Homework
“The Outrageous Act as Gender Busting: An Experiential Challenge to Gender Roles” by Judy Nolte Temple, Judith McDaniel and Sandra D. Shattuck, University of Arizona
Gender Police!
1. Perform the outrageous act
2. Describe your feelings about being outrageous
3. Recount the reactions of others
4. Analyze the gender scenario they have provoked
Pre action
1. What is the outrageous act?
2. What stereotype are you challenging?
3. What is the setting of your act and who is your audience?
4. What are your expectations?
5. How do you feel, and what do you learn about yourself as you plan the act?
Action
1. Describe the action, reactions of the audience and your feelings?
Post action
1.Did you learn anything more from your own reactions and feelings and those of the audience after you completed the act?
2. What did you learn about yourself, others, and gender stereotypes?
YES to a place where you are a regular
YES to people who know you well
NO partners in crime, NO humiliation or homophobia
Since I feel as though I gender bust everyday of my life, I decided to go with an act that is related to my identity but will be perceived as out of character. My outrageous act led me to growing out my leg and armpit hair because majority, if not all, of my friends would say this out of my character even though I identify as a lesbian, and even more so, my friends would probably stereotype me as “butch.” Nonetheless, I decided to grow out my natural hair because I want to challenge all gender stereotypes not a particular one. With that being said, I am challenging the normalcy of womyn having to shave and appear “smooth” for male counterparts. The setting of my act takes place at my best friend’s house in Tavares. I haven’t seen her, her mom, or my mom for at least 2 months now which has given me optimum time to grow out my hair. Honestly, I am unsure of the reaction of my mom seeing as nothing I say or do affect her these days. But as far as my friend and her family are concerned, I think they will question why I have made this choice especially since according to societal constructions of gender it is not “normal” for a womyn to have hair in these places. I feel comfortable with my gender, my sexuality, and most importantly with myself. I’ve learned that individual’s arbitrary opinions have little to no affect on my well-being.
ReplyDeleteThe action was pretty much just us ladies hanging out by the pool enjoying the weather. Once I dipped in a couple times and decided to dry off is when the audience took notice of my hair. My best friend pretty much told me to go shave because I was looking like a wild beast. Her mother utterly agreed, but I challenged her way of thinking by asking why I should care. Of course she (friend’s mother) told me I could do whatever I wish but it was just not normal for womyn to grow hair on their legs and armpits. My mother had little response to my new love for hair. She just told me to stop playing with my armpit hair (I have a problem with playing with it).
I learned that majority of people are uncomfortable with people who challenge normalcy on a day to day basis. Luckily, my friend, her mom, and my mom are very accepting people and understand why I do not want to shave. Not only did I challenge the stereotypical “smooth” womyn ads portrayed on television and magazines, but I also brought awareness of the class issues associated with shaving. Shaving is an unnecessary expenditure that I am not willing to pay for anymore. A lot of people in the lower caste cannot afford shaving materials because they are priced relatively expensive and are a minute detail in a womyn’s appearance. I no longer want to be a stereotype in a conformist society, and I feel that my gender busting acts raises awareness of the implications the patriarchal system has on womyn and their bodies. When people see something “abnormal” they question it, and I am here to provide an insightful analysis as to why I have chosen to do the acts that I do.
Pre Action
ReplyDeleteI got a tattoo and told my family I want to join the military to fight for our country at my house. This was not a normal act for my character, my parents portrayed me to be the very feminine woman, who would not want a tattoo, not want to join the military, just because I put on make up and wear skirts/dresses. I expect my family to ask me, "Have you lost your mind?"
While planning the act I thought about how fighting for my country would bring me happiness and it would be a learning experience. I respect others who do this, and I'm sure their are plenty of feminine women, who join the army. While doing this Outrageous Act, I was nervous to hear what my parents would say and think. Since they're so outspoken, and critical of me.
Action
I was correct in the analysis that my parents were not supportive of me joining the army and took my car keys away because of my tattoo. My father said "you do not need to leave the house and make more irrational decisions, that you're going to regret." My father was eating while I was telling them about my future plans, and he almost choked on his food. My mother looked at me with shame and asked me if I'm feeling okay.
My family asked me where I got these ideas and plans from, who is telling me to do these stupid things. These horrible things they said, hurt me because I thought that my family is very supportive of me..
Post Action
I learned that I am perceived in a certain way and my family does not look beyond their narrow borders. It should not matter if I wanted to join the army, they should support me for anything that makes me happy.
I also saw how difficult it is for women to join the army, they are always being stereotyped as being not strong enough compared to a man. Also they believe men are more likely to succeed, for instance why are their so many men as generals in the army, instead of women generals?
My outrageous act was putting a "press-on tattoo" on the top of my foot and going to dinner with my parents. I have one brother who is the COMPLETE opposite of me. My parents would definately expect him to randomly get a tattoo, but would NEVER think twice about me doing something like that, so I knew that my mom would lose it the second she saw it. The best part was that about two weeks before this, my brother got his first tattoo so it I could compare the two reactions.
ReplyDeleteI proceeded to act completely normal at dinner, keeping on with the regular conversation. It took about thirty seconds of me walking to the refrigerator to get water for my mom to notice what was on the top of my foot. She lost it. "Excuse me, what is that Diandra?!", she screamed. Of couse, I kept completely calm replying with, "I wanted to get a tattoo, Mom". She threatened to cut me off, take my car away and stop paying for my cell phone bill, all because I got a tattoo and she would never expect that from her extremely girly daugter who has never once mentioned the desire to get a tattoo. In comparison to when my brother got his first tattoo that took over the entire right side of his body and she still has yet to look at it. She just "doesn't want to talk about it". Just because of the way he looks and it is expected more and yes, I guess you could say he is a little more "hardcore" than me, why does that make it ok?
Even when it came to my own mother, I saw that there was a double standard between the two of us.
Good efforts Diandra, Nicole and Alla. Taking your exercise at home (with family) is a brave thing to do. You don't always find good feedback on your actions at home but there is where we are most vulnerable.
ReplyDelete