According to Hochshild the "Second Shift" is "shopping, cooking, paying bills; taking care of the car, the garden, and yard." The first shift is actually holding a job or career where one is paid, but the second shift represents doing an equal amount of hard work without being paid. Parents come home and take on even more responsibilities that they must care for on top of their 9 to 5.
Nancy and Evan have a complicated married. Though they both work full time jobs, their home life posses more of an issue for them than their professional careers. They also have a son, Joey, which adds more stress to their situation. Their main issue is evening out the workload that comes with being homeowners and parents. Nancy explains that she wished her husband would do more around the house while Evan feels that everything is taken care of by Nancy, and his help is not necessary. Furthermore, Evan feels no need to be a significant father in Joey's life because he complains that Joey does not even care to be with him and that Nancy has control over raising Joey.
The family myth that was explained in the text was that Nancy took care of the "upstairs" and Evan took care of the "downstairs". This meant that Nancy took care of the kitchen, bathrooms, living rooms, bedrooms, and so on, while Evan took care of such things as the car, the garage, places for storage, and the family dog, Max. This idea was that the labor was split somewhat fairly, with each partner doing their part to better the family.
The purpose of the family myth is to make partners to feel as if they are doing equal work, when they really are not. Couples draw the line that one will take care of the downstairs while the other will take care of the upstairs, knowingly that the upstairs is a constant job, and the downstairs is a much easier task. It is basically a cop out for both the wife to feel that her husband is doing equal work and the husband to feel that he is offering an equal amount to the family as well.
I did not find their article surprising at all. We grow up in a society where we mock the days where men asked their wives to make them sandwiches on a dime, when our generation is very similar. I do not see this first hand in my house though, because my mother and father have somewhat of equality in the house. While they generally take gender specific roles, my father always cooks while my mother always does some yard work. I feel like they are good role models for me to take after when I get married at the ripe age of 40, and not a day sooner. I plan to be in my childrens lives as much as possible because they are such a significant part of ones life. It's wild to me fathers don't talk to thier kids and stand clear of them.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Assignment 7
Hurley, D. (2005, April 19). Divorce Rate: It's Not as High as You Think. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/19/health/19divo.html
B) Describe and then explain what the divorce statistics mean.
The statistics in this article explain that the divorce rate has only hit and all time high of 41% and looks to go no higher, seeing that since 1980, the rate has steadily decreased.
C) Discuss whether or not the research/statistics seem accurate or useful.
The idea that the author of this text brings up is very useful. The idea that we should dig deeper into the actually statistic of divorce is important because we generally take this statistic from granted, that every 1 of 2 marriages ends in divorce. With this being said, the article is just one mans opinion and is not scholarly. The idea that the author brings up could be further investigated, completed, and submitted to pass as a scholarly source, but as it stands now, it is just a New York Times article that has some evidence to support its cause, but is just not scholarly.
D) How could the research be improved.
Research can be improved by not just comparing marriages rates per year to divorce rates per year. There are much more detail that must go into a statistic so dramatic like that of the 1 of 2 divorce rate.
B) Describe and then explain what the divorce statistics mean.
The statistics in this article explain that the divorce rate has only hit and all time high of 41% and looks to go no higher, seeing that since 1980, the rate has steadily decreased.
C) Discuss whether or not the research/statistics seem accurate or useful.
The idea that the author of this text brings up is very useful. The idea that we should dig deeper into the actually statistic of divorce is important because we generally take this statistic from granted, that every 1 of 2 marriages ends in divorce. With this being said, the article is just one mans opinion and is not scholarly. The idea that the author brings up could be further investigated, completed, and submitted to pass as a scholarly source, but as it stands now, it is just a New York Times article that has some evidence to support its cause, but is just not scholarly.
D) How could the research be improved.
Research can be improved by not just comparing marriages rates per year to divorce rates per year. There are much more detail that must go into a statistic so dramatic like that of the 1 of 2 divorce rate.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Assignment 6
1) Identify one of the examples of ancient marriage described by the author and discuss how it differed from the "one man, one woman idea" of marriage
One of the examples of ancient marriage that was described by the author that I found very interesting was that of the Native Americans who, "cared about diversity of genders in marriage rather than diversity of biological sex." In this idea, the Native Americans did not care if two mean were together or two women were together, as long as one of the partners assumed the general role of a male in the tribe and the other assumed the general role as a female. This meant that one of the partners may have needed to hunt while the other one stayed with the tribe and worked around their home. This is completely different from the "one man, one woman idea" because the Native Americans did not get hung up on whether men were marrying men or women were marrying women, as long as they worked with the tribe and helped the tribe survive. Native Americans saw past biological sex, and just asked for what was best for the tribe, which was working people.
