Are you familiar with the day-to-day necessities like finding a bra that fits, balancing a checkbook, making a decent cup of coffee or hemming a pair of pants? Do you know how to build a wardrobe on a budget, how to make introductions in social situations, or how to say “no” gracefully? Thanks to the feminist movement during the latter half of the 20th century, women today can transcend traditional gender roles and “be all that they can be”. But in ignoring a lot of these traditions, women may actually have sabotaged themselves, perhaps making them more helpless and clueless than when they first started. This elective will explore what it means to be a woman in the 21st century and how to earn and give respect to fellow females everywhere.
fun, yeah? although i think the powers that be are going to change the first line so the description isn't as alienating for boys. apparently, most males don't worry about bra fittings. heh.
anyhoo, i'm really excited about my new elective, but the more i research and plan, the less excited i am and the more anxious i've become. i don't want to presume to step on any parental toes by presuming to teach their children something they feel is within their purview and not mine. i'm using this book as my main reference text - the girl's guide to absolutely everything - and i suppose i could just go down the table of contents, but i'm having a difficult time narrowing down my focus.
some topics i'm thinking of are: body image, dressing appropriately to your body type and occasion, phone etiquette, writing professional inquiries/business letters, proper posture, and healthy eating habits. yeah, yeah, it sounds like a class straight out of mademoiselle magazine, and to some, it may sound shallow and superficial. but when you consider the number of teens whose main role models for behaviour and manners and dress come primarily from reality shows, you might be able to see past the "fashion/beauty" aspect of it all and agree that perhaps it may end up being a relevant and worthy class.
with this in mind, would anyone like to chime in and let me know what they think i should be covering? i'd be eternally grateful. there might even be a cookie in it for you if i end up using your idea. if it's not asking too much, could you give suggestions on activities as well as topics? i don't want the class to be straight lecture.
thanks in advance!
some topics i'm thinking of are: body image, dressing appropriately to your body type and occasion, phone etiquette, writing professional inquiries/business letters, proper posture, and healthy eating habits. yeah, yeah, it sounds like a class straight out of mademoiselle magazine, and to some, it may sound shallow and superficial. but when you consider the number of teens whose main role models for behaviour and manners and dress come primarily from reality shows, you might be able to see past the "fashion/beauty" aspect of it all and agree that perhaps it may end up being a relevant and worthy class.
with this in mind, would anyone like to chime in and let me know what they think i should be covering? i'd be eternally grateful. there might even be a cookie in it for you if i end up using your idea. if it's not asking too much, could you give suggestions on activities as well as topics? i don't want the class to be straight lecture.
thanks in advance!
Self-Respect?
ReplyDeleteI think you should have section on confidence. I think you should do a mini version of the Glee episode in which the students wear a name tag that states what they are most self conscious about or even have them write something for each other stating what they find great about the other person. There is nothing more that girls seek, than each others approval. You can also have them do a brief conversation on who their role models and why. You can have them write a personal letter to themselves in which they motivate themselves.
ReplyDelete@Jen - yes, but how? you have a teen right now - what sort of things do you teach her or wish someone else would because she'd rather listen to a stranger than her mom?
ReplyDelete@Mandie - awesome! i love these ideas! multiple cookies for you! keep 'em coming!
Fun class topic!! Seasonal color theory OF COURSE :D
ReplyDeleteI think it would be empowering for girls to really think about the life-giving properties of their bodies. Instead of always evaluating "worth" via shape, but to appreciate the fact that they carry their future children with them everyday. Their breasts are for breastfeeding and not just for making the front of a t-shirt look interesting. I'd come be a speaker!
@jamie - omg, i was gonna ask you to come be a speaker about something else, but your idea is infinitely better. yes, yes, yes! let me know when you're free so i can schedule you in. electives are on tuesdays and fridays.
ReplyDeletealso, i see you're a blogger too. can you tell me, if i respond to your comment on mine, does it tell you i responded?
I'll admit, bit confused. The impression I got from "Thanks to the feminist movement during the latter half of the 20th century, women today can transcend traditional gender roles and “be all that they can be”. But in ignoring a lot of these traditions, women may actually have sabotaged themselves, perhaps making them more helpless and clueless than when they first started. Thanks to the feminist movement during the latter half of the 20th century, women today can transcend traditional gender roles and “be all that they can be”. But in ignoring a lot of these traditions, women may actually have sabotaged themselves, perhaps making them more helpless and clueless than when they first started." Came across as how the breaking of traditions such as women as primary care givers, living life in more of a support role, and being considered the "weaker" sex (to throw out the first 'big' three that come to mind) and leveling the playing field into what we've see today has made the role and relationships of women more difficult and confusing. A girl is expected to be all these different things and is made to feel bad whatever her choice is. Stay at home and somehow you're failing women everywhere by not being in the work force and achieving the same as a man, be content and happy to be a support player and you're a door mat, go into the workforce and climb the ladder and you're considered a bitch and horrible mother. A girl is expected to be equal to her male counterparts (and while things are changing) are not always respected. Women want approval and consideration from the male of the species but where are the examples of balance. You know? A woman who is feminine but successful in a good relationship? The TV and big screen are littered with train wrecks for women and reality TV is nothing but slutty drama. Extended families are not the norm so there is often no internal examples to look to. I think.....(imo) that it's more important to show young girls and women that, while you can't always achieve balance, you can find happiness in whatever role you assume in life. Oh yeah....and image counts! Speak intelligently, pursue education, dress well and modestly, and know you're worthy of respect and a whole lot will fall into place for you.
