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July 4, 2009: Freedom Marches On...
Happy Independence Day! Between fireworks and backyard barbeques, we must take time today to think about our soldiers abroad. They are risking their lives so that people in other countries can experience the same freedoms we take for granted everyday. Some of these men and women have given the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of this goal. Those, who have been so faithful in their service, must not be forgotten. These men and women are our sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers.
Independence Day means more to me now than any previous July 4th, as my own brother, Nick, is in Iraq diligently and bravely completing his service. I am proud of him and all of our soldiers. For their incredible service we say, thank you.
Independence Day means more to me now than any previous July 4th, as my own brother, Nick, is in Iraq diligently and bravely completing his service. I am proud of him and all of our soldiers. For their incredible service we say, thank you.
More Than Just a Pretty Face?
So, Sarah Palin just stepped down as governor of Alaska....I find it interesting that she is back in the spotlight given the enthusiasm with which Kate Obenshain spoke about her at the recent NeW conference. The New York Times hints that Mrs. Palin is resigning because she is a Presidential hopeful for 2012. Is Palin someone we should keep our eyes on? For me, the jury is still out on whether or not Sarah Palin will be an asset to her party, but I will definitely be watching.....
Speaking of conservative ladies, my little sister alerted me to a little article in the Washington Times about "glamorous" conservative women. It is wonderful to see the category of "conservative women" not only acknowledged but also represented in a positive light!
We Remember
Tomorrow marks the 233rd anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The 56 signers became the front line defenders of the right of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Not only did these men stake their honor and livelihoods for American freedom, many of these men sacrificed so much more.
Of this group of men, five were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes burned to the ground. Two lost sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, and two more had sons captured. Nine fought and died in the Revolutionary War. These amazing, self-giving sacrifices are why we have our freedoms today.
For many people, this day is a time for gathering with family and friends for a cookout and sparklers. But for members of our armed forces on active duty, this celebration cannot take place. These men and women are the heroes who protect the basic rights the Founding Fathers fought for 233 years ago. So, while tomorrow is a day to gather with family and friends, it is also a time to remember just how much it takes to keep our freedom secure.
I hope sometime tomorrow you are able to take the time to reflect on the sacrifices the 56 signers made and the men and women serving make today.
—Kathleen
Of this group of men, five were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes burned to the ground. Two lost sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, and two more had sons captured. Nine fought and died in the Revolutionary War. These amazing, self-giving sacrifices are why we have our freedoms today.
For many people, this day is a time for gathering with family and friends for a cookout and sparklers. But for members of our armed forces on active duty, this celebration cannot take place. These men and women are the heroes who protect the basic rights the Founding Fathers fought for 233 years ago. So, while tomorrow is a day to gather with family and friends, it is also a time to remember just how much it takes to keep our freedom secure.
I hope sometime tomorrow you are able to take the time to reflect on the sacrifices the 56 signers made and the men and women serving make today.
—Kathleen
Hooking up: Empowering or Not?
I have often wondered exactly what constitutes a hookup nowadays. Whenever I hear, “so and so hooked up with so and so…” I respond with the expected curiosity, but I really do not know where a “hookup” falls on the physical relationship spectrum. I know that makes me sound about 20 years older than I actually am, but I feel that the term can be used to classify just about anything. In an article by Brenda Wilson hooking up is described as an activity performed by young people who are not actively pursuing a commitment,
That is essentially how I had always thought of it. But, a shift in cultural norms is also discussed in this article. In the past, women and men dated and eventually this dating could lead to sexual activities, but in our, “oh so reckless,” hookup culture,
What is so bad about dating? When did it become such a burden to actually get to know someone before you let them slip their tongue down your throat… or hands up you shirt… or skirt… or whatever actually happens when two people “hookup.” The article goes on to explain just how vague the term, "hookup," can be,
According to some of the women interviewed for this article, the vagueness of the term is what makes hooking up so great,
I am sorry, maybe I am just old fashioned, but nothing about the ambiguity associated with the phrase makes me comfortable. Someone could get the VERY wrong impression if I said I “hooked up” with someone, meaning “light making out,” and their impression of hooking up is sex! Sorry Charlie, way too much room for interpretation.
