ethnography paper

Lauren Best

3/30/09

WS 1003

Ethnography Paper

In the excerpt from bell hooks’ book The Will To Change, she discusses a major problem facing young, growing men: the patriarch. The patriarch is still a threat to both of the sexes in today’s western society, yet there are a growing number of single parent mothers raising multiple children alone. Hooks states that even if young males hold pro-feminist ideals, once they enter school they will also face sexist male peers and a widespread cultural patriarchal propaganda. After deciding to interview a number of young and adult men who were primarily raised by their mother, I concluded that these men all seemed to have a somewhat different outlook on women due to their matriarchal background.

As a growing number of mothers are taking the primary responsibility as a parent, roles are beginning to shift in today’s ever-changing society. Single parent mothers must now fill both of the roles of father and mother as they try to raise their children. But what happens to the young men raised primarily by their mothers? Hooks states that it is still very hard on the mother to try to raise her son in an anti-patriarchal manner, because they do not have enough time and their sons face outward influence as well. In the chapter from her book The Will to Change, she states that “single parent mothers with limited economic resources lack the effort to consistently map for their sons alternatives to patriarchal masculinity simply because it takes too much time.” She also points out that “many anti-patriarchal parents find that the alternative masculinities they support for their boy children are shattered not by grown-ups but by sexist male-peers.” So do young men all turn out the same despite their varied parental backgrounds? After interviewing a few men on their matriarchal background as a young boy, I found that’s not true in the present day.

I interviewed two young men, James and Andy, both of the age of 20 and my father Tracy, age 55, who were all raised solely by their mothers as they grew up. All of these men stated firmly that their mother played a huge role as caretaker and greatly shaped their perspective on gender and the sexes. Both James and Andy claimed that they treat women with the highest respect and admiration due to their mothers. “I watched my mom work so hard to raise my brothers and I and still have a 9 to 5 job… that’s amazing!” Andy said. All of the men continued to express how greatly their strong mothers impacted their opinion of women. James stated that he doesn’t feel as threatened by independent women because of his mother and that he is even more attracted to strong, independent women because of her. . My father Tracy experienced this same effect but during the baby boomer generation. “Your grandmother raised six of us kids after my dad died when I was two. I watched her own her very own business and still manage to be there for dinner each night. She was like a super hero!”

Blog # 8

"The Opt-Out Revolution" by Lisa Belkin

This 'revolution' of women fleeing their successful jobs to be stay-at-home mom's was and still is a very controversial issue among feminists and moms alike. There are many sides of this argument that set women apart once again. One side of the argument is that many of these women that have left the work room did not leave entirely. Many of these women either work part time or are self-employed from home. Belkin herself left the New York Times newsroom, giving up the chance for a top editorial slot, to work as a home-based writer. So what does that say?
Another side of this article is that it is very alarming and has a great deal to say about how far feminism has really come... or not come. It is quite strange that so many women have gone to the best schools in America and continued onto the most successful jobs, then just leave it all. Yes, it's understandable that one could get more fulfillment out of having a family and not stressing yourself out because of a job. But still, what will that mean once all the children are grown-up and out of the house?
I've experienced this trend firsthand as I grew up and watched my mother. She, however, chose an opposite path. After my parents got divorced when I was younger, my mother took the role as a single working parent of two kids. She is highly successful, as a state coordinator in her job, put herself through college to get her Masters' degree, and still made time to make us dinner when I lived at home. She has told me that things can be very hard and demanding... trying to make PTA conferences and still drive to Oklahoma City for corporate meetings. She has told me, however, that she doesn't regret any of her decisions though!

Blog # 7

The movie I have seen most recently is Jonathan Demme's Rachel Getting Married.
I really enjoyed the film and felt really moved by it. It was extremely realistic, even too real at times. I think every person could relate to this film on some level - whether it be family conflict, feeling like an outsider in your own family, getting married, etc. The film is shot in a very minimalistic way - the camera work seems almost as if it were done on a video camera to emphasize the realistic effect. The acting is very strong and very moving. All of the actors genuinely cry, laugh, love, and hate each other at one point. In terms of gender and race, I felt like the film is pretty advanced. It is showing an updated view of marriage. The main character Kym, played by Anne Hathaway, comes back home from rehab to her sister Rachel's wedding weekend. Rachel is getting married to Sidney, a successful and handsome black man. This reflecting our changing social landscape. Both sets of families are extremely supportive to welcome each other as their new, larger family. In reference to gender, the character of Kym is rarely judged or ostrasized for being a single woman. Most of her flaws come from within and are not social injustices. As for Rachel, she even seems to be an older bride - around her early 30s or so. Throughout the course of the film, she also finds out that she is expecting a child. The family is ecstatic, Kym is just pissed off. I feel like everyone should see this film. It's intimate and heartbreaking, as well as beyond relatable. All in all, very good.

Blog # 6

Look at this beauty of an ad! HA.
After loosely translating the text in the ad, I came to the conclusion that it says something like:

"Magazines are full of funny images, one should not be afraid to play with fashion especially if it is with Marc and Jeurgen. It is necessary to leave its shell and to assemble the other facets of oneself."
- Victoria Beckham

That quotation along with the image of the advertisement are hilarious and shocking. I love how Victoria Beckham is posed like an article of clothing or an object that would simply fall out of a shopping bag once tipped over. Thankfully she put her hands out first so she didn't fall flat on her face! Oops, that wouldn't be aesthetically pleasing. The significance of the words combined with the imagery in this ad are astounding. This high fashion ad still upholds those patriarchical, oppressive elements of most common advertising. This ad, once again, shows women as an object or just like an article of clothing that you can purchase at an expensive store. This ad works to belittle women as objects and is still alive in today's highest status magazines. Also the fact that the quote says to 'assemble the other facets of yourself' is kind of disturbing like the ad is saying we, as women, are simply dolls that can merely be assembled and manufactured. Victoria Beckham is not only a rich and powerful, beautiful woman in today's society, but she is also letting herself be an example to how women are still being oppressed by the modern male-dominated world.