Blog 2

A new concept for me from Hooks' centered around her idea about the father figure and how he is not allowed to express love. She tied in her personal childhood which involved her striving to gain her dad's attention and approval. I do feel that when a father doesn't serve as a strong
backbone of encouragement and provide love to the childrenthere is conflict. For me she shined light on the fact that men in general don't express their feelings so that when they do everyone around them shows an overvalue of it. While Hooks made very valid points, I got the impression that she has displaced a lot of her personal family experiences and mixed them with stereotypes to create a scewed image of all men. I did find it interesting that while identifying herself as "an enlightened feminist",Hooks admitted to not being okay with her partner revealing any kind of emotional vulnerability. I also consider myself a feminist yet I can relate with having experiences where I am mad at guys for showing signs of instability and weakness. This truly is contradictory of me and hits at the roots of our cultural expectations. Through this I realized how even my thoughts are influenced by our the standards of society. In Johnson's writing I found a new perspective on the system of patriarchy. He explained it as a collection of
individuals, more specifically men though it isn't only reduced to those participating in it. I liked the connection he made between patriarchy and a corporation and how both involve a bigger picture than most realize. I really liked how Johnson went back to correct negative words
associated with women, such as "witch", "bitch", and "virgin". Three words that have become so contorted to mean completely different things in today's world.I had never heard of the original meanings. From Kivel's piece I really enjoyed learning about the "Act Like a Man" Box. I do see this playing out in everyday life and how there is a need for acceptance into the box and once a
position within it is earned membership is held excusively for men, no women allowed. I found it uplifting that Kivel stated that the confinements of the box really are avoidable and how it's really up to men to decide whether or not they want to conform to it. Looking back on my past I can see how my dad raised my brother and I differently. Such a simple act like wearing nail polish was acceptable for me but when my older brother wanted my mom to paint his nails too she used clear nail polish because she knew my dad would reject the idea. In general my dad has always had different expectations for each of us and I feel a lot of this goes back to his own raising. While my dad didn't disencourage my brother's emotions he does manage to instillvery "manly" qualities in him.