Gender

1)  There are multiple messages that are portrayed about the ways girls should be in today's society. Through the media and advertisements, I've seen that girls should always dress to impress. I've also heard from television and the media that girls shouldn't play boys' sports. The bias is everywhere I look, from toy advertisements to fashion magazines. The idea that only girls should wear pink was big when I was younger. Through our discussion in class about the sexualization of women everywhere, I have become more aware of this in movies, television shows, and music. Just the other day I saw a movie that was demeaning to women; the only thing shown about them was that they parade around in skimpy clothing and bathing suits, nothing about them being intelligent or independent. I don't think my parents ever tried to conform me into a typical "little princess" that is portrayed in today's society; an example of how this idea has gotten out of hand is the television show "Toddlers and Tiaras." I don't buy into the messages that say girls have to be a certain way, such as always emotional or wearing makeup, and that there is no place for wavering, such as a girl wanting to play a predominately male sport like football.

2)  I can only think of a few times where my parents ever said anything in response to my behavior based on my gender. In elementary school I wanted to play soccer for my school team; it was co-ed. My mom wouldn't let me try out because she didn't want me to get injured and not be able to play for my club team. I knew that the real reason was because she didn't want a boy to injure me; I thought I could handle them just fine, but I wasn't even allowed to try. Despite this, my parents have encouraged my sister and I to do things that we wanted to do and haven't said anything about gender-ism. For example, I was a power-ranger for Halloween for three years straight when I was younger and didn't have a care in the world. My sister and I also spent days playing with dolls and stuffed animals too. We've always been taught to be who we are, nothing and no-one else.

3)  Going to an all-girls high school has been empowering because everyone strives toward their own goals; it's not crazy, it's normal. By going to a single-sex high school I have been able to focus on my education and not about what I have to wear the next day or what I look like. Being surrounded by people who share the same ideas and goals has made me proud to be a girl because I know there are other people like me. This school has made an impact on me by letting me be myself. As a school, we break the gender stereotypes of how a girl should be in society. I feel prepared for college and for my future in the workforce and wherever else my life leads me.

4)  I anticipate that in future romantic relationships there should be an equal amount of traditional and nontraditional roles. I think its nice when boys hold doors open, kill bugs/spiders, and pay for things, but I also think that boys should be able to cook and clean and show emotion too. On the other hand, women should be able not only to show emotion and cook, but also should be able to pay for a meal or do something regarding physical labor. I think I have these expectation or ideals from seeing my parents' relationship. Both my parents work constantly and share the responsibilities at home. It shows that they believe each of them is capable of completing any job. Each relationship is different, but one that is both traditional and innovative or nontraditional seems to be better, at least to me.