Final Blog
After taking this class, I have become especially attuned to the oppression of women in my everyday life. Whether it is demeaning pictures of women in mainstream advertisements, the lack of women in the professional math and science fields, or the reluctance of law enforcement to intervene to help women in domestic violence situations, women are oppressed almost everywhere I look. Before this class, I was oblivious and thought it was a thing of the past. Now I notice it everywhere. I also have become aware of the way in which some men feel that it is ok to oppress women and do it very openly. In my biology class, I have noticed that the men in my small group ban together and are actually very rude to the women in my group. They have no expectations for the girls and disregard much of our input. I also feel as though they act shocked when we do something beneficial for the team, as if they are surprised women can actually partake in educated activities.
Throughout the semester, I have seen a theme of the misconception that women only need to be pretty objects and nothing more. Women are not expected to succeed at anything other than being the primary caretaker. Women are not anticipated to be smart and if you are a smart, strong woman, you are out of the ordinary. Many times, you are looked down upon because you are not following the norms that our society has placed upon women.
I now have expectations for myself to not fall within this trap that our society has placed upon women. I have more drive than ever to prove others wrong and to be able to succeed as a working woman in the science field. I will no longer just disregard it when men put me down. I will stick up for my thoughts and efforts. I have already stuck up for myself within my biology group, as to the treatment of the male members to the women members. All in all, I aim to be a strong, independent woman and will do everything in my power to achieve my goals, regardless of everything that is going against me, which I did not realize until this class.