Welfare/ Chapter 7 Socializing Care

I feel that I have always thought of welfare in many different ways and have had different attitudes toward women receiving welfare. Quite honestly (but not proudly) in previous years I had underlying assumptions of the typical stereotype of welfare mothers as lazy women taking advantage of money given toward them. More recently (especially with Women's Studies) I have mixed emotions yet I understand that a large portion of welfare receipiants are struggling and desperately need the assistance.

This chapter was awesome to take step by step the "evolution" of the welfare system. Ironically, the intial goals of the welfare system have now (from what I gather) have created a perpetuating cycle of basically trapping women into poverty (as well as their child(ren)). This was the exact opposite effect of the goals to allow women to rise out of poverty.

Unfortunately, the welfare system has shown to be like a trap for women. Changes could certainly be made to financially help women or even more valuably for our society/economy to value care work (ie: mothers raising children that leads to the creation of human capital!). But who will pay for this?

I assume there will be changes in the future toward welfare but it seems as though the ideas behind welfare have not improved with supporting single/widowed mothers. One thing is for sure: these mothers need the assistance and the tools to raise them out of poverty and all the complications that are effects of poverty.

American Electra

There is so much to think about reading this article! As I was reading I would read from each side (young vs. "older" feminists) and would think "Well she is right." then read the other side and think "She is right too."

I must have to admit I do think that feminism today is much different. Lady Gaga is seen as an icon but I'm not so sure that her wearing a dress that looks like meat or that shes bleeding to death to an awards ceremony admits her as the lead icon for feminism today. She is certainly someone to look to for flashy outfits and radical music videos but a truly the feminist young women today look to? Then again, through the issues of whether she's a hermaphrodite and some of her music videos and the ideas behind them have good messages at points (some messages not so great). My point is, Lady Gaga (as a feminist icon for today's feminisim) proves good points to be out there and to be who you are yet if this is how feminism is looked at- how is someone going to get a respectable career if they walk around in outfits that are extremely bizarre? I apologize but my thoughts go back and forth on this a lot so "I'm writing it as I think of it".

Also I think there is an important point to be heard that women who were feminists through previous decades do have much significance (obviously) and I think people (both young and "older feminists") forget that so much has changed within those decades in our society and culture. We are in a post industrialist society and not industrial. The world is different now. I find it hard to embrace both new and past feminism without disrespecting either side.

Diversity Dialog

Well Ladies-

I think I may have misunderstood our blogging questions this week. I think I already answered what I thought of the women/experience several weeks ago so I will make up for this blog if it's incomplete!!

The Diversity Dialog
I must say it's like a breath of fresh air to be in there and actually share what I think. When Linda said "Let's be real in here and not hold anything back" she meant it and I loved it because I truly felt comfortable (plus you girls are very easy to be around!)

I loved that we can talk about over compensation because it's probably something many of us in that group experience at one point or another.

I think I may feel differently or more held back if (I'm still being brutally honest here) there was someone of a different skin color or ethnicity in the room in fear of offending someone (which is the LAST thing I would want to do)! It's like a double edged sword but I think the dialog was great- I felt like I got some things out in the open that I probably wouldn't bring up. Loved it!

Where do I see myself in 10 years? How will I get there?
Loaded questions. Loaded, loaded questions. I feel anxiety just thinking about it. I have always wanted and been expected to follow mom and go to law school, assume the legal profession, work very hard, and live comfortably. I do want this. I do have days where I wonder if that's really what I want (but overall, yes this is what I truly want!).

I will be 32 in 10 years, it's hard to imagine. I plan to be in my career by then as an attorney in the Mason City area and close to family/friends. I see myself having a successful practice, in part from hard work and in part by benefiting from my mom's reputation. I hope I don't disappoint anyone, including my mom. I think I will be married, to Levi, at that point and possibly have child(ren). I love kids I just can't imagine having my own  child. I do think I will have a child or children by then it's just not fathomable but I am sure it will be a great part of my life whenever it happens. I see myself living in a great home in the country somewhere too.


How will I get there?
After I take a year off next year and work/volunteer, and get great LSAT scores ( fingers crossed! )  I will be applying to law school. This will be a HUGE chunk of me "getting to where I want to be." First, I have to be accepted to a law school. Next, I have to get through law school. After that I have to pass the bar exam. Three short sentences will rule my life for the next 4-5 years, and I'm sure it will be worth it.

I will get to the marriage part when it's ready for me. This is the path in my life that I do not get anxiety about and don't fret if/when I will get there. If it's the right time to get married, it's the right time and I don;t suspect this will be anytime soon (which is ok!).



How will your GWSS background help you?

My GWSS background will help me many ways and I'm sure at times without my realizing it. As I see it, most of the classes I've taken in Women's Studies (now GWSS) is applicable to reality that I'm in contact with everyday in interactions at work and socially. I have a broad range of knowledge gained so far that's beneficial. Also, my BA in GWSS will help me apply to the next level :) .


 What are things you need to learn or do to achieve your goals? (lists and bullets are fine)
* Passion
* Determination
* Support
* Long hours of experience
* Taking opportunities
* Risking
* Experience
* Commitment
* Money
* Caffine (pun intended, but seriously)

JUSTICE!

Journal: How does your experience with theories you have encountered in
Women’s Studies inform your ideas about justice? What is justice? What is just?

