Running Head: CHANGING PERSPECTIVES ON WOMEN’S STUDIES 1

Changing Perspectives on Women’s Studies

Blake Ruggle

Iowa State University

CHANGING PERSPECTIVES ON WOMEN’S STUDIES 2

Abstract

This paper was written to highlight the various insights I have gained throughout the past

semester of Women’s and Gender Studies. Over the semester, Women’s and Gender Studies has

encouraged many discussions to develop an overall understanding of how women have been

treated unequally in comparison to men over time. This paper will provide various examples

from the course readings related to the four learning outcomes introduced in the beginning of the

course. In addition to examples, the paper provides various opinions and new discussions in

relation to Women’s Studies.

CHANGING PERSPECTIVES ON WOMEN’S STUDIES 3

Changing Perspectives of Women’s Studies

Before enrolling in Women’s and Gender Studies through Iowa State University, the

term “feminist” was a very unfamiliar concept to me. If asked to define the word, I would

have said that feminism is a political term for women who would try to shine a negative light

on men in order gain more power. Clearly, I was misguided. Through pop culture and various

forms of media, I viewed feminism as a political debate relating to whether men or women

should be viewed as the superior gender. I was aware of how history had portrayed women in

negative and stereotypical manners—such as treating women like property, not giving women

the right to vote, and associating objects with certain genders. Because the year is now 2018, I

assumed we had made plenty of advancements in order to develop equality between men and

women. I later took a Business Management course at Iowa State University that went into

minimal detail about why women and men are paid differently for working the same jobs. I

later decided I wanted to take a Women’s Studies course because of my mother. She told me

about the information she had learned while she was a student taking a similar class. In

addition, she provided various insights on how taking a Women’s Studies course would help

to strengthen and broaden my perspective, while benefiting my future career when working

with individuals of opposite genders. Upon signing up for the course, I hoped to learn more

about the inequality between women and men throughout history. I wanted to know how and

why women were viewed as less important to men in the first place. In addition, I expected to

learn about the various hurdles and struggles women had to overcome to gain basic rights and

become equal to men. In addition to my understanding on Women’s Studies prior to enrolling

in the course, this report will provide more details about the concepts I have learned

throughout the past semester. The information in this assignment will give examples and
CHANGING PERSPECTIVES ON WOMEN’S STUDIES 4

insights on topics that relate to history and experiences of women as half of the world

population, explanations for social inequality, how family, culture, and society shape us, and

the gendered dynamics of heterosexual relationships. Additionally, the following details will

help to outline how the very important elements surrounding Women’s Studies have been

changing over time.

One important element the course demonstrated relates to the history and experiences of

women as half of the world population. In a quote from Oppression in Marilyn Frye’s The

Politics of Reality, “If one dresses one way, one is subject to the assumption that one is

advertising one’s sexual availability; if one dresses another way, one appears to ‘not care about

oneself’ or to be ‘unfeminine.’” (Frye, 1983) The author shows how in 1983 women were

viewed negatively based on how they chose to visually express their personality. Women may

have gained more equality throughout history, but one concept that that not changed over time is

the heavy judgment they receive based on their appearances. When discussing the concept of

appearances for the interview assignment, the interviewee had described the pressure she had felt

to wear clothing that made her feel more feminine. While it is a very common concept for

women to be judged by their appearance and clothing, males are not typically judged in the same

manner. Today’s society encourages women to wear makeup and dress in a feminine and

appropriate manner, while men have less societal encouragement, allowing them to feel

comfortable dressing as they please. For example, the world believes it is okay in a majority of

situations for a man to not wear a shirt in public. Alternatively, women who reveal their upper

bodies in public are shammed for “indecent exposure.”

The concept of gendered careers gave me a better understanding of the explanation of

social inequality. While I did have a minimal amount of knowledge when it came to the concept
CHANGING PERSPECTIVES ON WOMEN’S STUDIES 5

of gendering objects (for example the Star Wars series could commonly be gendered as

masculine), I was struck by how gendered some career paths were. As stated in the reading from

Women’s Lives: Multicultural Perspectives:

In the past forty-five years, some women have broken into professions and blue-collar

jobs that were once the preserve of men, but most women work in day care centers, elder

care facilities, garment factories, food processing, retail stores, restaurants, laundries, and

other women’s homes. Even professional work is gendered: elementary school teachers,

social workers, nurses, and health care workers tend to be women. (Kirk & Okazawa-

Rey, 2013)

While women have been making progress to enter more male-dominated work fields over the

years, they are still commonly seen entering professions that were typical for women of the past.

