blog response

Chapter 17:

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

The further I read into the chapter, the more I agreed with what she was saying. I agree that a relationship needs equality and respect and that there should be no dominance. I think that feminists made a huge mistake in disregarding relationships with men and putting the focus on gaining rights and power. It put the idea into women's heads that they cannot be feminists and be in heterosexual relationships at the same time. hooks states that, "Many females who wanted to bond with men felt that they could not nurture theses ties and be committed to feminist movement. In actuality, we should have been spreading the word that feminism would make it possible for women and men to know love. We know that now" (hooks, 2000, pg. 103). It's hard for me to imagine dominance existing in a romantic relationship, because I don't think I've really experienced it. Which is why the idea that both parties of the relationship must be feminists to know true love didn't really occur to me, but it makes sense.

2. 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?

    

The first patriarchal view on relationships that stands out to me is how Patti Stanger's says that most women would like the option to stay home with the kids. She says that by staying home with the kids, there will be less disciplinary problems. She does not mention the idea of the father staying home with the children. There is also the part about giving the man your own business card and telling him to call you rather than you calling him. That just encourages patriarchal thinking where the man is in charge of the relationship. I don't think Patti's view on love alines with bell hook's view at all. hooks is more about being independent and not relying on a man while Patti is encouraging women to find rich men to take care of them. I think the clip fits with some of society's view on love. I certainly don't think that all women are concerned with finding a rich man to take care of them. I'd like to think that more women are concerned with finding a man who truly loves and respects them, regardless of how much money is in their bank account. I think most women today would like to be independent and not financially rely on man. On the other hand, with how awful the economy is, I think that some women want to find a rich man so that they won't have to worry about money issues.  

Chapter 18:

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

I have no specific examples from the Bible unfortunately. The only examples I can really think of are in art. In all of the art history classes I have taken, we study a lot of religious art. Men are painted or sculpted with bulging muscles and give off a sense of power. The women on the other hand, are more voluptuous and seem more nurturing (excluding artists like Michelangelo who painted "women" from male models and made them very muscular). By far, the most common women in religious art is Mary, who is obviously always shown with baby Jesus, which puts her into the nurturing mother role. 

To demonstrate this, here are some religious examples of the muscular, powerful male and the nurturing motherly female:

Michelangelo's David (1501-04)

 DaVinci's Study for Kneeling Leda (1505-07)

Michelangelo's Pietà  (1498-99)

Chapter 19:

1. The above video is of Madonna's song "Papa Don't Preach". 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 didn't really find any biblical references in the video other than the word preach...maybe I'm missing something? I suppose you could look at the "papa" referred to in the lyrics as God or a higher power that she is asking guidance from. I'm really not sure what other references this video has to religion...

2. 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? 

I definitely agree that "grade-school primers" should exist for younger and less educated audiences. I think feminist ideas are often presented in confusing, lengthy, and complicated settings, often in upper education. I think if feminist ideas were simplified, more people would pay attention to them and possibly agree. People today have such a short attention span that they don't want to read a book or take a class to learn about feminism, but they might just read a pamphlet, which could change their way of thinking.