Jane

Yesterday, I went to the “Jane” abortion documentary and talk at the Women’s Center.  I didn’t know exactly what to expect on my way there, but I figured it would be interesting because abortion is such a controversial topic in our society.  It turns out that “Jane” was kind of an underground abortion service run by a group of feminist women.  It started out as more of an abortion counseling service for women who were thinking about getting an abortion to get more information on what to expect physically and emotionally after the abortion.  The women of “Jane” would then deliver the women getting the abortion to a doctor in an apartment building they had set up where he would perform the service.  Eventually, the women found out that the doctor was indeed not a real doctor, and they began training the “Jane” women to perform the abortions on these women themselves.  One of the women stated that she was doing about 20-25 abortions a day, 4 days a week. 

At the time, it was very hard to find someone who would perform an abortion because they were illegal.  Another issue, if a woman did find someone who would follow through on the abortion, was the price.  Abortions were very expensive at an average cost of $500.  Because of this, many women felt trapped if they became pregnant; until they learned of “Jane”.  Once women found out about these services, “Jane’s” popularity grew rapidly.  Between the years of 1968-1973 there were about 125 women working for Jane providing counseling and abortion services, and they performed over 12000 abortions for women all over. 

I found this documentary to be very interesting and kind of scary at the same time.  I am against abortion for the most part, so watching it was kind of difficult for me at first, especially hearing how many women had gone through these services.  At the same time, I loved the dedication of the women who started “Jane” and I loved how passionate they were about helping the women who came to them for help.  On the other hand, I found it very scary that these women had no medical background or education, yet they were performing these abortions that could have potentially gone very wrong and even killed women.  Maybe this is because I am a nursing major and know how dangerous it really is to try something like that without experience, but the fact that they were not only doing the abortions, but also giving medication and administering shots to the women made me even more nervous. 

By the end of the video, I could not decide where I stood on the topic, and still am not quite sure.  On one hand, I am completely against abortions, and felt it was very stupid and dangerous of the “Jane” women to try something like this especially because they could have seriously hurt someone.  On the other hand, I feel it was a big step for women’s rights and the passion of those women helped so many others to gain strength and courage to do great things in life.  So, although I didn’t agree with much of the video, I am glad I did go to see it and can say that I truly did enjoy it and recommend it to all of you.

Pornography

Last night I was watching a Law and Order SVU marathon and one of the episodes was dealing with a debate on pornography.  Two of the main detectives in the case got into a heated debate on whether or not porn was degrading to women, and it reminded me of the discussions we had in class dealing with pornography.  The female detective, Olivia Benson, was arguing that porn is degrading to women and that because of porn women feel that they have to live up to the “porn star” image and do the things that the women in the videos are doing for their man to be happy.  She argued that because of these films, men also expect women to be like these women they are seeing and if they are not, their men aren’t satisfied.  She talks about how it puts ideas in men’s heads that they can overpower women and controlling them.  The other male detective, Odafin Tutuola, argues against Benson's ideas and says that he has watched porn along with millions of others in the world, and it is only degrading if women let it be.  He states that all of the women in the films are willing to engage in the activities they do, and if for some reason they are looked down upon it was their own choice to do what they did.  He claims that maybe both men and women get ideas from porn, but that it does not have a negative impact on them or society.  I found this section of the episode to be very interesting, because it seems to cover some of the most common arguments on pornography.  I sided with detective Benson, because I do believe that the pornography industry is degrading to women and sets a standard in society that women feel they need to, but should not have to, live up to.  Also, I found it interesting that none of the other detectives that were around during this debate were willing to throw in their beliefs to aid in the discussion.  I have a feeling that because Benson was the only female detective, and all the rest are men, the other men standing around would have most likely sided with Tutuola.  I was extremely frustrated while watching the episode, because I know that there are so many people out there that would side with Tutuola instead.  It makes me really angry because this is just another way that women are looked down on and lowered in society, and without people recognizing this it will be nearly impossible to have equality of the genders.

Princess Party

Over break, I went home to Stevens Point to work.  My job is at a fitness club, working in the daycare area.  Yesterday, one of the little girls turned 3 years old.  When she came in today, I asked her how her birthday was and what presents she got.  She began listing off details of her “princess” party; princess plates, cups, napkins, a princess cake, and even Disney princess piñata.  Then she went on to list off her favorite presents, which included a play makeup station, a new Barbie doll, and princess dress up clothes.  I couldn’t help but laugh, because as soon as she finished telling me all about her cliché princess party she quickly ran over to play with the train set, completely bypassing the “girly” toys. 

When the little girls’ mom came to pick her up at the end of the day, I couldn’t help but question her about the party.  I asked why did Gwyn (the little girl) pick a princess party for her birthday?  Her mom seemed confused and responded, “Well she likes princesses”.  I pointed out that there were many other things that Gwyn liked, many of which were considered gender neutral or “boyish”, so why hadn’t she chose one of those as a theme?  Especially since there were little boys invited to the party as well.  She seemed to be offended that I would question her, and said “It’s not like I would throw a batman party for my 3 year old daughter!” and I simply responded, “Why not?” 

I could tell that she was becoming angry, so I dropped the subject and let her be on her way.  However, I couldn’t help but continue thinking about how quickly the mother became defensive and shocked that I would question something so typical as a little girls princess party.  I thought it was very funny, and almost felt bad that I had done this to the poor mother.  It was obvious that the little girl had not asked for a princess party, and probably could have cared less what “theme” her birthday was as long as there was cake and presents.  I felt her mother was just going along with what society considers “normal” and right for a girl her age.  This may be true but to me, this just further pointed how much work is yet to be done in the move towards gender equality and getting rid completely of the “man box” and “lady box”.

Polar Plunge

Yesterday I spent the whole day volunteering at the Polar Plunge.  I was assigned to work in the kids tent at the pick a duck game.  As I sat at the game, I couldnt help but watch the parents around me interacting with their kids.  One mom specifically stood out to me when she brought her son and daughter over to play the games.  The little boy walked up to the pool to pick his duck first.  He sat down on the ground, grabbed a duck, threw it down into the water, then began splashing and playing in it.  Next, the little girl walked up for her turn.  When she tried to sit on the ground her mom quickly stopped her, saying "Careful! Dont sit on the yucky ground...you dont want to get your pretty clothes all dirty."  This caught my attention, and clearly confused the little girl, because just seconds earlier her brother had been allowed to do that very thing. 

Next, she tried to pick a duck, but before she could, her mom grabbed her arms to pull up her sleeves so they wouldnt get wet.  Finally the girl was allowed to grab a duck, but before she could throw it into the water like her brother had, the mom took it from her hand and gently set it into the water.  Then the girl tried to join her brother in splashing in the water, and was pulled away by her mom.  The little girl looked so confused that she couldnt act the same ways as her brother.  This mom was just one of the many parents I saw that day that were clearly raising their children to fit into the stereotypical "man" or "lady boxes" of society.  It was so obvious that the majority of the parents were trying to raise their children this way, and it seemed like they didnt even realize it.