Ok Prof M...you got me thinking! I was lucky enough to avoid Teletubbie-ism as my daughter Lauren was too old to watch them when they broke into public television. Kai is actually out-growing them! She loved them when she was a little less than a year and now she chooses other shows over Teletubbies. I think babies and young children love the show because it is so simple yet colorful and musical. I found them perfect for afternoons when Kai was not sleeping and I had gotten a collective 4 1/2 hours of sleep-- in two days. They're just the right level of non-educational tv we all need on occasion. But the reference to gender you asked about in terms of kids tv-- well, how could I not dig up the stuff about Tinky-Winky possibly being gay because he carried a "purse?" Perhaps he was public television's first transgendered child's character? I'm being unfair :) It was really a "magic bag" and the rest is in the imagination of totally homophobic folks like Jerry Falwell:
Tinky Winky Controversies (from Wikkipedia)
One of the Teletubbies, Tinky Winky, started a still hinted-at controversy in 1999 due to his carrying a bag that looks much like a woman's handbag (although he was first "outed" by the academic and cultural critic Andy Medhurst in a letter of July 1997 to The Face).
A February 1999 article in the National Liberty Journal, published by evangelical pastor Jerry Falwell, warned parents that Tinky Winky could be a hidden homosexual symbol, because "he is purple, the gay pride colour, and his antenna is shaped like a triangle, the gay pride symbol". [2]
A spokesman for Itsy Bitsy Entertainment Co., who licenses the characters in the United States, said that the bag was just a magic bag. "The fact that he carries a magic bag doesn't make him a homosexual. It's a children's show, folks. To think we would be putting sexual innuendo in a children's show is kind of outlandish", he added.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Week 6: Response to Zulma
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this subject. I did see this on the front page of the NYT but didn't get around to blogging until today. I know a gay couple who has been "married" since 1988 and have a really strong & balanced relationship--even considering what the book has to say about issues that gay couples encounter that hetero couples don't. I also know another couple who is the most generous, caring, and community-minded couple out of anyone I know. It doesn't matter that these people are in same-sex marriages. What matters is that they are decent, empathetic, philanthropic, loving individuals who respect each other and humankind. These people deserve the tax and other benefits that married hetero's are privileged with. There is nothing to explain to society other than these are two people who love each other and in their commitment to each other and God (they are Christians) they make the world a better place. This probably can't be said for most straight couples we know, which doesn't make them better, but certainly not any less deserving.
June 20, 2008 3:50 PM
June 20, 2008 3:50 PM
Week 6: Response to Prof M
I went through the Nick Jr. vegetative state with my older daughter Lauren. She was born in 1992 so I caught Barney, Sesame Street, as well as the Disney repertoire of princess videos. Now with my daughter Kai (2 1/2 yrs. old) we are slaves to Nick, Nick Jr., Sprout, PBS, and the timeless Disney movies are back. My husband thought I was demented when I could recall every line of Mary Poppins the first time I watched it with Kai. It was poetic justice the day I caught him humming "Supercalifragiliciousexpialidocious" while grilling. As for gender roles--there's definitely been some progress. It isn't all about princesses being saved by previously unknown princes with a single magical kiss. (Yeah, like that works, huh girls?!) Dora & Kai-lan (my daughter is starting to realize her name is the same as Kai-lan, she says "she Kai name too") and the Wonderpets (my husband's favorite) all make things happen. Once has to consider though, how Dora and Boots consult "the map" when there's a place they need to go. Big red flag here-- Diego, Dora's boy cousin with own 30 min gig--does not have a singing map in his show. Hmmmmm...perhaps he has a navigation system in his "rescue pack". So maybe they're still somewhat biased, but not as bad as "the old days" of cartoons. The Wonderpets (my husband's favorite)on Nick Jr. are non-gendered (I think) & they stress rescuing baby animals via teamwork. My Kai wanted to help me water our flowers outside, and when she got the hose in her hands she actually started singing the "What's gonna work? Teamwork" song. I almost cried. Tomorrow's lesson: sock-sorting, the ultimate familial teamwork challenge.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Week #5 MomsRising