The article went on to explain how prioritizing between a career and a social life played a part in determining how relationships were handled. In the minds of many women and men today, marriage seems very undesirable and a hindrance to success. Marriage also seems to reflect a lack of independence and kept young people from pursuing careers and advanced degrees. This seems especially to be the case for women.
Hooking up might be the nonchalant way to have your cake and eat it, too. But, what about the dangers that the participants face to their health by taking part in such irresponsible sexual activities? This is what one interviewee had to say about that,
Is that really the response we should have to this issue? This article begs the question, is the hookup culture empowering or is it destroying the ability to form meaningful and healthy relationships? What do you think?
-Caroline
“Young people during one of the most sexually active periods of their lives aren't necessarily looking for a mate. What used to be a mate-seeking ritual has shifted to hookups: sexual encounters with no strings attached.”
That is essentially how I had always thought of it. But, a shift in cultural norms is also discussed in this article. In the past, women and men dated and eventually this dating could lead to sexual activities, but in our, “oh so reckless,” hookup culture,
“something sexual happens, even though it may be less than sexual intercourse, that may or may not ever lead to dating."
What is so bad about dating? When did it become such a burden to actually get to know someone before you let them slip their tongue down your throat… or hands up you shirt… or skirt… or whatever actually happens when two people “hookup.” The article goes on to explain just how vague the term, "hookup," can be,
“The term "hookup" is so vague, however, it might well encompass someone's idea of virginity — it involves anything from kissing to fooling around, oral sex and sexual intercourse.”
According to some of the women interviewed for this article, the vagueness of the term is what makes hooking up so great,
"It has been sex; it has just been some sort of light making out. That's the beautiful thing about the phrase. Whatever happened is hooking up."
I am sorry, maybe I am just old fashioned, but nothing about the ambiguity associated with the phrase makes me comfortable. Someone could get the VERY wrong impression if I said I “hooked up” with someone, meaning “light making out,” and their impression of hooking up is sex! Sorry Charlie, way too much room for interpretation.
The article went on to explain how prioritizing between a career and a social life played a part in determining how relationships were handled. In the minds of many women and men today, marriage seems very undesirable and a hindrance to success. Marriage also seems to reflect a lack of independence and kept young people from pursuing careers and advanced degrees. This seems especially to be the case for women.
“A number of experts accept this relaxed attitude toward sex outside of relationships as a natural consequence of the sexual revolution, women's growing independence and the availability of modern contraceptives.”
Hooking up might be the nonchalant way to have your cake and eat it, too. But, what about the dangers that the participants face to their health by taking part in such irresponsible sexual activities? This is what one interviewee had to say about that,
"We all attended health class in middle school and high school. We know about condoms and sexually transmitted disease. Sex is fun, and a lot of people would argue that it is a physical need. It's a healthy activity."
Is that really the response we should have to this issue? This article begs the question, is the hookup culture empowering or is it destroying the ability to form meaningful and healthy relationships? What do you think?
-Caroline
NeW National Conference Pictures
Here are some pictures taken at the 4th Annual NeW National Conference. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend—we enjoyed meeting you and sharing ideas. A special thanks to Kate Obenshain who delivered an engaging and thought-provoking keynote address.
Enjoy!
Kate Obenshain speaking.
Conference attendees enjoying a laugh during Kate Obenshain's address.
Kala and Mary traveled all the way from Florida State University!
A group shot of the 2009 NeW National Conference attendees.
NeW Founder, Karin Agness, giving Caroline the "Enlightened Woman of the Year Award" for her outstanding work with NeW.
Conference attendees enjoying the Conference.
NeW Leaders from around the nation.
Enjoy!
Conference attendees enjoying the Conference.
Chapter 5: Spoil Sports - Boys Benched
Has Title IX done more damage than good? As O'Beirne says in Chapter 5 of Women Who Make the World Worse, Title IX of 1972 aimed for equality of the sexes in athletics. But what has happened is that now men have fewer opportunities than women.
