Out of Class Discussion

Response to Kate Jordan’s “Men are More Meaningful Cows” Blog, dated: February 28, 2006

My attention was also grabbed in Chapter Two, with the baby crying and the two mother responses. However, when I read the second response by the mother, her choosing to eat a sandwich rather than pick up the baby, I had a totally different response than Kate’s friend. My response, was yes, a little giggle, but more of a “Oh my gosh”! Is this because of my gender? I think, like Kate suggested, that different stereotypes and different past experiences all affect our responses to varied occurrences.

I also found myself intrigued several ways by the section on gender in language. While I am conscious of some gender biased words, I have to say that when I think of a Doctor, I also normally think of a male. However, I do not feel that “a lady” is needed to be added in front of the Doctor title if they are female. It should not matter, and it does not matter to me, however to some it does. I work in a Doctor’s office. We have one female doctor there, and often new patients specifically ask for a male doctor. The female doctor is just as good as the others, and has her specialties in the Operating Room that the male doctor’s don’t, however some people refuse to see that. The time I notice gender biased words most is when men use derogatory words to put fellow males down. This, is indeed, a male putting down another male by saying that he is a woman, hinting that it is bad to be a woman. This is when I notice gender in language most. There are gender biased terms that often consist of male body parts, but they are always compliments or words of strength. They are not insults. Unfortunately, even in our present liberal world, women are looked upon separate from the male. However, can this be a good thing? For we all have different positive qualities and differences.