2) Among which two groups has postponing marriage become the most likely? Why?
Poor and middle-class couples are seen postponing marriage now past their 20s. Reasoning for this is because these couples may be educated and have college degrees and wish the secure themselves financially before settling down, getting married, and possibly having children. If not college educated, they still wish to find a sense of financial security before jumping into marriage. These two groups realize that marriage can be rough and expensive, and the addition of children can cause a heavy burden of ones finances, so by getting married later, couples are able to save money longer and have something to fall back on when times get tough.
Sex and the City
Traditions:
Drink Wine at Alter
Groom Puts Ring on Bride
Bride Wears White Dress
Groom wears White Yamaka
Groom Breaks Glass Wrapped in Cloth
Breaking of the Glass:
This is a Jewish wedding tradition that is perform by the groom. A glass(cup) or even light bulb is wrapped in a handkerchief or napkin and broken by the Grooms right foot. This is done at the end of a marriage ceremony and once the glass is broken, family usually yell, "Mazel tov," which means good luck. Reasoning behind breaking the glass is not completely certain, as many scholars explain its purpose different from others. One idea is that though the ceremony brings joy, the glass reminds the Jews of the demolition of the Temple of Jerusalem. I do plan to get married, but do not plan to do this, seeing that it is a Jewish tradition and I am not Jewish. Who knows though, if I end up marrying a Jewish girl, I may find myself breaking some glass.
One of the examples of ancient marriage that was described by the author that I found very interesting was that of the Native Americans who, "cared about diversity of genders in marriage rather than diversity of biological sex." In this idea, the Native Americans did not care if two mean were together or two women were together, as long as one of the partners assumed the general role of a male in the tribe and the other assumed the general role as a female. This meant that one of the partners may have needed to hunt while the other one stayed with the tribe and worked around their home. This is completely different from the "one man, one woman idea" because the Native Americans did not get hung up on whether men were marrying men or women were marrying women, as long as they worked with the tribe and helped the tribe survive. Native Americans saw past biological sex, and just asked for what was best for the tribe, which was working people.
2) Among which two groups has postponing marriage become the most likely? Why?
Poor and middle-class couples are seen postponing marriage now past their 20s. Reasoning for this is because these couples may be educated and have college degrees and wish the secure themselves financially before settling down, getting married, and possibly having children. If not college educated, they still wish to find a sense of financial security before jumping into marriage. These two groups realize that marriage can be rough and expensive, and the addition of children can cause a heavy burden of ones finances, so by getting married later, couples are able to save money longer and have something to fall back on when times get tough.
Sex and the City
Traditions:
Drink Wine at Alter
Groom Puts Ring on Bride
Bride Wears White Dress
Groom wears White Yamaka
Groom Breaks Glass Wrapped in Cloth
Breaking of the Glass:
This is a Jewish wedding tradition that is perform by the groom. A glass(cup) or even light bulb is wrapped in a handkerchief or napkin and broken by the Grooms right foot. This is done at the end of a marriage ceremony and once the glass is broken, family usually yell, "Mazel tov," which means good luck. Reasoning behind breaking the glass is not completely certain, as many scholars explain its purpose different from others. One idea is that though the ceremony brings joy, the glass reminds the Jews of the demolition of the Temple of Jerusalem. I do plan to get married, but do not plan to do this, seeing that it is a Jewish tradition and I am not Jewish. Who knows though, if I end up marrying a Jewish girl, I may find myself breaking some glass.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Assignment 5
1) According to the article, what percent of Americans polled support gay marriage and why is this news?
The article explains that recently, CNN conducted a poll and found that 45% of Americans support gay marriage. It went one to explain the significance of this percentage and how in 1996 only 25% of Americans supported same-sex marriages. This is important news because we are hitting the point for the first time in American history that same-sex marriage will be the majority and no longer a minority.
The article explains that recently, CNN conducted a poll and found that 45% of Americans support gay marriage. It went one to explain the significance of this percentage and how in 1996 only 25% of Americans supported same-sex marriages. This is important news because we are hitting the point for the first time in American history that same-sex marriage will be the majority and no longer a minority.
