Feminism: The End Of Men?

1) To what extent do you agree with Rosin's hypothesis that women are taking over modern society? Give examples in your response.

Women aren’t taking over, just rightfully on their way to becoming equal against men brining a balance. Women decades ago were seen as the ones, who would stay home, clean, cook and take care of the family while men would be the breadwinners and would work to support the family. However women are stepping up in the world with rising statics to show it for example 40,000 more women than men applied to university and women currently outnumber men. This shows a step forward in this world as they gain some power in the eyes of education as they will be seen as the ones doing better in comparison. On the other hand, most of the politicians, bankers and lawyers that are interviewed are men along with the person conducting the interview is most likely a man so therefore women aren’t taking over but working up to become equal to males.

2) Can we find examples in modern media that support Rosin's suggestion that women are taking charge? You may wish to argue the opposite - that men still dominate the media scene.

In terms on politics, the government are on the news regularly by the media, and most parliaments have a majority of men and fewer women. Women challenge their stereotype from good housewife to an independent woman who smokes and drinks in tomboy clothing which is how they show they aren’t apart of the simple stereotype people tend to see. They are seen as housewife or for the purpose to be looked at if they are attractive and in touch with their sexuality and portray themselves as targets by males for example in magazines.

3) Research Judith Butler's approach to feminism. How might Butler respond to Rosin's writing in The End of Men?

Gender isn’t biologically fixed, by placing a line between two genders they reinforce the differences they have and push them further away from each other. Believing it’s socially constructed opposed to it being biological.

Feminism

1. Was the Twitter boycott an appropriate response to the online threats  prominent women were receiving?

I think that it wasn’t an appropriate response to online treats prominent women were receiving, many people were unaware of this boycott and not many celebrities participated. Myself and my media class weren’t aware of this boycott ourselves. It would have been more effective if bigger celebrities such as those in the acting or music industry. Furthermore, as tweets continued the next day, one day of not tweeting wouldn’t make a difference.  One day of not tweeting wouldn’t affect the main reason for doing this, the little celebrity encouragement or the way awareness was being raised was very weak which is why I think it wasn’t appropriate.

2. Should Twitter have done more in response to those threats?

Twitter has millions of users, a very large social networking site that is used by celebrities, businesses, television shows or brands. Due to it being such a large site with so many users tweeting every second around the world, monitoring tweets is impossible. This is why they have the report button which can be sent to twitter by anyone. The company itself cannot do more than they are doing as it can be argued that tweets are freedom of speech and can be composed however the writer wants as it’s their opinions even though it can spark up arguments between tweeters. Reporting tweets that are serious can be result in a ban for a period of time or a complete ban of the twitter account which is a good way to warn and punish tweeters for hurtful things they tweet.

3. Should young women in 2013 take an interest in feminism? Do young women need to 'reclaim' feminism?

I don’t think we are in the post-feminist stage in this world yet, therefore young women of 2013 will need to show interest and be aware of how the world views and judges some women along with the counter argument for each woman to judge for themselves about where women stand in this world.

Even though it has come so far with how the world views women, there is still a little more to go through, there is still equality for example the pay between the genders where males get more. There are also some jobs where males are preferred over females for traditional work for example truck drivers.

4. Why has the internet been effective in feminist campaigns?

Internet gives people the opportunity to contact and make millions of people aware of anything. In this case females can spread the word about situations, news, problems, campaigns for feminists which enables them to keep everyone updated and aware of what is happening in a fast effective way. Easy access is an advantage of the internet making it very effective for feminists. Internet can enable people to share opinions, experiences, views, facts, news, and also advice for anyone and everyone that may want to see it or may come across it.

5. What is your opinion on page 3 of the Sun still featuring a half-naked young woman in 2013?

It isn’t needed, especially in a well read newspaper that thousands of people read every day. It can result in women feeling self-conscious and embarrassed about their own body if it isn’t like the ones on that page. Page 3 is seen as a source of entertainment and pleasure for males which can lead them to see all women in that way and for only one purpose which is the opposite of what feminists seek and women around the world.

There are many ways to see half naked women for men, however taking it out of the sun will help prevent children from seeing it after their parents or guardians have read it. Getting rid of the page won’t prevent everyone from seeing it but does help the situation as it can be less public and more private.