Gender-roles and the 70s

Someone was watching commercial television again.. Today Tonight showed a report on 'What Women Want' in today's society. Some interesting commentary, I admit, and backed up by some legitimate evidence (such as Professor Lee, a scholar who has studied Australian women over the last 10 years and case studies on various women in Australia).

Gender-wise, this commentary is a mere wrap-up of what most of us would have probably realised in the last couple of years - women have more opportunities and are allowed more interest in their own education and training. I've italicised (is that a word? Hmm..) 'allowed' because I think it wasn't as totally socially acceptable for women to take charge of their interests, say, 30-50 years ago.

Reporting-wise – it’s quite good. They’ve balanced everything out more or less – they have the woman who has it all (career AND family) and the woman who has just the career – although, maybe they could have thrown in a male perspective as well as the female professor/scholar to stir up the report a bit. What they could've also done in terms of examples, they could have thrown in the full-time family woman to represent those who choose family over career and asked her opinion on the matter. Other than that, I’d say its done none-to-badly.

This is another example. It’s from about 2 weeks ago, but I thought it seems mighty relevant. CNN announces the release of a New York Times columnist’s new book, ‘Are Men Necessary?’ (Here’s the book link, and the report link). Controversial, definitely, considering the stats of this fine example of American commentary and clearly angry and close-minded feminist (or is that ‘femi-Nazi?). This article is particularly good, I have to say – it’s got plenty of sources (e.g. readers, reviewers) as well as branching to all responses and commentary across all mediums (‘American Morning’ TV program, and the New York Times newspaper), as well as from the lady herself, something I reckon is pretty admirable for an internet article. It covers all grounds and look, SUB-HEADINGS!! It’s a balanced piece of journalism – much better than the Today Tonight report, but then again, you have to take into account the medium – and comments nicely on the issue of gender and sexuality.

Gosh it’s late. Five minutes into ‘That 70s Show’ and I’m still here embracing the inner nerd. *SHOCK* I chose uni over Steven Hyde? Noooooo…