Minnesota Women's Press: Is Women's Studies Still Relevant?
I find myself being asked this question frequently. From my advisor to my friends, they all are curious why I am doing a major that, to them, doesn't fit with my major, Advertising. To me it is clear, the reasonings couldn't be more apparent. But to them it seems be disconnected.
After reading the article "Is Women's Studies Still Relevant" by Kendall Anderson, I found myself asking questions. The direction of these questions were to myself. Before even reading I asked, "Why wouldn't it be relevant?" I believe that Women's Studies is extremely important. I can understand why some feminists might find this steady inclusion of Gender and Sexuality into the curriculum titling as problematic. For such a long time some studied the curriculum under one singular title. While Gender and Sexuality were always mentioned in the curriculum, they didn't feel a need to alter their titling. Now that there is this altering across the country, they feel they are being watered down and being constructed as more approachable.
I don't think that by adding Gender and Sexuality Studies to the curriculum title is watering down the meaning of the studies in any sense. I also don't think it's trying desexualize it by making it more marketable to both men and women. I believe that in our culture, it's important to take the studies of Gender and Sexuality into consideration when looking at Feminism. To me, they go hand in hand. I find it hard to use one without the other.
There is great relevance of the curriculum to my life. In advertising, when we discuss its' creative aspects, I always find myself reverting to my GWSS knowledge. I am easily able to tackle the subject matter in a way different than other people. While anyone can say, "Oh they are selling the women's body" I am able to say the Why. In the Advertising business, it is very important to understand all subsets of the market and their needs. I find that my GWSS studies have made me more aware of these different needs, understandings and representations. You cannot work on an advertisement for a product marketed towards women without understanding their representations. Furthermore, you cannot do the same for any group of people without this knowledge.
Referring back to those in my life who question it's relevance, I can easily explain the need for it in my life and future. It is not just a stand alone curriculum that I will never use. It is so integrated into all areas of life, that it would not be sensible to know it, learn it and apply it.