In addition, the reading also gave insights on how women’s work was either defined as

“productive” or “unproductive.” The term “productive,” in this sense, represents earning a

paycheck, while “unproductive” represents the alternative work a woman does that will not result

in a paycheck. For example, a woman deciding to give up her career to become a stay-at-home

mother would be classified as unproductive work because she is neither employed nor earning a

paycheck. (Kirk & Okazawa-Rey, 2013) After completing this reading, it surprised me how

negatively many individuals view women for choosing alternative work over employment. This

concept represents social inequality because women could work just as hard as men, but because

they are not earning a paycheck, it is not seen as economically important. Unemployed women

could contribute the same amount of work as employed men, but may still be viewed as lazy or

unproductive because they are not following society’s norms of fulltime employment.
CHANGING PERSPECTIVES ON WOMEN’S STUDIES 6

In addition to becoming familiar with the concept of social inequality, the course readings

have provided me with a new understanding relating to how family, culture, and society are

constantly shaping us. In a quote from Feminism is for Everybody, Bell Hooks shares her

thoughts on how common it is for mothers to unintentionally teach their children to think sexist

thoughts:

Even in households where no adult male paternal caregiver was present, women taught

and teach children sexist thinking. Ironically, many people assume that any female-

headed household is automatically matriarchal. In actuality women who head households

in patriarchal society often feel guilty about the absence of a male figure and are hyper

vigilant about imparting sexist values to children, especially males. (Hooks, 2000)

I believe all parents, single or married, should be encouraged to teach their children about the

importance of equality and avoiding sexist thoughts. The reading later went into detail about how

many individuals wrongly believe that single mothers are more likely to raise violent children,

more sons than daughters. Single mothers are more commonly recognized for raising violent

children, while not enough single mothers are praised for raising kindhearted and respectable

children. I believe the lessons parents teach shape the overall personality of their children.

Parents who teach their children that sexism and violence are negative will receive better

outcomes than parents who avoid these important topics.

Another learning outcome the course discussed was the gendered dynamics of

relationships. It is common in many heterosexual relationships to delegate duties and tasks to

each individual based on the gender he or she possesses. Stereotypically, a man in a stereotypical

heterosexual relationship would be more likely to take on tasks such as fixing broken windows

or machinery, while a woman in the same relationship might be in charge of taking care of the
CHANGING PERSPECTIVES ON WOMEN’S STUDIES 7

children or making dinner for the family. Additionally, as stated by Naomi Wolf, the author of

Radical Heterosexuality, “Radical heterosexuality requires that the woman be able to support

herself. This is not to belittle women who depend financially on men; it is to recognize that when

our daughters are raised with the skills that would let them leave abusers, they need not call

financial dependence love.” (Wolf, 1992) While tasks may be delegated equally in most

relationships today, it is commonly viewed that women must take on more responsibility for

themselves, like individuality, in case the male was to abandon the relationship. I believe that

encouraging women to think like this may lead to unhealthy and unequal results, which tarnishes

the overall relationship. This concept gives more power to men while making women seem like

the weaker counterpart of the relationship. The author provided additional beliefs regarding how

heterosexual relationships should be more like homosexual relationships, where the two

individuals have not been “tainted by centuries of inequality” (Wolf, 1992). I believe Naomi

makes a very valid point, if men and women were always treated as equals, duties would not be

assigned solely based on gender.

As my mother had stated before I had enrolled in the course, I believe the concepts that

Women’s and Gender Studies demonstrated throughout the semester has already helped me to

develop a new perspective. As a soon-to-be business graduate from Iowa State University, a

majority of my future career will involve working with individuals of different genders, sexuality

and races. I believe this class has helped me to develop a better understanding in regards to the

hurdles other individuals have encountered throughout their lives. As I one day hope to own my

own business, I will be aware of these concepts when creating a structure and outline for my

organization. These concepts have educated me about the importance of fairness in the

workplace, which will help me to develop plans that benefit everyone equally. Additionally,
CHANGING PERSPECTIVES ON WOMEN’S STUDIES 8

these topics will help to benefit my future relationships by having informed and educated

discussions, while encouraging me to incorporate a balanced approach to household duties and

childcare. The four learning outcomes provided me with relevant information detailing how

Women’s Studies have developed over time.

CHANGING PERSPECTIVES ON WOMEN’S STUDIES 9

References

1. Frye, M. (1983) The Politics of Reality. Trumansburg, NY: The Crossing Press.

2. Hooks, B. (2000) Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics. Cambridge, MA:

South End Press.

3. Kirk, G., & Okazawa-Rey, M. (2013) Women’s Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. New

York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

4. Wolf, N. (1992) Radical Heterosexuality. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.