Assigned in the Pool

Currently, I am involved in an internship that allows me to conduct my own research. Luckily, I was able to conduct that research right here on campus! During my observations, I observe children with different types of disabilities play in a pool with Longwood TR student (we call the LU students “helpers”). As a side note, I can honestly say it doesn’t even feel like research because the observations are so entertaining and fun to watch. But anyways, as I was watching for nonverbal behaviors, I noticed that all the girl helpers seemed to be playing and watching after the preschool and elementary school children, while the boy helpers played with the older high school boys. I couldn’t help but think about our class and how women are seen as the nurturers and how men are seen as the rough and tough kind of guys. I was really tempted to ask the professor of the class if it was done on purpose… but then thought maybe not. She might think I was implying something and I need her on my good side!

A waitress waits my waiting dad

I can’t believe I’ve never noticed this before, BUT when I was out to dinner with my family our waitress was just so great. She was so nice… to my dad. She was so polite… to my dad. She was just over the top… to my dad. At the end of our dinner the waitress brought the check around and as my mom lifted her hand from under the table, the waitress made a b-line straight for my dad’s hand and gave him the check. I couldn’t believe it and I’m almost positive this has happened more than once, but now I notice it all the time and I see it at other tables as well. I wonder if it’s the same with a male waiter.

Cat calls or barking dogs?

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1XGPvbWn0A[/youtube]

We’ve talked recently about how it feels to be a woman walking down the street regardless of the time. It’s honestly scary and potentially dangerous because, well, I am woman. It would be unfair to claim that all men bark these absurd remarks and inappropriate gestures to women walking by just as it would be false to assume that all women find it attractive. Videos like these bring attention to the “silent” harassment that happens everyday and I say “silent” because harassment like this go unseen, and worse, unacknowledged. Or if it is acknowledged women are berated for “overreacting” and being “stuck up” or “too  good”.

This video shows a woman walking through all sects of NYC for 10 hours not speaking a word, simply recording the reactions around her (the comments under the video are worth a read).

I believe that more videos like these should be created to show that cat-calling does not only happen in cities but in all environments. Maybe people would pay more attention and take an active stand if they knew that the clerk at the grocery store wasn’t just checking out prices.