The expectations I have about working with my organization

I believe that the main expectation I have about working with my organization, is the fact that there is more pressure to conform to femininity rather than masculinity. I think that this expectation comes from the purpose of the organization itself. The White House Project is designed to help women advance in the political world. Thus, it makes sense to me for the organization to conform to femininity rather than masculinity.

In chapter 8, it discusses that female peer groups reinforce feminine identity in most girls. I still do not know all too much about The White House Project, but I view the organization as a female peer group essentially. That being said, I am expecting that this organization of female peer groups pressure others to conform to femininity rather than masculinity, because the group is supposed to reinforce their feminine identity; expressing the reasons why women should be in office.

Thus far, I would say that this expectation of mine is unfounded. I am saying this, because I personally have not been pressured to conform in either direction. The White House Project is not trying to get any women in office that they can, but rather the right women. I believe that this shows a lot of responsibility. The organization understands that if too many “bad” women get in office, then the whole idea could go down the drain. That being said, I feel that their femininity will be pressured when the opportune time arrives.

Another expectation I have about working with my organization, deals a lot with chapter 3. Chapter 3 is about Women’s Movements in the United States. The chapter discusses different waves, and the specific movements of each wave.

I am expecting the organization to refer to some of these movements. The Women’s Movements in the United States have helped get women to where they are today. The White House Project, aiming to advance women in the political world, seems to be trying to start their own movement. I believe that if you are embarking on a journey like this, one may persuade or influence another to their side by informing them of other successful women movements. It also makes sense to me for one to examine some of the movements, that way they can learn what worked well and what did not.

I would say that this expectation is supported by the artifacts in The White House Project office. Over a desk hangs a 1960’s poster that supports women in the work force. On another wall there is a large photo of an ecofeminism movement. These artifacts express my expectation to be true, at least to some extent.

Male & Female Movements

The feminist movement, also known as the Women’s Lib, is a women’s movement that I identify with. This movement had many angles; they stood for voting rights, maternity leave, equal pay, reproductive rights, and many other important life values. I identify with this movement because I believe that men and women should be treated equal, just like a white and a black, or a Jew and a Gentile. This idea of equality goes great with my service learning organization, The White House Project. The White House Project is trying to bring equality into politics, for example more women in office. I believe if this goal is met, then our nation could be on our way to a more equal rights place of living. While thinking about the feminist movement and gender expectations, I believe that the movement itself changed the gender expectations of a female in America. The movement showed that women are equal and they deserve the same rights, and after time, eventually the gender expectation changed; expecting more from the gendered female. To further elaborate on this, stereotypes “a generalization about an entire class of phenomenon based on some knowledge of some members of the class”. Women were stereotyped as people who take care of the house and raise the children, but now women can be stereotyped as business women to several degrees. Therefore, women in the 1950’s had different stereotypes about them then they do now; thus once again, I am stating the fact that the gender expectations of a female in America have changed because of the feminist movement. I experience personal impact from this movement every day, and so does every other American. I think that this movement changed the path of women, if it weren’t for this movement or movements of this nature, gender expectations may have never changed and women could possibly still not vote. This movement’s impact affects all of us, and I believe it is for the better, creating a more civil and equal place for living. I believe that this movement has made me want to try to help women with their advancements in today’s society, and I think that working with The White House Project is the perfect place to start.

Link to a great feminist movement picture…  skipmaclure.wordpress.com

The men’s movement is a social movement. I believe that this movement is also changing gender expectations in America, but obviously for males in this case. The male movement is about gender role and improving men’s rights with child access and regard to marriage. I identify with this male movement. I believe that men get shafted with respect to marriage and child access. It is typical for the women to get the rights to the children and receive the benefit of the doubt in marriage divorcé courts. Touching back on the women’s movement I previously discussed, if women can change their gender expectations from the “house” into the “workforce”; why shouldn’t men be able to do the same except vice versa? I believe that this process is too trying to alter the expectations of the male gender. The movement is trying to say that men have a caring mother touch in them, and they too can run the house and raise a family. The movement has an impact on me because I am a gendered male. I believe that as this movement progresses it will be ok for a male to be a stay-at-home dad. This affects me personally, because I could possibly do that (not really planning on it, but could), and if I were to I would want to be able to do it without any judgment or persecution from society. I do not think I will do anything about this movement. I support it 100%, but it’s not for me in the sense that I have different goals. Furthermore, I do believe in an equal place of living. And if we are to live in a place like this, men too should have the choice of “house” or “workforce”.

Pre-Service Learning

I start my service learning in 2 days, and to say the least, I am not too sure what to expect. I decided to do my service learning with the organization The White House Project. I am honestly not too sure what this organization does, but obviously things related to politics. I do not know very much about politics, so I am very excited to my start learning experience. I decided to choose The White House Project, because it was available, it is relatively close to my house, and their schedule worked with mine. I have spoken with the lead supervisor, Katie Ellis, several times this week. I begin my service learning this Friday at 9:45 am. She invited me to sit-in on one of her overviews of The White House Project, I believe that this is a great first step for me. It will allow me to get acclimated with the employees and the organization itself. I am very excited to learn what I get to do for the organization. I guess I could either help with their social media, communication projects, research, or even just help out by filing and doing data input; no matter what I do, I am very excited to start my work and learning experience. With respect to gender and gender expectations, I wonder what the organization will expect from me because of my gender. Will their expectations for someone else be different than the expectations for myself? Will my deliverable be the same as the other students? All of these questions I will be able to answer, it is only a matter of time