Women's Studies

I am nearing the end of my classes, next Spring is the finish line...  As I am finishing a few generals to get them out of the way I saw a Women's Studies class that sounded pretty interesting.  I must say that I am a tad disappointed.  I feel like it was a history class and not really pushing me to learn about laws and policies in place today for people like me.  Instead we discuss a lot of what happened and because of that we (women) have a stronger voice today.

I guess I might have enjoyed this class a little more face to face instead of online because I found that my views on certain topics are a pretty different from other women in the class.  Also, there are no men in this class - not surprising - but I would like to see what there perspective is on a couple of these topics. 

This week I brought up the subject of the Hobby Lobby ruling and found a lot of the class (we have about 35 women) didn't even know what I was talking about.  That was a little frustrating as you want to talk about current issues but no one is informed.  And if they just read a paragraph here or there they feel they are experts and go all raging feminist on you for simply asking questions or disagreeing with their arguments.

I did share the experience I had when job searching after moving to a new city and had an extremely uncomfortable interview.  It was me and the President of the company, he asked the usually interview questions and we chatted about how both of us had been to Australia.  He then proceeded to ask me my religion (red flag #1), if I was married or seriously dating anyone (red flag #2), if I got married was I planning on having children and leaving work (fireworks, all color flags raised, looking for an exit door).  I was completely shocked, I don't really remember how I answered but remember I said that my social life wouldn't interfere with my work.  I went back to the temp agency that I worked with and explained what happened, but it had already done it's damage. 

I obviously didn't get that job (THANK HEAVENS!!!).  But I won't ever forget how shocked I was to be asked something that had absolutely no bearing on my work performance at all and just because I was young and a woman.  So, I went and read about what is an appropriate way to handle situations like that and felt prepared if ever faced with those questions again. 

I believe everyone in some way has felt discriminated against or looked over because of gender, race, disability, etc. While we still have a long way to go, I can tell that the changes over the years are significant and if we keep teaching love and acceptance it will spread.  I don't think we will ever achieve world peace, but I believe that we are people that can start making the changes so it will benefit future generations.