Gender Expectations

This is really cool. Makes you rethink your ideas of gender and sexuality.
-Zoe Riopelle

"Male" Sports

Football...Hockey....Wrestling....When most people think of these sports, they think of a bunch of males beating other males to achieve something. When we add a female to this picture, it immediately becomes weakened. We think of the girl as the exhibition round, the match to just get experience and not really fight for points. In my high school we had a couple of girl wrestlers but they were always over shadowed by the guys. At one of my brother's wrestling tournaments a couples weeks ago, there was a girl wrestler. When I saw her, I was excited to see what she was going to do. When she began, I stopped watching all other matches and concentrated on hers. She was going up against a MALE athlete. A girl versus a guy, a female versus a male, it works however you want to word it. They key fact is that she was in control throughout the whole match and even had strangers cheering her on. Below is a clip of the last seconds of her match where she pinned the guy and got shown off as the winner.

 

This shows that despite the common thoughts about male sports, or even sports in general, the females can and will prevail. 

We Can All Be Dangerous; Dad's Deserve Equal Opportunity

I found this article about how men of the Father's Rights Movement feel about domestic abuse and the Batter Women's Movement. The BWM has done a lot of work to make abuse a public (and legal) matter. Recently, many divorce cases have involved accusations of abuse. The BWM began overgeneralizing that men in general were abusive to their families. The FRM is trying desperately to counter this claim. They do not want to stop the BWM's efforts to end abuse, but they do want to stand a chance at being involved in their children's lives and not immediately be seen as potentially dangerous. The FRM has gained minimal support, but continues in their efforts for the father's voice to be heard. 


In my opinion, every human being has the potential to be dangerous. Danger is not just about abuse. It could mean being too impulsive, or mean, or even just forgetful. Our society as a whole should not judge an entire group (especially when it is half of our population) based on the individuals that abuse. I think that this is especially true when there are children involved. Kids need a mother and a father, both which have the potential to be dangerous. However, they are far more likely to be loving.



Jocelyn Elise Crowley. "Fathers' Rights Groups, Domestic Violence and Political Countermobilization." Social Forces 88.2 (2009): 723-756. Project MUSE. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://muse.jhu.edu/>.


Julie Anolick
http://muse.jhu.edu.ezproxy.emich.edu/journals/social_forces/v088/88.2.crowley.html

Health Care Discrimination by Zoe R

In an article in the American Journal of Public Health from 2001, Leslie Feinberg recounts his unfortunate experiences that he and transgender people endure in day-to-day life, like being misperceived or laughed at by medical staff. Misperceptions about the trans* community present a societal problem that is being faced by most people under the queer or transgender umbrella. Often times they will be segregated into wards by their genitalia rather than their preferred identity, for example. Due to the feelings of discomfort inflicted on people outside the typical gender binary, “there is no way of knowing how large a segment of the population avoids seeking health care because they have been wounded by sex and gender oppression” (Feinberg). The American Public Health Association is promoting a social movement to assimilate transgender folks more into the community in casual ways. Tips that they encourage include using last names rather than “Mrs./Miss/Mr./Ms/” when talking with or about a patient, providing literature on how trans health concerns might be different from typical male-female issues.  To ease the tension and uneasiness when seeking health care, there should be lists provided that detail which facilities are trans-friendly. The health care field is extremely lacking in pamphlets and other forms of information for patients explaining how their health is affected differently as one moves through the continuums of gender and sexuality. This is crucial to the understanding of patients and communication between the patient and doctor. Feinberg proposes that we set aside labels for now. The binary used today puts people into boxes, when gender and sexuality are spectrums that cannot be described in one-word terms. This means facilities should have unisex bathrooms, use nongender-specific signs, and, as for any patient, allow for self-advocacy of the patient and explain every step that will occur in an exam. In her article from the same issue of the journal, Lombardi goes further by pointing out that “We also need to look at how misunderstandings or prejudices in the non-trans health care community affect needs assessment. For example, are very masculine females less likely than others to do breast self-examinations?” (Lombardi).

The problem of discrimination against androgynous or trans* folks becomes a more political debate rather than a social debate when it comes to employers or private insurers determining how health care benefits are distributed. People are frequently denied certain benefits because of gender discrimination (“Transgender Health and the Law”). Due to a lack of education of their legal rights, transgender people often use this as justification to turn to other, more dangerous methods for getting what they need. Hormones, for example, can be illegally distributed and increase the likelihood of the transmission of HIV or other bloodborne infectious diseases (Lombardi).

