Outcome/Learning
I have been exposed to more feminist and gender theories more than ever before. I wish to work with women and gender issues in my future career as a development professional. I was awestruck at the different ideas that I was exposed to. This study has given me a deeper understanding as to what I wish to pursue later in life. I now know what I am interested in feminist as well as gender theories; at least a basic idea of this has been instilled in me through this study.
Apart from this basic introduction to this field, I have come to learn the major issue in this sphere. I have come to realise that education is one of the key factors that can change people’s lives, clichéd as it sounds. This idea is echoed through the minds of the young women I have met. They truly believe that education is one of the greatest techniques that will enable them to be successful in life. When I was going through the answers in the questionnaire this believe of mine was strengthened. This belief is stronger amongst the girls that hail form female headed households. They also tend to believe in this idea because they see education as emancipatory form their situation. The economic value of education is more likely than not that attracts them to further study. Much of their need for further studies is to better themselves.
This made me question the very purpose of education itself. I began to wonder if education that is sought out in working or middle class families ever has to do with the thirst of knowledge more than anything else. I was curious to know that if there was no economic value for education will the demand for higher education be so severe? There are a growing numbers of unemployed or underemployed graduates in the wor...
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... sphere of development. Sometimes being ethically correct does not necessarily help in the good-will of a community.
I have come to question my idea of development with this study and am struggling to not leave it. I am too young to be discouraged but I have started to believe that maybe this field is not for me. I cannot go on when see a person in trouble and leave them be. Ethically I was not supposed to advice the girl since it was not my duty as a volunteer in Akshara to do so. I wanted to help all. I cannot leave one behind even if that were for ethical reasons.
But over the course of my time here, I have come to realise that it is just negative talk. Once can and should do everything it takes to help another one out. Therefore after a day or two I let the organisation know about the girl’s actions, for which adequate steps were taken by the organisation.
This source was written by a woman who showed the struggles of feminism throughout the years. She also showed that in these feminism woman movements, men, mostly in higher education, also participate in the movement. This source is appropriate to
Most people in the world thinks that a degree is required almost everywhere. In today’s society it is often thought that if people do not go to college they will not succeed. In Owen and Sawhill’s article “Should Everyone Go To College?”the author respond to people who either go to college and actually earn a degree or people who do not go to college and are actually saving money. The major reason that college is not always the idea for students and their families is the cost. “The cost of college matters as well: the more someone has to pay to attend, the lower the net benefit of attending.” (Owen and Sawhill, 2013, p. 2 ). Although the authors mention the benefits of attending college, they argue that college is only beneficial under certain
Both authors want what is best for society overall, which in their views are individuals that are “socially well-adjusted and educated citizens who are industrious…[and] benefit society” (Ray par. 1) by creating a stronger work force. This issue is not only important for each student’s future, but over time it has become a focus of parents as they try to ensure the absolute best education for their child. As Cox found, “an increasing number of parents are recognizing the battle that is waged for their children’s hearts and minds” (Cox p. 34) and it is important that their children are equipped with the best hearts and minds so they can effectively function in society. Both of the authors for these articles acquired advanced education which may explain their bias toward the importance of education. However, evidence shows that education is one of the factors responsible for the success of a nation. Workers, who after graduation are able to “enter the working world equipped with the same basic education,” have a step up from those who were not able to fulfill those educational standards. While society says that it values education, it is apparent that actions are not being seriously taken by the educated population to effectively keep public education as a focus in policy holder’s hands.
All of the concepts discussed in Chapter 1 provide an important foundation for the goals and purposes of a Women’s and Gender’s Studies course. Each section of Chapter 1 provided me with some new information I was not aware of before beginning to read this section of the book. Although the entirety of Chapter 1 provided interesting information, I found myself thinking most about the section discussing myths about feminism. This is one subject that I was able to personally relate to and that I was able to make a connection with when it came to my personal experiences with feminism. The myths covered in the book were of an interesting subject because it provided a different outlook to people’s perspective on feminists in our society. Many of
Education can help Americans receive a well paying job and lead to less low income families. A quality education allows people to feel accomplished and empowered to get a job that could help their family and their financial needs. According to an article by the Global Partnership, education reduces economic inequality and “If each [employee] from poor and rich backgrounds receive the same education, the disparity between poverty would decrease by 39 percent” (“5 Ways Education Can Help End Extreme Poverty”). In an article by William Bennett, states that American companies estimate that currently there are 3 million jobs available. The downside is that the children are poor and lack the education to fulfill those jobs. The government needs to provide more affordable schooling so that young adults can obtain a higher education to earn a higher salary. Currently, The U.S. Census Bureau reported that in 2014 the poverty rate of people twenty-five and older was 12 percent. Figure 1 demonstrates the statistic provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. It clearly displays that Americans who obtain more years of schooling and further their education, display a lower poverty rate. In 2014, those who have obtained no high school diploma show a greater poverty rate in relation to those who do have a bachelor degree. For example, Americans who have no high school diploma have the highest poverty rate at 29 percent. In contrast, Americans who have Bachelor’s degrees or higher, have the lowest poverty rate at 5 percent (“How does level of Education Relate to
In a quest for equal rights with their male counterparts the feminist movement has opened new opportunities for women in many societies around the world. (Golombisky 90). Feminist’s are pioneering the way for women’s rights, challenging long standing cultural beliefs, creating greater access to education and the political arenas, and initiating change for new ideals. (Golmbisky 90) Many of the once male dominated fields of the workforce now include women based upon the efforts of individuals and a plethora women’s groups and organizations. (Golombskiy 93).
