1. The interview with Pam Schroeder, who is the former Democratic Congress-woman,
is a discussion about Hilary Clinton as a female candidate for presidency. When Hilary Clinton made the decision about running for a president, she probably knew there would be some difficulties. However, her expectations probably didn’t include so much sexism in America. According to American ideas there shouldn’t be racism or sexism in this country. This is the country where “all men are equal.” Wait…is it men or human? Yes, it is “men.” Here we are deciding for a president of our country based on race and sex. Interestingly, even Pam Schroeder who supports Clinton, has her doubts about her becoming the next president. While Schroeder acknowledges that Clinton is a very strong person and an excellent candidate, she also mentions that there is still a lot of sexism in America. More importantly, as mentioned in the interview, the fact that Clinton is a woman, her speeches may remind men of their wives, who are in charge of the domestic duties. Even though Hilary Clinton may have unveiled the glass ceiling, she is trying really hard to get through it. Many Americans cannot get the idea of a president who can cry or wear make up. It is very interesting to see what is stronger in America, sexism or racism. And that we will find out after the elections.
2. According to Gloria Steinem, who Co-founder of Women Media Center,
the media has created and an “either or” situation about Obama and Clinton. This is because it is for the first time in the American history that the candidates running for president are an African American man and white female. Supposing that the media is the one to blame for creating such conflict. Who are the buyers of such information? Who is the media? Aren’t they all Americans? All these ideas are created by the American people. The interview also highlights an important point, not all democrats vote based on democratic ideas. Instead, they vote race over sex or the other way around. While the entire country is going through some serious crisis, American democrats argue whether or not they should vote for the African American male or the white female. America never had both African American and female president. Yes, it is a big step for this country. However, what about changing the history by working together? The irony of all this is that racism and sexism are different forms of discrimination. The question is which one will win. Even though the country is in a desperate need for change, many Americans have inculcated ideas that won’t change for many years to come.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Blog #14
Part I
1. In the late 1960s and early 1970 various events contributes to the start of feminists’ revival. Due some drastic political changes there was a social change emerging. Women were a big part of this change, often called women’s liberation. There were important political figures whose lives and deaths affected women, both white and black. The Civil Rights movement helped women to peruse their freedom. Moreover, the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. made more black women to participate in feminists’ revival. Robert Kennedy’s assassination also triggered many women to come out of their homes and be part of the social changes. Finally, the war in Vietnam also gave place for many women. Many started protests against the war.
2. The protest at Miss America pageant in 1968 was a protest against social expectations. The idea of women was being, once again, portrayed through the men’s eyes. Female beauty was being defined based on what attracted men. Because women had to compete with each other to be “the most beautiful” for many women it was hard to imagine how women could be judged based on standards and criteria. Many women tried to change the idea of women. The began to burn their bras. Additionally, other items that were specially for women, such as make up, were also thrown away. These were some of the protests that portray women’s liberation.
3. The war over the sexes is not over. For any war to be over there has to be a unanimous decision. While there have been great changes in women’s and men’s lives, there is still something even greater to change, the idea. The idea of women (and men) in the society is still the same. While in America over the years the idea of women hasn’t change much, women’s role have been greatly expanded. Today the society expects much more from a women than just her old fashion duties, such as education, goals, and self-esteem. In some other parts of the world women are still treated as animals, who don’t have the right to even think. Therefore, if there is a war of sexes, it is not over, and in some places it hasn’t even began.
Part II
4. Mary Tyler as “liberation” shows a woman who is very much goal oriented. This woman prefers her career, journalism, over a boyfriend. On the other hand, Sex and The City also has single women who are not very much career oriented, even though they don’t have any serous relationship in her lives either. Orenstein compares these two shows because they both have single women. Additionally, she shows their differences by highlighting their values. While Mary Tyler shows a woman who takes advantage of her single life and tries to accomplish her goals, women in Sex and The City are very much different. They desperately need men in their lives to fulfill their emptiness because they don’t see themselves as individuals.
5. I don’t think Walker would agree with Orenstein. While they both may agree in that single women should explore life, they have a different view of women and sexuality. Orenstein’s idea of a woman is more conservative. While she celebrates the female independence, Orenstein doesn’t believe that a single woman should dedicate her life in exploring men. She doesn’t look at sex as an act of freedom. On the other hand, Walker is more inclined towards sexual desires. The exploration of all sexual desires and their fulfillment is very important for a single woman. Furthermore, Walker believes that sexual desires cannot and should not be repressed. Instead they should be a priority for any woman.