2) Click on the link to Proposition 8 in the NY Times article. What is Proposition 8? Also, briefly describe the history of Prop 8 over the past few years.
Proposition 8 was a 2008 ballot that was passed in the state of California, banning same-sex marriages. There are many advocates for both sides, most, if not all, gays pushing for a ban of Prop 8, while many religious groups and people call for the law to continue to outlaw same-sex marriages. Recently, David Boies and Theodore B. Olson filed a lawsuit against Prop 8. As so now, same-sex marriage is banned in California, but some 18,000 gay couples that got married before the passing of Prop 8 are still legally married.
3) According to the this amendment, what is the definition of marriage in the U.S.?
The documents states that a "marriage means only leagal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word spouse refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife", excluding same-sex marriages or unions.
4) You can click on a state to see their stand on gay marriage, adoption of Defense of Marriage Act etc. Choose two states and compare their positions on gay marriage. Please don't all choose NJ!
New Hampshire has allowed same-sex marriage in January of 2010. The state passed the Defense of Marriage Act in 2004 and has defeated two proposals for the ban of gay marriage.
Alabama overwhelmingly voted against same-sex marriages on June 6.
I chose these two states because of their historical track records of being liberal and conservative states. I wanted to compared a liberal nor-east state to a generally conservative southern state. It does not take a genesis to have guessed what the outcomes for each state were going to be, and its sad that there are only a handful of states that allow same-sex marriages.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Assignment 4
Write about whether you believe children "naturally" act like girls or boys or how this behavior might be learned or fostered by the larger society and/or social institutions like education, the economy, government etc. For example, think about toys that children play with or the clothes/colors they are dressed in.
The discussion between nurture or nature applying to how child act like boys or girls has arguments defending each side, but I personally believe that nurture is the winning side in this case. Children growing up in America are lead into their stereotypical genders from birth with simple things like how boys come home to a blue room and girls come home to a pink room. Parents have a great impact by buying trucks for boys and dolls for girls at a young age, but peers are an equally large impact, as the text stated, as fitting into a group has a drastic impact on the actions of children. Playing with dolls may have been alright for a boy to do when he was young, but these feelings and emotions get covered up as he interacts with his peers and finds that boys should not play with dolls and even more so, he will be made fun of for doing so. These stereotypical gender roles have an enormous impact on children, and I think it is really impossible to say that it is a form of nature, because we have become so dependent on our society, that nature in many cases is not a focus point.
Do you think children want to play with these toys or do we create gender roles by rewarding children for gender appropriate behavior or punishing them when they display gender inappropriate behaviors? Many of you work in day care centers or schools - how do teachers react when boys want to play dress up versus when girls act aggressively? Why do girls like pink and boys blue?
I think that as an infant, when something is in front of you, you want to play with it, not really caring whether it is a doll or a toy truck. With that being said, many times this is not an option because parents create these gender roles by giving their children gender specific toys. Due to having these toys and growing up seeing that dolls are for girls and trucks are for boys, we view our gender roles almost as a natural occurrence, even though it has been implanted in us at an early age. After being enrolled at MSU and discussing these issues before, when I personally see boys dressing in gowns and girls acting aggressively, I let the situation play out, because they are doing something that they enjoy and are having fun. I have also witnessed this same behavior at the Ben Samuel's Day Care Center on campus and thought that it was great that teachers did not intervene and offer for gender specific toys to play with. With this being said, what I believe and let go on with the children that I watch does not always compare to what parents what to see their children doing, and it is sad that some parents really care that their children even as young as 1 or 2 be playing with stereotypical gender specific toys. As for the final question, the only reason that boys wear blue and girls wear pink is because of society. Clothing companies do not make pink shirts for boys because society will not buy a pink shirt for a boy because fear of him turning out "gay" or not participating in masculine activities. It is a vicious cycle, and is all to blame on American psychological views on gender.
Do you think women are doing as well as you as expected, less well, or better and why?
I do think women are doing as well as I expected. When you look at this chart, there is a steady increase of women in the workforce, though some years it has dropped, but in the long run, the statistics show that more women with children of all ages are taking up work. It really shows that they are not excepting being a "stay at home mom" and see that they can offer even more for their families but holding a job.
