TAD’s Number 8 and 9
Natasha Oslinger
3-14-16
TAD 8
1. Is there a “money myth” that states that people's income is a simple reflection of their talent? Does it apply more to one sex than the other?
Yes, there is a “money myth” that states that people’s income is a reflection of their talent. This money myth parallels the “beauty myth” that, in comparison, states people’s beauty is a reflection of their worth.
2. Can you see a connection between the beauty myth and the rise of eating disorders among young women in the US?
Yes, it is very simple to see the connection between eating disorders and the beauty myth. One of the reasons the beauty myth is so harmful is that is damages women's self worth. It is taught from an early age that the more physically attractive you are, the more people will like you. Women in the media are grossly unrepresentative of what the average woman looks like, and in addition, they are photoshopped and altered to look completely flawless. Unknowing women base what they should look like off of these women and go to extreme measures to reach the unattainable. Women damage their health from binging and purging because they put the way they look as more important that their physical health. The rise in eating disorders among young women in the US can be attributed to the marketing of the perfect body to look to younger and younger girls.
3. Among people with physical disabilities, do you think that the issues of “looking different” are more serious for women or men? Why?
I believe that among people with physical disabilities, the issues of looking different are more serious with women. I believe this because there is more pressure for women to conform to the “cookie cutter” perfect woman and look like the women they see in the media. It is more socially acceptable for men to be larger or to look less uniform. There is more pressure for women to look perfect, and for some (societally speaking) it is impossible because of a physical disability.
TAD 9
1. Is female genital mutilation a medical procedure or a means of social control? Explain your answer.
Although technically it is a medical procedure, female genital mutilation is undoubtedly a means of social control. The point of genital mutilation is to prevent women from violating sexual norms and be seen as more desirable to the men who want to control them. This only enables highly patriarchal societies and makes women feel more powerless to the will of men. About 3 million girls undergo this procedure a year, thousands of which happen in the United States.
2. Can you think of another example of physical mutilation imposed on women? What are they?
Another example of of a physical mutilation imposed on women are breast enhancements and labiaplasties. Although women are not directly forced to undergo these surgeries, there is strong influence from the media and often from partners to have them done. These surgeries can be considered physical mutilation because they are altering the female body in an unnatural way, and although women want to have them done, the need to change their bodies is deeply rooted from pressure from society.
3. What do you think should be done about female genital mutilation in places where it is widespread? Do you think respect for human rights should override respect for cultural differences in this case?
I believe that performing non consensual female genital mutilation surgery should be punishable by jail, and in the case it is performed by a practicing doctor, they should lose their licence permanently. In this case, I completely believe respect for human rights should override respect for cultural differences. In this case, respect for cultural differences means the controlling and mutilation of women by a patriarchal system that sees them as nothing other than objects. I believe the preservation of innocent women is vastly more important that preserving culture.
Natasha Oslinger
3-14-16
TAD 8
1. Is there a “money myth” that states that people's income is a simple reflection of their talent? Does it apply more to one sex than the other?
Yes, there is a “money myth” that states that people’s income is a reflection of their talent. This money myth parallels the “beauty myth” that, in comparison, states people’s beauty is a reflection of their worth.
2. Can you see a connection between the beauty myth and the rise of eating disorders among young women in the US?
Yes, it is very simple to see the connection between eating disorders and the beauty myth. One of the reasons the beauty myth is so harmful is that is damages women's self worth. It is taught from an early age that the more physically attractive you are, the more people will like you. Women in the media are grossly unrepresentative of what the average woman looks like, and in addition, they are photoshopped and altered to look completely flawless. Unknowing women base what they should look like off of these women and go to extreme measures to reach the unattainable. Women damage their health from binging and purging because they put the way they look as more important that their physical health. The rise in eating disorders among young women in the US can be attributed to the marketing of the perfect body to look to younger and younger girls.
3. Among people with physical disabilities, do you think that the issues of “looking different” are more serious for women or men? Why?
I believe that among people with physical disabilities, the issues of looking different are more serious with women. I believe this because there is more pressure for women to conform to the “cookie cutter” perfect woman and look like the women they see in the media. It is more socially acceptable for men to be larger or to look less uniform. There is more pressure for women to look perfect, and for some (societally speaking) it is impossible because of a physical disability.
TAD 9
1. Is female genital mutilation a medical procedure or a means of social control? Explain your answer.
Although technically it is a medical procedure, female genital mutilation is undoubtedly a means of social control. The point of genital mutilation is to prevent women from violating sexual norms and be seen as more desirable to the men who want to control them. This only enables highly patriarchal societies and makes women feel more powerless to the will of men. About 3 million girls undergo this procedure a year, thousands of which happen in the United States.
2. Can you think of another example of physical mutilation imposed on women? What are they?
Another example of of a physical mutilation imposed on women are breast enhancements and labiaplasties. Although women are not directly forced to undergo these surgeries, there is strong influence from the media and often from partners to have them done. These surgeries can be considered physical mutilation because they are altering the female body in an unnatural way, and although women want to have them done, the need to change their bodies is deeply rooted from pressure from society.
3. What do you think should be done about female genital mutilation in places where it is widespread? Do you think respect for human rights should override respect for cultural differences in this case?
I believe that performing non consensual female genital mutilation surgery should be punishable by jail, and in the case it is performed by a practicing doctor, they should lose their licence permanently. In this case, I completely believe respect for human rights should override respect for cultural differences. In this case, respect for cultural differences means the controlling and mutilation of women by a patriarchal system that sees them as nothing other than objects. I believe the preservation of innocent women is vastly more important that preserving culture.