Hey guys! Sorry I may be really late getting this up tonight! Feel free to write something. I'll have something up as soon as I can get a chance to read....... sorry again!
I actaully really enjoyed "The lady and the Tramp (II) Feminst Welfare Politics, Poor Single Mothers, and the Challenge of Welfare Justice" by Gwendolyn Mink. I had thought that I was pretty well informed about welfare in the United States, but reading this I realized I had never really thought about it in the sense of it being a women's issue, which clearly means that I was not well informed about. I thought that it was a great point that Mink pointed out that they "mobilized not to speak for poor mothers but with them" (Mink 56). I thought that was a really important point thatwe need to remember. Just because someone is a feminist does not mean that they can mother women who are not as well off as they are. Again, I think that this article emphasized how it is not always men that are the barriers against women, but that other women can be too. Mink pointed out how women in office had the chance to veto the welfare reforms but did not. Another point that Mink broughtup that I had not put much thought intobefore, was the fact that single mothers who areforced to live on welfare are the only individuals living in the United States that are being forced to work. However, what I think is really important for us to remember is that in order for them to work, they have to either pay or find someone to watch their children. Mink states that "without welfare, mothers who work inside teh home are deprived of equal citizenship, forthey alone are not paid for their labor" (Mink 58). This just goes to show that a womens work inside the house is really not considered really work, but the rest of society. However, what is ironic though is the fact that it is deemed more acceptable for a women to work inside another person's home, either cleaning or caring for children, but when it comes to them doing the exact same chores in their own home, it is no longer deemed respectable. I really likedhow Mink dismissed the commonmisconception that women who are on welfare, arejust having kids so that they can recieve welfare rather than working. Although I do believe that couples should not have children unless they feel as though they are prepared, economically and emotionally, but the lower class does not always have as much access to birth control and condoms as middle and upper class couples do. As Mink says "welfare should be a right, not an entitlement" (Mink 63). Everyone deserves a chance to get back on their feet, the government just needs to be more aware of what the best way to go about that is.
This was such a well-informed piece. It really presented a lot of information on welfare and showed that women can be barriers. Our society thrives on competition. While women historically have been held back because of men, we are now seeing a trend in the rise of the educated career woman. And with more women holding jobs, the more competition between us arises. Those women who end up on welfare are forced to work. And a majority of them are single mothers with a lower economic income. I think Emily brings up a good point; "Although I do believe that couples should not have children unless they feel as though they are prepared, economically and emotionally, but the lower class does not always have as much access to birth control and condoms as middle and upper class couples do." I think this is so true. Those in the middle and upper classes have privileges that those in the lower class do not: money, high paying jobs, etc.. And it's not like those in the lower class chose to be in the situation they are in. The government needs to help these people. By giving them a jumpstart, it may foster a better life for some.
I completely agree. this article opened my eyes to the world of misfortunate women. Emily is exactly right--Just because someone is a feminist doesn't mean that they can mother women who aren't as well off as they are. The article emphasized how it is not always just men that are the barriers against women, but that other women can be too. Middle class women not willing to help lower class women to me, is a little selfish. And in the article, Mink focuses all her attention on the incredibly unequal relationship between welfare and equality on one hand, and between welfare and feminism on the other. How can we allow poor, single mothers to be distinguished as a separate caste? With an entirely separate law system?They have all these rules they must follow, and no one else in our country does. It shouldn't even be argued. Welfare is "a condition of women's equality"(58).
I actaully really enjoyed "The lady and the Tramp (II) Feminst Welfare Politics, Poor Single Mothers, and the Challenge of Welfare Justice" by Gwendolyn Mink. I had thought that I was pretty well informed about welfare in the United States, but reading this I realized I had never really thought about it in the sense of it being a women's issue, which clearly means that I was not well informed about. I thought that it was a great point that Mink pointed out that they "mobilized not to speak for poor mothers but with them" (Mink 56). I thought that was a really important point thatwe need to remember. Just because someone is a feminist does not mean that they can mother women who are not as well off as they are. Again, I think that this article emphasized how it is not always men that are the barriers against women, but that other women can be too. Mink pointed out how women in office had the chance to veto the welfare reforms but did not. Another point that Mink broughtup that I had not put much thought intobefore, was the fact that single mothers who areforced to live on welfare are the only individuals living in the United States that are being forced to work. However, what I think is really important for us to remember is that in order for them to work, they have to either pay or find someone to watch their children. Mink states that "without welfare, mothers who work inside teh home are deprived of equal citizenship, forthey alone are not paid for their labor" (Mink 58). This just goes to show that a womens work inside the house is really not considered really work, but the rest of society. However, what is ironic though is the fact that it is deemed more acceptable for a women to work inside another person's home, either cleaning or caring for children, but when it comes to them doing the exact same chores in their own home, it is no longer deemed respectable. I really likedhow Mink dismissed the commonmisconception that women who are on welfare, arejust having kids so that they can recieve welfare rather than working. Although I do believe that couples should not have children unless they feel as though they are prepared, economically and emotionally, but the lower class does not always have as much access to birth control and condoms as middle and upper class couples do. As Mink says "welfare should be a right, not an entitlement" (Mink 63). Everyone deserves a chance to get back on their feet, the government just needs to be more aware of what the best way to go about that is.
ReplyDeleteThis was such a well-informed piece. It really presented a lot of information on welfare and showed that women can be barriers. Our society thrives on competition. While women historically have been held back because of men, we are now seeing a trend in the rise of the educated career woman. And with more women holding jobs, the more competition between us arises.
ReplyDeleteThose women who end up on welfare are forced to work. And a majority of them are single mothers with a lower economic income. I think Emily brings up a good point; "Although I do believe that couples should not have children unless they feel as though they are prepared, economically and emotionally, but the lower class does not always have as much access to birth control and condoms as middle and upper class couples do." I think this is so true. Those in the middle and upper classes have privileges that those in the lower class do not: money, high paying jobs, etc.. And it's not like those in the lower class chose to be in the situation they are in. The government needs to help these people. By giving them a jumpstart, it may foster a better life for some.
I completely agree. this article opened my eyes to the world of misfortunate women. Emily is exactly right--Just because someone is a feminist doesn't mean that they can mother women who aren't as well off as they are. The article emphasized how it is not always just men that are the barriers against women, but that other women can be too. Middle class women not willing to help lower class women to me, is a little selfish. And in the article, Mink focuses all her attention on the incredibly unequal relationship between welfare and equality on one hand, and between welfare and feminism on the other. How can we allow poor, single mothers to be distinguished as a separate caste? With an entirely separate law system?They have all these rules they must follow, and no one else in our country does. It shouldn't even be argued. Welfare is "a condition of women's equality"(58).
ReplyDelete