On June 23, 2009, Title IX turned 37 years old. Below is the USA Today Blog Article about it:
What do you think? Is Title IX the most important or most harmful law of this day? Why or why is it not important?
"In the late nineties, sixteen Division I schools dropped their men's swim teams and more than sixty schools eliminated men's track programs." (p.99)
On June 23, 2009, Title IX turned 37 years old. Below is the USA Today Blog Article about it:
Title IX turns 37 today
It’s been 37 years since the passage of Title IX, an event that will be commemorated today in a conference at the White House at 2:30p.m. ET. Billie Jean King and Dominique Dawes are scheduled to participate.
Title IX’s purpose is to level the field for women in athletics and academics. It also has facilitated the growth of women's professional athletics, including the WNBA and WPS.
“Time will show that this is the most important law in our culture over the last 40 years,” says USA TODAY’s Christine Brennan, who will be attending the conference.
“We are empowering our daughters through sports the way we empowered our sons for generations. I believe women will be running for president every four years in the 2020s, ’30s and ’40s, and the common denominator for all of them will be that they played sports.”
(You can follow Brennan's tweets from the conference here. Also, the roundtable will be streamed live on the web.)
One of the highest-ranking women in the Obama administration offers her admiration for Title IX.
“What I learned from my coaches and teammates extended well beyond the basketball court,” United Nations ambassador Susan Rice wrote in an entry on The Briefing Room blog at whitehouse.gov. Rice played basketball, tennis and softball at National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C.
“Being part of the basketball team taught me some valuable life lessons and helped shape me as a person. As the United States Ambassador to the United Nations — I’m often reminded that in basketball as in diplomacy, you have to know when to throw elbows and when to show finesse.
“So, as the 37th anniversary approaches, I’m grateful for Title IX and what it means to young women across America.”
Posted by Mike Bambach at 09:30 AM/ET,
What do you think? Is Title IX the most important or most harmful law of this day? Why or why is it not important?
NeW National Conference Awards
This Friday, NeW gave out three awards at the Fourth Annual National Conference. I wanted to highlight the award winners on the blog.
"Chapter of the Year" Award—Arizona State University
"First Year Chapter of the Year" Award—Florida State University
"Enlightened Woman of the Year" Award—Caroline Rushing
Congratulations ladies on your accomplishments! By the way, thanks again Kathleen, the Conference Director, for your hard work in planning the Conference.
"Chapter of the Year" Award—Arizona State University
"First Year Chapter of the Year" Award—Florida State University
"Enlightened Woman of the Year" Award—Caroline Rushing
Congratulations ladies on your accomplishments! By the way, thanks again Kathleen, the Conference Director, for your hard work in planning the Conference.
NeW National Conference Success!
The 4th Annual NeW National Conference was a success! It was nice to meet so many conservative college women and share ideas. Kate Obenshain spoke beautifully about how to be a conservative leader on campus, work/life balance, the failures of modern feminism and of course, Sarah Palin.
Loved what you saw at the conference? Curious how to become an enlightened woman on your campus? Please contact Holly: holly@enlightenedwomen.org for more information and how to start a NeW chapter.
Keep checking back, pictures will be posted soon!
Loved what you saw at the conference? Curious how to become an enlightened woman on your campus? Please contact Holly: holly@enlightenedwomen.org for more information and how to start a NeW chapter.
Keep checking back, pictures will be posted soon!
The "Angel of Iran"
Tensions have grown in Iran. The face of the country's political turmoil has become that of a young woman—whose death has united Iranian protestors around the world together.
As New York Times columnist, Nazila Fathi, points out, "Ms. Agha-Soltan's fate resonates particularly with women, who have been at the vanguard of many of the protests throughout Iran."
Her family is so reluctant to speak out about her death, fearing that the government will retaliate, that they have said little to any press and thus, their sister, daughter, and friend has remained mostly an unknown symbol of the violence in Iran. In fact, the government has broken up all groups that have mourned her death in public.
