Coming to an End

Witnessing and having a hands-on experience is how i chose to complete my project this semester. I love shopping  and I thought, what is a better, more efficient way for me to see how feminism works in modern-day society? Women have been seen as inferior to men, and that is certainly not something new. As I walked through malls and various stores, I really hoped I would see or rather hear discriminatory remarks or actions against women and look at how those women reacted. One occurrence that really opened my eyes was when I went into the Apple store. The people who work there are extremely helpful and resourceful  although I found that a statement said by on the the workers irritating. I listened to how this man simply asked a women if she needed help and whether she needed assistance or not, when right after I saw him go up to a man who just walked in and said, "Yea, you know what you're doing..right"? - assuming that the man had everything under control and already knew what he needed. This was only one instance, but from a popular store like this, I thought they would treat opposite genders more equally, especially when there is a numerous amount of women who work there. By the process of seeing for myself how feminism works in our society, I learned that this is an on-going process that may never end. I strongly believe and know that women as a whole have come a tremendous way, but how much longer are we going to have to put up with this? Looking back on this experiment, I do wish that I knew more about this in the past and could have pointed it out  as I grew up, but I am so happy I chose a topic that I am passionate about and that I could do further research on. 

Conclusions from last weekend..

This past weekend, my dad and I paid a visit to "Dick's Sporting Goods". After going throughout the store, walking through the kayak section, boot section, clothes section, etc. I noticed that there were no women answering questions or interacting with the costumers,  they were only present behind the counter checking out items as cashiers. I thought it was sexist due to the fact that if women are as knowledgeable as the men in these certain sports presented in the store, why not have them answering questions and interacting? It definitely bothered me, and made me wonder. There were only two women I saw at that store, meanwhile there were numerous men wondering around waiting to assist customers. I am going to the mall this weekend, and plan to continue my observations! 

Ready to Begin

Next weekend I will finally start my observations. Besides going into some stores by myself, I want to also go in with my dad or male cousins. I chose to do this because I want to see which one of us gets asked if we need help finding anything, myself or the guy I am  with. I plan to keep an eye out to see if there are any other females in the store and notice if they have any females working in the stores listed below. I am still going to use my phone to take notes on so I blend in rather than stick out with a notebook and pen, and, I plan to go sometime in the afternoon/evening. Excited to finally start! 

Seeing how Feminism Lives Itself!

It's research time! 
  I plan to observe how women of their own are looked at in male-dominated areas/stores. I want to see how people are treated, and if they were looked at with question. I also, would put myself in that situation to see on a first-hand basis. I chose to do this to really observe how feminism is lived in today's society. I plan to start my observations on Black Friday! And continue to carry it out for a few weeks to get a complete understanding in all different areas. Especially  since salespeople will want to sell their products and appeal to their usual customers. I suppose that I will be going sometime in the afternoon/night when these stores (which I listed in my previous post) would be most busy; to see if I myself get any attention from the workers there. I'll be taking account on my cell phone so I will not actually look like I'm observing people. I'm excited to see how things turn out! 

Research Method on Feminism

For this particular project, I believe that by going out and seeing how this issue lives itself if the best way to see in present day what is truly happening. I plan to go to various male-oriented stores or male sections of different stores, such as Home Depot, Gamestop, Dick's Sporting Goods, etc. I also want to go to certain stores in which appeal to females, and compare how I get treated in both. I am a single girl, so in other words I do not have a boyfriend or husband where it would be more explainable in why I am in the men sections or in men stores. 

Women Dress for Success!

This program gives women another chance. If they were abused in any way, this non-profit organization helps women get back on their feet if at any time in their lives they were treated unfairly. This program asks for donations for clothing so women looking for jobs can have the right outfit, because we all know that especially in job interviews, people judge on appearance. This organization has helped over 200 women and 60 % of them returned for another suit, meaning they got jobs! Women still get mistreated, although there is help for them because everyone should be treated equally no matter what. 

I strongly believe in this program and thank all the women who try to help other women. No one should be treated unjustly and I love how people choose to help those who have been hurt in the past. You go ladies! 

This is the article to read more and get involved! http://www.stls.frb.org/publications/br/articles/?id=1076

In the Media

  The show Surivior, is a reality show that has been on since 2000. It consists of sixteen competitors of all different nationalities, of both male and female. They are on a secluded island for 39 days, where they have challenges and must fight for their survival in the game. The ultimate prize is to win 1 million dollars and the struggle to get to the end is both demanding and competitive. 

  In this episode, I noticed evident discrimination against women in competitions and even at their camp grounds. Men exclude girls left and right on this show, and in this particular episode, the men dominate their tribe and say to one of the other competitors which is a woman that she cannot compete in it because the men do not believe that she is physically fit enough. They have not even let this girl compete in previous competitions at all whatsoever, so they are basically judging on the fact that she is a girl and believe that is is not capable of the tasks asked of her. Why not give her a chance? Obviously the men do not think that she is even worthy of that..

Click here for the episode!  http://www.cbs.com/shows/survivor/video/