ANYWAY, this week’s readings and course content (alongside this weather) have left me feeling generally cynical. If there’s anything I’ve taken from this week’s material, it’s a reaffirmation that, unfortunately, people tend to be seemingly inherently manipulative, with selfish tendencies driven by their own agendas (at least in my observations). As I mentioned before, this is me in my most cynical of mindsets. I tend to be unrealistically optimistic, but just noticing subtle acts of manipulation such as those present in the material reminds me that people will do whatever they feel necessary to get what they want, even if their intentions are relatively harmless.
Regarding our reading materials, I would consider Pozner’s article on feminist media literacy to be helpful to most WGST newbies, but it was somewhat redundant to me personally, as I was taught to filter information in this manner last semester in one of my WGST classes. In my opinion, ignorance truly is bliss. Once you train yourself to read into even the subtlest, seemingly harmless of messages through a skeptical, overly perceptive perspective or lense such as those which Pozner described, the world becomes a much uglier place, and suddenly everything has the ability to piss you off enormously, at least in my experience. Thanks, feminism!
I felt this way early on in chapter two of Dubious Conceptions. Luker points out that all of our notions and presumptions attached to adolescent childbearing are mistaken…so why, then, would hers be an exception? The information and research she’s compiled for us may be factual, but it’s also been manipulated (word-of-the-day) in a way that works in her and her personal agenda’s favor (but, in a way, we all practice this. Human nature?) Though I realize she’s challenging us not to take information for what it is, whether it regards teen pregnancy or otherwise, I’d like to suggest that we use these same media literacy tools to decipher her work as well.
Most of my other notes primarily regard this same chapter in Dubious Conceptions. I had a really difficult time finding anything terribly fascinating and non-repetitive in any of our other articles or even in Kailyn’s episode of 16 & Pregnant (though I did find an article to share with you regarding the show’s spin-off/MTV’s suspected “hidden agenda”, and the general disconcern for any consistency in the messages they send as a network for the sake of making a dime).
I found the issue of age versus bastardy interesting. The Puritan preference towards the age/number attached to the parent, rather than the quality of parenting and whether or not the child was born out of wedlock left a funny taste in my mouth; I realized that this is one of many sets of ideals that make up a relatively corrupt, intolerant foundation for our country. Also, the term “filius nullis” (literally and legally “child of no one”, which essentially regarded innocent children as orphans and marginalized them before they could even speak) held implications that have evolved into issues still salient today, that a child born out of wedlock would become a public, economic burden to society; an attitude that I would argue has perpetuated much of society’s feelings towards teen pregnancy today.
Finally, I found the concept/original aim of the common law marriage pretty hilarious, and again, still very relevant even in today’s context. The idea that marriage (in any form) is both necessary for a successful upbringing and that it’s in the best interest for all (even if it’s forced or of miserable quality) is funny, yet we still see it happening today (quick marriage = quick fix?) All in all, this chapter really made me think critically about how I feel about the government’s involvement in the family, and made me consider whether marriage is something that I really want to be associated with my future partnerships.
Thanks for wading through my irritated rambling. Here’s the link to the Teen Mom article. Comment, stay warm, and enjoy!
-Maddie Byrne
-Maddie Byrne
Yes, I completely agree.
ReplyDeleteIt might be acceptable to some to condone a common law marriage, but even 2 people who have been together for 20 years (Cory and Topanga!) if they decide (or not decide) to have a baby, is it still acceptable to not be married? This is true of every most couples, isn't it? It's twice as much for teen parents.
These teen moms have the pressure of being a mother as well as everyone watching them and for some to hold steadfast to "you need to marry the father!" But would these teen dads on the show really be a good husband? Half of them aren't good dads, but will it really make everything okkey dokkey smookey if they got married and raised the kid together? I think the best example is Amber and Gary. They "were" living together and "were supposed" to take care of their daughter (I say were because um... Amber. Enough said). Being a united front in raising their daughter together isn't working out so well.
why get married if you don't have to? And a baby is not a good enough excuse to get married.