President Ahmadinejad has resorted to controlling a state of continual unrest with violence and force. He has ordered all women who are not strictly following the dress code to be arrested. This is the time when all women in the United States should be grateful for being and living in America—a country where our freedoms are so assured they can be taken for granted.
Read more about Neda.
As New York Times columnist, Nazila Fathi, points out, "Ms. Agha-Soltan's fate resonates particularly with women, who have been at the vanguard of many of the protests throughout Iran."
Her family is so reluctant to speak out about her death, fearing that the government will retaliate, that they have said little to any press and thus, their sister, daughter, and friend has remained mostly an unknown symbol of the violence in Iran. In fact, the government has broken up all groups that have mourned her death in public.
President Ahmadinejad has resorted to controlling a state of continual unrest with violence and force. He has ordered all women who are not strictly following the dress code to be arrested. This is the time when all women in the United States should be grateful for being and living in America—a country where our freedoms are so assured they can be taken for granted.
Read more about Neda.
An Admirable First Lady
On Wednesday afternoon, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford joined the growing list of cheating politicians. He admitted yesterday in a press conference that his 7 day absence was spent in Argentina visiting the women with whom he has been having an affair. Gov. Sanford had been a presidential hopeful in 2012 and known for following conservative values. This affair will surely have a destructive impact on his career. He recklessly left the country without telling anyone where he was headed and left the state at great risk with no one to lead in case of emergency.
The First Lady of South Carolina, Jenny Sanford, later released a statement regarding future separation and the affair. Here’s an excerpt:
“When I found out about my husband's infidelity I worked immediately to first seek reconciliation through forgiveness, and then to work diligently to repair our marriage. We reached a point where I felt it was important to look my sons in the eyes and maintain my dignity, self-respect, and my basic sense of right and wrong.”In a statement that clearly was from the heart, Mrs. Sanford said that a lot of work went into trying to save the marriage, yet the couple has agreed to a trial separation. Mrs. Sanford shows her strong belief in marriage and respect for her husband despite his indiscretions. Keeping her children’s interests in mind, she is attempting to keep her family out of the public spotlight, and I hope the press respects her wishes.
National Conference: Countdown to Friday
We are just a few short days away from the 4th Annual NeW National Conference! We have been working hard to put together this event and are very excited to see the number of women already signed up to attend.
If you have not yet registered, time is running out and spaces are filling up! This will be the largest gathering of conservative college women and a great opportunity for you to meet other people from across the country who share the same values. Not to mention, we are very excited to host Kate Obenshain, regular on FOX and Vice President of the Young America's Foundation. She will deliver the keynote address and you will also hear from top NeW leaders.
The conference will be on Friday, June 26 from 10:30 am - 2:00 pm at the Heritage Foundation in Washington DC. Registration is FREE and a catered lunch will be provided. Don't miss out on this once a year opportunity!
Register here today!
If you have not yet registered, time is running out and spaces are filling up! This will be the largest gathering of conservative college women and a great opportunity for you to meet other people from across the country who share the same values. Not to mention, we are very excited to host Kate Obenshain, regular on FOX and Vice President of the Young America's Foundation. She will deliver the keynote address and you will also hear from top NeW leaders.
The conference will be on Friday, June 26 from 10:30 am - 2:00 pm at the Heritage Foundation in Washington DC. Registration is FREE and a catered lunch will be provided. Don't miss out on this once a year opportunity!
Register here today!
Chapter 4: In the Classroom . . . Boys Will be Girls
Do you agree that many little boys currently entering American public education are being "castrated" now that feminist philosophies of education are prevalent? Chapter 4 of Kate O'Beirne's book, Women Who Make the World Worse, discusses the aim of feminist ideology in the education system.
In 1982, Carol Gilligan wrote In A Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women's Development. Arguing that there are masculine and feminine approaches to moral reasoning: the feminine focuses on caring and intimacy and the masculine emphasizes abstractions and rules. Down the road, Gilligan's fellow feminists adapted the argument to social science research and firmly resolved to:
Soon, the notion evolved that the American culture was patriarchal and silenced women - thus losing their voices.
