Issues for LCHT

The issues that the Labratory to Combat Human Trafficking works on include mostly extensive community based research. The research and discussions include topics such as: differences between victims and survivors, which can also be based on race, class, and color, defining whats "normal" sexual behavior as of 2010, the power women have in the pornography industry, and differentiating human trafficking today from legal slavery. I think that LCHT is doing a great job within their organization in order to communicate and educate the public and will continue to expand. The research involved is very extensive and they are currently working on a project called The Colorado Project, that works toward "Comprehensively Combat Human Trafficking". This project focuses on prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships. It is a very well drawn out project that will hopefully prevent human trafficking from occuring, and to protect and comfort victims. What LCHT could do better in my opinion is to try to advertise more and get people interested in what the cause is for. The more people the better results and advertising is key in a business.

Expectations from LCHT

Two expecations I have for LCHT is to give me a better understanding of how their organization will make the world a better place. I also would like to know what incentive they would give prositutes now a days to stop selling themselves and make money a different way. Hookers will not stop doing what they do unless they can make better money a better way, but unfortunately most women in this position are not well educated which effects their chances at getting a well paid job. If they had some sort of incentive to stop what they are doing to make better money, it could dramatcially increase the amount of human trafficking taken off the street. With this comes a lot of research. For LCHT, I will be putting in multiple hours of research and must come up with ideas for such incentives. Another expectation I have for LCHT is to work on educating more people of their organization in a fun and creative way and teach people why human trafficking needs to be put to rest. Before Gender and Communications, I had no idea what LCHT is, and now I will be spending 15 hours of my life working on making their organization more aware of to the general public. I will also be working on getting people involved.

These expecations come from unknown criteria. I have yet to meet with my organization (March 2nd is my orientation) so I am still running around in the dark. I just expect to make this a life changing experience and I really hope that LCHT will teach me a thing or two about volunteering in general (since I have unfortunately yet to do so) and make me a better person.

Men's and Women's Movements

Ever since I was a little girl, I was told that women at a certain point in time were not allowed the right to vote. It was drilled into my head that men and women’s rights were different and that women were oppressed. It wasn't until later that I dug a little deeper into the root of oppression against women. That's when sexual harassment, unequal opportunities, violence, and other rights were put into play, and realizing that not having the right to vote was not the only disadvantage. But, the fact that women at one point in time were not allowed the privilege to vote, and the Women’s Suffrage Movement changed that logic, is the movement for women that I most identify with. This movement consisted of strong women that refused to back town to unequal rights. There was protesting and picketing, riots, injuries and many arrested women that contributed to this movement and without this, it would have taken much long for women to gain the right to vote, or it possibly could have never happened. This has an impact on me because I am a woman that plans to vote in the future. I have yet to vote but that is because I was late in the game to register, but plan on voting in the next election.

Men surprisingly have plenty of movements themselves. I had never heard of any until I read Chapter 4 in Gendered Lives but I admit I am happily surprised. There are movements that support feminism as well as fighting against violence and sexism. The movement I would identify the most with is the Mythopoetic Men Movement. I found it to be such a breath of fresh air to know that someone somewhere is trying to get men to get in touch with themselves and other men in a way that women would, but in as much of a masculine way as possible. But that’s not a bad thing because they are working on finding the deeper roots of masculine thinking and in hope that they will be able to restore men to their find their sprits and emotions without feeling less of a man. Most men believe that they are not "manly" enough if they show feeling or emotion, and Mythopoetic Men is trying to prove that men showing feeling is not a bad thing and it should be accepted. This has an impact on me because if men could show their true emotions and be able to be sensitive to subjects without judgment, I think males and females would find more peace in the world. Men have such a strong impression that they have to be tough, but they can be both assertive and show emotions when needed to. Speaking for myself as a woman, I think women would like that if men would soften up.

2nd Blog Discussing Chapter 5

After reading chapter five, gender roles and expectations make a lot more sense to me now. Ever since childhood, the games we play revolve around gender role and shape who we become as adults. Since little boys play sports at a young age, they tend to become more adapted to rules and regulations, as well as competition and less communication as opposed to young girls who play house and tea party where no rules are involved and communication is key. Chapter five taught me that men communicate in very little words while women on the other hand want as much detail as possible. This is why men and women have such difficulty communicating at times. Chapter five was a great chapter, and after explaining what I learned to my friends, they found it fasinating the connections that were made.

Gender Expectations

1) The first memory I have with an interaction with my parents and I that communicated expectations of my gender was when I was about 5-6. I remember running up to my parents in tears asking if I was a boy or a girl. They laughed at my question and asked why I would ask such a thing. I said it was because my older sister kept calling me a boy. They calmed me down and told me I was a girl. I play with barbies and wear pretty dresses, and that I do not play with power rangers and swords.

2) The most recent interaction with someone who communicated expectations for my gender was a couple weeks ago at a party for an aquaintences 21st birthday. I didnt know 3/4 of the people there and there was a guy standing by the keg the entire night collecting pitch money. When I walked up I asked for a cup and he said he would charge me $5. I said "WHAT Im a lady!" and he laughed and said he was just kidding and that girls drink for free. He doesnt charge girls. As I recieved my cup I hear some guy say something along the lines of "thats the only perk to being a women". Being a lady I expected to get a cup for free, and I did.