I was happy to see there is the grassroots movement called MomsRising! Their mission, which is dedicated to changing government and institutional policies that make it difficult or impossible for parents to simultaneously engage in paid labor and care responsibly for children, is so necessary in this country. I feel this is the plight of millions of Americans—men and women! While I worked for a global corporation, I knew many women who were raising families while working. In fact, some of them were pregnant while I worked with them and went out on maternity leave. What I quickly learned, was that Americans have the worst maternity plan in the world—unless you work for a company with a paid maternity leave (and I don’t mean the measly 6 weeks of disability some of us get)—there isn’t one! Since I was in sales, I got paid a salary (40% of compensation) and a commission (60% of comp.) Well, disability is based on your salary, not on total compensation—so I got hosed! But the really disturbing part is when you compare us to other countries. For instance, 6 weeks after the birth of Kai I was expected back at work. In Canada, my co-worker would be off for 12 months with her new baby boy and would collect a “state” check. When she returned, she would have the same exact job, title, and pay (including any retroactive raises) as when she left. My neighbor moved to France and married a Frenchman there. They are now expecting their first child in July. Her company contracts with their pregnant employees to provide them a 2 year maternity/paternity leave with 2/3 salary paid to them for the duration of their leave. Many folks come back to work before their 2 years is up, work for a while, then get pregnant again and go back out for another 2 years. OK, so Canada and France have their issues and tax problems, but so do we. And don’t even get me started on Sweden. Neighbors of mine had both of their children their and it cost them $50 each. The gov’t provided formula, diapers, medical service and day-care so they could go back to work (they chose to do so when the boys were 2 & 4 yrs old, respectively.) There are probably many other examples of this elsewhere in the world. But it saddens me that we Americans—the richest country in the world (I think)—have to choose between our children and work. Hopefully MomsRising can help make changes that will allow us to provide for our families without making drastic choices. We don’t have to have years of state-paid leave…but allowing us to keep our jobs and maintain a level of income that adequately supports our families while enjoying their childhoods would be so much more rewarding.
Week #5 Response to Shonte
Suzanne B. said...
OMG…I just typed a whole response to you and then I lost my signal (wireless) after I hit submit and lost it all!!! Here I go again…I resigned from my job in 1992 when I had my older daughter Lauren and stayed home until she was 3. I received my associate’s degree during this time, and then was totally shocked when I went back into the workforce. I didn’t expect that telling prospective employers you were just home for 3 years with your child was taboo! They would just look at me like—“Oh great, and since you look like you have a few years of breeding left in you, I guess you’ll quit on me when you have the next one!” Well little did they know, that I was intent on divorcing Lauren’s dad as soon as I could support myself thanks to the pent up resentment I acquired while staying home with her. My mantra was “one down, none to go.” I swore I would never put myself in the position of being totally dependent on a man, nor would I allow myself or my daughter be trapped by financial issues. I went on to become very successful in a male-dominated industry (electronic manufacturing) and wanted my daughter to see that being responsible and not totally dependent were good qualities.I met my current husband Jeff at work. Though we were at the same company for a few years, we didn’t date until actually two years after I left the company. The point is—he saw me as an equal, a partner, not a “potential mate” or “sex object”. He saw how I worked-- my ethics, my character, how I related to people and treated my staff. This was a great foundation for a relationship. However, now that I am staying home with Kai, (I resigned in 2006 and am going to school for my bachelor’s and teaching certification while I’m not “working”), I am trying to ward off the resentment I had when I stayed home with Lauren. It’s really tough. I guess there are still many things I need to learn about myself because I’m having a hard time. I’m glad I’m home with Kai—don’t misunderstand. She’s smart and healthy and happy and it’s what I wanted for all of us. But you mention the psychological well-being and I know firsthand that if things aren’t right, psychological issues become chronic physical illness. Also, you mentioned having a support system, which I do not. My immediate family is all in Florida and my best friend is an hour away in central jersey and due to her 3rd divorce and current recovery from alcohol addiction, she isn’t exactly available. And since Lauren is at her dad’s half of the time, I don’t have the built-in baby sitter everyone thinks I do. In fact, Kai is at my side unless I’m paying someone $10 an hour—Jeff travels a lot—and this includes the time I spend in class (as if tuition weren’t enough, I get to shell out $40 every night I’m on campus.) There are times I feel like a “single mom”. I know that doesn’t give enough credit to the women who truly are, but that’s what I call myself when I’m feeling alone and no one is there to lend a hand. In time I’ll be back at work and Kai will be in school. Until then it’s hard not contributing to our household income with a “paycheck”, yet I’m so exhausted because I’m “working” all of the time. Just gotta keep that resentment from creeping in…I’d hate to think I need to hire another divorce lawyer in one lifetime!
