It Changed Me!
Before this class, I never considered myself a feminist. Sure, I stood up for women’s rights and equality, but I didn’t think I was a feminist because I never actually was educated on what feminism was really about. Previous to this course, I believed the stereotypes about feminism thinking all feminists were masculine, lesbians, who hated all men. Learning about feminism really hit home when reading “A Day Without Feminism” especially when I read about women in the workplace. “Less than 2 percent of dentists are women; 100 percent of dental assistants are women.” (Manifesta pg 7). I hope to one day become a dentist and have wanted to be one for quite some time. It’s hard to think of a time when women weren’t encouraged to strive for success or educate themselves, but rather to settle down and raise a family instead. I am lucky to have a family and a boyfriend who support me and encourage me to reach for my goals with a career and don’t expect me to settle for anything less. I am extremely happy to learn that women are pursuing dentistry as a profession and that here at the U (and most other universities) there is almost an exact equality ratio in the dental school or at least an expected equal ratio by 2010 (the year I graduate).
Not only did I fail to realize the gender inequality in the workplace, but I also didn’t realize how lucky I am to be able to take birth control, to decide when and how I’d like to have a baby, to play sports in high school and win our section and advance to the State Tournament in fastpitch softball, to even one day manage my own practice and work for and to support myself.
After a few weeks of class and reading about feminism I can now say that I believe feminism cannot be described with a specific type of person, but rather it covers an array of both women and men. Feminism strives for 100 percent acceptance and equality amongst everyone. A day when people are blindfolded and no one knows the gender of a person is an ideal day for feminists. It will eliminate all sexism. Until that day comes, it is so important to continue to educate people on feminism. Feminism has come such a long way since our mothers and grandmothers were in their teens but there is still so much more that needs to be changed. This class changed me in just a few weeks; just think of its potential!
Comments
I was shocked by the statistics they presented in this excerpt too, 2% just seems so low and I think it's great that you are holding onto your goals. I, too, didn't really ever think about just how lucky we are to be able to have to freedoms we have. I never really even thought about them as "freedoms" because the opportunities have just always been there for me. My family always encouraged me to be involved in sports, I even played a year of flag football with my brother, that's something that would never have happened 40 years ago and still rarely happens now. The world is changing, but you're right, there is still more that needs to be done.
Posted by: Desiree Guida | January 28, 2007 10:42 PM
i agree with your comment about feminists striving for equality between genders. The day that sexism doesn't exists is the day that feminism is no longer needed
Posted by: thuy | January 28, 2007 10:52 PM