S08: GWSS 3306 Pop Culture Women

This class was an interesting take on Pop Culture-definitely not the avenues I would have chosen, but that's good because I learned a little. Mostly what I will take from this class is a newfound appreciation for graphic/comic novels. I read Fun Home for the group project and loved it! I definitely want to read more of Alison Bechdel and of other graphic novelists/comics like her. What I liked about Fun Home was that it told a novel-esque story with the words and the pictures. There were many times during reading where the picture told the story just as much as the words did. I also loved Bechdel's artwork, and when I learned how she labored over its perfection, I appreciated it even more. One other thing I will take from this class is that I will probably read the "Be Real" anthology in its entirety. I really enjoyed the selections from that book.

Cheers!

Posted by Kia Heise at 02:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I don't think there is anything wrong or unnatural about an older woman dating a younger man. But, Urancougar.com was disgusting. It just furthers the negative trend of women (young and old) being defined by and valued for their bodies. I don't look at the those women on that site and think, "How sad..they're trying to be young"--I look at them just like I would any other woman who dresses and acts like that. I sound a bit judgmental I know, but it just makes me so angry (not at the women-at our society) when I see women participating in the commodification and sexualization of their bodies and thus, themselves. Urbancougar.com is funny, and worth a laugh, but it's the overarching message that it represents that leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth...

Posted by Kia Heise at 02:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I don't think there is anything wrong or unnatural about an older woman dating a younger man. But, Urancougar.com was disgusting. It just furthers the negative trend of women (young and old) being defined by and valued for their bodies. I don't look at the those women on that site and think, "How sad..they're trying to be young"--I look at them just like I would any other woman who dresses and acts like that. I sound a bit judgmental I know, but it just makes me so angry (not at the women-at our society) when I see women participating in the commodification and sexualization of their bodies and thus, themselves. Urbancougar.com is funny, and worth a laugh, but it's the overarching message that it represents that leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth...

Posted by Kia Heise at 02:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ok so I tried posting this about two weeks ago, and I am not sure if it went through or not, so Im going to submit an extra one just in case. What I will take away from this class is to be more aware and pay more attention to the media, and to not judge someone because of their looks. I feel as though women as a whole are more judgmental of each other. I have found from doing all the readings, and seeing all the video clips in class that women are judged too much. I feel as though there is too much pressure coming from the women. Women are always on the spotlight, and I know that they feel as though they always have to be looking beautiful at all times. I have learned that this is getting worse with young girls such as 13 getting plastic surgery to be perfect. I never realized how much this goes on if it wasnt for this class. It also goes back to how you were brought up. Mothers who are obesessed with their looks, is a prime example because they will soon teach their daughters to be the same way. After taking this course I have looked at situations from a different point of view. Working in retail I get a chance to see all what goes on when mothers and daughters come into the store and try to pick out clothes. I have found that mothers put a lot of pressure on their daughters to be beautiful. They will convince their daughters that they are a smaller size than they think. They make them get a size smaller if the size that they have is embarrassing. I personally think that is horrifying and sad. What has the world come to? all about looks? I feel as though society is all about looks and caring what others think. If everyone thought that being overweight was good, then everyone will try to get bigger to fit into what society thinks. I respect girls who are not affected by the media, and i wish that applied to all women. Unfortunately thats not the way things work. Being thin doesnt make you happy 24/7, and having big boobs doesnt help you get a better grade in class. It's all about presentation. The media should present more positive and reality images of women. i think variety is a good aspect. Young girls need to see that there are more types of women rather than being thin! Thats what I feel I have taken from this class, and i feel as though I learned so much about women in pop culture that I never knew before, and I find it to be really interesting as well. Thanks for an interesting class Mashinda!

