Women and the Workforce

            In The Proposal, Margaret Tate (played by Sandra Bullock) is a stuffy, stern, unmarried book editor who torments her office (IMDB and Yahoo! Movies). From the beginning, her disregard and meanness towards others is off-putting for the other office employees- especially Andrew Paxton, her assistant (played by Ryan Reynolds) (IMDB). Even though she is mean, that personality type is a reality in the workforce. The movie successfully chips away at her exterior and makes her into this heartwarming character who finds love with her assistant. Granted, I love this film and I believe that the changes she makes throughout the film are genuine and necessary. However, I am sure there are many men who act in this manner and are respected for their veracity, but women are often not thought of in this way.

            As an editor, she has clout in her office and a male assistant to boot. The original depiction of Tate fits in with some of the most noteworthy “impressions” men and women make in the workforce (Josefowitz, Kirk, and Okazawa-Rey 306). One of my favorites states, “HE loses his temper,” and, “SHE’S bitchy” (Josefowitz, Kirk, and Okazawa-Rey 306). Personally, whenever I hear the word “bitchy” uttered by anyone I automatically flip out. The word has many negative connotations associated with it; however, I do see how women are trying to reclaim the word. Anyways, this classic assumption in the workplace applies to the film and everyday life for women. Many women that are assertive is labeled as a “bitch” or “bitchy” while the male counterpart is given the assertive label. Although it is done subtly, the film reasserts the message that women should not be disconcerting like Tate.

            Tate’s lifestyle follows the “be a man” strategy” highlighted in the article, “The Mommy Tax” to an extent (Crittenden, Kirk, and Okazawa-Rey 342). Tate does not have any obligations as far as family and has an amazing position at her firm. The film makes the audience assume that Tate is cold because of her lack of closeness to family. However, it should be noted that Tate lost her parents at an early age and her distance stems from that. Because the movie ends with her and her assistant deciding to stay together, the audience does not know what the relationship becomes or if children come into the picture.

            I have worked in various areas of the economy, from retail to filing at my local courthouse. There is definitely more prestige and sense of purpose in working for a courthouse. It is more professional, whereas retail can be disheartening and trivial. From my experiences, my expectations for a future job in the law field mirror my courthouse experiences more than my retail experiences (with a bit more creativity). In relation to the film, I have always had this desire to be a more encouraging interpretation of Margaret Tate. I feel that I would thrive under the pressure of having to manage a company of people.

Works Cited

Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Women’s Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5^th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. Print.

The Internet Movie Database. Web. 28 March 2011.

Yahoo! Movies. Web. 28 March 2011.

Word Count: 496

Service Learning Log #3

Activism

            At the end of last week, my partner and I met Maria Roman (who was very encouraging) and she signed our service learning agreement. On Sunday, Lindsay made a preliminary flyer and e-mailed it to me and I made changes for creative effect, etc. On Monday, we each printed twenty five flyers and posted them in virtually every building at UCF (bathrooms, boards, etc.). I sent an e-mail to Maria Roman asking her to forward our flyer to prospective donators, texted all of my friends, and sent e-mails to students in two of my women-related classes. Lindsay posted the event on the YWLP Facebook page and she is going to ask her mother if any of her co-workers would like to donate as well.

            We tabled every day from Tuesday to Friday for 2.5 hours or more (1:30-4:00 P.M.). On Tuesday, we made the poster and every consecutive day we increased the display on our table based on our personal supplies and donations. Overall, as the week progressed, we received more and more donations. Alexa Nelen gave us the most supplies/donations of the week. I also had other friends donate money and I am extremely appreciative that they were able to support me. Moneywise, we made $12.59. Next week, we will table one or two more times and then we will be done with our fundraising efforts.

Reflection

            Our efforts this week relate to the chapter this week’s chapter because it is considered unproductive labor. The textbook states, “…unpaid work is defined as unproductive labor” (Kirk and Okazawa-Rey 305). Moreover, Leith Mullings states that there are, “four kinds of women’s work in the United States… volunteering in community organizations, professional groups, and clubs of all kinds” (Kirk and Okazawa-Rey 305). These two quotes culminate in the idea that because we are fundraising and we are not being paid, that we are not contributing to the economy (GNP). However, we are raising funds and supplies for middle school girls so that they will be able to contribute to society and the economy. Therefore, we are indirectly contributing to the economy of the future.

            This week, I realized that work is work and should always be counted. No matter if that work is cleaning dishes or making a major business deal, effort and will power is involved and keeps society going.

            YWLP would definitely disagree with the book’s assumptions. I believe that the foundation of the program tries to create women who believe that all work contributes to the economy in some way and that we are all “productive” human beings.

Reciprocity

            From this experience, I definitely feel empowered to achieve change in society. By calling on the community to aid these young women, I see the power within myself to set and reach goals. Also, I have always loved fundraising and showing my personality for a cause. I feel that this project has helped me realize how fortunate I am to have a great base that has supported all of my dreams. From a feminist perspective, some girls are not given this and YWLP facilitates a healthy place for these girls to be nurtured and grow as individuals. One thing about this experience that is worth noting was the misogynistic overtones of the music outside of the Student Union and the sexist views of fellow fundraisers. It makes me realize how my women-related classes have opened my eyes and have allowed me to view the world in a vastly different way.