With such a noble cause, feminists mobilized to boost the self-esteem of adolescent girls since they were "victims" of a "strangling patriarchy". For years now, Congress and non-profit organizations have used tax-payer dollars to launch workshop upon workshop for girls and how to find themselves. However, I wonder - does this help? Since when can anyone find the answers within? What feminists have created now, as Paul Vitz calls it, is "Wonder Woman and the Wimp." We have allowed schools to denigrate admirable masculine virtues and keep young boys quite in class by plying them with Ritalin. What happened to the academic competitions and awards? Now, all must "share" and "cooperate". Not that sharing and cooperating are bad, but neither are competitions and awards.
In her insightful and thorough book, The War on Boys, Dr. Christina Hoff Sommers writes with common sense about the fad of self-esteem workshops and the like:
With the reeducation of boys also comes the reeducation of girls. Girls are not allowed to be who they want. On behalf of British girls, James Tooley writes the following in his book, The Miseducation of Women:
O'Beirne continues to summarize Tooley's argument . . .
I don't know about you, ladies (who are reading this), but let's start wanting this from men!
Unfortunately, because of their entitlement and victim attitude, feminists have made women into delicate and fragile species who become offended and bruised at the drop of any comment about differences in academic achievement between men and women.
O'Beirne concludes with the following:
Please share your observances, thoughts, and opinions. How do we now encourage admirable masculine virtues in boys and young men since they have been trained out of them? Can this reeducation be reversed? Does it need to be? Why or why not?
"Classrooms have been turned into feminist reeducation camps to stamp out all sex differences and smother the natural attributes and aspirations of girls and boys." (p.67)
In 1982, Carol Gilligan wrote In A Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women's Development. Arguing that there are masculine and feminine approaches to moral reasoning: the feminine focuses on caring and intimacy and the masculine emphasizes abstractions and rules. Down the road, Gilligan's fellow feminists adapted the argument to social science research and firmly resolved to:
"transform education to eliminate 'male-identified attributes' like 'reason and logic' in favor of 'feminine ways of knowing.'" (p.68)
Soon, the notion evolved that the American culture was patriarchal and silenced women - thus losing their voices.
With such a noble cause, feminists mobilized to boost the self-esteem of adolescent girls since they were "victims" of a "strangling patriarchy". For years now, Congress and non-profit organizations have used tax-payer dollars to launch workshop upon workshop for girls and how to find themselves. However, I wonder - does this help? Since when can anyone find the answers within? What feminists have created now, as Paul Vitz calls it, is "Wonder Woman and the Wimp." We have allowed schools to denigrate admirable masculine virtues and keep young boys quite in class by plying them with Ritalin. What happened to the academic competitions and awards? Now, all must "share" and "cooperate". Not that sharing and cooperating are bad, but neither are competitions and awards.
In her insightful and thorough book, The War on Boys, Dr. Christina Hoff Sommers writes with common sense about the fad of self-esteem workshops and the like:
"Children need to be moral more than they need to be in touch with their feelings. They need to be well-educated more than they need to have their self-esteem raised. Children do not need support groups or twelve-step programs. They don't need to have their femininity or masculinity 'reinvented'." (p.77)
With the reeducation of boys also comes the reeducation of girls. Girls are not allowed to be who they want. On behalf of British girls, James Tooley writes the following in his book, The Miseducation of Women:
O'Beirne continues to summarize Tooley's argument . . .
"He points out that much of what society values - art, language, and morality - appears to have arisen as the result of female regulation of male behavior. Now feminism encourages girls to behave as aggressively as boys. . . 'it is no wonder that we see a general decline in the manners and public behavior of boys and young men, who would be only to willing to be will behaved if this is what the girls were allowed to want from them.'" (p.82-83)
I don't know about you, ladies (who are reading this), but let's start wanting this from men!
Unfortunately, because of their entitlement and victim attitude, feminists have made women into delicate and fragile species who become offended and bruised at the drop of any comment about differences in academic achievement between men and women.