We are pre-conditioned to believe we will eventually end up with a guy and start of family. And if it is the other way around we are expected to "fix" it by a shotgun wedding in hopes people will see past the "bastard" child (as you put it and I agree). The sad thing is they do see past it. As long as you are married before the damn kid is born it is okay...well sort of. People choose to forget about the premarital sex because now this baby will have a father and a mother. But wouldn't he/she have both a father and mother even without them being married?
I sort of have the same view...
ReplyDeleteAs being raised Catholic, I do believe in marriage. I think that a stable relationship is important for a child to grow up with. These days, however, are completely different than say the 50s. One does not even have to consider marriage. In my mind the first thing I think when someone is pregnant is "are they getting married?" Now days most people only ask the question, "is she keeping the baby?" The father does not have to be a factor in this decision. Marriage is not and should not be required these days, a stable relationship is all a child really needs. Whether the father is in the picture or not, stability is key. The parents should not get married if they are not in it for the long haul, as the first comment said about Gary and Amber. They kept fighting and there was absolutely no reason for them to get married other than they had a baby together. They seem to be better parents apart from eachother than together.
Teen mothers are faced with so many decisions these days. Should they keep the baby? Should they get married? Should they move out and start a new life? In the cases of the MTV show, most of the teens do not even have the option to move out. With that I really do not think alot of them even think of marriage. Also I have noticed that with a few exceptions all of the mothers' seemed to want the fathers participation, and for the most part the fathers actually took a role in the babys life.
All in all, alot of the teenagers today have only grown up with single parents and are more independant than ever. I do not think marriage is a pre-conditioned thought anymore for most people. For the older generations maybe, but for teens these days it does not even apply to half of them with having single or divorced parents raising them. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, independance is great for teens, but this is why there are so many teen pregnancys now compared to back when.
Don't forget to sign your names! Or else I cannot grade you!
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
Along with the previous comment, I was born and raised catholic too. Growing up in a Barrington, IL all my life, I have been surrounded by extreme competition for education, sports, and success. Therefore, teen pregnancy was not an option and looked down upon. As a child, I was raised to to believe that a marriage was between a man and a woman and that a newborn was only acceptable after a couple made a commitment to each other after marriage. Back then, teen pregnancy was the norm and teenage woman strived to commit to a husband early on in their lives. Now, with education being so crucial for a successful career many people have postponed relationships and families because of the bar that has been set for a successful lifestyle. On the show teen mom, many of the single moms question the thought of a marriage and whether or not their boyfriend will want to commit to them and their child for the rest of their lives. Although there are many people out there who have grown up with single parents, I am a strong believer that having a father and mother while growing up is extremely important. I myself, am extremely lucky that both my parents have been happily married for almost thirty years. I could not even imagine not having one or the other while growing up. As parents, both genders bring two different roles to a child's life. My dad for instance is a great role model and has provided me with love and strength. My dad has always been looked at as a protector and a guide for instruction. On the other-hand, my mother has always provided me with security and advice. That's why I get really upset while watching shows like teen mom. First, a lot of the children on the show are being aired without any consent. When these children grow up, It will be interesting to see what they think of the show themselves. What also makes me upset is the fact that almost all of the relationships on the show have failed miserably. Are they trying to persuade America that teen pregnancy is a failure? That's the difference I see with teen pregnancy from now and back then. When a woman got pregnant back then, it was an immediate reason to get married a pursue a family. Now, if a woman gets pregnant its a reason to be labeled a "slut". After watching Kailyn's episode of teen pregnancy it kind of backs up this point. For one, Kailyn gets pregnant with her boyfriends child. Then, Kailyn moves in with her boyfriend. THEN, Kailyn goes on another date with another man while still living with her boyfriend. To me, this is completely unacceptable. From my point of view, people need to start being more educated when having sex. If woman started to take more birth control and if men decided to use more protection then more children would be living healthier lifestyles. Call me crazy, but I have yet to see an episode where the child has lived a good lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteOlivia Arns