As most of you know, I'm on a medical leave for awhile. Gives me time to read more books, which is a passion of mine. Recently came across the book, "Quiet" by Susan Cain. Essentially, its a look at how we are pushed to be more extroverted in order to be "successful", and the cost of that thinking. Yes, she does cover the recent financial debacle we have found ourselves in, wondering if this need to be successful is possibly at the cost of morality?
So, how does "speed dating" fit into this story?
Susan Cain looks at the issue of embarrassment. Embarrassment is a moral emotion. It shows humility, modesty, and a desire to avoid aggression and make peace.
Next time you want to find out about that new date within a few minutes, rather than a few dates, ask this question: "What was your last embarrassing moment?" Watch how the answer comes....truthful, blushing, put on, averted eyes?
Embarrassment reveals how much the individual cares about the rules that bind us to one another!!!!
Isn't that an interesting tip on getting to know people a little quicker?
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Female Independence
Recently, I came across a gal who had been studying anthropology for years now at various universities. She mentioned that her young family had suffered while she studied. Her young husband was supporting them all as a struggling chef. Pragmatic me, asked her about employment possibilities. Yikes.......not good.
Women in America make an average of 23% lower wages than men do, yet they have that extra shift, the night shift when they are doing the laundry, cooking, shopping, cleaning. You know the drift.
In this economic situation, which doesn't look like getting any better any time soon, what would you advise?
If I had daughters in high school right now, and if they asked me what would I advise to do as a career to ensure a steady income and some independence.
My advice would be, look at the trades. Become a welder, iron worker, transit worker, medical, manufacturing, organic farming, cottage industries. Something that is traditionally male dominated, and be better than the guys. I was a project manager for an international construction company and was astounded that there were no other females on these huge projects including the San Francisco Airport Remodel. The only woman was a safety officer who played power games with the men, unfortunately.
My other advice to daughters, get your own place to live no matter how small. Secure it as a refuge from family distractions and a place to recover.
What would be your advice to high school daughters?
Women in America make an average of 23% lower wages than men do, yet they have that extra shift, the night shift when they are doing the laundry, cooking, shopping, cleaning. You know the drift.
In this economic situation, which doesn't look like getting any better any time soon, what would you advise?
If I had daughters in high school right now, and if they asked me what would I advise to do as a career to ensure a steady income and some independence.
My advice would be, look at the trades. Become a welder, iron worker, transit worker, medical, manufacturing, organic farming, cottage industries. Something that is traditionally male dominated, and be better than the guys. I was a project manager for an international construction company and was astounded that there were no other females on these huge projects including the San Francisco Airport Remodel. The only woman was a safety officer who played power games with the men, unfortunately.
My other advice to daughters, get your own place to live no matter how small. Secure it as a refuge from family distractions and a place to recover.
What would be your advice to high school daughters?
Monday, April 9, 2012
Congratulations Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi is a democratic female leader of Burma, who has spent the last 15 years under house arrest with time in prison with hard labour for her political views.
April 2nd she was elected to a political seat and leadership of the Democratic Party along with 43 other females.
I have been following her life since I visited Burma, now known as Myanmar. Burma at that time was a communist Buddhist country which only granted 10 day visa's with a $100 spending limit for each visitor.
Burma is one of the poorest countries in Asia due to civil wars since British rule in 1948. A beautiful country with a long coastline. Rangoon is the capital city. Mandalay was a hill station in the north dotted by huge English style homes with wide verandas known as Queenslanders. Also, the old British enfield motorbikes were still running from after the WWII, obviously pieced together by cannibalising many bikes to get one to run. Overall a peaceful Buddhist community, unlike some of the noisier countries like Thailand, Malaysia or India.
Aung San Suu Kyi, is the daughter of one of Burma's former democratic leaders. She is a Nobel Peace Prize winner. Educated, tenacious and smart. She has had huge international support entertaining various international leaders at her home over the years of house arrest, notably Hillary Clinton, a huge fan.
Aung San Suu Kyi, an inspiration to all women around the world. In the leagues with Nelson Mandela, another soldier for democracy.
April 2nd she was elected to a political seat and leadership of the Democratic Party along with 43 other females.
I have been following her life since I visited Burma, now known as Myanmar. Burma at that time was a communist Buddhist country which only granted 10 day visa's with a $100 spending limit for each visitor.
Burma is one of the poorest countries in Asia due to civil wars since British rule in 1948. A beautiful country with a long coastline. Rangoon is the capital city. Mandalay was a hill station in the north dotted by huge English style homes with wide verandas known as Queenslanders. Also, the old British enfield motorbikes were still running from after the WWII, obviously pieced together by cannibalising many bikes to get one to run. Overall a peaceful Buddhist community, unlike some of the noisier countries like Thailand, Malaysia or India.
Aung San Suu Kyi, is the daughter of one of Burma's former democratic leaders. She is a Nobel Peace Prize winner. Educated, tenacious and smart. She has had huge international support entertaining various international leaders at her home over the years of house arrest, notably Hillary Clinton, a huge fan.
Aung San Suu Kyi, an inspiration to all women around the world. In the leagues with Nelson Mandela, another soldier for democracy.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Vacation
I'll be taking a little vacation from this blog while I work on my cancer.
Be back soon and please let me know what issues you want some research on. Your comments are called for.
We've got a long way to go with women like the S.C. governor stating recently that " women aren't interested in contraception". Family Planning clinics may become a thing of the past.
I won't give up, nor can you.
Be back soon and please let me know what issues you want some research on. Your comments are called for.
We've got a long way to go with women like the S.C. governor stating recently that " women aren't interested in contraception". Family Planning clinics may become a thing of the past.
