SumBlog 7

After reading the chapter assigned and the discussion in class I realized that gender and education can still remain a problem today. In the reading “Missing in Interaction” I was surprised to see how teachers favored the male students over the female students. I thought about that issue and noticed that the reading was written about twenty years ago and figured and hoped that the times have changed. But after reading the online article below, I noticed that gender inequality in the schools may still be occurring.

 http://family.go.com/parenting/pkg-teen/article-772188-dealing-with-gender-inequality-at-your-child-s-school-t/

 Up until this class discussion I guess I have never been aware of the gender inequality in schools. I was very surprised to read how teachers favored male interaction over female interaction. It didn’t make sense to me why teachers would be alright with male students shouting out answers but female students would get reprimanded. I was even more surprised how the reading explained that after talking with the teachers and showing them how they acted to each gender, the teachers were shocked and unaware of their actions. The online article that I listed above made that topic and reasons a little clearer. It was stated that there were expectations for males to be more aggressive and outgoing whereas females were expected to be more passive. Although these expectations are unfortunate they can still be in effect today. There are many situations that I have been in where males get more attention and are expected to be able to do certain things.

There are many debates about whether or not the male or female students are experiencing inequality in the classroom. It was indicated in the online article that some research believes that females aren’t getting as much interaction in the classroom. The research also states that male students are pushed more towards the math and science field unlike female students. The online article wasn’t all so negative. There were multiple suggestions for parents on this topic of gender inequality in schools and how to improve it.

Although gender inequality may still be an issue in some classes I feel as if it is slowly changing for the better!

SumBlog 6

In class before Spring Break we talked about the minimum wage debate and what is necessary to survive. The rate of minimum wage is currently $7.25 and hasn’t rose for about five years. The talk is to raise minimum wage to $9.00 an hour. However, some fast food workers want minimum wage to increase to $15.00 an hour. I personally think that minimum wage should indeed increase but I’m not sure I agree with the idea of $15.00 an hour.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6RA25UbVtE&feature=player_detailpage#t=3

  I watched a clip from CNN which discussed the minimum wage debate and the announcer made a good point. She stated that fast food jobs such as McDonalds are meant more for individuals who aren’t trying to support a family. Those types of jobs are meant for individuals to get their foot in the door and gain some type of work experience. I personally agree with her comment even though I know of some people who are trying to raise families off of that income. I think it is very important for individuals to learn from the work experience such as fast food and after a while apply those skills to other jobs. I couldn’t imagine a lot of people wanting to work in fast food the rest of their life but I do understand the importance of making money and getting work experience. I have heard some comments from individuals about the debate say they are trying to work so they can pay for schooling. I personally know how difficult it is to work enough to help pay for education and other essentials such as housing, food, bills etc. There are always ways to get help to pay for school such as loans, scholarships, grants etc. I believe that $15.00 is too much of a jump in minimum wage because there are individuals who spend time to get educated and may start of making right around $15 an hour. I don’t think it would be fair for an individual who spent time and money in school to be making the same as minimum wage.

 The video clip also talked about the use of more technology instead of increasing minimum wages. I personally don’t agree with that. I believe that anyone would be happy making minimum wage verse not having a job. Many jobs would be lost if technology started replacing people. Since technology is advancing more and more everyday it makes me wonder what would happen if a lot of jobs used technology, where would most of the population work. I just wish people understood each side of the debate because there is a chance that they believe in $15 an hour but could potentially be out of a job if technology continues to take over. I do indeed think minimum wage should increase some to help with poverty but not as high as others think.

SumBlog #5 - Microaggression

I was very interested in the topic of microaggression. As we have learned microaggression can be a type of discrimination that isn’t physically harmful. However, it can have negative impacts on the individual who is being discriminated against. The micro-aggressive comments can be damaging both mentally and emotionally. On the other hand the individual who may make micro-aggressive comments may be unaware of what they are actually saying, or the discriminatory actions. They may also not even realize the negative impact their comment/action may have on a particular someone.

 

Although this concept is rather familiar to me I never seemed to think much about it. I never really believed that I or any close friends or family members partook in microaggression. I felt as if we all knew better to say things that could be considered discrimination. True is, everyone partakes in microaggression even if they are unaware of it. Thinking back on this concept I have had multiple experiences with microaggression, I have just never realized that those comments/actions were microaggression. Now that I am more aware of this concept I seem to pay close attention to things individuals say and even try to watch what I say. As I have mentioned, even though an individual may not mean their comment/action in a negative way it can easily be portrayed as discrimination.

 

I really enjoyed the short clips we watched in class about the comments that certain individuals may say. Even though those clips were meant to be funny I hear those types of comments daily. It is important to keep in mind the comments one may consider before saying them because even though you may think the comment is supposed to be funny and isn’t going to hurt someone it just may.  

As I was searching the internet I came across a project called “The Microaggression Project.” I thought this site was very interesting because there are comments from many individuals on things they have heard or experienced. This makes me realize even more how some individuals may be offended by certain comments. I have listed the website link below:

http://www.microaggressions.com/