O'Beirne concludes with the following:
"Our children are neither little victims nor pint-size oppressors. They aren't pathological creatures in need of feminist therapies. Based on their education record, women bent on politicizing our schools and waging a war of the sexes in America's classrooms should be expelled from school." (p.91)
Please share your observances, thoughts, and opinions. How do we now encourage admirable masculine virtues in boys and young men since they have been trained out of them? Can this reeducation be reversed? Does it need to be? Why or why not?
Fathers be good to your daughters
In honor of the recent celebration of Fathers Day, I have decided to brag about my own father. My Dad is one of the most supportive people in my life and I am blessed to be his daughter. Whenever anything happens, good or bad, my dad is the first one to tell me how proud I make him and how much he loves me. He has set an amazing example for his four children as a loving husband, a supportive father, and in a million other aspects of his life. I am thankful for his example because he has given me a standard to look for in the men I choose to date. I hope that I will find that Eagle Scout, clean cut, upstanding type of man who can one day attempt to fill my dad's shoes. Finding someone like my dad would mean finding a protector, provider and strong leader, all of the things I want in a husband.
Janet Shaw Crouse wrote an article, Being a Daddy's Girl, this week that addressed the influence that fathers have on their daughters. Her column spoke about the findings of the author Dr. Mary Jo Rapini:
Obviously, not every little girl grows up with a father who lives up to these standards, probably because they do not even realize how much their little girls admire them. I hope more fathers will recognize their influence upon their daughter's self esteem and her idea of how she deserves to be treated by men. Girls are fragile and need love, protection and reassurance, provided by fathers, in order to become strong women. The lyrics of John Mayer seem very fitting and full of truth, “fathers be good to your daughters, daughters will love like you do.”
-Caroline
Janet Shaw Crouse wrote an article, Being a Daddy's Girl, this week that addressed the influence that fathers have on their daughters. Her column spoke about the findings of the author Dr. Mary Jo Rapini:
"…the way a dad treats his little girl determines how she will feel about herself as a woman. If fathers admire their daughter’s achievements, character, and looks, says Dr. Rapini, that girl will become a confident and self-assured person who will choose a husband who treats her the same way. In fact, Dr. Rapini echoes the old maxim that the best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.”
Obviously, not every little girl grows up with a father who lives up to these standards, probably because they do not even realize how much their little girls admire them. I hope more fathers will recognize their influence upon their daughter's self esteem and her idea of how she deserves to be treated by men. Girls are fragile and need love, protection and reassurance, provided by fathers, in order to become strong women. The lyrics of John Mayer seem very fitting and full of truth, “fathers be good to your daughters, daughters will love like you do.”
-Caroline
Do Women Today Want "Sex and the City" Lifestyles?
It's always interesting to me whenever I read magazine articles about single women— they always make a point of saying how "happy" these women are. These articles also emphasize how much more women, today, crave independence. I'm not in a hurry to get married, but I also don't want to be 50 and unmarried. I feel a certain sense of independence as a woman, but does it mean I'm not truly "independent" until I work and live alone? Why is it that people turn their noses about couples who are 21-24 years old getting married? This used to be, as this article suggests, commonplace.
Women's Happiness on a Decline
In the past 35 years, the feminist revolution has claimed to have given women a sense of liberation from the restricting patriarchal system. However, a recent UPenn study shows that women have not become any happier due to the feminist movement, and it even offers a few possible theories for the disconnect between liberation and happiness.
The first theory proposed is that the feminist movement “raised women’s expectation.” With these new expectations, women will not feel as fulfilled if they are not able to have the successful career, children with or without a husband, and equal opportunities as men in every aspect of their life. The second theory is that women who are mothers and also work are unable to stand up to the pressures, and that everything they need to do to fill both roles is much too overwhelming. In her latest article, Phyllis Schlafly proposes that the feminist movement’s belief that women are constantly being pushed down by their male counterparts causes women to create a “self-imposed victimhood.”
In the 1970s, when stay-at-home moms were more respected and women did not feel as much pressure to have a full-time career, women were the happiest that they have been in the past 35 years. Maybe some type of return to these past viewpoints is in order?
Blog Anniversary
It's June already! This summer marks the one year anniversary of the NeW Blog. Thanks to our writers and readers!
