SEXISM

Chat with a neighbor: what is one thing these images made you think of in a new or different way?

“Because I am a woman, I must make unusual efforts to succeed. If I fail, no one will say, ‘She doesn't have what it takes.’ They will say, ‘Women don't have what it takes.’” -Clare Boothe Luce (writer, politician, first female ambassador)

“I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a door mat or a prostitute.” -Rebecca West, author and public intellectual, in "Mr Chesterton in Hysterics: A Study in Prejudice," The Clarion, 14 Nov 1913, reprinted in The Young Rebecca, 1982

Feminism is the radical notion that women are people. -Cheris Kramarae and Paula Treichler I've yet to be on a campus where most women weren't worrying about some aspect of combining marriage, children, and a career. I've yet to find one where many men were worrying about the same thing. -Gloria Steinem

I listen to feminists and all these radical gals - most of them are failures. They've blown it. Some of them have been married, but they married some Casper Milquetoast who asked permission to go to the bathroom. These women just need a man in the house. That's all they need. Most of the feminists need a man to tell them what time of day it is and to lead them home. And they blew it and they're mad at all men. Feminists hate men. They're sexist. They hate men - that's their problem. -Jerry Falwell [Feminism is] a socialist, anti-family, political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians. -Pat Robertson

Chat with a neighbor: what do you think about feminism? How would you define it and do you think of yourself as a feminist?

1960s: Women’s Liberation Movement Many doors opened to women – achievements that we may take for granted (equal pay, equality between wives and husbands, work options) But sexism still exists...Right? What are current examples of sexism?

Sexism Sexism: Ingrained attitudes that lead to hurting people simply because they are women or men; discrimination and injustice based on gender. Both men and women can experience sexism; either way, it harms both genders. Patriarchy: When social power rests in the hands of a select group of men. The Church’s view: men and women are not just physically different because sexuality affects “all aspects of the human person.” The male and female are complementary and equal.

Chat with a neighbor: 1. Have you ever been treated differently, either favorably or negatively, because of your gender? 2. Do you treat people differently based on gender?

Jesus and Women: Equality, Empowerment, Hope!

Chat with a neighbor: What are your thoughts about Jesus’ interaction with and treatment of women? What about the Catholic Church’s teaching about women, sexism, and gender discrimination?

Feminization of Poverty – Women and the children dependent on them make up the largest percentage of people living in poverty. – 70% of people who live in poverty are women and girls – Women: Earn less than men Jobs labeled “women’s work” usually pay less (secretaries, childcare workers, etc.) The “Glass Ceiling”: barriers that women face in moving up or being promoted to a higher-level job Rising number of single-mother households: many receive no support from fathers; left to care for children. Men already have an advantage over women in terms of getting work (because they are men) but women with children are even worse off.

The Power Gap – In the U.S, men still dominate positions of power (no female president, few women senators, governors, and cabinet members) even though women have voted since 1920 and are the majority of voters. – Not just in government, but in many areas of life (women: elementary school teachers; men: professors). Both jobs are important, but society often does not value the positions women tend to hold as much (less authority, less money). – Changes: women now outnumber men in law schools, med schools, and colleges. Some fear that boys lag behind. – Goal: collaboration, not domination of either gender

Sexism Pyramid Sexist terms, “marked” language showing female as exception to male “norm” Sexual Harassment Dehumanization of women Objectification of women violence against women domestic & stranger abuse Rape Murder …women as children (babe, chick) “Dragons and Lady Dragons” female executive, male nurse, …Media Images in magazines, ads, T.V.; sexist jokes, pornography … stares, whistles and catcalls, aggressive and intrusive yells, touching, grabbing, … psychological pressure, physical control domination/humiliation/control, sexual harassment on the job …Sexual Assault, threats, date rape, stranger rape, sexualized murder, human sex trafficking ActionsComments/Examples:

Chat with a neighbor: Do you think that what seem like “small” stereotypes lead to violence? Why or why not?

Relationship Violence – Abuse is frequently noticed in hospitals, but often is not reported. – Some say the cover-up is due to the patriarchal mindset of everyone involved (that it’s OK for boys to act aggressively towards girls). – Domestic Violence: relationship violence that occurs within families – Lack of mutuality and equality seems to lead to violence between people.

Homosexuality (pp ) The scientific community believes that homosexuality is not a choice and thus the church teaches there is no reason for persons to try to change from their natural state. Homosexual persons are called to live “lives of self-mastery,” as all persons are called to live a chaste life. Chastity means integrating one’s thoughts, feelings and actions in the area of human sexuality, in a way that values and respects one’s own dignity and that of others.

Homosexuality Continued Homophobia is fear of homosexual persons. Stereotypes of homosexuals are false, unhelpful assumptions. Always Our Children: U.S. Catholic Bishop’s document that urges parents and church ministers to accept, respect, welcome, support, and provide pastoral care to homosexual persons.

Chat with a neighbor: Have you ever witnessed discrimination of homosexuals? How might our society work to accept, respect, welcome, support, and provide pastoral care to homosexual persons?