Tuesday in class we discussed the impact of finances on women profiled in Half the Sky. Is power something money can buy? What are the semantic implications of power vs. empowerment? Are women objectified in a different way when they are contributing to household finances?
It was interesting to note the pride women felt being able to support their families: husband and children. The men seemed happy to be "kept", living lives of leisure. I wonder if this novelty will eventually wear off, that is, women taking care of their men.
I am trying not to see the scenario from a western perspective, that is, seeing the men as gigolos--living large off their women, women they maligned and mistreated. While I am happy for the women and their daughters. That with keys to the vault wives call the shots in the home; it seems as if women still don't have autonomy or a respect alone, that even the worse man is still better than no man.
While walking around in class Tuesday morning in the second class, students and I spoke about rape and its use to subdue and control women in many societies, even ours. We reflected on the anti-rape device women could wear which impaled the rapists (Half the Sky). The students shared with me a film, "Teeth," which is about a woman whose vagina has teeth. Sounded like a great topic for an essay which takes from Half the Sky the themes of resistance to oppression and how women fight back.
Students should be thinking about topics to reflect on in an essay. We will explore this more Thursday and Monday. We will continue our literature circle discussions today.
Students developed profiles on three entrepreneurs. The goal is to isolate the similarities. Is it possible to teach girls to be powerful to prevent the trauma? Most of the women profiled were victims before they were saved or saved themselves. Is it possible to create an environment where girls don't have to suffer?
There are examples of this in the book, places where minds are changing. I agree with students who say true change will involve men as well. This is not Half the Sky's premise, but certainly the authors support all avenues which lead to better lives for women.
Comment on another group's evaluation. Do you agree? Can you expand the profile further? How does what happens to women in the Third World impact women in First World nations? What separates us from them or are we closer than we like to think?
We also completed the Pronoun Agreement Quiz.
It was interesting to note the pride women felt being able to support their families: husband and children. The men seemed happy to be "kept", living lives of leisure. I wonder if this novelty will eventually wear off, that is, women taking care of their men.
I am trying not to see the scenario from a western perspective, that is, seeing the men as gigolos--living large off their women, women they maligned and mistreated. While I am happy for the women and their daughters. That with keys to the vault wives call the shots in the home; it seems as if women still don't have autonomy or a respect alone, that even the worse man is still better than no man.
While walking around in class Tuesday morning in the second class, students and I spoke about rape and its use to subdue and control women in many societies, even ours. We reflected on the anti-rape device women could wear which impaled the rapists (Half the Sky). The students shared with me a film, "Teeth," which is about a woman whose vagina has teeth. Sounded like a great topic for an essay which takes from Half the Sky the themes of resistance to oppression and how women fight back.
Students should be thinking about topics to reflect on in an essay. We will explore this more Thursday and Monday. We will continue our literature circle discussions today.
Students developed profiles on three entrepreneurs. The goal is to isolate the similarities. Is it possible to teach girls to be powerful to prevent the trauma? Most of the women profiled were victims before they were saved or saved themselves. Is it possible to create an environment where girls don't have to suffer?
There are examples of this in the book, places where minds are changing. I agree with students who say true change will involve men as well. This is not Half the Sky's premise, but certainly the authors support all avenues which lead to better lives for women.
Comment on another group's evaluation. Do you agree? Can you expand the profile further? How does what happens to women in the Third World impact women in First World nations? What separates us from them or are we closer than we like to think?
We also completed the Pronoun Agreement Quiz.
posted by Professor Wanda's Posse at 12:10 AM
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