Chapter 3: Skirting the Truth - Lies About Wages, Discrimination, and Harrassment
Glass ceilings, pink ghettos, and Mary Kay Cadillacs . . . what do they all have in common? Well, you tell me after reading Chapter 3 of Kate O'Beirne's book, Women Who Make the World Worse. O'Beirne kicks off her chapter on wages with the following statement.
O'Beirne says that our economy provides equal opportunity for women. Would you agree? If not, is affirmative action the answer or the problem? Do women need special treatment to compete?
What is "the ideal" for women? Mary Kay Ash mentioned that God didn't want women to work fourteen hour days. Would you agree?
"Feminists have made the workplace worse by waging an ideological campaign to portray working women as a victimized class, discriminated against in pay and persistently preyed on by male oppressors bent on enforcing the patriarchy" (p.47)
"Since the Equal Pay Act in 1963, sex discrimination in hiring, promotion, or pay has been illegal. While there might be isolated examples of sex discrimination in the workplace, our competitive economy demonstrably provides equal opportunity for women. Here again, the wage warriors peddle victimhood and demand equal outcomes, regardless of individual priorities and choices. To make the case that women remain victimized, feminists point to average overall male and female wage numbers, or rail against a "glass ceiling" that blocks women's ascent to the top ranks of American businesses, or decry 'undervalued' women's work that condemns women in predominantly female fields to toiling in a 'pink ghetto.'" (p.50-51)
O'Beirne says that our economy provides equal opportunity for women. Would you agree? If not, is affirmative action the answer or the problem? Do women need special treatment to compete?
"The feminist claim that the patriarchy segregates 'women' in a low-wage 'pink ghetto' overlooks the fact that while men tend to hold highest-status jobs, they also tend to hold the lowest-status ones. Jobs held by women are, on average, rated slightly higher than those held by men." (p.57-58)
"One woman has done more to advance the financial independence of American women than all the theorists, academics, columnists, and counselors who claim the mantle of liberating women . . . Mary Kay Ash . . . after working for twenty-five years in the man's world of direct sales, one of the greatest successes in the annals of American business was born because Mary Kay, whose father was an invalid, didn't think that 'God wanted a world in which a woman would have to work fourteen hours a day to support her family, as my mother had done.' She didn't take to the streets, convene a seminar, lobby for legislation, or whine about the male patriarchy. With a $5,000 investment, Mary Kay Ash founded the cosmetics empire that now has over $2 billion in yearly sales. She launched her fleet of pink Cadillacs as the showy status symbols of her vision to provide women with an unlimited opportunity for personal and financial success." (p.65-66)
What is "the ideal" for women? Mary Kay Ash mentioned that God didn't want women to work fourteen hour days. Would you agree?
Palin v. Letterman
Women from all walks have been speaking out in response to the recent attacks on conservative women. From the Playboy “hate-sex” article to David Letterman’s inappropriate jokes pointed at 14-year-old Willow Palin, conservative women, and women in general, have many reasons take offense. Regardless of whether or not Letterman’s recent Palin comments were just a lame attempt at comedy or if he actually meant those jokes to be about 18-year-old Bristol Palin, making crude remarks about young women is disrespectful and a formal apology is appropriate. It has been refreshing to see unlikely women defend the Palin family. Respectfully, NOW spoke out against the late night funny man:
It is nice to know that some things do not have to be partisan. As women, certain attacks are unacceptable regardless of where we stand ideologically, and we should be wiling to defend each other. Letterman’s comments about the Palin daughters, and the governor herself, are proof that it drives the media crazy that no attack on the Governor has truly, “done the trick.” The media continues its attempts to break Palin down, but she is as resilient as ever. I think Rush Limbaugh is right, Palin is still a threat, the left knows it and is scared, and they are not going to back down. I think we can all agree, not much scares Sarah Palin and she is not backing down anytime soon.
-Caroline
"Comedians in search of a laugh should really know better than to snicker about men having sex with teenage girls (or young women) less than half their age. The sexualization of girls and women in the media is reaching new lows these days — it is exploitative and has a negative effect on how all women and girls are perceived and how they view themselves."