Posted by gross330 at 05:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"Lovefool" - the Cardigans
Hopefully this song is hyperbolic sarcasm, because it is about a ridiculously needy woman who knows and doesn't care if her man actually cares for or loves her, just as long as he says he does. She can't even think or function without him:

Dear, I fear we're facing a problem
You love me no longer, I know
And maybe there is nothing
That I can do to make you do
Mama tells me I shouldn't bother
That I ought to stick to another man
A man that surely deserves me
But I think you do!

So I cry, I pray and I beg

Love me love me
Say that you love me
Fool me fool me
Go on and fool me
Love me love me
Pretend that you love me
Leave me leave me
Just say that you need me
Love me love me
Say that you love me
Leave me leave me
Just say that you need me
I can't care 'bout anything but you...

Lately I have desperately pondered,
Spent my nights awake and I wonder
What I could have done in another way
To make you stay
Reason will not lead to solution
I will end up lost in confusion
I don't care if you really care
As long as you don't go

So I cry, I pray, and I beg

Love me, love me
Say that you love me
Fool me, fool me
Go on and fool me
Love me, love me
Pretend that you love me
Leave me, leave me
Just say that you need me
So I cry, and I pray for you to
Love me, love me
Say that you love me
Leave me, leave me
Just say that you need me
I can't care 'bout anything but you...

Anything but you...

Love me, love me (Say that you love me)
Fool me, fool me (Go on and fool me)
Love me, love me (I know that you need me)
I can't care 'bout anything but you..

"Bootie Call" - All Saints
This song is not only hilarious, but actually shows a woman having some sexual independence and assertion. Similar to the 'sex like a man' concept from Sex and the City, the sex without caring is strongly emphasized by the singer in this song.

Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now

Never stop giving good love
Cos that's why I call you for
(yo, whats up, baby?)
Never stop, baby, give it up
Cos I know where it came from - you got more

I like playing games
And if it's all the same,
You could bring it on with the rough stuff
And give me your love - I don't wanna be tamed

I need a man to be a real man
In order what I got in store,
Always finish what you start baby
And always having me beg for more,

You know I wanna be diggy down, boy
but I don't get around,
Jimmy has to ride in your pocket or lock him in your wallet,
It's just a bootie call

Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now (its a bootie call)
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now (its just a bootie call)
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now (its a bootie call)
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now (its just a bootie call)

Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now [ x2]

I'm keen on what you is baby
Names are always good to have
You never let me down [Mel & Shaz]
I'm always happy when you make me laugh
But don't try to find

This heart of mine
Emotions, they'll come into my head, so don't be misled
My heart doesn't need to be bled
Aren't we trying to be smart baby?

Don't need the rollercoaster ride
I've been it, seen it and done it all yeah, yeah [Nat & Shaz]
Don't want you messing with my mind

So don't be a fool
Keep this as your number one rule [Shaz & Mel]

Good loving is not always from the heart
You gotta be smart
Ha ha
Stay just the way you are

It's just a bootie call (It's a bootie call)
It's just a bootie call (It's a bootie call)
It's just a bootie call

Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now (its a bootie call)
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now (its just a bootie call)
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now (its a bootie call)
Bring it on, bring it, bring it on now
It's just a bootie call

It's a bootie call, it's a bootie call
It's a bootie, it's a bootie call
It's a bootie call, it's a bootie call
It's a bootie, it's a bootie call

Please hang up and try you call again
Please hang up now
This is a re-recording

Posted by brady115 at 02:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, not a super strong image but the context in which it is in is very impressive. According to many British women, Victoria Beckham is their role model. Ridiculous, huh? Well, Lilly Allen is brave enough to take on one of the biggest superstars [wives] in the world. She is also using her fame to be an activist against teenage pregnancy - she is pregnant - not a teenager - and refuses to design a maternity line because she feels that her demographic is young girls and teenagers and this is simply not suitable for them.
Allen is also an avid bike rider, and of a healthy weight. There has been much talk about her more curvy figure, and she blasts rumors that she is insecure about it.
Also, have you guys listened to her lyrics? Very powerful. She's a strong woman.

