blog introduction

Hey everybody. My name is Jennifer Smith. I am an 18-year-old freshman from Cooper City, Florida. I am currently undeclared and I'm using my first year to take any class that catches my interest. I decided women's studies was one of these classes because I've always found the subject interesting and my mother insisted I take it when I had the chance. Writing isn't one of my favorite activities, but I hope that this class will help me become a more well-written student; i know I'll have plenty of opportunities to practice with this blog.


One of the reasons this class interested me so much is because I consider myself a bit of a feminist. My view of feminism isn't very radical (you won't see me burning my bra). I mainly believe in equality for all humankind and female empowerment. I'm taking this class even though I know that women's studies isn't all about feminism and both subjects have differences. I think feminism is different from women's studies because feminists focus on equality for women and how to achieve it, while women's studies will focus more on the history of women's position in society and how society has influenced our views of women.I hope by taking this course I will learn more about how women have affected history and how society's views can affect a woman's development. I also hope to become more involved in organizations that serve women and take a step toward making a world free of inequality.


In my opinion, the major differences in gender are based on a society's views and opinions on how each sex should represent themselves. In American society men are seen as masculine beings while women are feminine. There are standards men and women have been raised and taught to uphold throughout history. Each country and society has their own views on gender and how humankind expresses their own individual gender. Our society's attitudes on gender affect almost everything we do in our lives and how people in our society view us.

The truth is gender influences me constantly in my daily life. From what I wear to what I eat, my gender is a constant in helping me decide what to do and choose. As a woman in my society, I've been pushed to care about my appearance and make sure I'm always looking my best. When I wake up in the morning I shower and make sure to shave because in American society it's considered unnatural and gross for a female not to. I put on makeup, take care in choosing the right outfit, and take into consideration whats better for my body whenever I eat. Even when I'm sitting in class I automatically cross my legs since that's the way "girls should sit". Normal bodily functions like burping and farting are considered unladylike even though its a natural occurrence for all humankind.


If I could choose one thing to change in myself as a gendered being, I'd change the ingrained feeling of having to look a certain way inorder to meet society's standards. The media gives women an image of the femimine ideal that no one can reach. I wish society wouldn't spread these expectations.


I have read, understand, and agree to the terms of the course syllabus and the blogging protocols.