A diverse array of arguments concerning the costly price of college and its equivalence to the ultimate result of attending persists along a vastly debatable spectrum of economic and social influences. Those seeking a better standard of living by the means of higher education often find themselves in conditions that are more adverse than their lifestyle prior to attending college. Efforts to dwindle the expenditure of college education have the potential to produce a heightened reality of the world, with intellectual knowledge as a pivotal key. The expensive cost and limitability of a college education has potential to invoke incentive to work harder in one’s studies; however, the cost can crush individuals enrolled, obtaining a college degree does not ensure employment, and an excessive number of individuals are hesitant to attend college in the first place due to the prevalent debt tied to its completion.
People in the past did not stress value of receiving a higher education because it was not as indispensable as it is today. Now, people perceive others not only by their appearances, but by their accomplishments. Employers always hire people with the most education and experience. The majority of students are concerned about getting a higher education throughout the years. Nevertheless, some people question the purposes of getting educated, and consider it meaningless. The concept of education has a significant meaning. It enables one to take control of knowledge and apply it. It is education what prepares the mind to comprehend and learn important ideas. A higher education is very important for an individual's success in life. It offers students skills that prepare them mentally, physically and socially for the world of work later in life. A higher education should not be a choice, because it is the foundation of our society. It helps students with their personal development, provides economic growth, helps students understand and interpret the world around them, and affects individuals’ job positions. It will promote new interests, economic stability, help students understand others, and prepare better individuals for the future.
Women and gender studies contribute greatly to our understanding of the social and cultural world we inhabit. Studying the complex issues of this field has instituted many key insights. Two major insights that positively affected our society are the awareness through learning and through this awareness activism that can ensue.
Education has been the hurdle keeping women from gaining equality in society, by separating them from their male counterparts. Women who sought higher education were considered, heathens and the most disgusting beings that would perish. Without education to empower them, women were stripped of their dignity and rights by their husbands and other men of the community. The struggle for women higher education is a battle that still has not reached its citadel.
Minas, A. (2000). Gender basics: Feminist perspective on women and men.Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Thomson Learning.
Education is very crucial part of my life. There is a rapidly growing demand for a higher education in the nation’s economy. Although a higher level of schooling is difficult to receive, the rewards
As a child growing up, I was not told or taught about the importance of educating myself. I was not informed this would be one commodity needed for success and wealth. I came to believe as a child that education was a choice, in a sense that is true. I come from a family where education was a choice, and minimum wage was the hierarchy. I was taught minimum wage was better than no wage at all. I come from a family where education was not real high on the priority list of great success. A place where you got a job and you stuck it out all the way through retirement. Where you were crowned with a gold watch for all the dedication, ...
Feminism is a perspective not a research method, meaning there are multiple ways to approach the study of women (Reinharz, 1992). However, a central goal of feminist empiricism, standpoint epistemology, and post-modernism methodologies is that women's lives are important and must understand women from their perspective and in context (O’Donnell, 1985, in Reinharz, 1992). Feminist methodologies all share a dedication to move the focus from the masculine perspective to incorporating both men and women to advance knowledge (DeVault, 1996). Therefore, it is research about women but also for women. It aims to identify various intelligences, the different ways of knowing, and to give a say to the silent voices (DeVault, 1996). Feminist methodologies have opened society’s eyes to a new and innovative way of carrying out research, and have influenced other fields and the way research is formulated. It has also challenged societal norms by questioning patriarchy and traditional notions.
Rich people assume that College is important, but it is not a one way ticket to success, and happiness. However, Middle class people believe that education is important to be successful in the future. Education for middle class student is an important tool that is applied in the modern world to succeed, as it reduces the challenges, which are faced in life. “With nearly half of the nation 's undergraduates enrolled in community colleges,…….are playing an increasingly important role in higher education.”(David Hosansky). The information gained through education allows individuals’ future life to be optimally utilized due to training of the human mind. This eventually opens doors of opportunities for individual to achieve better chance in career growth. Education has played a major role in the modern industrial world. “This is attributed to the fact prospective employees must be qualified adequately to perform various tasks effectively.”(David Hosansky) Industries entail resources that are sufficiently equipped with the modern technology to suit the needs and wants of the society. This makes education to become a norm for services in all industrial