It is nice to know that some things do not have to be partisan. As women, certain attacks are unacceptable regardless of where we stand ideologically, and we should be wiling to defend each other. Letterman’s comments about the Palin daughters, and the governor herself, are proof that it drives the media crazy that no attack on the Governor has truly, “done the trick.” The media continues its attempts to break Palin down, but she is as resilient as ever. I think Rush Limbaugh is right, Palin is still a threat, the left knows it and is scared, and they are not going to back down. I think we can all agree, not much scares Sarah Palin and she is not backing down anytime soon.
-Caroline
A Well Rounded Education?
What constitutes a well rounded education in college today? Most colleges and universities have answered this question by changing major requirements to include classes that focus on "non-western perspectives" or global development, feminist theory, African-American political thought, social theory and the list continues.
What is markedly missing from this list are classes on conservatism. Peter Berkowitz, senior fellow at Standord University's Hoover Institution makes this very signficant point in his recent editorial in the Wall Street Journal. He argues,
This then begs the question, can an insitution of higher learning claim students receive a well-rounded education when a concept as broad as conservatism is blatently left out? To me it seems the answer is a resounding "no" but many academics disagree. Whether out of their own political agenda or fear that students may actually find conservatism appealing, many professors on college campuses refuse to teach the subject. As such, students fail to learn about the teachings of Edmund Burke, Adam Smith, Russell Kirk, and Friedrich Hayek. Berkowitz further states,
Seeing this void, many college conservatives seek out other means to educate themselves in conservatism. One way is to start a NeW chapter at your school. By starting a NeW chapter, conservative college women can read books by conservative authors such as Dinesh D'Souza, Kate O'Beirne, and Russell Kirk. NeW members can also bring modern conservative thinkers and speakers to their campus to educate the larger university community about different conservative principles.
But, this learning cannot stop here. As Berkowitz argues, there should be a greater push for colleges and universities to offer classes on conservatism. He concludes,
Do you see this void at your school? If so, how have you supplemented your education? Should students, especially those majoring in political science, be forced to look outside their college in order to receive a well-rounded education?
By Kathleen
What is markedly missing from this list are classes on conservatism. Peter Berkowitz, senior fellow at Standord University's Hoover Institution makes this very signficant point in his recent editorial in the Wall Street Journal. He argues,
"There is no legitimate intellectual justification for this omission. The exclusion of conservative ideas from the curriculum contravenes the requirements of a liberal education and an objective study of political science."
This then begs the question, can an insitution of higher learning claim students receive a well-rounded education when a concept as broad as conservatism is blatently left out? To me it seems the answer is a resounding "no" but many academics disagree. Whether out of their own political agenda or fear that students may actually find conservatism appealing, many professors on college campuses refuse to teach the subject. As such, students fail to learn about the teachings of Edmund Burke, Adam Smith, Russell Kirk, and Friedrich Hayek. Berkowitz further states,
"Without an introduction to the conservative tradition in America and the conservative dimensions of modern political philosophy, political science students are condemned to a substantially incomplete and seriously unbalanced knowledge of their subject. Courses on this tradition should be mandatory for students of politics; today they are not even an option at most American universities."
Seeing this void, many college conservatives seek out other means to educate themselves in conservatism. One way is to start a NeW chapter at your school. By starting a NeW chapter, conservative college women can read books by conservative authors such as Dinesh D'Souza, Kate O'Beirne, and Russell Kirk. NeW members can also bring modern conservative thinkers and speakers to their campus to educate the larger university community about different conservative principles.
But, this learning cannot stop here. As Berkowitz argues, there should be a greater push for colleges and universities to offer classes on conservatism. He concludes,
"In the near term, giving conservative ideas their due will have the concrete and immediate benefit of advancing liberal education's proper and commendable goal, which is the formation of free and well-furnished minds."
Do you see this void at your school? If so, how have you supplemented your education? Should students, especially those majoring in political science, be forced to look outside their college in order to receive a well-rounded education?
By Kathleen