Week #4
"Oppression" by Marilyn Frye

Reflection

The word, oppression is defined as the exercise of authority in a cruel or unjust manner. Marilyn Frye related oppression with the concept of feminism. Frye broke down how women are actually treated not how they should be. The feminist movement has helped change that treatment, such as women receiving the right to vote. However, this feminist movement needs a significant amount of help. 

On page 18, Frye brings up the double standard women face regarding their sex life. If a women par takes in sexual activity. From that she may receive either good or bad vibes. Some men will say positive comments while others will criticize, and say that she was an easy lay. While her friends will ask her why did she waste her time with that loser. Both ends are making the young women feel horrible which is not plan. On the other side, a young girl said no to the invitation she will still be criticized. Men will say things like "just calm down" or "relax." In this instance, she is seen as a man-hater or cocktease. It is not fair because that is asking a lot of a women to go on that level. To ask for sexual favors and rudely comment after a failed attempt is not right. Its the women's choice to say no or yes for her own reason. 

This is personally frustrating and offensive for obvious reasons. Despite that, it also hits my life in a different way as well. It reminds of last year, my friend had told me that her sister was pregnant. I knew this was not planned and I also knew how scared she was. My friend told me that was not sure. I had said I would not be either, I could not imagine being in her spot. Feeling so much uncertainty and shock.  While we spoke about this I always became so worked up because it is my friend's sister's choice. It is not anyone else's choice, she can ask for advice but ultimately it is her choice to make. The idea of "pro life or pro choice" is not as clear cut as it seems on the exterior. 

Learning about all my friend's sister had to consider if she kept the baby caused my head to spin. Bottles, diapers, baby food, high chairs, clothes and all of those items have to be up to safety standards for the child's protection. She had to factor in where she was going to live. Would she have to move out into an apartment or would she stay at home? How was she going to pay for the child's medical needs, would the child have special needs? Was the baby's dad was going to stay in the picture?http://money.cnn.com/2014/08/18/pf/child-cost/


Looking from an outsider's perspective, I could see how much that was for an 23 year old to decide. It had only been a few months since she graduated College. She was not sure if she wanted the baby because of all the previous thoughts running through her head. My mom told her that once the baby is here, its not your life anymore, it is all about that child's life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9QndNXcnCU

When a women goes through this type of road barrier in life judgemental comments should not be said or even thought. You will never know until you experience it for yourself, feeling hurtful words thrown at you is not kind. When we hurt others we are not progressing, we are taking one step forward and three steps back. 

Points to Share: When you are faced with life chaining choices a couple things come to my surface of my thoughts. Your life is all about focusing on improving you, not worrying about someone else's life. You do not know until you walk a mile in their shoes." Author unknown. Exterior walls can be so deceiving only until you look through them.