Blog 4

I plan to go into the health field, and right now I am leaning toward medicine.  One course in the Women's Studies department that I think would be helpful is the Women's Health class.  My future plans include working with both men and women in the health field, both as patients and as co-workers.  I will also need to know about the biological differences that men and women have in order to accurately diagnose and/or prescribe proper medications.  

In the past, I have worked with both men in and women in the food industry.  My first job was a waitress at Mazzio's Pizza here in Norman.  When I first started my job, the duties were different for men and women, for the most part.  Only women could be the "front girl", or waitress; Only men could be cooks and deliverers (with few exceptions).  I thought almost nothing of it then, I was young and it was my first job.  As time went on, I started to see more diversity within the job positions.  It was then when I saw what was going on, but I was pleased that the positions were no longer sex-based.

I now work at a women's clothing store, which is a much different experience, since all of my co-workers are women, and the majority of the customers I assist are also women.  I can admit that oftentimes when I see a male customer alone in the store I always ask him if he needs any help.  (A lot of the time they look completely lost) Most of the time they praise my assistance because they don't "know what she likes".  Also, when I see male customers with their partner or girlfriend, they always follow her around, holding her things, with a bored look on his face.  I do like working with all women.  I feel that we can connect better in the workplace, which helps me be more efficient.  

In Feminism is for Everybody, Chapter 4 talks about publishing women's works, as well as feminist writing in the industry.  I agree that it is a great way of spreading feminist words and thoughts to further expand knowledge over this subject.  I also agree that it has helped spread and strengthen the belief, for I have learned a lot about this issue from readings I have read.   

In Chapter 4 of The F Word, Finkbeiner lists the top 10 Social Issues among young women going to a university or college.  I definitely agree with this list, putting the issues very close on my list of social issues.  Of course, Gender equality is the top issue.  One thing that surprised me, however, was that education was listed as number Eight.  I would think that among young women fulfilling their education careers and choosing to further their knowledge would rate education higher on the list because of issues they may go through while going to school.  Another thing that stood out to me in this chapter was when Finkbeiner says that women on average earn less money than men in the workplace.  I have heard this before and this issue always makes me wonder.  What is still the problem here? Women have gained so much more equality than they had in the past, why hasn't this issue also been solved?  This question is often on my mind, but who knows if it will ever get answered!