Ads that Target Women

I was wanting to explore the different ads that target women and see how influencial they have become. Looking at the photo above, one can obviously assume that women are supposed to be thin and it eventually portrays to women that their bodies must look like this. It is everywhere. In the media, television, radio, magazines, everywhere you look. How often to you see an overweight woman in a advertisement. Even in fast food commercials you see mothers with their children and I promise you, no one could look that way if they ate McDonald's like that. Again, as mentioned time and time again, it portrays the ideal women body.

The future of women...

I often have wondered what the future of women beholds. Will we strive to excell in politics? Will we stand up for our believes? Will be President of the United States? Well, anything is possible. I am not trying to push that women need to be leaders of our country, but I am saying if a woman is well qualified, then yes..why not? Well, I will tell you why. Due to the fact that we do live in such a society that men are getting higher paying salaries, often times for the same job description, then I do not see a women being President of the United States. We have come a long way, take a look at how far we have come...... Not so much just in the states, but look at many of the women in history...(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woman)



Michelle Bachelet -- First female President of Chile
Sirimavo Bandaranaike -- First female Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, and the worlds first female prime minister
Benazir Bhutto - First female Prime Minister of Pakistan
Kim Campbell - First female Prime Minister of Canada
Violeta Chamorro - First elected female President of Nicaragua and all of Latin America
Eugenia Charles - First female Prime Minister of Dominica and all of the Carribean
Tansu Çiller - First female Prime Minister of Turkey
Helen Clark - first elected female Prime Minister of New Zealand
Vigdís Finnbogadóttir - First elected female President of Iceland and the worlds first female president
Indira Gandhi - First female Prime Minister of India
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf - First female president in Africa, heading Liberia
Golda Meir - A Founder of the State of Israel
Angela Merkel - First female Chancellor of Germany
Jenny Shipley - First female Prime Minister of New Zealand
Margaret Thatcher - First female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Khaleda Zia - First female Prime Minister of Bangladesh

Women leaders in history
The following are examples of rulers in history. In contrast to the above mentioned leaders in electoral political systems they were hereditary monarchs, as were other rulers of their day.
In ancient history:
Hatsheput
Theodora (6th century)
In the modern era:
Elizabeth I
Maria Theresa of Austria
Catherine II
Victoria
In addition to national rulers there have been women that have had a significant effect on the welfare of many people:
Harriet Tubman

Looks pretty convincing to me. Perhaps I could change my mind, who knows Ms. Kerby, mayber you will be the first female President! Really. You would be great... This does give women great confidence, or at least it does me. It is like race and other aspects that society entitles for one to have stereotypes, so let's prove society wrong!

Gender Inequality

When I think of gender inequality, the first thing that comes to mind is the book we read during the semester. The idea that women are to act a certain way and dress a certain way is obsurd. Yet, the men holding the power it is/was a power struggle. I felt such empathy for the ladies in the story, but it made me realize how lucky we have it in America. Yes, we may live in a patricarchal society, but we are not yet told to cover our faces and entire body. However, I do commend Azari for her strong sense of self that moved a group of women. She gives me the hope that women are still needed and we are strong, no matter what others may tell us. Not only as a female, but learning to take a stand for self worth and not taking any nonsense from others.

Pet Peeve

My pet peeve is men that have the mentality that the household and cooking and nurting of children is in the hands of women. Well, they have it all wrong! Of course this is not to say that all men are this way, but the many of them are...I am married to one. Society has set certain gender roles that are supposed to be carried out, just like society sets standards for everything else. However, we are each unique individuals and that is what makes us special, being different. Coming to appreciate the differences among us, and accepting them, I can say I am much more mature and stronger for it!

The Smarter Sex???

Well, obviously we are the smarter sex. What would men do without us? I have often found myself contributing more to the marriage and life itself, while my husband does not have a worry in the world. Or so he appears not to have. I suppose I have waited on him hand and foot and now I am ready to put my foot down! (LOL) It is funny how this works. Since I lost my father to a heart attack 2 years ago, I have taken on his responsibility of feeling like I must always be doing something. So I am constantly in a dead run and never stopping. On the otherhand, my younger brother of 21 is nothing like my father. He is very lazy and could care less. Just today I had a leak or something wrong with my freezer (icemaker) and he did not even bother to help me, but my daddy would have. It surprises me that he is turned out the way he is, especially since he is the male.

Women in the Workforce

Many of us are familiar with this picture. I have seen it in many of my folklore classes discussing women and the workforce and how we have made such a comeback. Actually due to the lack of income from one partner, the need to have a double income is necessary to live. Perhaps if we were not so needy or should I say "wants." Here is the caption that was next to the picture found on www.nebraskastudies.org

A multitude of new jobs were created with the beginning of World War II. The tools of war had to be manufactured, and the defense factories were in desperate need of laborers. Women now had the opportunity to become part of the work force. Before the war, it was uncommon for women to work outside the home. During the war, about half of all American women worked outside their homes. The work of women during World War II proved that they could be trained to do the same industrial work as men. The number of working women rose from 14.6-million in 1941 to 19.4-million in 1944'

GLAMOROUS

Hey ladies,
I am sure you all are familiar with Fergie's all time "Glamorous" lyrics and it hit me that this is the society that we live in. We have discussed several times the influence that society plays on individuals and beauty has been glorified by the thin, tan, blonde beauties. There always seems to be such a standard to conform to live up too and unconsciously if we were all honest with ourselves it would apply to each of us. If any of you would like the link to Fergie's video is http://music.aol.com/video/glamorous-aol-sessions/fergie/1867211. I have to admit, I think the song is cute, but all the underlying messages are very clear.