Moment One.

As soon as I began reading chapter five and six, both mentioned American society as being obsessed with appearance and this being very obvious. To most appearance is everything; wanting that perfect look. When in reality there is no one perfect look, everyone is different, and that is something my one friend has yet to fully understand. My friend and I went shopping in this last week. We wanted to shop for dresses for a concert that was coming up, but only deciding to wear a dress if each of us found one. She said that I had more of an idea what fashion was, telling me to tell her what looked good on her, what colors matched; to be an outsider looking at her. I was on the fence about this because everyone has their own style, and something that I think would look good, may not be for her. Then the shopping trip, I feel, went downhill. All throughout trying on clothes she complained about her stomach being too fat, and needing the dress to hide it better, and the dress cannot show too much leg because they were not toned enough, just on and on. She started talking about how she becomes frustrated with shopping because certain clothing items do not fit her, and I tried reassuring her that there is something for everyone and that it takes time when it comes to looking for an outfit. But she kept up with the constant negativity about the situation, saying how I am able to find clothing much easier than her because my frame is smaller and clothes are made to fit my body size more. That ultimately made me feel terrible and once I again I tried to explain to her that, I had trouble finding different clothes because at times they do not fit correctly or the style is not for me, yet she continued to go on and say that she would never find anything. I could not get through to her in any way. I just wanted her to understand that there are many body types and that we are two different people, and we would find a dress before the concert. She was able to find a perfectly fitting dress and her attitude completely changed, but then the conversation switched from the perfect dress to how I would look better when it came to beach wear. But I am really not as confident as she thinks I am . . .

There Is A First Time For Everything

Right from the beginning I was excited for this class, I had yet to take a gender class; and I am quickly approaching my last few semesters of college. Being that I recently declared my major for Public Relations, I knew this class would be the right choice. Public Relations deals with a variety of different people from all over; with different beliefs and values. Entering this class, I thought I had a good idea of what 'Gender and Communication' would be about. But within reading the first few pages, some of my ideas were confirmed about the gender roles and what society expects from each, and what is the 'norm.' I have to say, my parents sometimes fall into what is to be expected from a male and a female in a household, but my mom will be the first to recognize it, and turn the tables on my step-father. It did not cross my mind that so many people were interested in the subject of gender, and how people are finally begining to realize that there is more than one gender, and because one is female or a male, they have to act accordingly. People may be beginning to realize this, but that does not mean they accept it. Well, some people. The only way for some people to accept other genders and behaviors that break away from the norm, is for society to accept it. Society sets the standards for beliefs, and people are influenced by that. I would have to say, probably from how was I raised and where I live, all different types of people are accepted. If a female displays masculine behaviors it is not seen as out of the ordinary, and vice versa. I could only hope that the rest of 'society' is quick to accept that not everyone is the same, and that difference makes the world a little less boring.