6. I can only base my opinion on what I know and see in my reality. While there may be an age where sexual desires and needs are a secret to be unveiled, there comes a time when women need the security of a stable life, regardless of it being with or without a men. In Sex and The City all these women seem sexually frustrated. Every age comes with it’s priorities. These women probably didn’t have an exciting youth. Therefore, they are still trying to explore their sexuality, while the other part of theirs, the age, is looking for something stable. There may be women in the real life just like these women in Sex and The City. However, I didn’t have the chance to personally know them.
1. In the late 1960s and early 1970 various events contributes to the start of feminists’ revival. Due some drastic political changes there was a social change emerging. Women were a big part of this change, often called women’s liberation. There were important political figures whose lives and deaths affected women, both white and black. The Civil Rights movement helped women to peruse their freedom. Moreover, the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. made more black women to participate in feminists’ revival. Robert Kennedy’s assassination also triggered many women to come out of their homes and be part of the social changes. Finally, the war in Vietnam also gave place for many women. Many started protests against the war.
2. The protest at Miss America pageant in 1968 was a protest against social expectations. The idea of women was being, once again, portrayed through the men’s eyes. Female beauty was being defined based on what attracted men. Because women had to compete with each other to be “the most beautiful” for many women it was hard to imagine how women could be judged based on standards and criteria. Many women tried to change the idea of women. The began to burn their bras. Additionally, other items that were specially for women, such as make up, were also thrown away. These were some of the protests that portray women’s liberation.
3. The war over the sexes is not over. For any war to be over there has to be a unanimous decision. While there have been great changes in women’s and men’s lives, there is still something even greater to change, the idea. The idea of women (and men) in the society is still the same. While in America over the years the idea of women hasn’t change much, women’s role have been greatly expanded. Today the society expects much more from a women than just her old fashion duties, such as education, goals, and self-esteem. In some other parts of the world women are still treated as animals, who don’t have the right to even think. Therefore, if there is a war of sexes, it is not over, and in some places it hasn’t even began.
Part II
4. Mary Tyler as “liberation” shows a woman who is very much goal oriented. This woman prefers her career, journalism, over a boyfriend. On the other hand, Sex and The City also has single women who are not very much career oriented, even though they don’t have any serous relationship in her lives either. Orenstein compares these two shows because they both have single women. Additionally, she shows their differences by highlighting their values. While Mary Tyler shows a woman who takes advantage of her single life and tries to accomplish her goals, women in Sex and The City are very much different. They desperately need men in their lives to fulfill their emptiness because they don’t see themselves as individuals.
5. I don’t think Walker would agree with Orenstein. While they both may agree in that single women should explore life, they have a different view of women and sexuality. Orenstein’s idea of a woman is more conservative. While she celebrates the female independence, Orenstein doesn’t believe that a single woman should dedicate her life in exploring men. She doesn’t look at sex as an act of freedom. On the other hand, Walker is more inclined towards sexual desires. The exploration of all sexual desires and their fulfillment is very important for a single woman. Furthermore, Walker believes that sexual desires cannot and should not be repressed. Instead they should be a priority for any woman.
6. I can only base my opinion on what I know and see in my reality. While there may be an age where sexual desires and needs are a secret to be unveiled, there comes a time when women need the security of a stable life, regardless of it being with or without a men. In Sex and The City all these women seem sexually frustrated. Every age comes with it’s priorities. These women probably didn’t have an exciting youth. Therefore, they are still trying to explore their sexuality, while the other part of theirs, the age, is looking for something stable. There may be women in the real life just like these women in Sex and The City. However, I didn’t have the chance to personally know them.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Blo #13
1. The Cold War had a great impact on American women. When the country was going through difficult times, women were expected to go back to their domestic duties. The society was, once again, returning to its old traditions, where the woman was a housewife and the man, the provider. Women who worked outside of their homes made their men look weak in the eyes of the society. While during the World War II the country tried to take women out of their homes to substitute men’s jobs, it was very different during the Cold War. There was a big propaganda going on in the media and television to turn women back to their homes and make them the “old fashion” housewives.
2. What Betty Friedan wrote made the historians analyze it twice. While Friedan talked about housewives and how they served their husbands. However, what really made the historians re-analyze her writings was that Friedan only talked about one class of women, upper class white. Historians found that Betty Friedan didn’t mention black women and their lives. In her writings Friedan didn’t even describe the middle class white women. Another thing that caught the historians attention was that she only mentioned women who didn’t work outside of their homes. She never mentioned the working women.