The discussion between nurture or nature applying to how child act like boys or girls has arguments defending each side, but I personally believe that nurture is the winning side in this case. Children growing up in America are lead into their stereotypical genders from birth with simple things like how boys come home to a blue room and girls come home to a pink room. Parents have a great impact by buying trucks for boys and dolls for girls at a young age, but peers are an equally large impact, as the text stated, as fitting into a group has a drastic impact on the actions of children. Playing with dolls may have been alright for a boy to do when he was young, but these feelings and emotions get covered up as he interacts with his peers and finds that boys should not play with dolls and even more so, he will be made fun of for doing so. These stereotypical gender roles have an enormous impact on children, and I think it is really impossible to say that it is a form of nature, because we have become so dependent on our society, that nature in many cases is not a focus point.
Do you think children want to play with these toys or do we create gender roles by rewarding children for gender appropriate behavior or punishing them when they display gender inappropriate behaviors? Many of you work in day care centers or schools - how do teachers react when boys want to play dress up versus when girls act aggressively? Why do girls like pink and boys blue?
I think that as an infant, when something is in front of you, you want to play with it, not really caring whether it is a doll or a toy truck. With that being said, many times this is not an option because parents create these gender roles by giving their children gender specific toys. Due to having these toys and growing up seeing that dolls are for girls and trucks are for boys, we view our gender roles almost as a natural occurrence, even though it has been implanted in us at an early age. After being enrolled at MSU and discussing these issues before, when I personally see boys dressing in gowns and girls acting aggressively, I let the situation play out, because they are doing something that they enjoy and are having fun. I have also witnessed this same behavior at the Ben Samuel's Day Care Center on campus and thought that it was great that teachers did not intervene and offer for gender specific toys to play with. With this being said, what I believe and let go on with the children that I watch does not always compare to what parents what to see their children doing, and it is sad that some parents really care that their children even as young as 1 or 2 be playing with stereotypical gender specific toys. As for the final question, the only reason that boys wear blue and girls wear pink is because of society. Clothing companies do not make pink shirts for boys because society will not buy a pink shirt for a boy because fear of him turning out "gay" or not participating in masculine activities. It is a vicious cycle, and is all to blame on American psychological views on gender.
- __F___ In the year 2000, 64.6 percent of mothers with children younger than age 6 were part of the labor force.
- __F___ The number of working mothers with children ages 6 to 17 increased by 15 percent between 1975 and 1980.
- __F___ During the period 1995 to 2001, the number of working mothers with children younger than age 6 increased by more than 5 percent.
- __T___ In the last five years on the chart, the percentage of working mothers with children younger than age 18 decreased.
- __T___ The number of working mothers with children younger than age 6 went above the 50 percent mark for the first time between the years 1980 and 1985.
- __F___ The number of working mothers with children ages 6 to 17 has not been below 70 percent since 1980.
- __T___ The number of working mothers with children younger than age 6 decreased between 1997 and 2001.
- __F___ In 1955, fewer than one-fourth of all mothers with children under age 18 were part of the U.S. workforce.
- __T___ Working mothers with children younger than age 6 have always made up a smaller percentage of the workforce than those who have children ages 6 to 17.
Do you think women are doing as well as you as expected, less well, or better and why?
I do think women are doing as well as I expected. When you look at this chart, there is a steady increase of women in the workforce, though some years it has dropped, but in the long run, the statistics show that more women with children of all ages are taking up work. It really shows that they are not excepting being a "stay at home mom" and see that they can offer even more for their families but holding a job.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Assignment 3
1. The text quote Bale explains that an instrumental leader leads the group discussion about how to accomplish the task they have been assigned and the expressive leader is there to keep up the groups spirits with emotional support. The family role of the instrumental leader is generally the father and the expressive leader is the mother.
2. The idea of families consisting of a house wife and a bread winning father shifted. More women were getting careers and altering the past trend.
3. Conflict theory is based solely on power and who has more of it. While in the functionalist theory where both husband and wife offer equal important services to the family, conflict theory focuses on who takes control of the household and dominates decisions.
4. The discipline that social exchange theory is based on is a trading ground. Two groups offer services of good that the opposite group are in need of, and with that, equally trade services and goods to gain necessities. This example, though, is fairy tale like, and many issues may arise like that of the husband verses the wife. In this trade of services, husbands can use their income as a means to gain power over their wives. Though they are sharing and trading services, the husband gains more power over the wife by putting more emphasis on the importance of his services of the wife's.