Posted by brady115 at 02:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

TV Show: The Office
This is one of my favorite shows of all time. It is just so real, yet completely unreal at the same time. I appreciate the fact that Michael Scott's blatant sexist and racist humor is drawn attention to. If I examine this television show in closer detail, however, I see that there are actually some really good messages, but also solely male-driven aspects. There is a male boss, who's only female superior - Jan Levenson - is fired for being too emotional. The receptionist, Pam, is female and submissive - plus she is regularly the victim of sexual harassment - although eventually she stands up to her terrible boyfriend and begins working on her real dream. The other 3 regular women in the office are Angela, a bitch, Meredith, an alcoholic, and Phyllis, who is overweight. To me, women aren't quite fairly portrayed on The Office.

Law and Order: SVU
Another one of my favorites, I enjoy this show a lot and when I look at it closer, it has some pretty strong female leads within a typically male-dominated profession. Olivia is half of the main duo, who is a very strong and tough yet beautiful woman who, on very rare occasion, shows her emotional side. The D.A. is also female. I really appreciate that such important parts of the justice process are played by women. Rarely do they get dominated by the majority of male workers within their office.

CSI: Miami
This police show differs quite a bit from Law and Order. There is only one female lead, and although she plays a strong woman who is quite skilled with firearms, a lot of emphasis is still put on her cleavage and overall appearance. Most women characters featured on this show are solely there as victims or sexy, seductive suspects. They are quite provocative and don't exactly portray women in a respectable, strong way.

Posted by brady115 at 01:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Top 5 Movies:
Garden State
Superbad
Goodfellas
Dazed and Confused
The Untouchables

Top 5 TV Shows:
THE OFFICE
Law and Order: SVU
America's Next Top Model
What Not to Wear
The Simple Life (!)

Top 5 Artists
Radiohead
Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins (even though they only collaborated for one album)
Prince
The Flaming Lips
Rilo Kiley
(...these favorites have already changed)

Posted by brady115 at 01:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Overall I feel as if I am taking away many things from this course, the knowledge that there is no one way to define feminism, a new love for Desperate Housewives, and a definite re-inforced love for Sex & the City. But what I find myself taking away the most is a new awareness especially after just looking at the cougar websites. And also looking back on blog 3 and my search for a teen television role model. I enjoyed Alison Bechdel's reading that we attended as well. I plan to read Fun Home as soon as I am done with finals.

Posted by Kelsey at 06:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I found the first site (Urbancougars) interesting yet annoying at the same time. The first thing I read on the site was the description of cougars in general and the single word that caught my eye was "sophisticated". I am still not sure how I feel about that word being applied to women who consider themselves animals. Next I read an article ripping Madonna apart for dancing too provocatively with Justin Timberlake. I'm confused...isn't this celebrating older women going for younger men...are we a little jealous of Madonna Ms Urbancougar? Finally I wrapped up my tour of the site with the cougar of the month who happened to be Dariea. While reading bits and pieces of her article I made up my mind on how I felt about the site. Completely disgusted. Maybe this was an older women who was going after younger men but from her interview/description I would think she was younger than myself. I found her interests most amusing, "I love...dancing and singing, even though I'd be a perfect candidate for the American Idols 'Bloopers' show! I love...Diet Coke Zero - I think I'd die without it. My favorite thing to do is have a Pina Colada and throw myself right onto the sand without a towel to sun my buns...I am spontaneous and kind of a brat." In another question she was asked what she thought it took to be a cougar. In her answer I found another word that stuck out and scratched me the wrong way - "class". Because this was probably the last thing she had especially after reading her story of taking a friend's dare to climb up the stripper pole in a dress. Oh lol! good times with Dariea!
The second site (cougared) appeared a bit more down to earth yet also came off as just a bunch of desperate women.