3. The working class women, predominantly white, who went further in the labor force were the activist women of the 1950s. To start, all women faced many difficulties, such as discrimination and education problems when it came to getting a job. Latinas and African American were most of the time, discriminated. Additionally, women who didn’t have education couldn’t get jobs either. Women who had education were mostly white middle class. Therefore, they became the activists.
4. During the civil rights movement the idea and role of a leader was not precisely a woman. While female civil rights activists worked as hard as male did, their work was represented by men. At times women, just like during the World War II, were only substitutes for men for a short period of time. For instance, Ella Baker was only an executive director for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference because there was no male candidate found. She was temporarily appointed, until a male candidate could be found. The society at the time, (and even today) wouldn’t choose a female leader to follow regardless of women’s contributions to the civil rights movement.
2. What Betty Friedan wrote made the historians analyze it twice. While Friedan talked about housewives and how they served their husbands. However, what really made the historians re-analyze her writings was that Friedan only talked about one class of women, upper class white. Historians found that Betty Friedan didn’t mention black women and their lives. In her writings Friedan didn’t even describe the middle class white women. Another thing that caught the historians attention was that she only mentioned women who didn’t work outside of their homes. She never mentioned the working women.
3. The working class women, predominantly white, who went further in the labor force were the activist women of the 1950s. To start, all women faced many difficulties, such as discrimination and education problems when it came to getting a job. Latinas and African American were most of the time, discriminated. Additionally, women who didn’t have education couldn’t get jobs either. Women who had education were mostly white middle class. Therefore, they became the activists.
4. During the civil rights movement the idea and role of a leader was not precisely a woman. While female civil rights activists worked as hard as male did, their work was represented by men. At times women, just like during the World War II, were only substitutes for men for a short period of time. For instance, Ella Baker was only an executive director for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference because there was no male candidate found. She was temporarily appointed, until a male candidate could be found. The society at the time, (and even today) wouldn’t choose a female leader to follow regardless of women’s contributions to the civil rights movement.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Blog #12
Textbook
1. World War II gave women a new identity. During these times women were ready to help the country in any and every way they could. To begin, they started working at jobs that before only men worked. Some women worked at jobs such as mechanics and welding. Many others also joined the army by joining Women’s Army and Air force. Nevertheless, women who had joined the army weren’t allowed to fight in war. While many women still performed jobs typical for women such as, telephone operators, clerical workers, and nurses, women who performed jobs that were more suitable for men, weren’t permanent workers. Because men were absent, women had become substitutes of men’s jobs.
2. World War II brought many changes for women, changes that marked an important time period for women. One of the most long lasting effects of World War II was probably women and education. After the war many women started to continue their education. Next, while during the war many women worked at certain jobs because men were absent, after the war these women were still highly classified workers because of their experience. Finally, many women also moved to the cities where there were more opportunities to grow more independent.
Source Interpretation
1. According to the article gender isn’t an issue for women to find jobs. Because men are at war, women have the opportunity to substitute them at work. Additionally, while women receive the same salary as men, they are also treated like men. On the other hand, the article also, in some way, portrays gendered division. Men do the important parts of the work. Whereas, some women, add the final touches.
2. The audience of this article is probably mostly women because it is published in “The Ladies Home” journal. However, if the male soldiers, who are so far from home, have the chance to have this article in their hands, they will probably read it too.
3. It is hard to imagine anyone, a man or woman, who would enjoy such conditions of work. However, women maintain a somewhat positive attitude. Women who work so many hours, under so much pressure, and so hard, are satisfied because they get paid more than they used to. On the other hand, some women want to go back to their old jobs.
4. The article suggests that women who work as hard as men, still maintain their femininity. First, after work women go home and still perform their housework. They clean, wash, and cook. Additionally, they also show their femininity at work. Even though their work is hard and they don’t have much of free time, women still find time to do their nails.
5. After the was many different things may happen to women. Some women would probably lose their jobs because men would come back from war. Some others would get married and start a family. Many others would have to go back to their old jobs, where the money isn’t vary good.