ReplyDeleteDid that make any sense because I can't think straight today?
Hi Mar- I'll comment back here! I've had a busy day w/ 2 moms in labor back and forth on the phone, so I've been on and off the comp. Anyways, YES I can come and speak. I'm guessing Fridays will work better than Tuesdays in the Fall. Basically I just have to get babysitting. Usually when I leave blogger comments I come back and check if the author responded. What were you thinking of having me speak about? BTW, I love love the title of the class. Very cute!
ReplyDeleteLike, what was your speaker-idea topic before I mentioned mine? (Didn't know if my above comment made sense.)
ReplyDelete@jamie - hope both moms are okay. you sound busy. which is why i consider it an honor that you'd be willing to squeeze me into your busy schedule.
ReplyDeletejamie s. and lorelei actually suggested you first to help me with hair, back when we were just thinking about appearance and gaining confidence through proper grooming and dress. the two ladies mentioned how amazing you were with frannie's "princess hair" and since i'm hopeless with hair, we thought you'd like to come in to do demos. but your idea is SO much more pithy and relevant and it makes our initial idea sound rather petty. ;p
anyhoo, fridays would be great for you because it's the shorter of the classes - only 52 minutes - and if you wanted to prepare a lecture and/or follow up activity regarding bodies and motherhood that would take up the entire session, that'd be awesome. were you thinking earlier in the sem (september/october) or later (december/january)? and would yoou be willing to come in and do it a second time during spring sem?
Not sure yet, regards to earlier/later. Let me get back to you on that.
ReplyDeleteHow about table manners?
ReplyDeleteThe whole "this is the salad fork" "this is a soup spoon" is all well and good but I think just the basics (i.e. no elbows on table, no reaching over people to get dishes/condiments) would be nice to cover as well as what's the best way to treat your server and how much to tip.
Again, I know it sounds completely basic but it's something many people miss the mark on. Plus if you do happen to have one or two boys who sign up, they'll have something to relate to. =P
@ciku - we're on the same wavelength, as per usual. i am borrowing the miss manners book from the library for this express purpose. :)
ReplyDeletep.s. i like your blog better too. tumblr confuzzles me which is why i don't use mine anymore.
Should have known. :)
ReplyDelete& I was the same way until I caved in when EVERYONE with a blog had a Tumblr (well my friends at least) and although it took me forever and a day to figure it out I finally did and love it! Plus they've made it simpler so I think you would get it.
But then again, all that matters is that you commit to a blog. I couldn't commit to blogspot where you have to *actually* post. Tumblr allows me to reblog reblog reblog until my face turns blue. It's lazy blogging at its best.
P.S. I'm complete stealing your ** for emphasizing words. I usually just capitalize the word but yours works sooo much better. Now to find a way to do italics...
P.P.S. Awh, thanks for loving the blog. It took me so long to finally find a look I LOVED!! If there's one thing I miss about blogspot, it's customizing my page. It's synonymous with the myspace --> facebook transition so history tells me I'll get over it. But I do really like you're layout. It's so you it's not even funny. :D
@ciku - ok, tell me this: if i respond to you here, do you get some sort of notification somewhere? like on your blog or your email or something? i feel weird answering people if i think they won't get my response - it's like i'm talking to myself.
ReplyDeleteyou must email me so we can talk more about tumblr. this reblog thing is what confused me - it seemed that people weren't actually writing; they were just biting off other blogs? is that right? if so, i don't think i'll ever switch over.
hrm...i think you just gave me an idea for my first contemplative blog post. see ya in a few...
No, I don't get any notification. I've just been checking back here to see if you've replied, hence the time stamps. :/
ReplyDeleteYes, I'll email you! & I'm flattered I could inspire a post. :)
Mar- Have you seen this Worst Mother in Law Letter? http://fresh1027.radio.com/2011/07/01/worst-mother-in-law-ever-the-letter-read-round-the-world/
ReplyDeleteWhile it's sort of mean, she DOES point out some manner issues here!
Maricel A's big issue right now seems to be confidence and self-respect when it comes to boys. I wish that someone could convince her that being herself is OK and that she should be proud and feel good about that decision. I wish she would understand that boys may not like her today because she is staying true to herself and her beliefs, but when she is a little older it will be the very thing they love her for. A lot of her friends have boyfriends right now, and she wants one so bad and seems to be willing to do anything to have one. (I feel I should clarify, she is still a virgin and her personal belief is that she would like to remain one until she is much older and more "ready") Anywho I cannot convince her that doing and saying the things that she "thinks" boys want to hear is so not the way to get a boy. Im scared she is going to give her virginity up in an attempt to get what she thinks she wants. We both know where that leads to. Trust me when I say I have had quite a few "I told you so" moments with her, yet she still thinks I have on idea what I'm talking about. Maybe if your girls in this class could hear it first hand from a panel of extremely trusted (maybe past graduates of yours that you may keep in touch with) boys/young adult/men that what they "think" is so off target. Maybe a Q&A period or something...
ReplyDelete