Institutions like the American Public Health Association and Intersexed Society of North America have been recently very outspoken about how these societal issues that are founded in the health field need to be fixed. They are engines for the social movement to protect transgender rights and encourage education of the general population. Their efforts, along with other trans* organizations, are making people more aware of the fact that the T is a major branch of LGBTQ. People who categorize themselves under the T often face battles unique from the rest of them and they need to be respected and given proper care in all settings.

Feinberg, Leslie. “Trans health crisis: for us it’s life or death”. American Journal of Public Health: Vol 91, No 6. June 2001. Web. 15 February 2012.

Lombardi, Emilia. “Enhancing Transgender Health Care”. American Journal of Public Health: Vol. 91, No. 6. June 2001. Web. 15 February 2012

“Transgender Health and the Law”. Transgender Law Center. July 2004. Web document. 16 February 2012.

Susan G. Komen and the Race to Erase A Mistake

Drake Carr February 15, 2012.    

      Near the beginning of this month, the widely respected Susan G. Komen Foundation decided to cut off its funding to Planned Parenthood (washingtonpost.com, 2012). Komen, arguably the most well-known breast cancer organization in the world, is known for putting its focus upon women's health. The decision to defund Planned Parenthood, however, suggests that the foundation is placing too much importance on politics. Komen has since “reversed its decision” (politico.com, 2012), and the group is struggling to regain its once golden reputation.

     The decision to defund Planned Parenthood was the result of several factors. One possible reason for the decision may lay in the fact that a newly hired, vice-president Karen Handel had previously (unsuccessfully) run for governor of Georgia, and she had worked to end Planned Parenthood's funding (webarchive.org, 2010). Another factor in this process may have been the Americans United for Life President Charmaine Yoest. “It’s her group that issued a report last fall, 'The Case for Investigating Planned Parenthood,' that led to a probe by the Energy and Commerce Committee. And it’s that investigation that puts Planned Parenthood in violation of Komen’s new policy that bars funding of groups under investigation” (washingtonpost.com, 2012). The Komen Foundation had anti-Planned Parenthood members, but it had its fair share of supporters as well. According to another article this year by the Washington Post, during multiple subcommittee meetings discussing the possible outcomes of defunding Planned Parenthood, the consensus was consistently that cutting off funding to Planned Parenthood would have dire consequences. The Komen board overrode the two subcommittees. “The consensus of the board subcommittee was to keep the funding,” said an employee (washingtonpost.com, 2012).

     Besides political reasoning against the funding, some claim that Komen ought to shun Planned Parenthood for health or medical reasons. A 2011 study claimed that there was a link between abortion and breast cancer, implying that a woman who undergoes an abortion is placed at a slightly higher risk for being diagnosed with breast cancer (tandfonline.com, 2011). However, this argument is easily refuted. This type of research is shaky, and has very little backing to it. The American Cancer Society states that, “at this time, the scientific evidence does not support the notion that abortion of any kind raises the risk of breast cancer or any other type of cancer” (cancer.org, 2011). There is simply not enough evidence to attempt cloak this political action with a medical reasoning.

     The public's reaction to the defunding has been immediate, and it has shown that the foundation's once respected reputation is now not so pristine. Not only has Komen lost supporters among it's Pro-Choice followers, it is now also struggling to maintain the devotion of its right-wing, Pro-Life followers. According to Politico, “not many people knew that it funded Planned Parenthood until it decided to stop” (politico.com, 2012). Those who are anti-abortion may now speak out against Komen for affiliating itself once again with Planned Parenthood. The backlash has already begun; Jeanne Monahan of the Family Research Council said, “It would be heartbreaking for women who suffer from breast cancer if Planned Parenthood has bullied Komen into loosening their higher standards,” (politico.com, 2012). Now Komen must proceed with a careful balancing act as it attempts to regain the trust of both parties.

     While the reasons are fairly obvious for right-wing conservatives and Pro-Life activists speaking out against Planned Parenthood, it may not be quite as well-known why so many support Komen's funding to the organization. When people think of Planned Parenthood, abortion and birth control are generally the immediate things that come to mind. It is essential to realize, however, that the organization does much more than simply providing these services. “STD awareness, body image issues, gender and sexuality questions, cancer screenings and general health and well-being questions are all addressed by Planned Parenthood's staff and programs” (nyunews.com, 2011). It is not an organization devoted to performing as many abortions as possible. Rather, Planned Parenthood is focused upon the health of all individuals, not only women. Men can receive cancer screenings and other procedures as well. Follow the link (here: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/men-4285.htm) to read through the various health services provided. Many oppose the funding to Planned Parenthood simply because they are not aware of the many services the organization offers, many of which are completely un-related to abortion or contraception.

