Day 4 - 68 -- Juxtaposed Celebrations

Yesterday was International Women's Day with the theme Be Bold for Change. Businesses around town and on campus had free coffee for women yesterday -- a nice gesture, but it seemed odd to me. It was recognition, but with a heavy overtone of marketing when I read through the notice. It might be that I am a bit sensitized to the subtleties (and less subtle aspects) of marketing, branding and advertising. It is a major part of my research interest after all <smile>.  This international day can be a focal point for the ongoing advocacy needed for equity between sexes, so I'm certainly not advocating for ignoring the day. Maybe I'm just feeling jaded due to all the fatigue of late. There definitely is room for more commitment to pay equity, reduction of gendered violence, and many other aspects of societal inequities. I've brought this up in classes when discussing equity to discover that many young people feel that the inequities were 'fixed' decades ago. Learning the facts about salary, violence, and poverty discrepancies between sexes surprises them. They understand that not all countries are as privileged as our own, but are genuinely surprised to learn of the situation in their own backyards. So this annual day to emphasize the differences that still exist and celebrate the changes that have occurred really does make sense to me.

Waking today to hear that it was the 58th anniversary of the introduction of the Barbie doll brought a major sigh. I was struck by the irony of the two days -- International Women's Day and Barbie's birthday -- falling one day after the other. Yes, I did have a related type doll as a young child, yet my dislike springs from the problematic nature of what the toy represents to the status of women. Whether the dolls come in different body types or career costumes, the underlying message is still somewhat demeaning to females and males. Expectations of women's roles in real life are limited by the nature of this and similar toys. Psychological research has shown a strong link with negative body image of girls, teens and women. The roles of women are not broadened in the minds of those playing with such toys.

The farcical aspects of the global toy birthday today made me think of a song. <smile>  This version is different from the one we may know better. It has a hint of farce along with superiority and condescension -- all attitudes encountered with the themes of celebrations yesterday and today. Enjoy!

Barbara Ann -- The Who