June 14, 2008 12:42 AM
OMG…I just typed a whole response to you and then I lost my signal (wireless) after I hit submit and lost it all!!! Here I go again…I resigned from my job in 1992 when I had my older daughter Lauren and stayed home until she was 3. I received my associate’s degree during this time, and then was totally shocked when I went back into the workforce. I didn’t expect that telling prospective employers you were just home for 3 years with your child was taboo! They would just look at me like—“Oh great, and since you look like you have a few years of breeding left in you, I guess you’ll quit on me when you have the next one!” Well little did they know, that I was intent on divorcing Lauren’s dad as soon as I could support myself thanks to the pent up resentment I acquired while staying home with her. My mantra was “one down, none to go.” I swore I would never put myself in the position of being totally dependent on a man, nor would I allow myself or my daughter be trapped by financial issues. I went on to become very successful in a male-dominated industry (electronic manufacturing) and wanted my daughter to see that being responsible and not totally dependent were good qualities.I met my current husband Jeff at work. Though we were at the same company for a few years, we didn’t date until actually two years after I left the company. The point is—he saw me as an equal, a partner, not a “potential mate” or “sex object”. He saw how I worked-- my ethics, my character, how I related to people and treated my staff. This was a great foundation for a relationship. However, now that I am staying home with Kai, (I resigned in 2006 and am going to school for my bachelor’s and teaching certification while I’m not “working”), I am trying to ward off the resentment I had when I stayed home with Lauren. It’s really tough. I guess there are still many things I need to learn about myself because I’m having a hard time. I’m glad I’m home with Kai—don’t misunderstand. She’s smart and healthy and happy and it’s what I wanted for all of us. But you mention the psychological well-being and I know firsthand that if things aren’t right, psychological issues become chronic physical illness. Also, you mentioned having a support system, which I do not. My immediate family is all in Florida and my best friend is an hour away in central jersey and due to her 3rd divorce and current recovery from alcohol addiction, she isn’t exactly available. And since Lauren is at her dad’s half of the time, I don’t have the built-in baby sitter everyone thinks I do. In fact, Kai is at my side unless I’m paying someone $10 an hour—Jeff travels a lot—and this includes the time I spend in class (as if tuition weren’t enough, I get to shell out $40 every night I’m on campus.) There are times I feel like a “single mom”. I know that doesn’t give enough credit to the women who truly are, but that’s what I call myself when I’m feeling alone and no one is there to lend a hand. In time I’ll be back at work and Kai will be in school. Until then it’s hard not contributing to our household income with a “paycheck”, yet I’m so exhausted because I’m “working” all of the time. Just gotta keep that resentment from creeping in…I’d hate to think I need to hire another divorce lawyer in one lifetime!
June 14, 2008 12:42 AM
Friday, June 13, 2008
Week #5 Response to Jenai
Suzanne B. said...
Hi Jenai...Like you , I didn't realize how many different definitions there are for "feminism" and "feminist." I just assumed it meant something along the lines of an assertive, perhaps androgynous woman who was seeking equality with men in terms of career opportunities,political aspirations, equal pay for equal work, etc. It was interesting to read about liberal feminists, power feminism, multiracial feminism, the various waves of feminism, and even anti-feminists. Who knew? Also, I thought feminism was a 70's thing, but given the issues that we still encounter as women such as violence, inequalities in earnings, and let's not forget that "second shift" & psychological responsibilities it makes total sense that these groups still have much to work for.
June 13, 2008 11:25 PM
Hi Jenai...Like you , I didn't realize how many different definitions there are for "feminism" and "feminist." I just assumed it meant something along the lines of an assertive, perhaps androgynous woman who was seeking equality with men in terms of career opportunities,political aspirations, equal pay for equal work, etc. It was interesting to read about liberal feminists, power feminism, multiracial feminism, the various waves of feminism, and even anti-feminists. Who knew? Also, I thought feminism was a 70's thing, but given the issues that we still encounter as women such as violence, inequalities in earnings, and let's not forget that "second shift" & psychological responsibilities it makes total sense that these groups still have much to work for.
June 13, 2008 11:25 PM
Monday, June 9, 2008
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