Smart Expectations

Working with the organization Smart Girl, my expectations were shot down when I went to the training. I thought that it was going to be easier than the 22 hr. process. Although what I thought was proven to be wrong, I was okay with it. Smart Girl takes there organization very serious, and they believe in it more than 100%. What I got from Sameens’ presentation was a basic “How-To” workshop, get in a classroom and interact with the young teens; but with the training and skills my expectations changed. Another expectation coming out from the training was that this wasn’t just going to be an experience for the teens but for me as well. Working with the teen with the activity’s and workshops I have come to a new understanding that one cannot help others if they cannot help themselves. So my next expectation is to have a more understanding a skillful way to help other individuals and myself in current social situations.

All the volunteers from the Gender and Communication class at MSCD, at the training.
(Morgan, Myself, Jennie, Dori, and Lindsey)
Photo Credit: Dori, 2011

Idenitification with Both Sexes

As a female in this day and age, I as many as my peers have not experienced the “Right then and There” history moments as many did in the early years of Feminism. Although we have experienced the outcome of such historical moments such as having a voice in society; to clarify all this mumbo jumbo basically my point is that we as women have experienced at a time or two the aftermath of these events. Such as getting our first job, being allowed to work more than men, furthering our education, limiting our “responsibilities” in our role as a mother, daughter, etc., deciding whether or not we want a man to be in our lives.( the list goes on and on) We as women have the RIGHT because of the women before us who sacrificed their own lives, reputation, and dignity. But as we all know we already learned all this from history textbook through elementary, middle, and high school; but we never really have dealt with how the past made a huge impact on the future and make people really think “How can you identify with movements throughout history including the opposite sex?”, until your professor of course asks you….

Women Identification

Personally I identify with the 3^rd Wave- Which in definition is the act of feminism from 1990 till present. And because there have been no iconic moments to declare an official woman to declare that the 3^rd wave is like the 1^st and 2^nd. As a working woman the 2^nd and 3^rd wave have taken a toll on my generation such as my job; there is one that I can relate to every time I receive my paycheck and when my brother gets his. I have been with Wendy’s for about 3 years, and my older brother almost 2, anyways I started off receiving $7.25 an hour working 35-40 hours a week, while my brother started off making more and working less than I did. So it never really bothered me, until I noticed that no matter how hard I worked and put effort into my job, and how the boys including my brother, were slacking off, doing their jobs half-ass and they were paid more than any of the other girls. Personally I think people should get paid on the rank of their position and the EFFORT they put into their work. For example if I was in sales retail and I was always happy, making a connection with customers having high sales I should get paid more than my employee who is always late, being rude to customers, and getting complaints; therefore solving the pay rate. The new slogan should be “Work harder, receive more!”

Men Identification

When approached with this assignment I was thinking “Okay, cool I can relate to women’s movements” but when told to identify with men’s movements I thought “What the heck! I am a woman, have all the parts to prove it, there is no way I can relate to men.” But when reading the chapter I was actually surprised.  As a woman I can identify with the Father Rights movement. My parents are no longer together and my mom got sole custody of me and my father wanted to share the custody besides just having to pay child support. He wanted the responsibility just like she had. So therefore I can relate to that one.

Smart Girl; Smart Choice

To be flat out honest when hearing about the service hours with various organizations I was in a mix of emotions. Mostly I was questionable with how many hours, with who, where is the location, and why did I sign up for this class. But when the organizations came to class and I had heard each individually about what organization they represented and what there purpose was I was excited that these were the organizations we could choose from. Personally I had a few in mind that I favored over the others, and was glad that Smart Girl was still available. Hearing the presentation about the organization gave me a flashback to my own days of Middle School; and how much I hated it. Being a Tomboy through-out Middle School I was picked on and the only thing I wanted at that age was acceptance. Hearing that this organizations focus was to fix the era of girl cruelty and thinking of treating one another I was more than happy to be apart of it. Having a sister who is in the eighth grade and has her own share of madness with girls, which has changed a vast amount since my days in Middle school, I was excited to see if I could have skills to help her with her problems. The thing I am most excited about is meeting new people, and having more skills to help others.

1st communications with the Parentals about Gender

Having an older brother growing up, I knew I was different apart from him in various ways. Such as the presents we recieved, the attention from our parents, clothing, and discipline. When I was younger I grew up playing soccer, my parents would teach me that it was okay to get tough and get dirty and play with boys and act tough while playing. Although on the other hand they taught me to act like a girl while sitting down in a dress and talking to elders and although I myself knew I was a girl my parents clarified how to act and when to act. They always have been accepting of sexuality and others, and taught us not to judge anyone of any sex, gender, or sexual orientation.