What Word Feminism Mean To You Essay

1. What does the word feminism mean to you? 
I would define feminism as being aware of the injustices against women and so having the motivation to act and do something about it. Some people might say that the word feminism has a negative connotation since it portrays women as opportunists, and oppressors that aim to outcast men from society, but in my opinion, the word feminism only demonstrates women empowerment and consciousness about social women oppression.

2. Were you raised to view boys and girls as equals, or were you taught that girls were subordinate to boys? Please provide an example from your experience.
I wouldn’t say that I was “taught” that girls were subordinate to boys, however, my family members (not my parents but my uncles and aunts) would consciously throw comments now and then about how women

and men are supposed to behave within society (gender roles).
One personal experience was when during a family conversation, my parental grandmother said about my cousins, “I expected them to move out of the house already engaged with a man with a well stable life that would be able to support them financially.” The reason she said that is because one of my cousin got pregnant at an early age and her boyfriend left after he found out about her situation.

3. Do you think the world’s superpowers are ready for more female heads of state? Why or why not?
I think society in general is ready for more female heads of state, however, those in power (the men staff in the white house, men in congress and courts) aren’t ready for it yet. It’s not so much about their perspective of women intelligence (they do know women are intelligent), but about their pride and fear because they’re aware that women can achieve many things; that as women, we can take over their positions and do a better job at it. They just don’t want to admit it, they fear women taking away their patriarchal power/benefits.

4. Do you feel there are intrinsic characteristics that make women women and men men, or does society teach the sexes to act according to certain stereotypes? Please provide several examples displaying how society displays this.
No I don’t believe that there is personality, behavioral characteristics that make women women and men men. Society teaches the sexes to act according to certain stereotypes, for example:
- Men aren’t necessary born with a tough attitude, society influences their different types of attitude throughout their lives.
- Women are not born with the inability to perform sports like football or basketball or soccer, society tends to implement the mentality that women are unable to play sports “meant” for men

5. Can a woman be both beautiful and intellectually powerful? Or does she need to sacrifice one for the other? How did you come to this conclusion? 
Yes, in my opinion a woman can be both beautiful and intellectually powerful.

To me, being beautiful is more than a social accepted physical appearance (cute face, nice body), to me being beautiful means having a nice, humble, intellectual personality; being able to accept others not matter their race, gender, sexual preference, physical appearance, beliefs is what makes a woman beautiful in my opinion. Unfortunately, some people might argue that a woman cannot be both beautiful and intellectually powerful.

6. Who do you consider to be the strong female role models of today? Tell us your ideal female role model and her background, why do you aspire to be like her (or them)?
To me there are many ideal female role models that I am inspired to be like, some of these women are:
Ellen DeGeneres: Ellen DeGeneres is an actress, comedian, and a talk show host, environmentalist, animal rights activist, and a peacemaker. 
She is a huge supporter to numerous charities and foundations including; The Gentle Barn, Clothes Off Our Backs, The Humane Society, Stand Up to Cancer, ONE Foundation. She was one of the first women in show biz to come out as being openly

gay.
Ashley Graham: Ashley Graham is a plus size model, she continually pioneers for women to embrace their bodies no matter what their shape, and has even helped to found ALDA, a coalition of models promoting a healthy body image for women. Ashley has designed her own range of lingerie for plus sized women. She has her own eponymous website with the mantra, "Stand up for curves. Confidence is sexy." Ashley repeatedly visits schools to talk about body image and acceptance, and has also been involved in humanitarian missions in South Africa.
Dolores Huerta: Dolores Huerta is an American labor leader and civil rights activist who was the co-founder of the National Farmworkers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW). Huerta has received numerous awards for her community service and advocacy for workers', immigrants', and women's rights, including the Eugene V. Debs Foundation Outstanding American Award, the United States Presidential Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
There are much more ideal female role models that I truly admire, but these three women have really inspired me by their advocacy and actions against social issues affecting our society.
7. Do you believe the media is as powerful as MISS REPRESENTATION makes it out to be in shaping our lives and the society we live in? 
Yes, I do believe that the media is as powerful as MISS REPRESENTATION makes it out to be in shaping our lives and the society we live in. Like it or not, we know we are some type of slaves to social media, I personally unconsciously check my social media whenever I get the time to.

8. Do women and men in equal positions earn the same wages at your place of employment? Please look in Chapter 10 to further your answer.
Since I work on campus, I’m not sure if men in the office earn more than women, but according to the chart in the book (for the financial managers section) men earn more than women.

9. If you are a woman, are you happy with your body? If not, have you ever been? If you are a man, are the women close to you satisfied with their physical appearance? 
To be honest, I’ve felt uncomfortable with my body a few times but that is because I let myself get influenced by my surroundings. However, now that I’ve become aware of many things, I have learned to accept myself, to accept my qualities and flaws.

10. Is it possible for media content not to be biased? How can we achieve this?
I think it would be hard for media content not to be biased but it is not impossible neither. A change in people’s mentalities and social norms would be a big step to achieve this goal.