Women have overcome many barriers in the struggle of power between the sexes, but they are still burdened with more obstacles as the prevalence of the mass media increases. As the media in our country has drastically increased, a standard has been set for the “perfect” way to be, which has hindered the advancement of feminism because of the lack of confidence seen in young women, as well as the reputation feminists had gained.
Many of the readings this semester had an impact on me, but the ones that left me thinking the most involved feminism and women’s struggle for power. When I interviewed Tosha Stacy, about her role in the police force. She didn’t have any complaints over salary, or job position. Advancement in their field rested on the time that they had been there, as well as physical training accomplishments. Tosha is 5’4” and petite. She wanted to prove to the other men that she could do what they do, and as well as they do. Tosha completed the physical training, as well as the gun control, and tactics, which were used to overpower dangerous citizens. She completed the course with her male parter, who was also her partner on the streets. I look up to her as a strong female in a male-dominant field of work. I think this is an accomplishment for any woman. Unlike Tosha, other stories about women show that this power struggle has overcome them.
In Jessica Valenti’s essay, He’s a Stud, She’s a Slut, Valenti talks about how women are seen as objects for their bodies, while men use their “power” over women to control them. One example is when Valenti talks about the “Purity Balls,” when “fathers take their daughters to a big fancy dance,” (Valenti 15) and keeping his daughter’s virginity until he hands her off to her husband in marriage. Integrity Balls, the counter of Purity Balls focus on not takng a woman’s virginity, or ruin her purity for her “future husband.” (Valenti 15). I think that women have the right to choose what they do. Although I do not think that it’s right for a young girl to giver herself up easily, when a girl matures, and moves out she experiences and learns new things. She is an adult, and has the right to do what she chooses.
Lisa Belkin, in The Opt-Out Revolution, argues that women struggle with making a family while trying to succeed in their career, and many women choose, instead, to succeed in other ways such as satisfaction in the home, while balancing her personal life with caretaking of children. All of these traits, of course came from images of “ideal” women. Belkin said that women were “redefining success : Balance and sanity”. Women have the right to do what they want with their careers and lives, and having children is a big part in a woman’s life. Although I plan now, to follow my future career, I might change my mind.
Fresh Lipstick, an essay by Linda Scott, establishes that the founders of feminism were anti-beauty, working against the growing beauty and fashion industries, and that women in the ruling class, with more leisure time, concentrated on creating the perfect woman. Women in the early 1800’s wore corsets for skinny waists, layered their heavy clothing to create a more voluptuous silhouette, and wore tiny shoes. All of these traits, of course came from images of “ideal” women. Scott said that women were “redefining success : Balance and sanity.”
Naomi Wolf, in The Beauty Myth, defines the “Beauty Myth” as “A violent backlash against feminism that uses images of female beauty as a political weapon against women’s advancement” (Wolf 10). Since women have all freedoms men enjoy, men have to struggle to control women. They do this by objectifying them, and women go with it, and be what men want them to be. Although the gap between beauty and ugliness has lessened in the recent years, beauty and fashion have taken over the youth of our county.
In Chapter 2 of Manifesta, a novel by Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards, feminism is defined and explained in a few contexts. According to Baumgardner and Richards, feminism is ” a social-justice Movement for gender equality and human liberation” (Baumgardner 61). Also included, are a few things that feminism is not. Among them are: “Feminists encourage women to leave their husbands, become lesbians, and destroy capitalism.“ (Baumgardner 61). I agree with Baumgardner, when she says “Identifying ourselves as feminists means addressing uncomfortable topics.” We have discussed some issues that women have in our class, though none I think were too uncomfortable. It is tough to realize the problems
Women’s climb to equality has been a long and hard one, yet we still have not reached the top. Past women have taken action to gain access to voting, and working with men, but many of us have not gained equal pay, and are caught in this beauty crisis to be what fits in. Women are forced to be whatever men want them to me. But the power that women have gained has allowed them to reach out and be who they really want to be.
These readings have caused me to be more open to new ideas. I feel like I have learned more about what’s really going on with the fads, and popularity contest that’s sweeping the nation. I really want to know how women can gain the power to overcome the pressure put on them by the men. In my future, I will be more open to other people’s ideas. I think it will help me get along with more people.
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