Blog 7

What do you think about bell hooks view on feminism and love? Do you agree or disagree, and why?

As much as I want to be open-minded and accepting of new beliefs and ideas, I just can't agree with bell hooks' opinions on love whatsoever.  I commend her on her efforts to frame a progressive idea concerning feminism and love because I am sure there are many feminists who agree with the logic she presents.  However, in my opinion, her claims that patriarchal relationships are bound for inequality and female subordination are outlandish.  It is without question that there in fact ARE unequal relationships and unhappy marriages in patriarchal pairs, but claiming that patriarchal relationships in general are all bad just seems like a soapbox speech.  I am familiar with multiple families, including my own, who practice patriarchal relationships and are very satisfied with their situation.  While I do agree it is important to maintain a balance, I don't see anything wrong with a husband working outside the home as the primary wage earner and the wife staying home and raising a family.  Additionally, bell hooks doesn't do much to support her case.  She mentions her father as being a dominant man, which angered her as a rebellious teen, but considering most teenagers find their parents to be a bit overbearing every once in awhile, this argument seems like a normal stage of life.  My goal is not to bash bell hooks and her beliefs; however, I think it is very important that just like my argument above, her writing in this chapter seems to be merely an opinion, not a reliable and strong argument. 

I'm sure bell hooks would about have a fit if she knew people were living like this, but thanks to the Duggars and their 19 children, I'd say this is a pretty darn patriarchal family:

Do you see any patriarchal views about dating, relationships, marriage or love in the previous clip? If so, what are they? Do you think that Patti Stanger's view on love alines with bell hooks' view? Why or why not? Does the previous clip seem to fit with society's view on love, relationships and/or marriage? Why or why not?

There are definite patriarchal views seen in Patti's advice.  The basic premise of the show is pretty patriarchal in nature-women are typically trying to win the approval of millionaire men with the hopes of settling down and forming a marriage.  While Patti stresses that women need to be financially stable before seeking a millionaire, she doesn't try to hide the fact that these women are seeking men with money for a reason.  Additionally, rules for women to find these men play into the patriarchal role as well.  She encourages them to go to a Steakhouse because real men like steak, and she encourages them to play into the traditional role of handing the man their business card and asking the man to call them instead of the reverse.  I doubt bell hooks would appreciate Patti's ideas since they are all pretty patriarchal in nature.  They seem to be on opposite ends of the spectrum.  As for the third question, I mean, it's television so everything is dramatized and spiced up to make people want to watch it.  Personally, I don't know too many women who are seriously seeking out millionaires by going to steakhouses and giving out their business cards, but the idea of women seeking a financially stable man isn't uncommon.  I think a lot of women want to have at least the option to stay at home and raise a family and finding a financially sound man to marry helps achieve their goals.  

Can you think of instances/parables/specific scriptures that shows male dominance or a patriarchal ideology? 

As a Catholic, I have strong Christian beliefs with which I identify.  I know from experience that the bible is filled with patriarchal ideology, and while some may completely disagree with what is being said, I find it important to focus on the bigger picture.  For example, in 1 Corinthians 11:7-8 it says: 

 A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels.  Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.   

While the passage focuses a lot on a woman's dependence on a man, I think the last bit is the most important.  It identifies that woman was made from a man, but man is born from a woman.  It is necessary for both of them to depend on the other in order to maintain existence.  

After watching the video and listening to the song, is there anything that could be a biblical reference or refer to religion in general? Do you think this is an accurate representation of the Christian religion - or could it be a societal "rule"?

I guess I don't really see a connection.  I know she's saying "Papa don't preach", but I don't necessarily see it as a Christian reference?  Maybe I'm not looking into it enough...

Do you find this to be true? And how do you think these “grade-school level primers” should be presented so that the message is successfully communicated to the younger audience? 

Yes, I do agree that this is typically true, and when my group did our media presentation we kind of hit on this as well.  Perhaps incorporating children's books or just basic group discussions about feminism and feminist beliefs into younger school-aged classrooms would help to get the ball rolling.  I think the most important idea behind this is just to talk about it.  Before taking this class, I don't know if I had ever had an actual discussion about feminist beliefs, so if we start incorporating it into younger classrooms, the discussion would have more room to grow and develop.