1. World War II gave women a new identity. During these times women were ready to help the country in any and every way they could. To begin, they started working at jobs that before only men worked. Some women worked at jobs such as mechanics and welding. Many others also joined the army by joining Women’s Army and Air force. Nevertheless, women who had joined the army weren’t allowed to fight in war. While many women still performed jobs typical for women such as, telephone operators, clerical workers, and nurses, women who performed jobs that were more suitable for men, weren’t permanent workers. Because men were absent, women had become substitutes of men’s jobs.
2. World War II brought many changes for women, changes that marked an important time period for women. One of the most long lasting effects of World War II was probably women and education. After the war many women started to continue their education. Next, while during the war many women worked at certain jobs because men were absent, after the war these women were still highly classified workers because of their experience. Finally, many women also moved to the cities where there were more opportunities to grow more independent.
Source Interpretation
1. According to the article gender isn’t an issue for women to find jobs. Because men are at war, women have the opportunity to substitute them at work. Additionally, while women receive the same salary as men, they are also treated like men. On the other hand, the article also, in some way, portrays gendered division. Men do the important parts of the work. Whereas, some women, add the final touches.
2. The audience of this article is probably mostly women because it is published in “The Ladies Home” journal. However, if the male soldiers, who are so far from home, have the chance to have this article in their hands, they will probably read it too.
3. It is hard to imagine anyone, a man or woman, who would enjoy such conditions of work. However, women maintain a somewhat positive attitude. Women who work so many hours, under so much pressure, and so hard, are satisfied because they get paid more than they used to. On the other hand, some women want to go back to their old jobs.
4. The article suggests that women who work as hard as men, still maintain their femininity. First, after work women go home and still perform their housework. They clean, wash, and cook. Additionally, they also show their femininity at work. Even though their work is hard and they don’t have much of free time, women still find time to do their nails.
5. After the was many different things may happen to women. Some women would probably lose their jobs because men would come back from war. Some others would get married and start a family. Many others would have to go back to their old jobs, where the money isn’t vary good.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Blog # 11
1. In 1920’s it was appropriate to speak about a “New Woman” for many reasons. To begin, in this time period women had become more independent from men. Additionally, they were more involved in many aspects of life that before, only men were allowed, such as politics. Women were finally allowed to vote. Moreover, women also started forming social and political organizations. Finally, flapper marked the beginning of the new fashion women. They started to were shorter close and hair. However, women didn’t only change their conservative image, they also changed their social lives. They started to drink and dance in public places.
2. In 1920’s women who were active in politics encounter difficulties in accomplishing their agenda because they had an undefined authority. Women had conflicts among themselves when making decisions about their duties and positions at work. While before they were united because their goal was to gain voting rights, now they started to have differences in many aspects. For example, African American women had conflicts with white women because white women didn’t care about African American women and their rights. African American women didn’t get a chance to publicly expose their concerns. Women had different ideals and beliefs. Therefore, their goals were becoming different.
3. The “Migrant Mother” is an image that represents women during the Great Depression. The expressions of the image clearly illustrate poverty and stress. The clothes that they are wearing are old and worn. The expression of the women’s face transmit’s the great pain that she feels inside. This may be because she is concerned for her children. She is, most probably worried for their lives. Additionally, during these times women went back to their traditional roles. They, once again, became housewives and mothers. This was because the man of the family was the main provider, and he was outside, trying to find a job. By her children being very close to her, it show how they find security in their mother.
4. Even though the Great Depression affected both men and women, its effects were stronger on men. Both men and women started to lose their jobs. However, because men were the main providers of the household, the effects of the Great Depression were direct on them. They felt that they were losing their manhood. Moreover, many men even left their wives because they felt inferior. On the other hand, the society didn’t like women who still had their jobs and whose husbands also worked. It gave ways to conflicts. Finally, during the Great Depression, jobs that were only for women had a fast come back. Whereas, men still didn’t find employment.
2. In 1920’s women who were active in politics encounter difficulties in accomplishing their agenda because they had an undefined authority. Women had conflicts among themselves when making decisions about their duties and positions at work. While before they were united because their goal was to gain voting rights, now they started to have differences in many aspects. For example, African American women had conflicts with white women because white women didn’t care about African American women and their rights. African American women didn’t get a chance to publicly expose their concerns. Women had different ideals and beliefs. Therefore, their goals were becoming different.