Posted by Kelsey at 06:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I believe motherhood figures are portrayed in differently depending on the genre of the media. I believe in this generation of television specifically, mothers are portrayed much differently than when I was growing up. Mothers are portrayed much more laid back. Since segregation by race is no longer a very common practice I do not see television moms being influenced by this factor. Class will always be present in our society yet when we viewed Desperate Housewives the mothers were all from the same neighborhood and it can be assumed, the same class as well. But each mother of the show handled parenthood differently leading me to believe class does not have much influence over motherhood either. The mothers of Desperate Housewives do have something cartoon mothers do not have though - sexuality. The mothers of Desperate Housewives are portrayed as sexy and desirable. Modern pop culture has definitely taken a liking to sexuality and has no shame letting everyone know this through the media.

Posted by Kelsey at 06:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So this is very very late but I figured since I had some time I should use it wisely and look back at what we have covered in class, and that includes the work that was not done when it was due. Any who, I looked on the web for role models especially role models that would be good for young girls and even teenage girls alike. I found a few but have realized they have pretty much all gone bad by this point. However, one person who has always presented themselves in such a mature and elegant fashion has been Raven-Symone. She got her big break on the Cosby Show at the age of three and her career has been nonstop. This has not affected her image as a role model. Other teenage girls hit that plateau where they no longer want to worry about their actions and decide to go out partying or what not and having photos snapped of them and put out there for their young girl following to see. If in fact they were good role models would they ever really do such things? I can understand that you are just young once but then they need to make that clear and let everyone know they are not this Disney protcol child that your young daughters should look up to. Raven on the other hand must have an incredible up bringng that has kept her an excellent role model over all these years. Yes, I am certain she has had her issues too but nothing that has tarnished her coveted spot as one of the best role models out there to date for young girls.

Continue reading "Role Model" »

Posted by rote0008 at 06:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I think one main thing that i will take away from this class is to really evaluate what i am reading or watching, or looking at. That i thought things were so great but never really sat down and thought about what kind of image a barbie gives, what kinds of things Disney portrays in their shows. How to look good naked attempted to make a women feel good but did it in a way to put the other women around her down. They also boosted her self esteem by cutting and dying her hair and adding makeup. i would have normally watched that show, if i would have had time, and really enjoyed it and thought it was great. Once it was analized in class i know think differently of that and about everything else i watch. This was the first thing that i learned in this class, was to have a critical eye and that is definately something i will take with me!!!

Posted by broo0207 at 01:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When i first looked at these cites i thought it was the wrong place, that my computer had some type of virus and it was taking me to a porno cite. Then i realized this is what i was supposed to be looking at. Well i have to say i think it is great that this women are so physically fit and feel great about themselves, but seriously i want to tell them to grow up!! I know that so many people joke that guys just never grow up and go through a mid life crises and try to marry some young hottie, and i think that is rediculous. Now women are stupping to the level of a man!! i thought that women were better then that. I dont think you should be proud of the fact that you are hot and can sleep around at any age in your life. It makes me wonder what kind of life these women lived and how unfufilled they must feel that they need to look for young hot guys to make them good about themselves. As for the show age of love i am not sure if they are re airing it, but i remember actually watching that show. I never really thought of it so in depth but just that they were looking for love the wrong way obviously. I don't remember the outcome, but i am sorry to say that this young man is not going to be with a almost 50 year old women for a long time i find it hard to believe unless she is very immature, then it couldn't be a serious relationship to me. It does happen though, but developmentally they are at different stages of their life, they have expereicend different things growing up, not as easy to connect.

Posted by broo0207 at 01:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have to say that I have learned a lot in this class. I think the one thing that I will take away from it is what it means to be a feminist. In the back of my mind, I always thought of a feminist as a sort of man hating woman. Now I realize that there is much more to being a feminist. It's more about being powerful and taking control of your life. I guess now that I know what it actually means to be a feminist, maybe I can reconsider whether or not I truly consider myself an actual feminist.

Posted by mull0261 at 11:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)