Works Cited

Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Women’s Lives: Multicultural Perspectives 5^th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. Print.

Word Count: 581

Service Learning Log #2

Activism

            This week, my partner and I met after class on Tuesday and went to the Barnes and Noble bookstore. We asked them if they allow organizations to table inside and the manager told us that they do not. However, she told us that we should try the student union or the free speech lawn. We walked over to the student union and I saw a fellow classmate who has previously tabled. I asked her how we can table outside of the student union and she said that we just claimed one of the tables and we were set. We will also be sending Maria Roman (program contact) an e-mail about our Service Learning Agreements and subsequently send them to her for approval. Our success was that we finally narrowed down our locations for tabling to the student union and the free speech lawn. We were disappointed about not being able to be closer to the bookstore, but we will have to deal with what we have.

Reflection

            These past two weeks have shown me that feminist activism is harder than it looks. From the planning aspect of feminist activism, I have learned how difficult it is to put on an event no matter how small or big it is. The proper location has a lot to do with the success of any event. Our efforts this week relate to class because YWLP helps girls change at the micro level, which leads to changes in the meso and macro levels (Kirk and Okazawa-Rey 93). As these middle school girls love who they see when they look in the mirror, they will be able to change the nation. The figure on page 93 in our main textbook effectively outlines what each level consists of (Kirk and Okazawa-Rey 93). This chart represents, in effect, each step that girls have to go through to make effective changes in the country. The YWLP website also offers ways for the Little Sisters to do this by encouraging them to activist projects of their own which I thought was wonderful (YWLP).

Reciprocity

I feel the same way this week as I did last week. I enjoy helping young girls prosper and grow in their leadership skills, etc. Our attempts to raise supplies have had problems and the main one is an effective venue. Because of our technical issues, I am trying to re-evaluate how we are going to be successful. One problem is that our project differs from some of the others. I know that VOX holds bake sales, etc., but they are trying to sell something and we are trying to get donations which requires more initiative on the part of others. These personal dilemmas relate to the feminist perspective because nothing is fast or easy. People do not change their minds overnight about feminism and it does not take one day to fundraise for supplies. It takes extensive work and effort to accomplish extensive goals.

Works Cited

Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Women’s Lives: Multicultural Perspectives 5^th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. Print.

Young Women’s Leaders Program (YWLP). University of Central Florida. Web. 25 February 2011.

Word Count: 491

Extra Credit

One Born Every Minute portrays the traditional type of childbirth associated with America. In the assigned episode, three mothers went through the “conventional” form of birth in America. The Business of Being Born, showcased the “other” form of birthing that has become stigmatized. In the film, doctors, expectant mothers, midwives, and husbands conveyed what home births and midwifery really is.  

The movie showed that midwives trust women’s bodies. The women were seen as able creatures that were meant to bear and overcome the pain of childbirth. The supporters of home births and midwives clung to the fact that in most areas of the world midwives are used. They feel that home births allow the mother and the newborn child to share a bond that does not necessarily happen in a hospital setting where drugs are administered (Petocin and epidurals). In the episode, Christian received a desired epidural. However, when previously administered an epidural, it only worked on half of her body. The nurse knew of Christian’s previous history with epidurals and said that at half of the body is better than nothing. Even though Christian was present for the birth, her epidural, in effect, could have robbed her from the process.

In the movie, the mother and the child were taken into equal consideration. The midwives and doctors believed that it was beneficial to have home births where the mother could move and be free from harmful medications. In the episode, the mother and the child appeared to be given equal consideration, but in the wrong ways. Christian was given an epidural to numb her pain and essentially her birthing experience and her child was vacuumed out of the womb. However, when the doctor was rushing to remove the baby, the mother was told only to push while she shouted in pain. However, the medical staff would not wait for Nicole to deliver and performed a C-section; this makes the doctors and nurses’ schedules look more important than the process.

The film portrayed every person involved as knowledgeable. The future mothers and fathers discussed and educated themselves on home births. The midwives had been extensively trained and understood that hospitals might be necessary for some births, but not all. Most importantly, the midwives had a rapport with their patients. In the episode, the doctors were seen as intelligent and the nurses came across ditzy at times. Even so, all three women went with their advice. However, Nicole’s mother did not get along with her daughter’s nurse and this could be attributed to the switching out of nurses.

            In the film and the episode, the women were strong. The episode featured two husbands who praised the strength of their wives. On the other hand, the film showed how the husbands were more in tune with what was going on and were very present, as opposed to standing on the side of the bed and uttering, “Push.”

            The birthing process in the film is seen as something to be revered and is also peaceful. The women were comfortable in their surroundings and had family members who took part in the birth and were not bystanders. The episode made birth seem so traumatic for women. The men were reduced to sitting on the sidelines and cheering on their wives and worrying.

Word Count: 548