3. The “Migrant Mother” is an image that represents women during the Great Depression. The expressions of the image clearly illustrate poverty and stress. The clothes that they are wearing are old and worn. The expression of the women’s face transmit’s the great pain that she feels inside. This may be because she is concerned for her children. She is, most probably worried for their lives. Additionally, during these times women went back to their traditional roles. They, once again, became housewives and mothers. This was because the man of the family was the main provider, and he was outside, trying to find a job. By her children being very close to her, it show how they find security in their mother.
4. Even though the Great Depression affected both men and women, its effects were stronger on men. Both men and women started to lose their jobs. However, because men were the main providers of the household, the effects of the Great Depression were direct on them. They felt that they were losing their manhood. Moreover, many men even left their wives because they felt inferior. On the other hand, the society didn’t like women who still had their jobs and whose husbands also worked. It gave ways to conflicts. Finally, during the Great Depression, jobs that were only for women had a fast come back. Whereas, men still didn’t find employment.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Blog #9
Part I
1. As the United State expanded, there was a great demand for factory workers. Migrating to the United Estate, for many, was a chance to find better life. At first, men were more interested in coming to US than women. However, through the time more and more women started to migrate. One of the main differences between immigrant men and women was that women were more susceptible to sexual abuse. Another difference was that many men came to the United States to work, gather some money and return home. Women, on the other hand were more interested in establishing their personal life and finding husbands.
2. The main goal between women involved in the industrial protest, the populist movement, and the settlement house movement was the same. They all wanted to establish equality. While they all tried to protest in different ways, the goal was one. Some women protested for the low wages. Some others, such as non elite white and black women, created a political party, the Populist. These women intended to solve problems that only concerned women. The settlement house movement, on the other hand was more concerned about helping immigrant women. Finally, while women helped each other, they also benefited the society.
Part II
1. What Addams wrote, in some way, can also be seen in today’s society. What she actually noticed was how people understand charity. Wealthy people stayed in the good side of the city, totally isolated from the poor, yet they tried to help. It can so easily be compared to what many wealthy people do now a days. No one wants to understand the poor’s problem. The poor will be surprised if someone is really concerned for him or her. That’s what happened when a women came to the city and started to really care for these people. They just didn’t understand her intentions.
2. Addams finally understood that people were different. They were different due to the life they lived. Conflicts occurred because of these differences. Addams saw the politics of the wealthy, who employed the poor. She realized that hard work would not make the poor rich. Additionally, she had a democratic idea of the poor. Addams believed that it wasn’t the person’s fault when he or she was poor but the society’s. While it was hard to change the society, she did try. She really wanted to help the poor. Most importantly, Addams was influenced by Hebrew religion. The philosophy of giving was an important factor in her life.
1. As the United State expanded, there was a great demand for factory workers. Migrating to the United Estate, for many, was a chance to find better life. At first, men were more interested in coming to US than women. However, through the time more and more women started to migrate. One of the main differences between immigrant men and women was that women were more susceptible to sexual abuse. Another difference was that many men came to the United States to work, gather some money and return home. Women, on the other hand were more interested in establishing their personal life and finding husbands.
2. The main goal between women involved in the industrial protest, the populist movement, and the settlement house movement was the same. They all wanted to establish equality. While they all tried to protest in different ways, the goal was one. Some women protested for the low wages. Some others, such as non elite white and black women, created a political party, the Populist. These women intended to solve problems that only concerned women. The settlement house movement, on the other hand was more concerned about helping immigrant women. Finally, while women helped each other, they also benefited the society.
Part II
1. What Addams wrote, in some way, can also be seen in today’s society. What she actually noticed was how people understand charity. Wealthy people stayed in the good side of the city, totally isolated from the poor, yet they tried to help. It can so easily be compared to what many wealthy people do now a days. No one wants to understand the poor’s problem. The poor will be surprised if someone is really concerned for him or her. That’s what happened when a women came to the city and started to really care for these people. They just didn’t understand her intentions.
2. Addams finally understood that people were different. They were different due to the life they lived. Conflicts occurred because of these differences. Addams saw the politics of the wealthy, who employed the poor. She realized that hard work would not make the poor rich. Additionally, she had a democratic idea of the poor. Addams believed that it wasn’t the person’s fault when he or she was poor but the society’s. While it was hard to change the society, she did try. She really wanted to help the poor. Most importantly, Addams was influenced by Hebrew religion. The philosophy of giving was an important factor in her life.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Blog #8
Part I
1. In the late nineteenth century the industrialization era had began. After the Civil War, many women’s role had already changed. Some of them had left their homes and their usual domestic duties and were on their own. Some others, had a family and still worked. Even though women found work in clothing factories, they were still underestimated. They weren’t paid hourly wages. Instead, women’s salary was based on the quantity of their work. Consequently, women started to produce more to earn more. Additionally, women started working in offices. They were good at typewriting. Most of the time, the working class women worked in more than one job, to help their families. Middle class women didn’t have to work. They were either married or from comparatively wealthier families. Elite women didn’t work either. Moreover, they were wealthy enough to have servants who performed their domestic work.
