While browsing through some articles in the New York Times, I noticed several that dealt with age. As a matter of fact, one was entitled "Age Becomes the New Race and Gender". The articles were comparing the ages of former U.S. presidents to the ages of the two presidential candidates, the age gap between the two candidates, and what effect it would have on the results of the election.
Anyway, the articles reminded me of a problem I have been dealing with at work for the past several weeks. As a golf professional, I am responsible for the operation of the golf shop and golf course and the supervision of all employees associated with it. The employees range in age from approximately 17-60. My age is 22. I have the respect of all the employees except for two. Namely, the youngest and the eldest. The youngest lacks respect because we are close in age and appears to be somewhat immature and the eldest feels that since she is older than I am and has worked there longer, she should be in charge. She continually barks orders at me in a very rude and disrespectful manner and becomes annoyed when I don't do what she orders. I have told her tactfully, on several occasions, who is in charge and that we work as a team. Being tactful is becoming very difficult! However, I have taken steps with the GM to resolve this problem.
Although I am only 22 years old, I have the credentials and the ability to perform this job. Even though this employee is older than I am and has worked there longer, she does not hold the same credentials as I do. Therefore, she is not qualified for this position. Age is not a factor. And now that I have vented, thank you....lol!
It is a shame how society has become so stereotyped. "Relying on stereotypes can lead us to overlook important qualities of individuals and to perceive them only in terms of what we consider common to a general category"(Wood, p. 123).
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Comment to Jason's Week #6 Post
Jason,
You are exactly right. People today lead such busy lives that they seem to get consumed in their own world. Everything and everyone else tend to be on the outside of this world and it is usually their children, family, or friends that are affected the most. It seems like they are taken for granted and put at the bottom of the individual's to do list. Spending time with children, family, and friends should not be taken for granted. As the saying goes, "we hurt the ones we love the most". Everyone needs to slow down and readjust their priorities, putting their children at the top of their list. Using your example, Jason---would you want your child raised by 50 cent or Paris Hilton?
You are exactly right. People today lead such busy lives that they seem to get consumed in their own world. Everything and everyone else tend to be on the outside of this world and it is usually their children, family, or friends that are affected the most. It seems like they are taken for granted and put at the bottom of the individual's to do list. Spending time with children, family, and friends should not be taken for granted. As the saying goes, "we hurt the ones we love the most". Everyone needs to slow down and readjust their priorities, putting their children at the top of their list. Using your example, Jason---would you want your child raised by 50 cent or Paris Hilton?
Thursday, June 12, 2008
John K said...
Glenn,Very good post! I have heard of this custom before. I studied it in high school. It is a horrific custom that should be stopped. How can this even be considered a custom?I found an article on the internet (cnsnews.com) that stated in 1979 the Chinese government adapted a one-child policy in an attempt to slow down the rapid population growth. Under this policy parents are routinely steralized and fined if they have more than one child. As a result, many parents, aware they will only have one child to care for them in their old age, want that child to be a son. Consequently, those who can afford it have the child screened in the womb, then abort girls. Those who cannot afford it, give birth and abandon the girls or leave them to die.There was another case in which "family planning" officials had killed an unauthorized baby in front of the parents. The parents already had a child and the woman became pregnant again. "Having botched an attempt to induce an abortion "family planning" officials ordered the father to kill the newborn baby". The father tried to hide the baby but he was eventually found. "Family planning" officials drowned the baby in a rice paddy in front of the parents. This policy has been relaxed in some areas allowing the parents to have a second child in return for paying more than a year's wages as a fee.There are several stories such as these that are even disturbing to read. How can anyone with a conscience do this?
June 12, 2008 7:34 PM
Glenn,Very good post! I have heard of this custom before. I studied it in high school. It is a horrific custom that should be stopped. How can this even be considered a custom?I found an article on the internet (cnsnews.com) that stated in 1979 the Chinese government adapted a one-child policy in an attempt to slow down the rapid population growth. Under this policy parents are routinely steralized and fined if they have more than one child. As a result, many parents, aware they will only have one child to care for them in their old age, want that child to be a son. Consequently, those who can afford it have the child screened in the womb, then abort girls. Those who cannot afford it, give birth and abandon the girls or leave them to die.There was another case in which "family planning" officials had killed an unauthorized baby in front of the parents. The parents already had a child and the woman became pregnant again. "Having botched an attempt to induce an abortion "family planning" officials ordered the father to kill the newborn baby". The father tried to hide the baby but he was eventually found. "Family planning" officials drowned the baby in a rice paddy in front of the parents. This policy has been relaxed in some areas allowing the parents to have a second child in return for paying more than a year's wages as a fee.There are several stories such as these that are even disturbing to read. How can anyone with a conscience do this?
June 12, 2008 7:34 PM
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Class Business Post Week #5
This time of year is a busy time for graduations, weddings, etc. The past two weekends I attended an anniversary celebration and my parents hosted a family barbeque, except this time I spent some time observing and listening. When I recall other family gatherings I've attended, I realized that what I observed and heard at these two affairs was something that has always existed, but I was never so aware of it.
