Men hardwired to be unfaithful?

Here's another article. This one debunks modern studies arguing for biological determinism and gives men more credit than those that would suggest that biologically they just can't keep it in their pants.

http://www.alternet.org/reproductivejustice/148866/men_are_not_hardwired_for_infidelity%3A_why_does_pop_culture_insist_on_biological_differences_between_the_sexes

Rape Culture

Though a little upsetting this is an article worth reading. It really tries to get at and challenge the way our society views rape and discusses a "rape culture" that not only allows but encourages us to place blame or at the very least responsibility on the victim.

http://www.alternet.org/rights/148839/when_you're_forced_to_cheer_for_the_man_who_raped_you/?page=entire

"Rape culture is encouraging men to use the language of rape to establish dominance over one another ("I'll make you my bitch")….Rape culture is 1 in 6 women being sexually assaulted in their lifetimes. Rape culture is not even talking about the reality that many women are sexually assaulted multiple times in their lives. Rape culture is the way in which the constant threat of sexual assault affects women's daily movements….Rape culture is a judge blaming a child for her own rape….Rape culture is encouraging women to take self-defense as though that is the only solution required to preventing rape. Rape culture is admonishing women to "learn common sense" or "be more responsible" or "be aware of barroom risks" or "avoid these places" or "don't dress this way," and failing to admonish men to not rape."

19th Century Women Writers: An Informal Panel Discussion

The Gender Issues Group organized a panel discussion about 19th Century Women Writers on Thursday, November 11 in Tifft Lounge. The presenters were Raven See '11, Heather Turnbull '11, and Becca Kingman '11. Raven discussed Jane Austen and her Pride and Prejudice character Elizabeth Bennet. Raven argued that the novel was not just a romance novel as is often believed, but depicts the struggle of middle class women of the 19th century in finding autonomy in a patriarchal society. Heather wrestled with the question of whether Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre should have married Mr. Rochester (revealing that she herself wouldn’t marry Mr. Rochester in a million years!), as well as pondering whether Mrs. Rochester was actually the strongest female character in the novel. Becca defended the choice of a lesser known author, Elizabeth Gaskell, to put her family life before her writing career. She admired Gaskell’s challenging task of writing an authentic biography for a maligned Charlotte Bronte. Following the students’ presentations, a large group of students, faculty and staff joined in on the discussion with questions and reflections of their own. The student organized event is part of the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Women's Studies Program at EC.

19th Century Women Writers: An Informal Panel Discussion

Raven See '11: Jane Austen



Heather Turnbull '11: Charlotte Bronte


Becca Kingman '11: Elizabeth Gaskell

Male, female or neither? Gender identity debated at same-sex colleges

I was looking for a new story to read during my radio show this morning and I found this, in my mind, amazing story on CNN: Male, Female or Neither? Gender Identity Debated at Same-Sex Colleges
The article is looking at the idea of same sex schools and what happens when attending students do not fit the traditional gender role. I personally am not sure what I think about this. I am all for people being whatever they choose to be, I do not think gender should define a person. At the same time we do live in a gendered world, and some people feel more comfortable in a same sex school and environment. Even at Elmira College I've been in class where male students will take over the class. In my ideal world this would never be an issue because gender would not define people the way it does now, it would be much more androgynous. This is not the society we are living in, so what should be do now?
In the position what I would do is allow students to continue their time at the school and allow them to be whatever person and gender they feel comfortable in.