Chapter
17: To Love Again - The Heart of Feminism
I think bell hooks view on love is completely accurate. Even today women still believe they must choose between a life of feminism or one with love. Feminists are still held to former stereotypical descriptions as butch, effeminate women. All individuals seek power and equality in their lives and it only makes sense that in only focusing on these elements one can find himself isolated. In reality, companionship is what we all are seeking. We would just like to find that individual that sees and takes us for who we are and does so through establishing a relationship upon the values of trust and equality.
I think this message can even kind of be seen in the movie The Little Rascals. Even the children in this film have a skewed perception of love, for in their He-Man Women Hater’s Club pledge the vow to stay away from girls and never-ever fall in love in efforts to retain their power.
Patti Stanger, the Millionaire Matchmaker
Patti has an extremely patriarchal view on dating and married life. This is evident not only in this short interview clip, but also in all of her episodes of Millionaire Matchmaker. In the 3 tips she provided for women seeking a partner, she used stereotypes on both ends. She further suggests the notion that all women are aiming to be in a position where they are able to stay home and care for children instead of wanting a career for themselves. I was shocked she started the interview with the term “hunter male”. I think this goes against everything the feminist movement has been working for. This type of mentality conflicts with bell hooks’ suggestions since it focuses primarily on the power and inequalities in romantic relationships instead of mutual respect.
As far as societal alignment with Patti’s statements, I think there would be a large amount of people who both agree and disagree with them. There are still many women who wish to find themselves in a romantic relationship which allows them to stay at home for 4-5 years to raise children as Patti stated. However, I believe that mentality is becoming extinct as we currently see more women attending college than males, and subsequently higher rates of women entering professional, upper-level jobs in corporate America.
Chapter 18: Feminist Spirituality
I think bell hooks view on love is completely accurate. Even today women still believe they must choose between a life of feminism or one with love. Feminists are still held to former stereotypical descriptions as butch, effeminate women. All individuals seek power and equality in their lives and it only makes sense that in only focusing on these elements one can find himself isolated. In reality, companionship is what we all are seeking. We would just like to find that individual that sees and takes us for who we are and does so through establishing a relationship upon the values of trust and equality.
I think this message can even kind of be seen in the movie The Little Rascals. Even the children in this film have a skewed perception of love, for in their He-Man Women Hater’s Club pledge the vow to stay away from girls and never-ever fall in love in efforts to retain their power.
Patti Stanger, the Millionaire Matchmaker
Patti has an extremely patriarchal view on dating and married life. This is evident not only in this short interview clip, but also in all of her episodes of Millionaire Matchmaker. In the 3 tips she provided for women seeking a partner, she used stereotypes on both ends. She further suggests the notion that all women are aiming to be in a position where they are able to stay home and care for children instead of wanting a career for themselves. I was shocked she started the interview with the term “hunter male”. I think this goes against everything the feminist movement has been working for. This type of mentality conflicts with bell hooks’ suggestions since it focuses primarily on the power and inequalities in romantic relationships instead of mutual respect.
As far as societal alignment with Patti’s statements, I think there would be a large amount of people who both agree and disagree with them. There are still many women who wish to find themselves in a romantic relationship which allows them to stay at home for 4-5 years to raise children as Patti stated. However, I believe that mentality is becoming extinct as we currently see more women attending college than males, and subsequently higher rates of women entering professional, upper-level jobs in corporate America.
Chapter 18: Feminist Spirituality
Although
I can’t recall a specific Bible verse or passage that refers to male
patriarchy, I do know that the Bible is full of such references. First
off, the entire structure of the Catholic Church is a great reflection of
patriarchy. Its hierarchical system is solely comprised of males at the
upper levels and women are left to positions of servitude and nurturing.
Women typically serve as nuns and other community involvement leaders as
well as child-care providers during church events. I believe this alone
is enough to show that the Christian church is not a place of equality, but
instead one which promotes a patriarchal society.
Madonna Video
Madonna’s video did not seem too religiously rooted to me after I watched the video. Obviously I could tell that the line “but I made up mind; I’m keeping my baby” was repeated throughout to emphasize that she was siding with the Catholic church on the issue of abortion. She mentions that her friends told her to give up the child because she wasn’t ready to care for one but she instead chose her own path to raise the child with its father by her side.
Chapter 19: Visionary Feminism
I do believe that academia is behind in promoting the views of feminists. Although some people may be against teaching feminism in schools, I think if they realized that it would essentially be anti-sexist education people would be more compliant. People are not sure what exactly feminism believes, and I would include myself in this grouping until I began this course a few short months ago. It should not take until the age of 21 for an individual to be exposed to feminist theory and its impact on our society. Only through integration into early childhood education can one expect the anti-sexist ideas presented through feminism to spread not only to members of academia, but of our entire society.
Madonna Video
Madonna’s video did not seem too religiously rooted to me after I watched the video. Obviously I could tell that the line “but I made up mind; I’m keeping my baby” was repeated throughout to emphasize that she was siding with the Catholic church on the issue of abortion. She mentions that her friends told her to give up the child because she wasn’t ready to care for one but she instead chose her own path to raise the child with its father by her side.
Chapter 19: Visionary Feminism
I do believe that academia is behind in promoting the views of feminists. Although some people may be against teaching feminism in schools, I think if they realized that it would essentially be anti-sexist education people would be more compliant. People are not sure what exactly feminism believes, and I would include myself in this grouping until I began this course a few short months ago. It should not take until the age of 21 for an individual to be exposed to feminist theory and its impact on our society. Only through integration into early childhood education can one expect the anti-sexist ideas presented through feminism to spread not only to members of academia, but of our entire society.
I agree with and enjoyed your comment about Patti's use of the "hunter male" and how against feminism it is. Good job!
ReplyDeleteMichele,
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that you mentioned the fact that in Madonna's song she's siding with the Catholic belief of not getting abortions because she's actually from a Catholic family! (Just an interesting fact)