Justice is a extremely complex term, in my mind. I think the meaning of justice changes on a case by case basis, as justice seems like it is a fluid term meant for a variety of different instances. I think in terms of feminine justice as justice in the workplace, justice in equality (women and race/ethicicty), justice in education, justice in reproduction, justice in general to all. Initially when I think of the word justice I do think of a Judge sentencing someone to "ensure justice has been served" yet many times that is not enough/sufficient.

I understand the idea of restorative justice in a postive light but think I need more background of how exactly this would be approached. I strongly think that the victim/committer or the crime is a strong approach in the right direction. Although painful, (depending on the situation) I think it most certainly provide closure or assist in dealing with whatever crime committed. I think forgiveness, if it is possible in some situations, would be more attainable if the committer of the crime was able to discuss, apologize, etc. to the victim. I am also weary of that system because just as the criticisms, I think in some instances it would be inappropriate to speak with the victim. I should look farther into this idea but do think the overall objective of restorative justice is a positive.

I feel something is just simply when it is fair. Something is just when morality is in tact and all things considered the best decision ensures the equality towards parties/people/entities.

Can't wait for tomorrow!

 What are prisons for?

What are prisons for... At this point it's hard to determine. I have an extremely hard time distinguishing the reasons for prisons. Of course prisons are for those who have been sentenced as a sanction for violating the law to some degree. To my suprise, prisons are also for people who have mental disabilites rather than going to an institution that is specifically for that reason. I do think the common assumption is for prisons to address and sanction those who commit crimes with little to no sympathy for the reasons people have committed crimes. While I feel I am much more sympatetic toward women/men in prison for various, sometimes totally justifiable reasons, what about those who commit crimes that 100% deserve to be sentenced to prison? Sometimes bad people do bad things for the right or wrong reasons and sometimes good people do bad things for the right or wrong reasons. How is one to decipher which is which? Yes I know the judicial system is the one to choose but really, how often are people sentenced for something they shouldn't be, or how often are people sentenced for far too less than they should be? (Sorry for the run-ons, it's hard to explain my thoughts on this without rambling.)


Why are we going to ICIW?

I think we are going to ICIW to help those who are "in" learn and to help us who are "out" learn. I loved it and thought about when the gal who came into our class last Friday said we have an obligation as citizens to ensure those who are incarcerated are going to come out as better people, with better skills, and so on for OUR community that we, our family, and our friends live in. I think there are a lot of reasons we are going to the ICIW but I think the main concern is to give a "bigger picture" to both the women but us who are going to the prison as well.
How can this impact us and the women we encounter?

I think that this experience will impact me more than I realize. I know and expect this will have an impact on the way I think about prisons, the inmates, why the inmates are there, and what we can do about it. What we can contribute to better ourselves as people and to better the women "inside" for a brighter look to a new route in life. I am so excited but I have no idea on the degree of impact this will have on my life and the women we encounter, but I really anticipate it will have a larger impact than I anticipate.
What do we expect? Hope will happen? Fear? What questions do we have?
I have NO idea what to expect. My initial vision of what this would be like when I signed up for this last semester was much different than it will be, I'm sure. I have mixed feelings on what to expect. I know there are people "inside" that probably don't deserve to be incarcerated, while some do, but when Rachel said these women are protective of me and so on my expectations/anticipations changed (in a good way). I hope I really learn from this and take something from the experience. What I really hope is I can impact someone other than myself as well, regardless of who it is. I am horribly afraid the women or some will dislike me, not want to open up to me, or will be a bad experience (I know it won't be though!). Questions for now: I have none, yet.  I'm sure after tomorrow I will be loaded with questions that I will probably ask on the drive back and long after.
 
I am SO excited for this.
 
 

Ethic of Care

WHAT'S AN ETHIC OF CARE?

From what I've read I've had a difficult time putting a definition together for the Ethic of Care. It seems as if an ethic of care is one of those complex terms that is hard to define yet you have a decent understanding of what all encompasses a term. From my understanding it's a large term emcompassing a lot of ideas/theories. What I have come to define the term of an ethic of care is that there are NO fixed rules that must be followed when providing an ethic of care, there's no "exact formula."


There is certainly a (moral) difference of right vs. wrong and providing an ethic of care is putting yourself in someone else's position. It seems I have to envision their situation as my own to understand. The interesting aspect of an ethic of care that didn't come immediately to mind is there is the ability to provide care through action as well as not any taking action.



I can apply this to my everyday life and future career. When I come into a situation I have improved on not passing immediate judgement on someone. I think I also need to apply the ethic of care in everday life in that I should'nt avoid caring/helping someone because of my own obligations and "busy schedule" that everyone else has as well.

I work at an office where there are a portion of clients who have taken paths in their life that are less than favorable going from drugs, domestic abuse (staying with abusive partners exposing their children), having their children taken away by DHS, etc. and wanting to get their children back or whatever the case may be. The majority of these clients who are in this position desperately want to change and when I first starting working there I found it extremely hard to feel compassionate toward them.

Just like the article, I found many of the clients with hardships that appear to not care because of the choices they have made are completely the opposite and want the best for their family/children. I hope to eventually go to law school and practice family law as well and think the ethic of care is a extremely important in that respect.