     The Susan G. Komen Foundation has long been regarded as an entity focused solely on health and well-being issues. It is not a foundation designed to conform to political ideologies. Komen's decision to withdraw its funding to Planned Parenthood was an obvious mistake. It immediately garnered negative responses from the many supporters of Pro-Choice and Planned Parenthood. Consequently, with its decision to return to its funding, Komen then received negative feedback from Pro-Life individuals and groups, many of whom were never even aware of the funding in the first place. The entire ordeal has become a fiasco, putting Komen in a position that has no perfect answer. The lesson learned in this process has proven to be that organizations focused on the well-being of others ought to focus on the well-being of others, and nothing else.

REFERENCES

Feder, J. L. "Can Susan G. Komen Recover from Planned Parenthood Funding Fiasco? - J. Lester Feder - POLITICO.com." Politics, Political News - Election 2012 - POLITICO.com. 2 Feb. 2012. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0212/72435.html>.

Handel, Karen. "Internet Archive Wayback Machine." Internet Archive: Wayback Machine. 15 July 2010. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <http://web.archive.org/web/20100921093610/http:/blog.karenhandel.com/2010/07/karen-handel-on-life-and-planned-parenthood/>.

"Influence of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 and Prolonged Estrogen Exposure on Risk of Breast Cancer Among Women in Armenia." Tandfonline.com. Taylor and Francis, 6 Oct. 2011. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07399332.2011.569041>.

"Is Abortion Linked to Breast Cancer?" American Cancer Society :: Information and Resources for Cancer: Breast, Colon, Prostate, Lung and Other Forms. American Cancer Society, 20 Sept. 2011. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/MoreInformation/is-abortion-linked-to-breast-cancer>.

Kliff, Sarah. "How Komen Decided to Defund Planned Parenthood - The Washington Post." Washington Post: Breaking News, World, US, DC News & Analysis. Washington Post, 8 Feb. 2012. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/how-komen-decided-to-defund-planned-parenthood/2012/02/08/gIQAgIntyQ_blog.html>.

"Men's Sexual Health." Sexual & Reproductive Health - Sex Education - Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/men-4285.htm>.

ROBERTS/REUTERS, JOSHUA. "Susan G. Komen Planned Parenthood Funding Decision Sparks Donation Spike, Strong Reactions - The Washington Post." Washington Post: Breaking News, World, US, DC News & Analysis. Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2012. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/susan-g-komen-planned-parenthood-funding-decision-sparks-donation-spike-strong-reactions/2012/02/02/gIQAPLqokQ_story.html>.

Whiting, Karissa. "Benefits of Planned Parenthood Overlooked | NYU's Daily Student Newspaper." Home | NYU's Daily Student Newspaper. New York University, 7 Mar. 2011. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <http://nyunews.com/opinion/2011/03/07/08whiting/>.

Project Unbreakable

Julie Anolick

The Joyful Heart Foundation

I learned of this foundation through one of the journals I was researching, and it seems like a great resource for victims of abuse or anyone that wants to learn about abuse. They do a lot to raise awareness and have programs to help people dealing with the aftermath of abuse. This is a video of a news interview with them in November of 2011.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZPzbm3vT37A
Julie Anolick

Sterotypical Gay Athletes

In our class we read "Becoming 100% Straight" by Michael Messner. He writes about two sexual stories involving men having feelings for another man. His personal story started with him as a small pre-pubescent  basketball player during his freshman year of high school. During that year he became really close to another smaller player. Soon he developed a sort of crush on him but started to be more aggressive to him. The other story involved Tom Waddell, a closeted gay who eventually came out. He sports was his closet. And even though he wanted to dance and do gymnastics, he chose the macho image and played football,gymnastics,and track and field. Both of these males chose the more aggressive route, the more stereotypical route towards sports. This just made me think about how our society views male athletes as tough, and macho and if we see a more feminine male athlete, then he must be homosexual. That isn't true, but why does our society feel this way? What made us think like this?

By Raven

Addition To Relevant Links

Since we are all pretty new at blogging, some of the basics are still being added. One new thing added is a link to another blog that provides links to all of the WGST class blogs. Other topics include incarceration, visual arts, education, etc. All of these will relate to gender and sexuality but each blog is run by a different group and will have it's own personality.