Week 5- Playlist

I chose these songs, not necessarily because they truthfully represent gender, but because they represent gender and sexuality in a way that influences the mainstream population. Both Bitch and I'm a Bitch I'm a Lover describe all the ways that women can be. Women are diverse creatures, and don't always fit the same stereotype nor do women act the same way all the time. Hot N Cold and If I Were a Boy both describe women's perceptions of men. Superwoman describes powerful women, and in a way so does Man I Feel Like a Woman.

I would say that my taste in music has changed a lot through the years. When I was in elementary school I really didn't like to listen to music. Then in middle school I had this strange fascination with rap music. Now I will listen to just about anything- it depends on the mood I am in. I really never like country or hard rock though, and I honestly don't like rap that much more anyway. Lately, I have been really into listening to music. I usually just like to watch TV when I am hanging out at home, but I have been listening to my iPod a lot more.

bell hooks made some interesting points in Ch. 6. I am not sure I wholeheartedly agree with her assessment of female beauty. But maybe this is just because I like make-up and staying fit. While every woman should not try to fit the stereotype of "beauty" created by the media, it is important for women to stay healthy. Healthy weights are different for everyone, but everyone should strive to be the healthiest possible. By saying this I am not saying everyone needs to be a size 4. This view of beauty as anything a woman is is also the thesis of Chapter 1 from "Beauty Myth."

hooks also brings up interesting, relevant points in Ch. 5. I think reproductive rights are something that every woman should fight for. I just finished the course Women in the Military this afternoon. We spent some time examining pregnancy in the military. It seems that military personnel always blame only the woman for becoming pregnant. It takes two people to make a baby... We also examined the extremely high rates for abortion in the military. While I do not think that abortion would ever be used as a method of birth control, for some women that is their only option. Birth control should be more readily available to women and even girls. We cannot deny that young people are having sex. In my opinion it would be much better to help them from the beginning instead of denying it or hiding it.

Until next time,
Madison