http://ideas.time.com/contributor/lawrence-j-cohen-and-anthony-t-debenedet-m-d/
It demonstrates why fathers need to take a role in ending the oppression and objectification of girls. They are responding to the activities of fathers in the media, specifically noting Rush Limbaugh in a negative way but also quoting Obama and the father of a murdered pageant girl as wanting to empower young girls. The authors wanted to present several ways in which fathers could work to improve the lives of women and girls. They think it starts with young girls because this is when girls are the most impressionable and need to feel empowered so that this is translated into their adult lives as well.
The authors wanted to present concrete ways for fathers to
change the environment girls grow up in and they see the best place to begin is
through breaking down the stereotype that men are rational and logical while
women are overly emotion. They suggest doing this by fathers being willing to
express their own emotions so that their daughters see that this is not a
characteristic that just women possess and so they do not feel bad when they
want to express their emotions. They also want dads to really listen to their
daughters so that they know that their voice matters.
Another easy thing for fathers to do to better the environment
for girls is to not say sexist jokes and not purchase pornography that is
degrading. This objectification of women is one of the biggest problems that
they see and therefore they think it needs to stop. They do not support
debutantes and pageants and fathers should not look at other women in a purely
sexual way. If girls think that they are only valued for their bodies, they
could have very little self-worth and lack confidence.
Lastly, they want fathers to really value their daughters
for more than their looks by telling them that they are more than pretty or
cute. They can also tell their daughters they are powerful and smart. If dads
see and encourage this strength, they will not need to be over protective like
the common stereotype.
Many of the issues addressed in this article relate to our
class discussions. We have talked about how men are not supposed to show their
emotions but these authors offer this as a solution to oppression. We have also talked about pornography and how
it treats women as objects. It also seems like this article is asking men to recognize
the role they play in the oppression of women.
Do you see any more themes that relate to our class
discussions? Do you find it interesting that they think that fathers are the
ones who would care enough about their own daughters to change their actions?
Often times people only care about issues that directly affect them. Is there a
way to appeal to men that are not fathers?
I feel like this article oversimplifies the issue at hand. The way that my father treats me is very different form the way that he treats other women. Even the respect and encouragement that he meets me with is matched by his reinforcement of gender roles and expectations. This issue shoulkd require more than just a plea for fathers to change their attitudes about their daughters. What about their mothers? grandmothers? sisters? cousins? nieces? partners? neighbors? Shouldnt their treatment of every woman in their lives reflect respect?
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong, I understand the purpose of evoking the image of a man's daughter. I cannot think of a single man who would willingly support the disrespect or objectification of his daughter. I guess my problem is that the image of the daughter is too personal, and too emotional. No man wants to see his daughter mistreated, but what about the rest of the women?
I suppose starting with a man's treatment of his daughter is a good starting place. Men should raise their daughters to expect to be respected, both intellectually and emotionally. Maybe this will spawn a new breed of women that will not be so compliant in their own oppression.