Ball Decorating

Part 1 of a Ball Series

Several hours before the Ball was to begin... The Kincell's and Powell's met to decorate the Fire Hall.

Happy Birthday, Mama!

Pitfalls of the Feminist Ideology -- Part 3

Part 3
Seeing the pitfalls of feminism requires one to spend a fair amount of time assessing the situation of women prior to the first feminist wave as well as their current standpoint. Many women do not seem to take this time and quickly align themselves with the feminists on the basis of a woman’s right to recognition as an equal citizen and equal pay for women in the workplace.

In so doing, they fail to see how the feminist view affects the aspects of life previously discussed. The feminist movement could be reformed if more women educated themselves on these subjects. Women have a duty to themselves and to their daughters to truly evaluate the consequences of feminist action, on their livelihood as well as that of men. If more women considered how their actions affected the men in their lives, they could help them develop a fitting view of women, establishing themselves as equals, but maintaining their femininity. It is easy to be caught up in sweeping rhetoric that speaks of women’s empowerment.

However, women and all Americans must remain alert, for we are entering an age of complacency. We often do what is easy or expected of us to avoid actually evaluating situations for ourselves. It is a slippery slope that if we are not cautious will continue to open us up to manipulation through other ideologies. There is hope for a generation of young women and men who, realizing the ideas behind feminism could turn the nation toward a reformed perspective. [One] appreciated for the characteristics which distinguish them from men.

- Danielle Martinez

This is the last and final part. Thanks Dee for all your hard work. :)

Quotes of the Day

"Dude, we're driving." -Phil

"You're lucky I'm rich and bored." - Jackson

"What's your problem?" - Miles
"My problem is grand theft-pizza, Dude!" - Phil

*All of the above taken from the television series SURFACE

He'll put the hurts on you

Pitfalls of the Feminist Ideology -- Part 2

Part 2

Feminism has also had a profound effect on women’s ideas of marriage and family. It was previously and, according to a study conducted by Yale University, is still subconsciously accepted that men and women have designated roles. As stated in the last paragraph, the second wave of feminism disregarded the idea of gender roles, which mirrored the older perspective on roles within marriage. Men worked outside the home as breadwinners and women functioned as help-meets by working within the home. Women saw themselves in relationship to their husbands and children.

Feminism has encouraged women to view themselves, not as members of the family unit, but as individuals. This has caused women to focus more on their personal fulfillment. Many women have sought this fulfillment in careers outside the home. As a result, more American families have both parents working outside the home, which keeps both mother and father from spending much time with their children.

Parental involvement can have a profound effect on childhood and adolescent behavior. An article in the February 2008 edition of The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter stated that familial involvement “reduced the risk of problem behaviors from early to late adolescence… [and] led to significant reductions in youth arrest rates throughout adolescence, as well as the likelihood of a youth being diagnosed with a substance use disorder by the age of 18.” This makes logical sense. If a child realizes that his parents are monitoring his actions and are prepared to provide and carry out consequences for those actions, he will likely think twice before engaging in objectionable behaviors. While it may not be the only contributing factor, feminism has contributed to a shift of American ideas on marriage and, in so doing, the family.

- Danielle Martinez

Pitfalls of the Feminist Ideology - Part 1

My good friend Danielle wrote a paper on the Feminist movement, and she has graciously agreed to let me post some of it here on my blog.





Part 1

[The] second feminist wave blurred the line of gender distinction in its attempt to eliminate discrimination on the basis of gender. I believe this has resulted in even more tension between the sexes. Now, men are not sure how they should relate to women. Many now second-guess their actions, wondering if the simple act of holding a door open for a woman will be graciously received or viewed as a slight, as though she is incapable of caring for herself.

The more recent tendency for women to take control or “wear the pants” in relationships with men also directly spawns from the second feminist wave. It is now considered acceptable for women to initiate romantic relationships and engage in “one night stands” on a regular basis. This kind of behavior was limited to men before the sexual liberation movement of the 1960s, which attempted to free women from sexual repression by society and exploitation at the hands of men. Unfortunately, while many women feel free to do as they please with their bodies, they have no idea that they are encouraging the very male attitudes they abhor. Before the sexual revolution, women saw themselves as powerless within romantic relationships and felt that men regarded them as sexual objects. They sought power by stepping into a more masculine role within their relationships, seeking out prospective partners on the basis of personal gratification.

As a result, women began leading more promiscuous sex lives, having intercourse more often and with a greater number of partners. Allowing men to enjoy the benefits of a marital relationship apart from commitment has only encouraged men to objectify women. Men cannot be held solely responsible for this attitude, because women have perpetuated it. The only difference between the feminist view of casual sex and prostitution is the monetary reimbursement. This attitude toward casual sex also devalues marriage by making what should be prized and reserved for the marriage bed commonplace.

Interestingly enough, Alexis de Tocqueville, a young Frenchmen who approved of young America’s democratic system, foresaw possible complications of gender consolidation back in the 1830s. In his book, Democracy in America, he wrote “It is easy to see that, in this ambition to make the one sex equal to the other, both are demeaned and that, from this crude mixing of nature’s works, will emerge weak men and immodest women.”

- Danielle Martinez

My Ballgown

Despite my poor sewing skills, my dress is finally done!

Even with sewing the hooks and eyes in (twice)... And fitting yourself is more difficult than it looks!! But, with the help of my good friends and my mom, the dress only needs hemmed.

Bring on the dancing!

Just a few more minutes

There's nothing like a little kitty (or doggie...) asleep.

Just Dance

Our Spring Ball on April 25th is rapidly approaching. With the deadline, food is decided upon, locations are finalized, and practice becomes essential. So, last night, many of us met to work on the dances.

Kelsie and I -- in charge of music

Theresa and Matt
Posties Jig

Keely and Matt

Gay Gordon

More Gay Gordon

The Cumberland Square
More Cumberland Square

More Cumberland

Daniel and I -- Just a little tired. Whew.