2. The importance of the images is to reflect the dramatic change in Native American women who were sent to boarding schools. In the first picture the girls are dressed like Indigenes. Additionally, they set on the floor. Whereas in the other picture they are around a table, dressed like western women. Most importantly, one of the girls has an open book. This is to show that in these schools they could learn how to read. Most importantly, the images convey an ethnocentric point of view. Native American women were forced to come out of their culture and adapt the western culture, which was considered superior.
Part 2
1. Women from different backgrounds worked at the factory. For one thing, Bessie Van Vorst encounters a woman who has been working their for many years. The physical condition of her eyes reflect years of experience. This woman advices Van Vorst that working at the factory is not going to result in decent life. Next, Van Vorst meets a girl who’s family has the means to support her. Nevertheless, she still chooses to work because this girl wants to spend her own money. Finally, there are others she meets, who had to work because they had to support their families and themselves. Van Vorst sees that every woman in the factory has a personal reason to be there.
2. Bessie Van Vorst concludes that working women are passive in accepting their working conditions because she sees how important they are for their employers and in what conditions they work. These women accept what they are given without realizing their value as a worker. I think Van Vorst is right in saying that women accept whatever conditions of work they are offered. However, I do not agree in that these women are “unwilling to stand up” for their rights. First, all these women have different backgrounds. Some women have financially strong families. Some others need to work to survive. Because their reasons and needs are different, they do not have a common goal. Next, many women don’t want to speak out because they think they may lose their jobs. And for some, losing this job can be crucial. Finally, women, unlike men, are just starting to establish their place in the society, outside of their homes. While they are willing to change their conditions, it is not easy for these women to challenge the new system.
1. In the late nineteenth century the industrialization era had began. After the Civil War, many women’s role had already changed. Some of them had left their homes and their usual domestic duties and were on their own. Some others, had a family and still worked. Even though women found work in clothing factories, they were still underestimated. They weren’t paid hourly wages. Instead, women’s salary was based on the quantity of their work. Consequently, women started to produce more to earn more. Additionally, women started working in offices. They were good at typewriting. Most of the time, the working class women worked in more than one job, to help their families. Middle class women didn’t have to work. They were either married or from comparatively wealthier families. Elite women didn’t work either. Moreover, they were wealthy enough to have servants who performed their domestic work.
2. The importance of the images is to reflect the dramatic change in Native American women who were sent to boarding schools. In the first picture the girls are dressed like Indigenes. Additionally, they set on the floor. Whereas in the other picture they are around a table, dressed like western women. Most importantly, one of the girls has an open book. This is to show that in these schools they could learn how to read. Most importantly, the images convey an ethnocentric point of view. Native American women were forced to come out of their culture and adapt the western culture, which was considered superior.
Part 2
1. Women from different backgrounds worked at the factory. For one thing, Bessie Van Vorst encounters a woman who has been working their for many years. The physical condition of her eyes reflect years of experience. This woman advices Van Vorst that working at the factory is not going to result in decent life. Next, Van Vorst meets a girl who’s family has the means to support her. Nevertheless, she still chooses to work because this girl wants to spend her own money. Finally, there are others she meets, who had to work because they had to support their families and themselves. Van Vorst sees that every woman in the factory has a personal reason to be there.
2. Bessie Van Vorst concludes that working women are passive in accepting their working conditions because she sees how important they are for their employers and in what conditions they work. These women accept what they are given without realizing their value as a worker. I think Van Vorst is right in saying that women accept whatever conditions of work they are offered. However, I do not agree in that these women are “unwilling to stand up” for their rights. First, all these women have different backgrounds. Some women have financially strong families. Some others need to work to survive. Because their reasons and needs are different, they do not have a common goal. Next, many women don’t want to speak out because they think they may lose their jobs. And for some, losing this job can be crucial. Finally, women, unlike men, are just starting to establish their place in the society, outside of their homes. While they are willing to change their conditions, it is not easy for these women to challenge the new system.
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