As the guests arrived, it was interesting to see how they took their places. The women congregated on one side and the men on the other. I did notice, though, that the separation was more apparent of the older generation than the younger. However, the younger crowd did separate when the boys began to toss a football and the girls retrieved to conversation. "Women tend to see closeness as sharing themselves and their lives through personal communication and men more typically create closeness by sharing particular activities and interests" (Wood, p. 217).
Most of the conversation among the crowd was the typical male/female conversations although my mother got into quite a discussion about male/female equality brought on by the fact that my father is a chef and does most of the cooking at home as well. The gentlemen she was talking to was very adamant about his wife doing all the cooking and housework. He insists that she (who also has a full-time job) have a complete meal on the table when he arrives home from work. My mother argued the point that if it was necessary for her to work there was nothing wrong with him sharing other responsibilities with his wife. He, however, did not see her point and insisted that it was a woman's job to take care of her husband the the house.
I thought this was an excellent example of gender roles and how gender is learned. "From infancy on, we are encouraged to learn how to embody the gender that society prescribes for us" (Wood, p. 24). My parents have known this couple for a long time and told me that this gentlemen was raised in this manner. His father was the same way. "By observing parents, children of heterosexuals often learn the roles socially prescribed for women and men" (Wood, p. 171). If this is how a person was raised, it is sometimes very difficult to change. What surprised me was that this gentlemen is not from a generation that upholds strict male/female roles. But, it all goes back to the fact that gender is learned.
As the guests arrived, it was interesting to see how they took their places. The women congregated on one side and the men on the other. I did notice, though, that the separation was more apparent of the older generation than the younger. However, the younger crowd did separate when the boys began to toss a football and the girls retrieved to conversation. "Women tend to see closeness as sharing themselves and their lives through personal communication and men more typically create closeness by sharing particular activities and interests" (Wood, p. 217).
Most of the conversation among the crowd was the typical male/female conversations although my mother got into quite a discussion about male/female equality brought on by the fact that my father is a chef and does most of the cooking at home as well. The gentlemen she was talking to was very adamant about his wife doing all the cooking and housework. He insists that she (who also has a full-time job) have a complete meal on the table when he arrives home from work. My mother argued the point that if it was necessary for her to work there was nothing wrong with him sharing other responsibilities with his wife. He, however, did not see her point and insisted that it was a woman's job to take care of her husband the the house.
I thought this was an excellent example of gender roles and how gender is learned. "From infancy on, we are encouraged to learn how to embody the gender that society prescribes for us" (Wood, p. 24). My parents have known this couple for a long time and told me that this gentlemen was raised in this manner. His father was the same way. "By observing parents, children of heterosexuals often learn the roles socially prescribed for women and men" (Wood, p. 171). If this is how a person was raised, it is sometimes very difficult to change. What surprised me was that this gentlemen is not from a generation that upholds strict male/female roles. But, it all goes back to the fact that gender is learned.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Comment to Tom's Blog - Week #4
John K said...
Tom,If I had a friend in this situation I probably would have had the same reaction as the other guys---"nice", "cool", etc. However, I would have also told him to stop and think about the message he is conveying to the woman. Ask, "How serious is this relationship?". Tell him to look at it from a woman's point of view. A gift like this can mean more than "happy birthday". There are other nice gifts (including jewelery) that don't convey the same message. "Differences in interpretation are the source of much misunderstanding between people" (Wood, p. 35).
June 6, 2008 12:54 AM
Tom,If I had a friend in this situation I probably would have had the same reaction as the other guys---"nice", "cool", etc. However, I would have also told him to stop and think about the message he is conveying to the woman. Ask, "How serious is this relationship?". Tell him to look at it from a woman's point of view. A gift like this can mean more than "happy birthday". There are other nice gifts (including jewelery) that don't convey the same message. "Differences in interpretation are the source of much misunderstanding between people" (Wood, p. 35).
June 6, 2008 12:54 AM
Comment to Tiffany's Blog - Week #3
I would also have to agree. Although this title is an attention grabber, it is offensive and demeaning to women.Our society today has put so much emphasis on how we look. In fact, "for many young women in America, the body has become an all-consuming project--one that takes precedence over all others" (Wood, p. 152). For some it is a constant battle. We are either too fat or too skinny and society seems to have a name for everyone. Hence, the title of the book. I know the author entitled this book to grasp the attention of readers, but I'm sure another title would have been more appropriate as well as noticeable.
May 30, 2008 1:26 PM
May 30, 2008 1:26 PM
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Class Business Post Week #4
This course has made me increasingly aware of the many stereotypes that exist. Some time ago my mother had gone with my grandmother for a doctor visit. My grandmother is 84, healthy, drives, and is very capable of going places on her own. The only reason she asked my mother to go along this time was because she was seeing a new doctor in a location she was not familiar with. When they arrived, my grandmother filled out the necessary papers and when called in she asked my mother to come along. When the doctor entered, he immediately began talking to my mother and questioning her about the reason for my grandmother's visit, what medications she was taking, etc. He immediately assumed that because of my grandmother's age, she was not capable of understanding. However, my mother (becoming very annoyed at his assumption) proceeded to tell the doctor that he could direct all his questions to my grandmother who is very capable of understanding. "Relying on stereotypes can lead us to overlook important qualities of individuals and to perceive them only in terms of what we consider common to a general category" (Wood, p. 123). My mother felt angry for how the doctor approached the situation and treated my grandmother in this manner only because she is elderly.
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