what the chapter was discussing was a bunch of crap (for the lack of a better word) and was being very unrealistic in some cases. Now, I know that sounds extremely harsh, but at times the book would state that women need to be able to have care-giving roles without stressing or struggling with providing for their family -however- as I have learned through my current classes and other readings that women are fighting for a spot in the workforce (fight for equal pay, benefits, career positions, etc...) But without a job or means to provide, how do single mothers or even coupled mothers expect to support their children; I hope not solely off government assistance. I mean I could be way wrong here in my opinion and there could be many more variables within each of these statements, but I just kept thinking while I was reading how confused I was about what women were fighting for? I guess at the end I ultimately feel like women want the best of both worlds and I understand that, who doesn't want that, but where is the compromise? No one can have everything! ---This sounds extremely bad/wrong/harsh/evil and I am just voicing my confusion, but in a perfect world what do these (as in welfare women, career women, homemakers, second shift mothers, etc...)women want?

So, after all of my  negative thoughts and opinions, I took a moment and reflected on the concerns that need to be addressed regarding mothers, welfare, and the workforce.

Second thoughts: I understand that there are many women and mothers whom want to work, have a career, and support their children, but it should not solely be about financials. Mothers should be able to support their children by care-giving as well. This is where welfare and other programs need to refine their policies in order to meet the needs of mothers today, not the mothers of the 1990's or even before. Things have changed and women want jobs, want to be involved, want to support their children, but without some extra help from childcare facilities, schools, neighborhoods, and their personal jobs it makes the struggle of providing even more of a struggle. Not to mention that communities of low-income or oppression have additional concerns regarding safety, current/good education, active child programs, as well as other things that are taken into consideration with analyzing any neighborhood or community. Overall, I would love to see communities straighten up, jobs promote mothers (giving equal pay, maternity paid leave, flex hours if the child is younger, etc..), have affordable childcare facilities, incorporate active learning and exercise for children, etc... All of these suggestions I believe would help the battle that mothers have between their jobs and their children.

Ugh so many things need to be improved! People need to want this, want to help, want to participate, want to have a voice, and see a change. Without this there won't ever be change that truly helps those in need.

American Electra Reading.

Hello all!
Earlier this morning I wrote a post and when I went to go post it, somehow all of my writing got deleted so, I apologize if this one is not as reflective (a.k.a. sloppy)- I promise I will have more input during our discussion!

When reading the "American Electra" reading by Susan Faludi I had so many emotions! I did not know if I agreed with the "new young" feminist generation or if I believed that the "older" generation still had their point to make. But I think that Latifa Lyles made and excellent point when she stated, "There is

great strength and power in our image not as the first, second, or third wave, but the wave of the future.” This statement of hers put things in perspective for me. I believe she is saying that it is not about the young, old, or any age or generation in-between; it is about the feminist ideals as a cause. They need to fight together to have a solid future! :)

After taking Lyles statement into account, it really opened things up for me. I do not necessarily believe that people (within the feminist position) need to take sides regarding the feminist ideals, but rather be more understanding. The older generation needs to realize that there is a newer generation that have been raised different: with different ideals, morals, innovative thoughts/opinions, etc... While the younger generation needs to realize that the older generation was raise differently and as their stand point may seem outdated, that is how and what they believe in due to experience, generational norms, as well as other aspects of life that contributed to their feminist position. The generational gap will continue to grow and people of all ages need to be able to accept and/or listen to those whom can bring new ideas into their group.

Recently, I have actually had an experience regarding a generational gap; although, it was not about feminist positions or theories, it was about the familial structure. Earlier this week I went to my grandmother's house to interview her for a class assignment. As we were discussing my classes and what not, she asked me what I was going to do after I graduated in May.I told her of my plans of moving to Chicago, moving in with my boyfriend, hopefully finding a good job/internship, and later applying for grad-school. But to my surprise she responded with a, "So, you are getting married this summer?" I kind of laughed and said, "No grandma, we are going to try the moving in thing first. We know that we will eventually get married, but just not right now." She looked at me with a blank stare and commented with a smirk on her face saying, "Okay, I guess I just don't understand you kids anymore." As I really wanted to tell her off ( I mean politely explain to her...) that things were different these days and that many many people live together with out getting married first; in fact most seem to do that to test out the waters a bit before they take the plunge into marriage. But I had to reassess and realize that my grandparents did not grow up that way. They lived apart until they got married, just like many others did in their times, so, it is difficult for her to understand that things like maybe different now.

So, as I now know how frustrating this was within my own life, I can completely understand how hard it is for two different generations to agree/come together for a common cause when there are two separate generational ideals floating around. However, it seems as if there is additional problems affecting the feminist cause; the media. Flaudi stated that, "...the media are, indeed, glad to apply a bellows to any argument between women; they have been pumping up the young-old female conflict for years now." The media hypes up any account or fight between two women when they can in order to add drama and question to our social norms. Which in turn produces tension and firm opinions then creating a division amongst a group rather than unity. But why would the media do this? I do not understand...

As there are many more points that Flaudi states within her article, but I found that the generational gap was the most interesting due to my own current experience. I hope we are able to discuss this article more in depth because it brings up alot of thoughts, opinions, as well as different ideals of those who are amongst the feminist group as well as just contributing as an outsider.

Can wait to see what the Walk for the Cure is like tomorrow!

Diveristy Dialog...

Hello Ladies!

I was unable to make it to the diversity dialog last Friday because I had family plans that involved leaving town for the weekend. So, I obviously cannot blog about the experience that I had with Linda at the diversity dialog circle, but it sounds like it was amazing! As I read your blogs I became upset that I could not make it and now  I am going to try and catch one so I can gain the experience you guys had last week :) Sorry I do not have much to say this week for the blog, but I really enjoyed reading all of yours! Please let me know what your favorite part of the circle was so I know what I can look forward to.
Thanks and again sorry I do not have anything to reflect on this week...