5. Feminist theory is based on gender and the inequalities between men and women. In more depth, the text gives examples of how gender can determine ones pay or job title.
6.
A) Do families with fewer children live more fulfilling and happier lives?
B) I would like to study the family at a micro level to gain perspectives from each family and to gain a more intimate understanding of the family situations.
C. A combination of random surveys and observational interactions would make for the best and most accurate outcomes, and seeing that we have no budget, this would be the best method to collect data.
D). A higher number of participates will add for more evidence however the study is concluded, therefore, an estimate of 200 participates would allow accurate results.
E) How many children do you have?
Do you feel over worked or stressed at home?
On a scale from one to ten, with ten being the happiest, how would you rate your life?
2. The idea of families consisting of a house wife and a bread winning father shifted. More women were getting careers and altering the past trend.
3. Conflict theory is based solely on power and who has more of it. While in the functionalist theory where both husband and wife offer equal important services to the family, conflict theory focuses on who takes control of the household and dominates decisions.
4. The discipline that social exchange theory is based on is a trading ground. Two groups offer services of good that the opposite group are in need of, and with that, equally trade services and goods to gain necessities. This example, though, is fairy tale like, and many issues may arise like that of the husband verses the wife. In this trade of services, husbands can use their income as a means to gain power over their wives. Though they are sharing and trading services, the husband gains more power over the wife by putting more emphasis on the importance of his services of the wife's.
5. Feminist theory is based on gender and the inequalities between men and women. In more depth, the text gives examples of how gender can determine ones pay or job title.
6.
A) Do families with fewer children live more fulfilling and happier lives?
B) I would like to study the family at a micro level to gain perspectives from each family and to gain a more intimate understanding of the family situations.
C. A combination of random surveys and observational interactions would make for the best and most accurate outcomes, and seeing that we have no budget, this would be the best method to collect data.
D). A higher number of participates will add for more evidence however the study is concluded, therefore, an estimate of 200 participates would allow accurate results.
E) How many children do you have?
Do you feel over worked or stressed at home?
On a scale from one to ten, with ten being the happiest, how would you rate your life?
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Assignment 2 Part 2
1. The difference between women today and women 40 years ago is very substantial. As the article explains in great depth, women today view independence as a norm and more so, a strong trait. Statistics show that more women are going to college to get degrees to land higher paying careers, rather than an average job. With this independent lifestyle comes buying homes by ones self, vacationing more, spending money on fashion, and constantly dating, while keeping marriage and child rearing on the back burner.
2. The norm for women these days is to graduate from college and get settled in a career long before any thoughts of marriage. Women are taking their time to establish themselves in the business world and enjoying the single lifestyle while doing so. Marriage comes after a steady career, but only if a husband is whiling to allow his wife to continue her career that she has built for years.
3. Women work much more now then they did in the past. As the article explained, Yoko Harruka, author of I Won’t Get Married, found a man that she was certain to marry until he brought up the idea that she would leave her job and be a housewife for him. This trend is degrading to many women who have poured so much into their jobs, only to be asked to leave it all behind and stay at home. With that being said, women take pride in their work now and view it as a lifestyle, rather than something they need to do until they find someone to marry and can stay at home after.
4. My personal views of my future are to graduate and get a steady career well before I even think about getting married. I am a firm believer in saving money and getting on my own two feet before diving into a marriage and inevitably having children. As of now, I can definitely see myself married in my future, but not until I feel financially stable enough to support a married lifestyle.
2. The norm for women these days is to graduate from college and get settled in a career long before any thoughts of marriage. Women are taking their time to establish themselves in the business world and enjoying the single lifestyle while doing so. Marriage comes after a steady career, but only if a husband is whiling to allow his wife to continue her career that she has built for years.
3. Women work much more now then they did in the past. As the article explained, Yoko Harruka, author of I Won’t Get Married, found a man that she was certain to marry until he brought up the idea that she would leave her job and be a housewife for him. This trend is degrading to many women who have poured so much into their jobs, only to be asked to leave it all behind and stay at home. With that being said, women take pride in their work now and view it as a lifestyle, rather than something they need to do until they find someone to marry and can stay at home after.
4. My personal views of my future are to graduate and get a steady career well before I even think about getting married. I am a firm believer in saving money and getting on my own two feet before diving into a marriage and inevitably having children. As of now, I can definitely see myself married in my future, but not until I feel financially stable enough to support a married lifestyle.
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