I won't give up, nor can you.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Norway - can we learn from them?
Women in Norway versus women in the Arab States.
Both areas are oil rich societies, yet the contrast in women's equality is staggering as is the standard of living.
Norway has two laws which amazed me. Government must have forty percent representation by females. The second law is more interesting, all company boards must have 40 percent representation by women.
Recently in Egypt, women applied for hundreds of government positions, yet were granted 2% only. A start.
Do you think we would be in this unethical financial debacle if all our boards held 40% female representation?
Both areas are oil rich societies, yet the contrast in women's equality is staggering as is the standard of living.
Norway has two laws which amazed me. Government must have forty percent representation by females. The second law is more interesting, all company boards must have 40 percent representation by women.
Recently in Egypt, women applied for hundreds of government positions, yet were granted 2% only. A start.
Do you think we would be in this unethical financial debacle if all our boards held 40% female representation?
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Destiny
I think about women's equality issues a lot. Goes along with tolerance of each other which has always been close to my heart. Anyone who has been following these postings from the beginning knows how I feel about tolerance.
What would equality look like? Same rules apply to both genders essentially. Able to earn the same wages, defend the country, be represented in government or board rooms which is where the power really is, etc. Many issues would need to be changed.
How many of us are guided by our own gut feelings, our DESTINY in other words? Probably not too many of us. As we grew up, the media through television, magazines, movies played a huge part in how we viewed our roles in society. Our aspirations where often set by others, wanting the latest trendsetter, the biggest house, the cutest car, clothes etc. Our preferences or prejudices were often set by others without a second thought.
How many of us are guided by our churches, temples,groups, clans, which set up expectations of male leadership and female subservience?
The point is, do we as women listen to our own common sense in regards to how we value ourselves or are influenced by others? Can we envision turning off all those constant communications coming at us from the Internet and whatever sources of media we prefer? Can we listen to ourselves, our DESTINY? Would that make us stronger?
What do you think?
What would equality look like? Same rules apply to both genders essentially. Able to earn the same wages, defend the country, be represented in government or board rooms which is where the power really is, etc. Many issues would need to be changed.
How many of us are guided by our own gut feelings, our DESTINY in other words? Probably not too many of us. As we grew up, the media through television, magazines, movies played a huge part in how we viewed our roles in society. Our aspirations where often set by others, wanting the latest trendsetter, the biggest house, the cutest car, clothes etc. Our preferences or prejudices were often set by others without a second thought.
How many of us are guided by our churches, temples,groups, clans, which set up expectations of male leadership and female subservience?
The point is, do we as women listen to our own common sense in regards to how we value ourselves or are influenced by others? Can we envision turning off all those constant communications coming at us from the Internet and whatever sources of media we prefer? Can we listen to ourselves, our DESTINY? Would that make us stronger?
What do you think?
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Wake Up Gals, Your Right to an Abortion is Quietly Fading
Twenty States in the US now require abortion providers to conduct ultrasounds before the procedure.
In Texas she must have an ultrasound probe inserted into her vagina, which is state sanctioned rape. Rape is defined as "putting any object into an orifice against a person's will". She must undergo lecturing by superiors and made to wait another 24 hours. Four states are also considering adding this lecturing and rape to their current legislation, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization.
Texas also cut spending on family planning by 66% last year. Many states are seeking ways to abolish Family Planning out of their budgets entirely.
These new abortion laws are demeaning and disrespectful of women's rights.
The fact that women's health is suffering at the hands of political gymnastics which has been going on as long as mankind has been alive.
How many women now know that one has to endure all types of additional hindrances to obtain an abortion? Ideally, abortion shouldn't be an issue. Anyone who has raised teenage children know that abstinence is a fantasy that some churches promote. Often teenagers will never admit they are sexually active to their parents. An IUD for girls is ideal, and it costs $632 which a lot of parents can't afford. Birth control pills are also expensive, and often the lack of discipline to take them daily has its toll.
Remember, currently 67% of all births in the US are now to single mothers. Obviously, the politicians would like to increase the social burden on the rest of us by increasing those numbers and making sure that more than one in five children live in poverty or below as is the current statistics coming out of Washington.
Common sense does not prevail here. Feels like we are all asleep at the wheel? Taking away women's self respect, the hands of a male dominated society, is similar to stoning women in third world countries.
What are your thoughts on this issue?
In Texas she must have an ultrasound probe inserted into her vagina, which is state sanctioned rape. Rape is defined as "putting any object into an orifice against a person's will". She must undergo lecturing by superiors and made to wait another 24 hours. Four states are also considering adding this lecturing and rape to their current legislation, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization.
Texas also cut spending on family planning by 66% last year. Many states are seeking ways to abolish Family Planning out of their budgets entirely.
These new abortion laws are demeaning and disrespectful of women's rights.
The fact that women's health is suffering at the hands of political gymnastics which has been going on as long as mankind has been alive.
How many women now know that one has to endure all types of additional hindrances to obtain an abortion? Ideally, abortion shouldn't be an issue. Anyone who has raised teenage children know that abstinence is a fantasy that some churches promote. Often teenagers will never admit they are sexually active to their parents. An IUD for girls is ideal, and it costs $632 which a lot of parents can't afford. Birth control pills are also expensive, and often the lack of discipline to take them daily has its toll.
Remember, currently 67% of all births in the US are now to single mothers. Obviously, the politicians would like to increase the social burden on the rest of us by increasing those numbers and making sure that more than one in five children live in poverty or below as is the current statistics coming out of Washington.
Common sense does not prevail here. Feels like we are all asleep at the wheel? Taking away women's self respect, the hands of a male dominated society, is similar to stoning women in third world countries.
What are your thoughts on this issue?
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